You’ve seen the striped polo shirt. You’ve definitely heard the gravelly scream of "Choot ’em!" echoing across the Atchafalaya Basin. Since 2010, Troy Landry has been the face of the History Channel’s Swamp People, a man who turned a thirty-day alligator season into a global brand. But if you think his life is all high-speed boat chases and wrestling monsters for the cameras, you’re missing about eighty percent of the story.
Honestly, the "King of the Swamp" title is something Troy wears a bit uncomfortably. He’s a commercial fisherman first. The TV fame? That’s just a weird side effect of being good at a job most people wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole.
The Pierre Part Legend: More Than Just a TV Character
Troy Landry didn't just appear out of the mud when reality TV producers showed up in Louisiana. He’s a fifth-generation swamper from Pierre Part. This is a tiny town where the roads basically end and the water takes over. For the Landrys, the swamp isn't a "location"—it's the office, the grocery store, and the backyard.
People often ask if the show is fake. Look, it’s television. Of course, the editors crank up the music when a gator thrashes. But the danger? That’s real. You can't "script" a twelve-foot alligator trying to take a chunk out of your wooden skiff. What’s actually different is the pace. In real life, Troy and his sons, Jacob and Chase, are often more methodical. They aren't always screaming; they’re calculating.
The Business of Being Troy Landry
Alligator season in Louisiana is a brutal, thirty-day sprint. If you don't fill your tags in that window, you don't get paid. But what does Troy do the other eleven months of the year?
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- Crawfish King: He harvests and distributes millions of pounds of crawfish annually.
- The "Choot 'Em" Brand: From trucker hats to seasoning rubs, Troy has monetized his catchphrases into a multi-million dollar empire.
- The Family Home: He spent thirty years collecting cypress logs from the swamp to build his dream house. It has no sheetrock—just solid wood and a whole lot of history.
Why the Striped Shirt?
If you've watched more than two episodes, you’ve noticed it. The man wears the same Ralph Lauren striped polo almost every single day. It’s not because he doesn’t own other clothes. It’s a superstition.
Troy calls it his "lucky shirt." Back in the early days of the show, his wife Bernita bought a bunch of them from Kohl’s. He started catching big gators while wearing one, and in the bayou, you don't mess with what's working. Now, he’s down to just a few of the original shirts, and apparently, they’re getting harder to find. It’s a small detail, but it speaks to the kind of guy he is: stubborn, traditional, and a little bit quirky.
The 2026 Reality: Is He Still Hunting?
As of early 2026, Troy is still very much active. Despite rumors of retirement that surface every single off-season, the "King" hasn't stepped down. However, the dynamics have shifted. We’re seeing more of the "next generation" taking the lead. Cheyenne "Pickle" Wheat has become a fixture on his boat, bringing a fresh energy that balances Troy’s old-school grit.
There’s a nuance to his fame now. He’s dealing with the realities of aging in a profession that breaks bodies. Alligator hunting is a young man’s game, yet here is a guy in his 60s still hauling prehistoric reptiles into a boat.
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What the Cameras Don't Show
The show focuses on the kill, but Troy’s real expertise is in conservation. He’s a vocal advocate for the swamp’s ecosystem. If the gator population isn't managed, they overpopulate, move into residential areas, and destroy the local food chain.
He’s also a surprisingly quiet family man. When the cameras stop rolling, he’s usually at his "second kitchen" (the one his wife Bernita lets him cook in) making a sauce piquante or a turtle stew. He’s not a Hollywood guy. He’s a Pierre Part guy who happens to have a camera crew following him.
Navigating the Controversy
It hasn't all been smooth sailing. Over the years, Swamp People has faced criticism for how it portrays Cajun culture. Some locals feel the show leans too hard into "backwoods" stereotypes. Troy has always defended it, saying the History Channel shows his family exactly as they are—hardworking people who love the land.
Then there are the legal hurdles. The alligator industry is heavily regulated by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). Every tag is tracked. Every kill is recorded. One wrong move or a missed signature on a permit can lead to massive fines. Troy has had to navigate these strict laws under a microscope, knowing that any mistake would be front-page news.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Swampers
If you're inspired by Troy’s "Choot 'em" attitude, there are a few things you should know about the reality of his world:
1. Respect the Season
Alligator hunting is not a year-round hobby. It is a strictly regulated commercial activity. If you want to experience it, look for licensed "Gator Hunting Tours" in the Atchafalaya Basin rather than trying to go it alone.
2. Support Local Bayou Businesses
The Landry family’s success has shed light on the economic struggles of small fishing villages. When you buy "Choot 'Em" gear or Louisiana-sourced crawfish, you’re supporting a way of life that is rapidly disappearing due to coastal erosion and changing markets.
3. Learn the Conservation Side
Understand that hunters like Troy are part of a management program. The LDWF uses hunters to maintain a healthy balance. Without them, the swamp would be a much more dangerous place for both humans and other wildlife.
4. Visit Pierre Part (Respectfully)
You can actually visit Troy’s hometown. It’s a beautiful, scenic area of Louisiana. Just remember that these are people’s homes, not a theme park. If you see the "Alligator Alley" sign at the end of a driveway, you’ve found the Landry residence, but keep a respectful distance.
Troy Landry’s legacy isn't just a catchphrase. It’s the fact that he took a localized, niche tradition and made the entire world care about a muddy corner of Louisiana. Whether he’s wearing his lucky shirt or chasing a "tree shaker," he remains a genuine article in a world of scripted reality.