Hunting alligators is risky business, as his sons, Jacob Landry and Chase Landry, Troy has continued his family's legacy of alligator hunting in real life and translating that for TV, showcasing all of his impressive catches in the Louisiana swamplands.

It's a dangerous job that comes with many risks, which makes it all the more exciting for television viewers. Troy, 64, is known as the "King of the Swamp" because of his expert-level knowledge and experience in alligator hunting. He's no amateur, having grown up in a family of hunters. In fact, Troy's a fifth-generation alligator hunter. Troy has kept the family business going by teaching his own sons how to catch, ensuring the legacy lives on for many generations to come. Troy's ion for hunting has been ed down to his sons, who also partake in the dangerous pastime.

Troy Landry May Have Broken A Hunting Rule

Troy Was Investigated As Part Of A Sting Operation

According to a report in USA Today, in September 2024, Troy was cited for failing to properly tag an alligator. Apparently, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries received an anonymous tip about illegal hunting, and set up a sting operation. The report claimed that there were "unauthorized gator lines" on Lake Palourde in Saint Mary Parrish, Louisiana. A gator line is what they refer to as a baited hook hung on a tree or pole used to catch alligators.

Gator lines, as well as other hunting paraphernalia, are shown extensively on the show, so they're nothing new to avid watchers.

According to the report, after receiving a tip about the unauthorized hunting, two game wardens performed a six-hour stake-out and observed Troy and two others spear an alligator and haul its dead body into their boat. When confronted, Troy allegedly told officials he had permission to hunt in the area, which was subsequently proven to be true. However, Troy was apparently applying the wrong tags to the alligators he caught.

As detailed in the USA Today report, the wardens questioned Troy and his friends after observing them on the water.

"I asked Mr. Landry about the alligator that we saw him take (off) the first alligator line. Mr. Landry stated that they didn’t take an alligator from the property. After proving to him that we were watching the entire time, Mr. Landry itted that he took the alligator from this area but could not find the tags that were gifted to him for this hunt. Due to him not being able to find the proper tags, he tagged the alligator with (a tag good in Iberville Parish). Mr. Landry also itted that prior to agents making with him, he cut a dead 'stiff' alligator loose from his line and let it float away."

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries requires alligator tags be used in the area to help control and manage the alligator population. According to the report in USA Today, "The tags are issued to licensed hunters and correspond to specific geographic areas." Obtaining alligator tags requires the hunters to apply for a license and obtain permission from the landowners to hunt on their land.

Troy May Have Gotten Jail Time Or Fine

Troy Was Ticketed, Could Face Jail Time

After observing Troy and his friends catching gators in an unauthorized area, they were ticketed and charged with two counts of failing to properly tag an alligator and for the dead alligator that Troy let float away. In Louisiana, this could result in the maximum punishment, which is up to 120 days in jail and a $950 fine. A report by WAFB quoted Troy as saying he had "nothing to say" regarding the incident.

"I got a speeding ticket also last month, but I have nothing to say about it," Troy also said.

The report in WAFB included another detail, which was that one of the people with Troy during the incident was "an unidentified cameraman." Could this incident potentially air on a future episode of Swamp People? Seems likely, given the presence of a camera person, but so far, nothing has aired relating to the incident.

There have been no updates as to what resulted from these citations. Troy continues to be active on social media, especially Facebook, and he continued to be featured on Swamp People season 16, which wrapped airing in April, and on its spin-off, Swamp People: Serpent Invasion, which wrapped up season 5 in February, 2025.

Troy May Have Made A Mistake Unintentionally

Troy May Have Been Unaware Of His Error

It's possible Troy was unaware of his error, and therefore unintentionally violated the law. His claims of having permission to hunt in the area by the land owners were proven to be true, although he was still cited for improper tagging and for letting the dead carcass of an alligator float away. Troy pled ignorance in another run-in with the law in 2012, so the same could be said for this incident.

Although, it's a bit of a stretch to assume that someone who has as much experience in the area as Troy wouldn't know the laws of the land. Still, perhaps there was some miscommunication or other issues that led to Troy breaking the law. Whether or not Troy's violation was intentional, he should still have to be held able.

Does Troy Have A Spotless Reputation?

This Is Not Troy's First Violation

The cast of Swamp People have had multiple run-ins with the law, including Joe LaFont, the Molinere family, Nick Payne, and Roger Rivers. Joe has been charged with multiple instances of domestic violence throughout the years. The Detroit Free Press once reported that two of the Molinere family, R.J. and Jay Paul Molinere, were arrested for an alleged assault that occurred at a convenience store in 2016. In 2011, Nick was arrested for assaulting a police officer, according to TMZ. And in 2017, Roger was charged with 18 wildlife infractions related to hunting.

Even Troy's son, Chase, has his own history with legal troubles, stemming from an incident in 2016 where Chase was charged with shooting at a boat in the bayou. Chase later said that he fired in self-defense, believing the boat was going to run into him. Later, Chase failed to appear in court, instead choosing to go out hunting, according to TMZ, so an arrest warrant was issued.

As for Troy himself, according to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, in 2012, he was cited by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for transporting deer parts and products across state lines. The law is meant to decrease the instances of chronic wasting disease. The incurable disease is highly contagious and can affect wildlife like deer and elk. Troy and his sons, Chase and Jacob, were headed back to Louisiana after hunting in Nebraska when cited.

Troy had further claimed that his citation was because he was a public figure, and had asked for a warning instead, since he was only about 20 minutes from the Louisiana state line when he was stopped. However, he was not given a warning and was given the citation. Troy claimed he was "unaware" of the law.

Swamp People is available to stream on Hulu.

Source: USA Today, WAFB, Detroit Free Press, TMZ, TMZ, Arkansas Democrat Gazette