Since 1988, the FWCC has successfully offered an alligator hunting season in Florida. Alligators at that size have scales that are the right size to be made into belts, wallets, watchbands and the like, Price explained. When the state of Floridas alligator population reached 1.3 million in 1988, alligator hunting was established in 1988. The experience of harvesting an alligator can provide a lifetime of memories and campfire stories. The toll-free number is 1-866-FWC- GATOR (1-866-392-4286). Elsey said the hunting and ranching program differs from some other methods of species conservation. accounted for an average of over 56 fatalities per year, compared to an average of about 1 fatality per year from alligator attacks in the United States (Forrester et al. With over 1 million print readers per month and the industrys most expansive distribution network, we have emerged as one of the largest outdoor publications in the United States and abroad, thus solidifying our place as a preferred resource. The major objectives of the AMP are to implement alligator harvest programs under the concept of controlled annual harvests while sustaining the economic, aesthetic, and ecological values of alligators as a renewable natural resource. Landowners win because they are able to make money by providing a good habitat. 21 F.A.C.R. Habitat preferences and several physical characteristics distinguish the American alligator from the American crocodile. If you are new to the sport, then do your research, plan your hunt a year in advance, hire a qualified guide or outfitter, and hope the permit lottery falls in your favor. Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. Phase 1 random drawing application deadlines are May 17 at 10 a.m. and May 27 at 5 p.m. A permit allows hunters to harvest two alligators from a designated harvest unit or county. This year the Army Corps of Engineers allowed Lake O to drop lower than normal in an effort to help grass grow on the lake's bottom and help reduce the need for massive discharges that can cause harmful algae blooms in the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers. If you do not have a permit, you are not permitted to shoot or kill alligators. Most were sold for boots, shoes, saddles and other leather goods. If you are interested to hunt alligators, the Louisiana alligator program is a great way to get involved in hunting and trapping alligators. They're carnivorous predators, and it's not unusual for them to lose teeth on a difficult kill. 201 0 obj <>stream Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its2022 Agency Regulatory Plan. Try to approach an alligator as quietly as you can, using either an electric trolling motor or paddles. The average size of the 2,552 alligators harvested in 2000 was 8 feet 8 inches; the average of the 8,402 killed in 2018 was 8 feet 2 inches. So what is the explanation given by experts? In addition to the state program, some Florida counties issue a county- wide alligator harvest permit. Ranchers wont actually be able to return the lower percentage until 2018 at the earliest. Permits are assigned in each unit or county based on a calendar year. 191 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<8CBFE19D2ED2B647BBAA00E4105AE958>]/Index[169 33]/Info 168 0 R/Length 108/Prev 365416/Root 170 0 R/Size 202/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Copyright 1999 - 2023 State of Florida. Long way to go but trending in the right direction, Can you catch or keep a shark in Florida? Each year, alligator management units are established with harvest quotas that provide recreational opportunities and maintain alligator populations at targeted levels. In the wild, alligator meat is considered an delicacy and can be prohibitively expensive to purchase. Though alligators are found most often in freshwater, they can tolerate some levels of saltwater for a short period of time. Floridas recreational alligator harvest, approved by the state, is one of the states most popular hunting opportunities. 38 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2016 Guide to Alligator Hunting in Florida. Conclusion An alligatormust be at least 18 inches long from snoutto tail to harvest. Each permit authorizes the taking of two alligators within a specified Harvest Unit. The change only the third in the three-decade history of the state's alligator ranching program also means that Louisianas gator population is rebounding from historic lows reached in the middle of the last century and may be approaching a healthy level. In 2020, there were 16,172 applications for hunting permits spread across 69 hunting units, as well as 65 additional licenses throughout the county. Alligators, grouped by age and size, inhabit a pool Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at the Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery near Covington. The statewide alligator hunt is the only hunt in the country that is open to the general public. Its really amazing when contrasted with the growth rate of an 11-foot, 1-inch alligator harvested by hunter Cory Stewart at the end of August. ALLIGATOR FACT SHEET HISTORY The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) has changed little from its original form some 180 million years ago. If you want to trap an alligator, youll need to purchase an Alligator Trapping License as well as two CITES tags. A larger caliber would be more powerful, but it would also increase the likelihood of causing damage. Then came the body cavity search, Motorcyclist launched from bike when his girlfriend hits him with truck, Florida cops say, A man went in for kidney removal. It debuted in 2010 and quickly became a smash hit. 9 Forman, Richard T., Urban Ecology: Science of Cities 178-179 (Cambridge Univ. 620 S. Meridian St. Tallahassee, FL (850) 488-4676 The American alligator is the largest land reptile in North America. Each permit allows its holder to harvesttwo alligators, so up to 15,358 alligators could be killed this season. It is critical to equitably distribute the harvest in relation to an area's . The Louisiana state government allows hunters to take down alligators as part of an outdoor adventure that allows visitors to see some of the states wildlife. 68A-25.001 (2006) (Feeding or Enticement of Crocodilians Unlawful). All indications are that the program is working, Elsey said. In 2014 there were 5,862 permits issued and 7,374 alligators were harvested. In private land, you can buy tags for free. %%EOF "Alligators are a conservation success story inFlorida,"FWC spokesperson Tammy Sapp said in an email. The West Zone will open its doors on September 1. Alligator Harvest Permits can be purchased if you choose a quota hunt and must be held by a member of the alligator hunting party. After harvesting the alligators, move them from where they were captured to where they were harvested within 24 hours. Alligators are a popular topic of discussion in a number of states, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Texas. Of nonvenomous animal fatalities, a majority (approximately 72 per year) resulted from interactions with mammals or dogs (Forrester et al. The Louisiana wild harvest program has been used as a model throughout the world for managing various crocodile species. Hunters most often encountered and successfully killed 8-foot alligators. This program is a model for other states and countries to properly manage and conserve important animal species. hbbd```b``"fHH &o^DY;`,X If you wish to keep skeletal remains such as the head or feet, a written transfer of ownership should be obtained from the permit holder or the processor. 