After last year's storm shortened the culling season, big gators are back with a vengeance and have become more brash than ever - boldly encroaching on residents of the bayou. But hunters have drawn a line in the swamp, vowing to stop their deadly march - no matter the cost. With human lives on the line and the highest gator prices in years, swampers are pulling out all the stops to cash in during the 30-day hunting season. They will have to resort to all new strategies and expand into unfamiliar territories in order to track down the biggest and most vicious beasts in the bayou.

• Pat Duke