Troy Landry Passes the Torch to Grandsons Ridge and Moose in ‘Bayou Bloodlines’ S15,12

As gator season nears its close in Louisiana, Swamp People shifts focus from brute survival to legacy and generational handoff. Episode 12, titled “Bayou Bloodlines” and aired on March 21, 2024, spans 1 hour and 4 minutes of high-stakes, emotionally grounded storytelling. While Troy Landry mentors his young grandsons in the art of gator hunting, other swamp veterans confront challenges that test both their skills and their bonds: Ronnie relies on Timmy’s deep knowledge of hidden honey holes in a race against time; Daniel and Joey savor a rare father-son journey into the bayou; Bruce grapples with a borrowed boat; and Jacob teams up with Don in an ambitious attempt to tag four 10-foot giants in a single day.

Pickle Steps Out, The Grandsons Step In

With Troy’s usual deckhand Pickle Wheat taking the day off to care for her newborn, Troy is left to run the lines solo—or so it seems. Instead, he recruits Ridge (12) and Moose (8), sons of his own boy Jacob Landry, for their first full-fledged day of gator hunting alongside their legendary grandfather.

Already aboard the boat, the boys are raring to go. “Somebody gotta take Miss Peewee’s job,” Troy remarks with a grin, as Moose subtly shakes his head, clearly not volunteering for the task.

Learning the Ropes in Mugga Bayou

The trio sets out into Mugga Bayou, a tried-and-true hunting ground known for producing hefty gators year after year. For Moose, it’s a first-time experience. For Ridge, it’s a special day—his first time hunting not just with his dad, but with Papa Troy.

“We got a tree shaker!” Moose yells, mimicking his grandfather’s catchphrases with genuine excitement. What follows is a display of teamwork and enthusiasm, as the boys help haul in a large alligator with Troy guiding them every step of the way.

“How You Gonna Be a Gator Hunter If You Don’t Wanna Touch the Chicken?”

Despite their willingness, there’s still plenty to learn. Moose hesitates to bait the hooks, grossed out by the smell and texture of the raw chicken. Troy gives him a gentle push—equal parts humor and wisdom.

“How you gonna be an alligator hunter if you don’t wanna touch the chicken? The more it stink, the more they like it.”

The moment reflects Troy’s patient approach to mentoring—firm but nurturing, letting the boys build confidence through experience.

Family Reunion on the Water

Later in the day, the trio pauses to meet Jacob Landry and family friend Don Brewer on the water. The quick reunion is filled with laughter and playful teasing. It’s clear that for the Landrys, hunting isn’t just tradition—it’s the glue that binds generations together.

“You little punk,” Jacob jokes, splashing his sons as they banter back and forth, continuing a Landry family legacy of both hard work and humor on the bayou.

A Legacy in the Making

As the episode winds down, the boys bag a second gator and help Troy load it into the boat, now more confident and engaged than ever. Troy watches with pride as they take initiative.

“I want my boys—and they enjoying it now—but I want them to be able to enjoy it with their kids and their grandkids maybe one day,” Jacob reflects.

The episode closes with a promise—not of just another season or another hunt—but of continuity. Gator hunting may be hard, messy work, but for Troy Landry and his family, it’s a way of life that refuses to fade.