The Unsinkable Spirit of the Bayou: How Cheyenne “Pickle” Wheat Redefined Her Role in the Swamp and at Home

In the treacherous, murky waters of the Louisiana bayou, few figures inspire as much immediate respect as Cheyenne “Pickle” Wheat. Her television persona, the fearless, rifle-wielding, full-blooded Louisiana woman of Swamp People, is no act. She’s a hunter, frog catcher, and a tough-as-nails woman who learned to hold a gun before tying her shoes, securing her first gator harvest at the age of twelve. Since joining the show in Season 12, Pickle, born on September 21st, 1995, in Pyrass, Louisiana, has been an undeniable fan favorite, known for her ability to track, tie lines, and wrestle the biggest gators without breaking a sweat.

Yet, despite her magnetic presence and unwavering popularity, fans noticed a worrying absence from the spotlight. Whispers and theories of her permanent departure from Swamp People began to swirl, fueled by mysterious pauses in filming and a shift in her social media presence. The truth, however, is far more compelling than any manufactured reality TV drama. It’s a story of family loyalty, serious health challenges, and the profound, beautiful milestones that redefined the life of the bayou’s most beloved hunter.

The Mystery of the Missing Hunter: Health Battles and Heartfelt Secrets
For a woman who handles a 10-foot thrashing gator like “another morning,” her sudden, albeit brief, retreat from the constant glare of the cameras was uncharacteristic. The speculation grew into concern, but the reality was rooted in two significant life events, the first of which had nothing to do with Pickle herself.

The production of Swamp People was forced to slow down when the “King of the Swamp,” Troy Landry, the patriarch of the show’s most famous family and a mentor to Pickle, faced a serious health crisis. Troy was diagnosed with prostate cancer, a battle that demanded his full focus on recovery and healing. When fans tuned in and didn’t see their favorite gator hunters, they logically assumed the worst—that the show was ending or cast members were walking away.

As a close friend, colleague, and even honorary family member, Pickle was deeply affected. The necessary break in filming due to Troy’s illness provided her with unexpected time away from the demanding schedule of the swamp—time she used to embrace the second, and arguably most life-altering, reason for her step back: marriage and motherhood.

From Co-Stars to Quiet Couple: The Chase Landry Rumor
Before her hiatus and subsequent life changes, one of the biggest sources of fan speculation was Pickle’s romantic relationship with Chase Landry, Troy’s skilled son. The two shared an undeniable chemistry on camera, bonding over a shared passion for the swamp life and their respective family hunting traditions.

The rumors of a romance intensified around 2020, shortly after Pickle joined the cast. The most concrete piece of evidence came when her relationship status on Facebook changed, indicating she was in a relationship with Chase Landry. The two started appearing together in photos—smiling, attending family events, and sharing adventures deep in the bayou. It was a relationship that made perfect sense: both were raised in the heart of Louisiana’s hunting culture, sharing values, traditions, and a profound respect for the land. Their connection was seemingly endorsed by the approval of Troy Landry himself, which speaks volumes in the close-knit world of the swamp.

However, the public confirmation eventually faded into silence. As quickly as the pictures appeared, they stopped, and some older ones were even deleted. To this day, the couple has never publicly confirmed a definitive breakup, leading many fans to speculate that they either quietly separated or chose to live an intensely private life away from the show’s demands. Regardless of the outcome of their relationship, their shared chapter was a genuine moment of connection that resonated deeply with the audience.

A New Life Beyond the Boat: Marriage and Motherhood
The truth behind Pickle’s vanishing act was, fortunately, a story of joy and expansion, not departure. She did not leave Swamp People; she simply added new, critical roles to her identity.

The young woman who spent her life tracking and skinning now decided to tie the knot. Her fiancé, Joshua Kippes, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) by profession, is not a cast member but shares her commitment to hard work and navigating danger. The two began appearing together online, building a solid relationship founded on shared values and mutual support. Their commitment culminated in a beautiful, heartfelt wedding in September 2024, which was even featured on the reality show. In a deeply meaningful gesture, the wedding was officiated by none other than Troy Landry, who described Pickle as being “like a daughter to him.”

The milestones continued to pile up, proving that life off-camera was even more fulfilling than the one on-screen. Pickle embraced motherhood with the same fierce dedication she applies to hunting.

On April 27th, 2023, Pickle welcomed her first child, a baby girl named My.

Less than two years later, on April 4th, 2025, she gave birth to her second child, a baby boy named Casey.

Now, the gator hunter balances her rugged professional life with the demanding, round-the-clock shift of a new mother. Her strength, once reserved for wrestling gators and enduring long, cold nights in the bayou, is now used differently: for early morning wake-ups, long nights of feeding, and the endless work of raising two young children.

The Unwavering Legacy of Cheyenne Wheat
Despite the challenges of balancing a demanding career in the swamp with the beautiful chaos of a young family, Pickle Wheat has not only endured—she is thriving. She continues to be a vital part of the Swamp People team, returning to work alongside Troy Landry and demonstrating her undeniable expertise.

Her husband, Joshua, a man who understands the pressure of a demanding, dangerous job, forms an essential partnership with her, ensuring they share the load of parenting. They prioritize moments for their family, whether it’s simply taking the kids to crawl in the grass or sharing quiet moments of laughter together.

Even when not actively filming, Pickle maintains her connection with the fanbase she adores. She engages in social media updates, sharing moments of her real life, and even hosts fun online cooking sessions, such as “Let’s Cook a Gator,” where she demonstrates how to turn a gator into a “five-star meal.” This willingness to share her authentic self—her strength, her honesty, and her lack of pretense—is what makes her a true rarity in reality television. She doesn’t try to be perfect; she simply is real.

For the many fans who worried that fame or family might have pulled her permanently from her roots, the answer is a resounding No. Cheyenne “Pickle” Wheat has not left Swamp People. Instead, she has shown the world that she is strong enough to embody both worlds—the fierce hunter of the bayou and the loving mother and wife. She continues to honor the tradition of her ancestors, teaching her children to respect the land and its creatures, ensuring that the legacy of the swamp remains vibrant for the next generation.

Pickle Wheat is flourishing, living her best life, and proving that staying true to oneself, no matter how much the spotlight shines, is the ultimate key to lasting success and happiness. She remains a rare gem in a landscape often defined by manufactured drama, proving that sometimes, the simple, real moments are the most captivating of all.