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Topic: Petite woman who bagged monster alligator defends trophy hun
mightymoe's photo
Tue 09/21/10 05:21 PM
Maryellen Mara-Christian last week caught and killed what some might perceive to be a genuine monster: an American alligator measuring more than 13 feet and weighing more than 1,000 pounds.

Now, it seems, the hunter has become the hunted.

Her story, which played out over two chaotic hours on Lake Moultrie in South Carolina, made national headlines and morning and evening news shows. They found it remarkable that a woman who stands just 5 feet 5 and weighs only 120 pounds could wrangle such a mammoth beast.

Afterward, however, some people became outraged by the methods used to dispatch the great reptile: baited fishing lines, followed by harpoons, a muzzle snare, shots from a .22-caliber weapon and, ultimately, a knife jab to the spinal cord.

"This woman should be in jail, not on TV," was among the tamer comments posted beneath a story on Carolinalive.com.

"They tortured that alligator for hours. That's just plain sick," a Bostonherald.com reader chimed in.

The hunter, who is from Massachusetts and received help from her husband and a guide, defended her actions and correctly stated that hunting of gators is legal in South Carolina and a limited seasonal hunt is how the state's wildlife agency keeps their numbers in check.

"I enjoy nature and animals a great deal and I understand why there is a reason for hunting," Mara-Christian told the Boston Herald. "I hunt because I want these creatures to be here forever."

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources states in the introduction of an online hunters' guide:

"The alligator hunting season is integral to the conservation of the American alligator in South Carolina, adds to the value of the animal and allows hunters to benefit from this sustainable and renewable natural resource."

The online guide also lists devices that can be used to attach a restraining line to the dangerous reptiles, after they've been baited and brought alongside the boat. They include hand-held snares, harpoons, gigs, arrows and snatch hooks.

Alligators are typically dispatched with a bang-stick or a handgun.

Mara-Christian's gator is a serious trophy. American alligators rarely exceed 10 feet and top out at about 13 feet. The male specimen captured by Mara-Christian was estimated to be between 60-75 years old, and very near the end of its lifespan.

"I was hoping for something around 10 feet," she told the Berkeley Independent. "We never imagined landing something like this."


I wonder if these animal rights activists would be whining about it if if ate one of there family members? that aligator could have taken down a horse, much less any human... they should be happy that thing is gone.

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/20668/petite+woman+who+bagged+monster+alligator+defends+trophy+hunt/

willing2's photo
Tue 09/21/10 05:33 PM
That gal would make one fine future ex-wife!!love

I am weak-in-da-knees for her!!:tongue:

Hellofa woman!drinker

EquusDancer's photo
Tue 09/21/10 05:39 PM
It doesn't take hours for an alligator to kill its prey and it certainly doesn't use (and poorly at that) multiple methods that torture it to death, rather then fairly quickly kill it.

That's what the animal rights people have problems with!

The animal would be suffocated and drowned, but that might take 30 minutes tops. And with a critter that big, there wouldn't be much chance of really getting away once he grabbed hold of you.

s1owhand's photo
Tue 09/21/10 05:48 PM
She oughta try to reel in some of the gi-normous mingle-gators lurkin in these disturbed waters!


willing2's photo
Tue 09/21/10 05:56 PM
I encourage all the Leftists and PETA folks to create a "Hug a Gator Week".

First one in would be hollerin',"Git dis sumbich offa me! Kill that mofo!!"laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh

mightymoe's photo
Tue 09/21/10 06:08 PM

It doesn't take hours for an alligator to kill its prey and it certainly doesn't use (and poorly at that) multiple methods that torture it to death, rather then fairly quickly kill it.

That's what the animal rights people have problems with!

The animal would be suffocated and drowned, but that might take 30 minutes tops. And with a critter that big, there wouldn't be much chance of really getting away once he grabbed hold of you.

would you rather have a dead gator or a dead you?... or your children...

mightymoe's photo
Tue 09/21/10 06:09 PM

I encourage all the Leftists and PETA folks to create a "Hug a Gator Week".

First one in would be hollerin',"Git dis sumbich offa me! Kill that mofo!!"laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh
laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh

Lpdon's photo
Tue 09/21/10 06:56 PM

Maryellen Mara-Christian last week caught and killed what some might perceive to be a genuine monster: an American alligator measuring more than 13 feet and weighing more than 1,000 pounds.

Now, it seems, the hunter has become the hunted.

Her story, which played out over two chaotic hours on Lake Moultrie in South Carolina, made national headlines and morning and evening news shows. They found it remarkable that a woman who stands just 5 feet 5 and weighs only 120 pounds could wrangle such a mammoth beast.

