What's the deal?

I thought that to hold a gator trappers license you had to respond when the DNR called?

I got a legit gator call up here on the Spalding/Butts County line. The guy called the DNR, the DNR gave him the number of the gator trapper that covers this area. No response so he calls me.

I explain the four foot and under rule but go out to look anyway. It's a legit six footer, can't touch it on a NWCO permit.

I try to get the guy some help. Call Social Circle they give me the district biologist number over at Joe Kurtz. She seems helpful and says she'll get the trapper to call the guy.

Guy calls me today, still no response.

Maybe I should've just gone with my gut and snagged the gator myself knowing the DNR is about useless.

Georgia's gator agents don't get paid to do that. All/most have full time jobs and do the gator thing on the side....a hobby, so to speak. The only "pay" they get is what they make on the hides and meat.

With all that said.....there is a possibility that the agent in your area is not responsive as he should be. If so, then DNR should intervene and assist the public.

It's aggravating when the "system" don't seem to be working for the public. Only way to counter that is to keep calling. Use DNR's WRD social media if still no response.....tell everyone about the lack of response.

https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeResourcesDivisionGADNR

And that is exactly why I've never pursued that license. Ain't no money it. Particularly when you consider the nearest licensed processing facility to me is over five hours away. That and gator prices have taken a hit with gator farms now a thing.

I think Georgia needs to rethink how this gets done. Because gators like bears are expanding their range.

BTW, that's the second gator call in the past year me. The other one was a less than four footer less than a mile from the house. That one chose not to pay, far as I know the gator is still there.

Had a gator agent here a few years ago that would tell the landowner that he couldn't come remove the problem gator until gator season in Aug to Oct.....then would bring a client with him and sell it as a gator hunt on the citizen's property.

We reported this up the line to no avail, so I instructed all of my officers (6 at the time) to re-route all nuisance gator calls to the agent over in the neighboring counties...and not to call our gator agent. We gave away all his potential gator revenue for about 2 years.....wasn't nothing he could do about who we routed the calls to....as us GWs initially received most of these type calls.

Finally, got rid of the POS....but had to catch him poaching using undercover game wardens to do it.