From Swamp to Tabletop

Stuff we Like

Aug 27

After months of anticipation, the package I’ve been waiting for finally landed on my doorstep. The alligator skin from my unforgettable hunt at Grosse Savanne is here to remind me of those days and to spice up our house. It’s even better than I expected.

If you’ve ever been on a gator hunt, you know the excitement doesn’t end when the hunt is over. Once the adrenaline fades, you start counting the days until you can actually see, touch, and admire the finished skin. And let me tell you, when that box from Mark Staton, LLC arrived, my heart was pounding just like it did when I first picked up that rifle and pulled the trigger on that 8-foot gator.

The hunt itself was an adventure I’ll never forget. The lush wetlands of Grosse Savanne, the skilled guide, and that moment when Pete pulled up the rope and I went face to skull with the big reptile, it’s all etched in my memory. But after the hunt, the real handiwork begins. That’s where Mark Staton’s team, experts in alligator skin tanning and preservation, stepped in.

They take pride in transforming each hide into a piece of art. Their attention to detail, communication before and throughout the process, and high-quality craftsmanship mean you get a skin that you can proudly display, whether that’s on a wall or as part of a custom piece, purse, belt, wallet, bar stools and more.

When I unrolled my gator skin, I couldn’t stop running my hand along the surface. It was as if I had never seen a hide before, but this one was mine and it was now preserved for a lifetime.

Now that my gator skin is here, I’ve displayed it in an odd location: the dining room. It’s a fantastic table runner! Whether framed, mounted, or used in a custom leather project, a Grosse Savanne alligator hide is more than just a hunting trophy, it’s a story. And mine is ready to be told every time someone comes over for dinner.

The wait might have been long, but it was absolutely worth it. My Grosse Savanne alligator hunt experience is now preserved forever. If you’re planning a hunt or have a hide waiting to be tanned, I can’t recommend the lodge and Mark Staton’s team enough.