Texas Alligator Hunt Pack List
Texas alligator is a night and water edge hunt. Line checks, eye-shine scans and a careful finish. Permit first. Then pack for this hunt.
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Legal
Texas legal box. Alligator methods, tags and season dates are set by TPWD and differ by county and hunt. Check current TPWD alligator regulations and your tag rules before you go.
The pack, item by item
1. Headlamp (night)
Line checks and eye-shine scans happen at night with your hands busy on rope, line and boat. A bright, hands-free headlamp lights the water; red mode saves your night vision between checks.
- Lead pickBlack Diamond Spot 400 headlamp (red night vision)
Line checks and eye-shine scans happen at night with your hands busy on rope, line and boat. A bright, hands-free headlamp lights the water; red mode saves your night vision between checks.
Check price at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link
- Alt pickPetzl Actik Core headlamp (red mode)
Line checks and eye-shine scans happen at night with your hands busy on rope, line and boat. A bright, hands-free headlamp lights the water; red mode saves your night vision between checks.
Check price at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link
- Lead pickBlack Diamond Spot 400 headlamp (red night vision)
2. Sunglasses (optional)
Daytime line checks on open marsh and bayou bring heavy glare. Polarized lenses help you see into the water and along the banks.
- OptionalJulbo Explorer 2.0 sunglasses
Daytime line checks on open marsh and bayou bring heavy glare. Polarized lenses help you see into the water and along the banks.
Check price at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link
- OptionalJulbo Explorer 2.0 sunglasses
3. Binoculars (optional)
Glass banks, slides and set lines from the boat without running over to each one.
- OptionalVortex Diamondback HD 8x42 binoculars
Glass banks, slides and set lines from the boat without running over to each one.
Check price at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link
- OptionalVortex Diamondback HD 8x42 binoculars
Also bring
No approved store link for these yet. Pack them anyway.
- Legal take method. TPWD sets the methods (hook and line, snare, bow, firearm restrictions)
- Hooks, line and set poles
- Rope and snare pole
- Waders or knee boots
- Heavy gloves
- Spotlight and boat lights
- Cooler and ice for meat
Extras
- Night optic pickDNT ZULUS HD V2 3-12X digital night vision scope
Eye-shine scans and night line work go past what a headlamp lights up. Digital night vision with an IR light shows banks and lines in the dark. Check TPWD alligator method rules before you use any optic or firearm.
Check price at DNT OpticsAffiliate link
- Budget night opticCVLIFE BearMight smart night vision scope
A lower-cost digital night vision option for scanning water edges after dark. Check TPWD alligator method rules first.
Check price at CVLIFEAffiliate link
Some links are affiliate links, disclosed. Picks are chosen on review reputation and specs. Items without a link are ones we have no approved store for yet.
More: Texas drawn hunts, all pack lists and gear for your trip.
Also pack
Get draw deadline reminders
Every state draw that matters, near-term deadlines first: the Alaska draw (Nov 1 to Dec 15), spring big-game draws (Jan to Jun) and Texas drawn hunts (Jul to Nov), plus results when they post. Sign up and get the free 2027 draw deadline calendar (PDF). Unsubscribe anytime.
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