South Carolina Mom Catches Giant Alligator Just Months After Giving Birth [WATCH]

A South Carolina woman has earned the nickname “Gator Girl” after catching a 12-foot-long, 597-pound alligator just months after giving birth to her baby.

Brittany Livingston and her husband, Matt Livingston, captured the massive reptile during South Carolina’s alligator hunting season in September, drawing widespread attention after videos of the catch circulated online.

One clip showed the enormous alligator in the couple’s pickup truck, while another featured them going through a McDonald’s drive-thru in West Ashley with the animal in the back.

“We had a lot of eyes on us,” the Livingstons told Live 5 News.

“People were waving, giving thumbs up … even the workers at McDonald’s came outside to see it.”

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

The catch quickly spread across social media and within the state’s hunting community, earning Brittany recognition for accomplishing the feat just five months after becoming a mother.

For five consecutive years, Brittany had applied for an alligator hunting tag through South Carolina’s lottery system.

The tags are required to hunt during the state’s official alligator season, which is managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). In 2025, her name was finally drawn for Unit 4, which covers the Pee Dee region.

“You gain preference points each year,” Brittany explained.

“This year, I finally had enough.”

Each year, the SCDNR receives over 12,000 applications for only 1,400 available tags.

The limited tag system is designed to control the state’s alligator population while minimizing nuisance encounters in residential areas.

“The goal is not to eliminate alligators,” said Jay Butfiloski, the former alligator program coordinator for the SCDNR.

“It’s to allow some harvest, which helps manage the population and reduce nuisance issues.”

The Livingstons’ hunt lasted several hours before they successfully landed the alligator.

According to their account, they finally subdued and shot the animal in the head shortly after 3 a.m.

Alligator hunting has been a regulated part of wildlife management in South Carolina since 2008.

Under state law, hunters who obtain a tag are permitted to harvest one alligator during the designated season, typically running from early September through mid-October.

The Livingstons’ catch ranks among the larger alligators documented in the Pee Dee region in recent years.

For perspective, the average harvested alligator in South Carolina typically measures between 8 and 10 feet.

The family’s story has resonated across the state, combining elements of skill, perseverance, and tradition within South Carolina’s outdoor heritage.

Brittany, who remains on maternity leave, said the experience was something she had looked forward to for years.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” she said. “Being able to finally go out there and get one like that—it’s amazing.”

The Livingstons plan to preserve part of the alligator as a keepsake, continuing a South Carolina hunting tradition that underscores both conservation and outdoor culture.

As of this week, “Gator Girl” has become a familiar name across social media and in local circles, symbolizing one of the most memorable catches of the 2025 alligator season.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.