Swamp People

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. But when he encounters an unexpected obstacle, he risks it all to fill his boat.

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; by putting their sons on a second boat with a specific mission: Catch Big Gators.

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. Veteran Bruce Mitchell, his sidekick Tyler and their new sharpshooter Ron are hoping for another big day. To fill the boat, Bruce will move their hunt to a remote bog known as Stinky Bayou.

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. To protect his family, he and his boys set out to do battle with the monster in a tiny boat and come face-to-face with disaster.

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, land the King and take another step toward their own crown. Over in Pierre Part, Troy Landry's sons are out to make their own name.

Something Wicked this Way Comes. 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 so hunters across the bayou are using every second they've got to fill as many tags as they can.

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. To make matters worse, he's facing the treacherous conditions short handed. His son Chase is sidelined with an injury. Bruce and his shooter Ron are also braving the storm.

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. In Houma, saltwater from the ocean has rushed into the marsh, chasing the gators inland. R.J. and Jay Paul will move their hunt to the place they believe the gators are hiding.

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. Over in Myrtle Grove, the high water levels that remain after the storm have given Joe and Tommy a rare opportunity.

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. It's a French saying that means "not all there," and the vicious nature of this beast's attacks point to a crazed killer.

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--and he's bringing along the Landry secret weapon...his grandfather, Troy's dad...Duffy Landry. Meanwhile, cousins Austyn and Blake are also headed toward new ground.

As the sun rises on day 18, it's already 96 degrees on the bayou. Every hunter knows the heat drives the gators into a feeding frenzy. But the scorching sun can spoil hides and meat once the gators are in the boat.

Flooding in the Mississippi Delta has raised water levels almost two feet and now the once unreachable corners of the bayou are accessible.

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.

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. In Pecan Island, Liz and Kristi start slow. Liz's hands have taken a beating.

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. Troy is determined to hold on to his crown.

Catch a fascinating sneak peek into another season of Swamp People before it premieres on February 9. And it's no guts, no gator as the bayou boys and their crews are back alongside an all-female team and sharpshooters. As the price of gator rises, these homegrown natives face the perils of nature, risking their reputations and lives.