Swamp People

It's day one of the thirty-day alligator-hunting season in Louisiana. This year prices are 30% higher, and with big bucks on the line, a Gator Gold rush is about to begin.

In Southern Louisiana the Gator Gold Rush is in full swing. Buyers are paying top dollar for alligators, and Troy has a plan to get his share. He's taking a special boat called a "Gator Tail" to an old family honey hole.

Day three of the month-long alligator season in Louisiana finds the hunters working at a frantic pace to fill their tags. King of the Swamp, Troy Landry and Master hunter, Junior Edwards are following identical strategies.

Tommy is on his own for the first time in his career. His step dad Joe wrecked his back while wrangling gators, so now Tommy must carry the load all by himself.

As the end of week one comes to a close hunters are faced with new challenges. Troy makes a shocking discovery, a monster gator is feeding dangerously close to his home.

In Houma, R.J. and Jay Paul are headed to an area known as the Hive. Every beehive has a queen bee...and the Hive has a king, a monster alpha male. Before the day is done, the boys are out to fill their boat.

It's been the best start to alligator season in a decade, and every record has been shattered. Now, the biggest storm since Hurricane Katrina is headed straight for the swamp. Forecasters predict it will make landfall by day's end.

Tropical Storm Lee is finally making landfall and it's wrecking havoc, threatening to shut down alligator season altogether. With the season in jeopardy, Troy still has over 300 tags left to be filled.

The worst of the storm has passed, but tidal surge after a storm can spell disaster, as rising waters top levees and flood towns. Joe and Tommy can't return to the hunt with their home and their community in peril.

It's the halfway point of the month-long alligator season, and it's time to rally. Boat traffic is spoiling one of Troy's go-to hunting grounds, so he and Clint decide to brave a treacherous swamp guarded by the legendary Gates of Hell.

With half the season over, the best hunters are back on track and ahead of last year's pace. R.J. and Jay Paul are after a nasty gator that's been wrecking havoc, and the monster's got a fitting nickname: Pas Tout La.

In Pierre Part, Troy Landry's sons Jacob and Chase are once again operating their own boat to help their dad fill tags. Jacob is looking for new territory.

As the sun rises on day 18, it's already 96 degrees. Every hunter knows the heat drives the gators into a feeding frenzy.

Flooding in the Mississippi Delta has raised water levels almost two feet and now the once unreachable corners of the bayou are accessible. Troy is using the high water to his advantage.

As the gator season enters the home stretch, swampers are forced to work overtime to protect their livelihoods, defend their turf, and make every dollar they can. Today is the first day of shrimping season.

Demand for alligator hides has soared, and buyers need more skins to fill their orders. Now, the race begins to get a piece of the action. Troy and his helper Clint have the prefect plan to find the big money gators they need.

The swampers are facing the toughest stretch. Worn down, the best spots have already been fished, and one unexpected turn can sink the season.

With only 5 days left in the season, the swamp is blindsided by a cold front sweeping across Louisiana, bringing a punishing frigid rain. When temperatures drop, gators run for cover, and the hunters will have to chase them down.

It's down to the final 4 days and Troy's road to the crown takes an unexpected turn. A good friend and fellow hunter has passed away. When his long-time helper asks Troy to help fill their remaining tags, Troy has a dilemma.

Troy is in a tough situation. After a fellow hunter passed away, Troy agreed to help fill his tags for the community, putting Troy's on hold.

It's the home stretch and swampers have the finish line in sight. Joe and Tommy are in a good position. At the end of the season, Joe usually hunts a reliable honey hole to get him across the finish line.

As the last day of the month-long alligator season dawns, the moment of truth arrives. Today is about one thing: tagging out before the season ends at sundown.