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Monster Fish Becomes Hunters' Fave

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 30, 2009 11:20 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Fish don’t get much uglier than the alligator gar, but lately the dinosaur-like monstrosity has attracted a following… of crossbow-wielding sportsmen trying to kill it, the Wall Street Journal reports. Part fishing, part monster hunting, bagging an alligator gar is a thrilling exercise, and at up to 8 feet long, they make great trophies. In many states officials, fearing the gar could become endangered, are enacting fishing limits.

Those limits are enraging commercial hunters, who catch alligator gar by the hundreds for sale in Mexico. Others find the idea of protecting the gar absurd. For centuries the fish has been despised; fisherman thought—somewhat erroneously—that it ate their prize game fish, and its huge rows of sharp teeth terrify swimmers. One hunting guide protested, saying, “Even if we wanted to kill ‘em all, these fish are too smart.”

A man contemplates a freshly captured alligator gar by Moon Lake, Mississippi, circa 1910.
A man contemplates a freshly captured alligator gar by Moon Lake, Mississippi, circa 1910.   (Wikimedia Commons)
Alligator gars are seen at the Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco.
Alligator gars are seen at the Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco.   (Wikimedia Commons)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Snowleopard
Jun 30, 2009 8:18 AM CDT
man definately isn't the only species that kills for fun. I've seen video of two killer whales playing catch with a baby seal, only to purposely return it to the beach once they were through, and I've seen plenty of cats catching mice and insects that they have not intention of eating. That said, shooting a fish with a crossbow is pretty stupid. With ancient fish like this you should be using a barbless hook and do catch and release so other people can fight them another day. fish this big aren't good eating anyways.
Serenity
Jun 30, 2009 5:52 AM CDT
No, they aren't. There were female chimps that killed something like 20 infant chimps, with no purpose to the killing. Man is the only one with internet to broadcast the killing.
DeniseVB
Jun 30, 2009 4:48 AM CDT
Trophy hunting is always deplorable. Is man the only species that kills for fun?
US • Science • Sports

 
Texas • Louisiana • fishing • hunting • outdoors • alligator gar

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