Alligator hunting, anyone? Fighting and catching alligators down in murky swamps may seem like an odd hobby, but it is an actual way of life for the 18th-century French-Canadian Louisiana natives keen on preserving their culture.
History Channel’s Swamp People is as shocking as it is entertaining. The show documents the lives of the original alligator hunters as they navigate the treacherous landscapes of Louisiana’s swamps.
A fan favorite is Pickle Wheat, who manages to engage the audience with her banter, tenacity, and incredible brevity as she, her family, and friends maneuver the unforgiving Atchafalaya Basin.
So, just who is Pickles on Swamp People? Read on for the low-down on her real name, age, relationship with popular alligator hunter Troy Landry, and what she’s been up to since becoming one of the show’s biggest stars.
Who Is Pickles On Swamp People
Swamp People premiered in 2010, showcasing Louisiana’s alligator hunting season, and many cast members have come and gone. One of the reality series’s breakout stars is Pickle Wheat, who joined the cast in the 12th season and has since become a cornerstone of the franchise.
The tenacious young lady may have been new to the series back then, but she isn’t a stranger to the art of alligator hunting. According to her biography on the History Channel website, her grandfather was one of the pioneers of the alligator hunting practice in their St. Bernard Parish community.
Pickle has been hunting alongside her father, Eddie Wheat, since she was young. Aside from the day-to-day activities of alligator hunters, Pickle also helps run her family business, Wheat’s Game Calls, making duck and turkey calls—an art passed on from generation to generation rooted in their Isleño heritage.
Pickle Wheat was born to Eddie and Missie Wheat on September 21, 1995, in Poydras, Pierre Part, Louisiana. She has a brother, James Wheat, an aspiring country singer. Pickles is among the few women and was the youngest cast member on Swamp People when she joined.
The avid hunter is fondly known as Pickle, but her real name is Cheyenne Nicole Wheat.
Is Pickle Related To Troy Landry?
Pickle has been posting Troy Landry on her Instagram quite a lot, something that has left fans wondering whether the two are related and the nature of their relationship.
Troy Landry is one of the most respected gator wranglers in the community and is much older than Pickle. While the two aren’t blood relatives, their bond has become something even deeper—Troy considers Pickle the daughter he never had.
As Troy’s primary deckhand, Pickle has earned the “King of the Swamp’s” deepest respect through years of high-stakes labor on his boat. Their relationship transcends the typical employer-employee dynamic. Troy even served as the officiant at Pickle’s wedding in 2024, a role that underscored just how much she means to him and his family.
In a Facebook post, Pickles wrote, “I cannot appreciate this man enough for treating me like one of his own and for everything he has taught me.” Troy, who has three sons but no daughters, has publicly stated that Pickle has become “the daughter he never knew he wanted.”
Executive producer Brian Catalina has noted that Pickle is often the only person who can coax personal insights from the notoriously private Landry, helping viewers understand the “old school” mindset of a man who rarely shares his feelings. She’s not just pulling lines—she’s an active participant in the strategic decision-making that determines the success or failure of each season.
Pickle’s Relationship History: From Chase Landry to Joshua Kippes
Early in her time on Swamp People, Pickle was dating Troy’s son, Chase Landry. At the start of season 12, it was clear that the two had something going romance-wise. Pickle and Chase, a fellow gator hunter, made things Facebook official in October 2020.
Chase has been on the show since season 3. He was previously married to Chelsea Kinney, with whom he shares a son named Riley, but the two had separated before his relationship with Pickle began.
However, Pickle and Chase eventually went their separate ways. The professional hunter moved on and found love with Joshua Kippes, an emergency medical technician (EMT) whose background in public service shares the common threads of high-pressure decision-making and rapid response that define life in the swamp.
Pickle’s Wedding and Growing Family
On September 21, 2024—her 29th birthday—Cheyenne “Pickle” Wheat married Joshua Kippes in a ceremony that was pure Louisiana swamp tradition. The wedding took place on the Belle River, a location Pickle described as being “worth gold” due to its proximity to her familial roots and the geographic heart of her labor.
Troy Landry served as the officiant for the ceremony, while Pickle’s biological father, Eddie Wheat, walked her down the aisle. This created a powerful tableau of dual mentorship—one biological and heritage-based, the other professional and skill-based. The wedding was later broadcast in Season 16, Episode 8, titled “Gators, Guns, and A Wedding,” which aired on February 20, 2025.
Pickle and Joshua’s household is a modern blended family. Joshua has a son from a previous relationship who has been integrated into their family. The couple welcomed their first daughter together, Maemi, in May 2023. Shortly after their wedding, in October 2024, Pickle announced she was expecting their second child.
On April 4, 2025, the couple welcomed their son, Kacey, bringing their household to a family of five. Pickle’s ability to balance motherhood with the brutal demands of alligator season has earned her the nickname “Superwoman” from the show’s production team.
Pickle’s “Double Duty” as Hunter and Mother
During the filming of Season 17, which premiered in January 2026, Pickle’s status as a new mom became a central theme. Executive Producer Brian Catalina described her as a “Superwoman,” highlighting her ability to return to the boat almost immediately after giving birth to Kacey.
Pickle’s daily routine begins at 3:00 AM, dictated by the need to check over 800 alligator lines in a short window alongside Troy Landry. Within this framework, she has managed the complexities of breastfeeding and pumping while on the hunting boat—a detail that emphasizes the relentless nature of the commercial hunting industry.
This narrative of resilience has resonated deeply with the Swamp People audience. Fans have publicly lauded Pickle for her commitment to both her family and the hunt, often defending her against online critics who question the safety or propriety of a new mother working in such a dangerous environment.
Pickle herself has actively addressed these critics, whom she refers to as “scammers” and “haters,” by asserting the happiness and stability of her domestic life while emphasizing the support she receives from her husband Joshua.
Wheat’s Game Calls: Preserving Isleño Heritage
While Pickle’s fame is tied to her television presence, her professional identity is deeply rooted in her family’s business, Wheat’s Game Calls. This enterprise isn’t just a commercial venture—it’s a preservation of cultural heritage dating back to the late 18th-century Canary Islander (Isleño) settlers of Louisiana.
These settlers brought traditions of trapping, decoy carving, and pirogue building that remain the foundation of the Wheat family’s craft. Wheat’s Game Calls is a family-run operation involving Pickle’s father Eddie, her mother Missie, and her brother James. They specialize in custom-made calls for a wide variety of game, including turkey, deer, ducks, and even squirrels.
Pickle often credits her early experiences in the game call shop with giving her the patience and technical understanding necessary for professional hunting. The business has continued to thrive, maintaining an online storefront and a presence at hunting expos where the family showcases their traditional methods alongside modern improvements.
How Old Is Pickle on Swamp People
As of 2026, Pickle is 30 years old. Born on September 21, 1995, she celebrated her 29th birthday by getting married and has since added “wife” and “mother of two” to her impressive list of accomplishments.
From her early days as the youngest cast member to becoming one of the most respected hunters in the Landry fleet, Pickle Wheat has proven that she’s not just a reality TV personality—she’s a genuine force in the Louisiana alligator hunting community, carrying on traditions while building a modern family and carving out her own legendary status in the swamps.
