Missing wife, huh? If she wasn't the mother of my kids then I'd say go for it! LOL Even if we can't get along she is a great mother and those kids mean the world to her, and vice a versa. As far as butchering, Mike, I will cross that bridge when I get there! I have watched some episodes of swamp people on DVD very closely to see where to cut the skins, however. I will definitely be doing research aside from watching swamp people, however, as I'd like to do something with the hides as well. I am going to be building an enclosure out of either a horse trough or wood with a thick rubber pond liner in it. Filtration will have to be external so they don't knock it about once they get bigger, but I do plan to keep it outside during the summer. As for the meat, gator meat is delicious! Try it if you ever get the chance, Carlson (what is your real name).