Hastings we are not allowed to do that in SC. The gator has to be hooked via rod, harpooned, or shot with bow/crossbow. Once he is secure along side of the boat he can be shot or a bang stick. I always hooked mine with a rod and once to the boat a 22 pistol was used to keep down bone splatter. GreggH
I took a look at the SC alligator regulations on the SCDNR website. You are pretty limited. It says no bait, no shooting of free swimming or basking alligators. It didn't give an exception for archery on the web site. I'm not sure how you luck up and get one if you can't shoot or use bait. I have used a rope or catch pole and caught a good many out of people's yards or even parking areas. A big gator isn't much problem out of the water. But a hunter might have a hard time finding one jammed up on dry ground away from the water. Good luck.
