See Ya Later, Alligator

Katherine McClanahan's home school science curriculum got a whole lot
more exciting Thursday when a 9-foot, 8-inch male alligator was caught
behind her home. "This is the nature tour of the year," said McClanahan, who lives in
Stockwell Place subdivision, and brought her children outside to join
other residents in the area for the excitement.

I stood out in the heat with McClanahan and dozens of neighbors and their children watching David Wilson and his son catch and kill the alligator Thursday morning in the Flat River in Bossier City that runs between Windsor Court and Hickory Ridge Drive.

Residents have noticed the alligator recently and notified the Louisiana
Department Wildlife and Fisheries Wednesday morning. Wilson, one of two state-licensed nuisance alligator hunters in
northwest Louisiana was called by Wildlife and Fisheries and set out
hooks that same evening. Returning today Wilson found that his bait had been taken and took to the water to retrieve the alligator.

After the dead gator was pulled up from the water everyone gathered around and took turns to touch and photograph the gator. Cade McClanahan, 8, even had his photo made while "surfing" on the gator.