Swamp People: OUT OF CONTROL GATOR BRAWLS *TOP MOMENTS OF SEASON 13*

Day One of Gator Season: A Race Against Hurricane Ida

It’s day one of gator season, but swampers fear the season may be over before it even begins. Hurricane Ida, a massive Category 4 storm, is raging in the Gulf and headed straight for the swamp. This could be the end of our season – we might not have an alligator season at all. With landfall predicted in the next 48 hours, hunters scramble to make the most of the good weather before all hell breaks loose.

“You don’t know what Mother Nature is going to throw at you,” says one hunter. “So in my mind, when I come out the gate, I’m coming out with everything I’ve got.”

Predicted to be more powerful than Katrina, Hurricane Ida is packing winds of over 140 miles per hour. The stakes couldn’t be higher, but it’ll take more than that to scare off the king of the swamp. “I’m hoping we can fill up our boats and catch at least 30 to 40 alligators, catch as many as we can from day one,” says a seasoned hunter.

As the hunters gear up, they’re joined by Peewee, a young hunter learning the ropes. “Last year was her first year hunting with me, and she learned a lot. I think she’s going to do even better this year now that she knows what to expect.”

Together, they set out into the swamp, with their spirits high, determined to make the most of the good weather. They haul in their first catch of the day – an 11-foot gator – and continue their hunt, each successful catch bringing them closer to their goal.

With less than 48 hours until Hurricane Ida makes landfall, the hunters know there’s still a lot of work ahead. The storm is fast approaching, and the pressure is on.

“We’re filling up the boat quick,” says one of the hunters. “There’s a major hurricane brewing, and the path it’s showing, it’s coming right over here. So in my mind, when I come out the gate, I’m coming out with everything I’ve got.”

As the day progresses, they continue to catch gators, but the storm looms larger, bringing with it strong winds and rain bands. The tension rises as they realize the storm could be even bigger than anticipated.

Despite the growing threat, the hunters remain focused on their goal. “We’ve got a lot more work to do before this storm hits,” says another hunter. “We’ve got to hustle. This storm could change everything.”

The clouds continue to roll in as the hurricane’s winds start to pick up. The hunters know the storm is getting closer. “You don’t know what’s going to happen next. We’ve got a hurricane coming, so we need to catch all the alligators we can today,” says one.

With each successful catch, they add to the pile of giant alligators on their boat, but the storm is coming fast, and the pressure is mounting. As the rain bands begin to hit, the hunters know they need to work quickly and get off the water before the storm intensifies.

Despite the growing threat of the hurricane, the hunters press on, determined to fill their tags and make the most of the day. “It’s hard to stay focused on hunting alligators when you’ve got a major storm coming at you,” one of the hunters admits. “But we’ve got to do it – the storm could change everything, and we need to be ready.”

As the storm inches closer, the hunters know they’re in a race against time. With only a few lines left to check, they press on, determined to make it through the day and, hopefully, the season.

Meanwhile, Ronnie and Ashley are struggling to keep up with their own tags. “I’ve been throwing a lot of obstacles my way this year,” says Ronnie. “It’s really hard to catch up, but I’m doing my best.”

Realizing they need help, Ronnie reaches out to his friend, Troy Landry, for assistance. Troy doesn’t hesitate, offering to lend a hand. “We always try to help other people when they need it,” says Troy. “It’s just what we do.”

Together, Troy and his crew head out to help Ronnie and Ashley, offering their support to get through the challenges brought on by the storm. The teamwork is invaluable, and with Troy’s help, they’re able to make progress, even with the storm’s arrival looming.

As the day comes to a close, the storm continues to approach, and the hunters know they’ll have to act fast to finish their work. “We’ve got a lot to do, and we’re running out of time,” says one of the hunters. “But we’re going to keep pushing until the end.”

With the storm just hours away, the hunters race against the clock, hoping to finish the season strong before Hurricane Ida makes landfall.