What They Found In Chase Landry’s Boat Is Shocking
A routine gator hunt turned into a headline-grabbing controversy for Chase Landry, one of the most fearless faces on “Swamp People.” What authorities and locals found in his boat—and the actions that followed—sent shockwaves through the bayou, leaving fans stunned and demanding answers.
It happened in September 2016, deep in the Louisiana swamps. Chase was out on the water, his skiff loaded with heavy alligator carcasses—a precarious situation for any hunter. As he navigated the bayou, a nearby shrimp boat sped past, kicking up a dangerous wake. To Chase, the waves threatened to swamp his overloaded boat, risking not only his catch but his life.
In a split-second decision driven by fear and instinct, Chase picked up his rifle and fired at the shrimp boat. The bullet struck a plastic gasoline can on the boat’s cabin, causing it to leak. Chase immediately fled the scene, heading for shore as law enforcement closed in.
Deputies stopped Chase on a nearby highway and questioned him. He admitted firing at the shrimp boat, explaining that he feared for his safety. The authorities, however, charged him with illegal discharge of a weapon—a serious offense. The incident was reportedly filmed by the “Swamp People” crew, raising questions about whether it was real or staged for TV.
The shrimp boat operator, Wayne Mayon, argued he was far enough away to pose no threat, but Chase maintained that the wake could have capsized his skiff. The story quickly made national news, with fans divided: some defended Chase’s actions as understandable in the dangerous world of swamp hunting, while others condemned them as reckless.
The legal fallout was swift. Chase was booked into jail, and a court date was set. When he missed his first appearance, a warrant was issued for his arrest, casting further doubt on his future with “Swamp People.” The district attorney made it clear that Chase would not receive special treatment because of his fame.
For the Landry family, the incident was more than just a legal headache. Chase’s father, Troy Landry, is a legendary figure in the swamp, and Chase’s actions reflected not just on himself but on the family’s legacy. The pressure of upholding tradition while facing modern dangers weighed heavily on Chase, and the gunshot became a symbol of that tension.
The real shock wasn’t a physical object found in Chase’s boat, but the consequences of one decision—a gunshot that changed everything. It exposed the razor-thin line between survival and disaster in the swamp, where hunters juggle unstable boats, heavy gator loads, and unpredictable conditions. It also highlighted the clash between tradition and modernity, pride and fear, and the challenges of living by swamp rules in a world that doesn’t always understand them.
Despite the controversy, Chase remained a central figure on “Swamp People.” The incident added a new layer to his story—a cautionary tale about risk, legacy, and the unpredictable nature of life in the bayou. Fans, hunters, and outsiders alike saw that the greatest danger in the swamp isn’t always the wildlife; sometimes, it’s the choices people make under pressure.
In the end, Chase Landry’s shocking moment was less about what was found in his boat and more about the message his actions sent across the water—a message about survival, tradition, and the cost of defending both.
—
