An 11-year-old Tarkington middle-schooler has a hunting story she will not soon forget. Jocelyn Roberts, the daughter of Trey and Sarah Roberts, bagged an 8.5-foot alligator this week while hunting with her father and older brother on a private ranch in Rye.
The property, owned by family friends from church, includes a lake that connects to the Trinity River through the Fields Bayou. According to Trey Roberts, it is a prime spot for fish and alligators.
Before setting their lines, the family noticed large drag marks in the mud near the water’s edge — a clear sign that big alligators were close by. Jocelyn said they saw around 40 alligators in the area before settling on a spot to hunt.
This year, Trey Roberts was allotted two hunting tags for alligator season, and he decided to use the opportunity to create special memories with two of his five children. His oldest son, age 15, and youngest daughter Jocelyn were chosen for the hunt. Jocelyn also caught an alligator last year, but she admits it was smaller than her impressive catch this season.
The family used raw chicken on a large fishing hook as bait. Once the gator was snared, it took considerable effort to pull it in.
Jocelyn left that part to her dad and brother, who struggled against the rolling and thrashing reptile. She said it looked incredibly difficult, describing the experience as “crazy.”
When the alligator was finally secured, the family estimated its weight at more than 300 pounds. Trey and his sons later processed the animal, which will provide meat for the family. The leather is being tanned and will eventually be used to craft items.
[…] Eleven-year-old Jocelyn Roberts was hunting on a private ranch owned by a family friend, they told the Bluebonnet News. […]
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