Afterward, however, some people became outraged by the methods used to dispatch the great reptile: baited fishing lines, followed by harpoons, a muzzle snare, shots from a .22-caliber weapon and, ultimately, a knife jab to the spinal cord.

"This woman should be in jail, not on TV," was among the tamer comments posted beneath a story on Carolinalive.com.

"They tortured that alligator for hours. That's just plain sick," a Bostonherald.com reader chimed in.

The hunter, who is from Massachusetts and received help from her husband and a guide, defended her actions and correctly stated that hunting of gators is legal in South Carolina and a limited seasonal hunt is how the state's wildlife agency keeps their numbers in check.

"I enjoy nature and animals a great deal and I understand why there is a reason for hunting," Mara-Christian told the Boston Herald. "I hunt because I want these creatures to be here forever."

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources states in the introduction of an online hunters' guide:

"The alligator hunting season is integral to the conservation of the American alligator in South Carolina, adds to the value of the animal and allows hunters to benefit from this sustainable and renewable natural resource."

The online guide also lists devices that can be used to attach a restraining line to the dangerous reptiles, after they've been baited and brought alongside the boat. They include hand-held snares, harpoons, gigs, arrows and snatch hooks.

Alligators are typically dispatched with a bang-stick or a handgun.

Mara-Christian's gator is a serious trophy. American alligators rarely exceed 10 feet and top out at about 13 feet. The male specimen captured by Mara-Christian was estimated to be between 60-75 years old, and very near the end of its lifespan.

"I was hoping for something around 10 feet," she told the Berkeley Independent. "We never imagined landing something like this."


I wonder if these animal rights activists would be whining about it if if ate one of there family members? that aligator could have taken down a horse, much less any human... they should be happy that thing is gone.

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/20668/petite+woman+who+bagged+monster+alligator+defends+trophy+hunt/



Hunting is normally quick and painless, or the person is charged with Animal Cruelty, as this person should be.

no photo
Tue 09/21/10 06:58 PM
Edited by pmarco41 on Tue 09/21/10 07:09 PM
only humans kill for sport..

willing2's photo
Tue 09/21/10 07:31 PM
Actually, it's mostly not for sport.

There is big demand for meat and hides.

And, that's how the trapping is done.

Same as trot lines for catfish.

You can also thank PETA for the overpopulation of Gators.

PETA and the gators need managed.

Just need to figgure out how to set a hook for PETAs.laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh

mightymoe's photo
Tue 09/21/10 07:59 PM

only humans kill for sport..



life is rough all over... i don't like the killing of animals either, but i guess some of yall don't understand what a 900 pound, 13 foot gator could do you people... it could swallow you whole, without even breaking a sweat. it's not like a bear, that can be trained to not attack humans, it doesn't learn, it just eats whatever is in front of it...if she didn't kill it, law enforcement would have... they kill about 5 a day in the US, way smaller than that.

Lpdon's photo
Tue 09/21/10 08:49 PM


only humans kill for sport..



life is rough all over... i don't like the killing of animals either, but i guess some of yall don't understand what a 900 pound, 13 foot gator could do you people... it could swallow you whole, without even breaking a sweat. it's not like a bear, that can be trained to not attack humans, it doesn't learn, it just eats whatever is in front of it...if she didn't kill it, law enforcement would have... they kill about 5 a day in the US, way smaller than that.


That's why you don't go out looking for them!

no photo
Tue 09/21/10 08:53 PM

Actually, it's mostly not for sport.

There is big demand for meat and hides.

And, that's how the trapping is done.

Same as trot lines for catfish.

You can also thank PETA for the overpopulation of Gators.

PETA and the gators need managed.

Just need to figgure out how to set a hook for PETAs.laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh


so, I wonder why you are against People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals??..unless of course you are just that indiferent to animal suffering..? if so, then its understandable why you would find a sadistic, cold hearted human (that woman hunter) so desirable.

no photo
Tue 09/21/10 08:54 PM


only humans kill for sport..



life is rough all over... i don't like the killing of animals either, but i guess some of yall don't understand what a 900 pound, 13 foot gator could do you people... it could swallow you whole, without even breaking a sweat. it's not like a bear, that can be trained to not attack humans, it doesn't learn, it just eats whatever is in front of it...if she didn't kill it, law enforcement would have... they kill about 5 a day in the US, way smaller than that.


I understand completly what any animal is capable of doing, that doesnt justify any kind of abuse or cruelty used when having to distroy an animal..its a sad thing to have to do it in the first place, the least we can do is show compassion and mercy...

damnitscloudy's photo
Wed 09/22/10 12:02 AM

so, I wonder why you are against People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals??..unless of course you are just that indiferent to animal suffering..? if so, then its understandable why you would find a sadistic, cold hearted human (that woman hunter) so desirable.


