For 44 Mississippi children with disabilities, this year’s alligator season was about much more than hunting. It was a chance to enjoy the outdoors, make memories, and take part in an experience that many families may not otherwise get.
The hunts were organized by Southern Outdoors Unlimited, a nonprofit that takes children with disabilities on hunting and fishing trips. The organization provided the trips completely free for families.
The program started in 2020 with only six children. This year, every child who wanted to participate was matched with a tag holder willing to take them on a hunt.
Mississippi’s Public Waters Alligator Season ran from August 28 through September 7, 2026. The state distributed 961 alligator tags through a lottery system.
In past years, Southern Outdoors Unlimited did not have enough tag holders to accommodate every interested child. That changed this year when enough sportsmen volunteered to make sure no child was left out.
A Family Tradition on the Water
One of the hunts took place on the Pascagoula River, where sportsmen eventually hooked a large American alligator.
Mike Macko, the group’s alligator coordinator, joined the trip with his adult son, Josh, and his 14-year-old grandson, Jaiden. Tag holder Eric Jenkins was also aboard.
Jaiden, who is on the autism spectrum and has ADHD, has now taken part in six alligator hunts.
The group caught a 9.5-foot alligator, although it wasn't the biggest of the season. Another child’s hunt resulted in an impressive gator measuring 12.5 feet and weighing 540 pounds.
Kids Ready for Adventure
Brittany Thedford and Wyatt Gibbons were among the other children who participated.
For Brittany, it was her first alligator hunt.
- Brittany: She hoped to land a gator measuring at least 20 feet.
- Wyatt: He was ready to hunt and joked that he would fight a gator if necessary.
Their families said seeing the kids excited and involved made the experience especially meaningful.
Wyatt’s mother, Ruth Gibbons, said he had been looking forward to the trip ever since he learned he would be going. Brittany’s mother, Charlotte Thedford, appreciated that the program gave children opportunities they might not normally have.
More Than Just a Hunt
For Macko, the mission goes beyond taking kids hunting. He said safety comes first, followed by making sure every child has an unforgettable experience.
The work is personal for him, too. Macko described helping the children as a blessing and said he feels fortunate to be able to give back.
For these families, the program offered something simple but powerful: a chance for their children to experience adventure, excitement, and the outdoors alongside other hunters.
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