Warren County Record-Breaking Alligator

This past Saturday a new alligator weight record was set here in Warren County.  

The MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks said that a 690.5 pounds and 12-foot-7-inch alligator (60-1/2 inches around at the belly and 42-3/8 around at the tail) was caught on private land (Belle Island) near Eagle Lake in Warren County.

The alligator was caught by Jody Fortenberry, Jake Ponder, Clinton Sennett and Brian Jackson and is the largest to be certified.  According to the MDWFP's alligator program, there were a couple gators last year that would've easily topped out over 800 pounds, but couldn't get them weighed.  

Jackson, whose name is on the hunting permit, will be considered the record-holder by the MDWFP.  There's no doubt, however, that landing the gator, nicknamed, "Gus" by Belle Island's members, was a team effort.

Alligator hunting on private land is open September 9 - October 3.  There are 83 permitted private properties within 25 counties open to alligator hunting.

Private land within the open counties must contain at least 20 acres of privately owned surface water to quality for an alligator harvest vouchers.  Each application requires special documentation and landowners permission.  The deadline for the applications was July 1.  (Photo source MDWFP)

From left, Clinton Stennett, Jody Fortenberry and Jack Ponder.