There are alot of people against PETA. I am one of them, but I still an animal activist in my community. smokin

mightymoe's photo
Wed 09/22/10 03:55 AM


Actually, it's mostly not for sport.

There is big demand for meat and hides.

And, that's how the trapping is done.

Same as trot lines for catfish.

You can also thank PETA for the overpopulation of Gators.

PETA and the gators need managed.

Just need to figgure out how to set a hook for PETAs.laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh


so, I wonder why you are against People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals??..unless of course you are just that indiferent to animal suffering..? if so, then its understandable why you would find a sadistic, cold hearted human (that woman hunter) so desirable.
there is nothing wrong with the ethical treatment of animals.
but peta is a joke... their ways of doing things go way overboard in there silliness.

Seakolony's photo
Wed 09/22/10 05:45 AM

Maryellen Mara-Christian last week caught and killed what some might perceive to be a genuine monster: an American alligator measuring more than 13 feet and weighing more than 1,000 pounds.

Now, it seems, the hunter has become the hunted.

Her story, which played out over two chaotic hours on Lake Moultrie in South Carolina, made national headlines and morning and evening news shows. They found it remarkable that a woman who stands just 5 feet 5 and weighs only 120 pounds could wrangle such a mammoth beast.

Afterward, however, some people became outraged by the methods used to dispatch the great reptile: baited fishing lines, followed by harpoons, a muzzle snare, shots from a .22-caliber weapon and, ultimately, a knife jab to the spinal cord.

"This woman should be in jail, not on TV," was among the tamer comments posted beneath a story on Carolinalive.com.

"They tortured that alligator for hours. That's just plain sick," a Bostonherald.com reader chimed in.

The hunter, who is from Massachusetts and received help from her husband and a guide, defended her actions and correctly stated that hunting of gators is legal in South Carolina and a limited seasonal hunt is how the state's wildlife agency keeps their numbers in check.

"I enjoy nature and animals a great deal and I understand why there is a reason for hunting," Mara-Christian told the Boston Herald. "I hunt because I want these creatures to be here forever."

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources states in the introduction of an online hunters' guide:

"The alligator hunting season is integral to the conservation of the American alligator in South Carolina, adds to the value of the animal and allows hunters to benefit from this sustainable and renewable natural resource."

The online guide also lists devices that can be used to attach a restraining line to the dangerous reptiles, after they've been baited and brought alongside the boat. They include hand-held snares, harpoons, gigs, arrows and snatch hooks.

Alligators are typically dispatched with a bang-stick or a handgun.

Mara-Christian's gator is a serious trophy. American alligators rarely exceed 10 feet and top out at about 13 feet. The male specimen captured by Mara-Christian was estimated to be between 60-75 years old, and very near the end of its lifespan.

"I was hoping for something around 10 feet," she told the Berkeley Independent. "We never imagined landing something like this."


I wonder if these animal rights activists would be whining about it if if ate one of there family members? that aligator could have taken down a horse, much less any human... they should be happy that thing is gone.

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/20668/petite+woman+who+bagged+monster+alligator+defends+trophy+hunt/


Good for her, that's awsome...........gator is good eatin........yummy love gator

willing2's photo
Wed 09/22/10 09:28 AM
There's even a TV Show about Gator hunting. They say, the gator fat is so nasty, it can be used as skeeter repellent.

EquusDancer's photo
Wed 09/22/10 09:33 AM


It doesn't take hours for an alligator to kill its prey and it certainly doesn't use (and poorly at that) multiple methods that torture it to death, rather then fairly quickly kill it.

That's what the animal rights people have problems with!

The animal would be suffocated and drowned, but that might take 30 minutes tops. And with a critter that big, there wouldn't be much chance of really getting away once he grabbed hold of you.

would you rather have a dead gator or a dead you?... or your children...


Honestly, neither. However, I'd rather my animal, child or myself be killed by an animal then a human to do it. The animal has a reason for it. Humans generally don't. I think it wrong to kill an animal for what it does for survival but keep a human alive for what it does, not survival related.

no photo
Wed 09/22/10 09:35 AM


only humans kill for sport..



life is rough all over... i don't like the killing of animals either, but i guess some of yall don't understand what a 900 pound, 13 foot gator could do you people... it could swallow you whole, without even breaking a sweat. it's not like a bear, that can be trained to not attack humans, it doesn't learn, it just eats whatever is in front of it...if she didn't kill it, law enforcement would have... they kill about 5 a day in the US, way smaller than that.


Uh, she went out for the purpose of hunting an alligator. Then tortured it, rather than killing it quickly.

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