TOTAL COST OF TRIP: $2,650

DEPOSIT AMOUNT: $450 (THIS IS NON REFUNDABLE) 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 AT 2PM CST - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 AT 10AM CST

PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA

We are heading to the beautiful southwest Florida with Captain Dave Smith to go gator hunting! The tropical climate and easy access to water make Florida a prime habitat for alligators. Hunting these prehistoric creatures can be done in a variety of ways. We will hunt from an airboat or bay boat, depending on what area the gators are hanging out.

We can harvest these giants with a snatch hook, pistol, bang stick, knife, harpoon, or crossbow. Captain Dave will help us harvest the biggest gators we can find – with no trophy fees! We will be hunting at night, so we can enjoy all of the beauty that Punta Gorda has to offer during the day.

We will be surrounded by palm trees, sandy beaches, marinas, harbor walks, and salty air. There are several harborside restaurants where we can eat while overlooking the water. We can take a trip into the local and well-known Fishermen's Village for some shopping. Punta Gorda is home to a variety of wildlife, and it is not uncommon to see pelicans, cranes, sea turtles, and dolphins (dolphin cruise, anyone?!). Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Center houses lions, bears, tigers, bobcats, hyenas, monkeys, foxes, a black leopard, and many more animals, and it is open to the public for tours. The Military Heritage Mueseum may be of interest to any history buffs in the group. For those who care to try traditionally handcrafted cane-to-bottle Florida rum, we can take a free tour and tasting at Alligator Bay Distillers. There are also plenty of local beaches where we can throw on a swimsuit, play in the water, and bask in the warm Florida sun (be sure to pack sunscreen!). We will only be an hour's drive away from the famous Siesta Key Beach if anyone wants to take a quick roadtrip! We will be sure to work in some nap time after the fun before we head out for our nightly alligator hunting excursions.

The cost of this trip is offered at $2650 with the cost of your gator tag, lodging, and a generous tip to our guide included. You will be required to pay a $450 deposit to reserve your spot on the trip, followed by 4 monthly payments of $550.

It is required to purchase an Agent's License for $52. Processing will be an additional $25 per foot for skinning and vacuum sealing of the meat to prepare it for travel. Be sure to bring a cooler to take your meat home! If taxidermy is an option you are interested in for your harvest, Captain Dave will be happy to take your gator to his taxidermist once the trip is over. Your taxidermy can then be shipped home to you, for a cost, if you choose this option.

The guide will be providing everything needed for a successful weekend, however, travel is not included. We will arrive in Punta Gorda after lunch on September 23 in order to hunt that evening, and we will head home around lunch time on September 27 once the fun is over.

If you choose to fly, the closest airport to Punta Gorda is Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) which is located just a few miles from our Airbnb lodging.

Other airport options are:

• Ft. Myers (RSW) – 40 miles to Punta Gorda

• Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) – 59 miles to Punta Gorda

• Tampa International Airport (TPA) – 108 miles to Punta Gorda

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: PLEASE MAKE ALL PAYMENTS BY THEIR DUE DATES. IF PAYMENTS ARE LATE WE WILL ALWAYS WORK WITH YOU. HOWEVER IF THERE IS NO COMMUNICATION WE WILL ASSUME YOU ARE FORFEITING YOUR SPOT AND ANY PAYMENTS MADE WILL NOT BE REFUNDED. WE WILL THEN REACH OUT TO OUR WAITLIST AND GET YOUR SPOT FILLED BY ANOTHER PARTY. BY REGISTERING FOR ANY HER WILDERNESS TRIP YOU ARE UNDER THE FULL UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE ARE NO REFUNDS. (We are able to offer a partial refund only if we fill your spot with a member on the waiting list. At that time we may be able to refund any additional payments made outside of your deposit. Your deposit is NOT refundable. If your spot does not get filled, we will not be able to offer a refund.)

This is going to be an exciting, beautiful, and educational trip, and we'd love to have you join us! There are only 4 spots available for this trip, so be sure to register right away! Email courtney@herwilderness.co with any questions!

*Once registered, you will be invited to join a Facebook group for the respective trip. There you can discuss packing lists, travel plans, and more. Please be sure you accept the invitation to be in this group.