South Carolina hunters track, get 771-pound gator

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (AP) — Three South Carolina alligator hunters are showing off their giant catch after a week of trailing the 770-pound beast.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reported Saturday (http://bit.ly/nLO44T ) that three Clinton men snared the animal after a two-hour fight Thursday. Chase Cummins, Michael Strickland and Robbie Strickland tracked the gator by using binoculars to follow its movements.

Strickland said they got close enough in their 23-foot boat several times to fire an arrow at the gator, but the beast ducked under water and out of range. The hunters landed the alligator in a canal using an ocean fishing rod and hook.

South Carolina’s fourth annual gator season closes next Saturday.

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Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.postandcourier.com