169 0 obj <> endobj The alligator trapping license/harvest permit and two hide validation CITES tags are $272 for residents of Florida, $22 for disabled Florida residents, and $1,022 for non-residents. Asian carp. Alligator hatchlings lounge in a viewing pool Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at the Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery near Covington. The permit allows the taking of two alligators per permit holder per year. 2023 The Florida Bar. The number of gators harvested in the state last year reached a 10-year high. The MWDFP Wildlife Bureau has documented alligators feeding on the Asian carp on many occasions. Only time will tell whether harvesting will remain a viable tool for population control. Most farming operations obtain their stocks via this program. The Alligator Harvest Report Form must be completed by permit holders in order to harvest alligator. 32 See Keith Wood, Gator Hunting in the Sunshine State, NRA American Hunter (June 11, 2012), available at https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2012/6/11/gator-hunting-in-the-sunshine-state/. A link to the Florida alligator harvest statistics by year (Provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation . Hunting season generally runs from August 15 through November 1 of each year. Someone who is authorized to hunt a permit holder may assist them in their hunt. 18 U.S. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), is inviting hunters from throughout the state to apply for an alligator hunting license. Alligator Protections Under the Law When it comes to alligators in Louisiana, you must have a hunting license. Alligator Harvest Unit Maps Harvest units 101 - 112 John Price is a Louisiana rancher. While accompanied by a guide, a non-resident or person who is not a resident of the state may harvest alligators as a sport hunter on private property without the use of a hunting license or permission. Striking the right balance is tricky, and species conservation is really no different. All sales have been completed, and no refunds will be provided to those who completed the application. The 10-foot, 300-pound alligator that attacked Aarts was eventually killed. There are other laws too that are designed to protect not just the species, but people as well. There is a $272 fee for residents of Florida, $22 for residents with disabilities, and $1,022 for non-residents, who must pay the full amount. This same scenario rings true not just in south Florida, but all across the state. Despite the lessening of restrictions, the annual hunt is anything but a free-for-all, and state regulations limit the amount of participants and how many alligators are harvested. 2d 352, 353 (Fla. 1st DCA 1986). ED KILLER/TCPALM. Although alligators can be found in ponds, lakes, canals, rivers, swamps, and bayous in Louisiana, they are most common in our coastal marshes. The extent of this duty will depend on several factors, such as the status of the victim, knowledge of the owner, and knowledge of the victim. The 2,500 hunter sample size is more than adequate, statistically, to produce precise . The American alligator can be found from parts of the Florida Keys all the way to the western panhandle. You have permission to edit this article. 2d 244, 246 (Fla. 2d DCA 1976). Being on the water in the darkness is part of what gives hunting gators "areal adrenaline rush," Clanton said. 16 See Jackson Landers, Alligators in Your Backyard, Slate (Feb. 19, 2013), available at http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/animal_forecast/2013/02/alligators_in_virginia_climate_change_could_be_pushing_cold_blooded_species.html. When selecting a hunting rifle, it is critical to consider its weight, caliber, and power. Catching just one gator trout heavier than 5 pounds is a different story. endstream endobj startxref Alligator hunting is only allowed in certain areas of the state, and you can only hunt during specific times of the year. Numerous alligator encounters have been documented and reported by the media, many of which ended in serious injury or death. 31 Three million alligators were killed in Florida between 1880 and 1900. The permits will be issued in random drawings over four periods. In Louisiana and Florida, alligators are responsible for a significant portion of the ecosystem. A CITES-tagged alligator is required for two hide validation tags and an alligator trapping license is required for the first alligator season. Since the time 2003-2005, this area of the Mississippi Delta has seen a tremendous increase in the Asian carp population, the MWDFP stated. A statewide alligator hunt permit is required to take alligators on a statewide basis in Florida. For people under the age of 15, a license to participate is not required. When the program was first implemented, the percentage of hatched 48-inch alligators that had to be released into the wild within two years was 17 percent. People enjoy the excitement of the hunt as well as the excitement of seeing an alligator in the wild. So associated with and prevalent in the state, it was designated as the official state reptile by the Florida Legislature in 1987.2 Just take a drive across State Road 84, or Alligator Alley as it is often referred to by native south Floridians, and glance over into the dark tannic acid waters of the drainage canals that parallel this mostly desolate road. In addition, the state's hunting program allows about 40,000 wild alligators to be harvested each year. An alligator rests in the Louisiana marsh. This year, hunters in Louisiana will be treated to 30 tags for hunting alligators on Cross Lake and Bistineau Lake. Louisiana and Florida have approximately one million alligators, while Louisiana has approximately two million alligators. In addition to providing permit holders with a much desired opportunity to experience alligator hunting in Florida, alligator meat is a delicious and healthy choice. There are an estimated 800,000 alligators on ranches and more than a million in the wild in Louisiana. There was a problem saving your notification. To apply, applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a credit or debit card, which can be used at any bank. Each period corresponds to a hunting period that starts Aug. 15. "You get up close and personal with alligatorswhen you hunt them," Clanton said, "because you have to catch them before you can kill them.". The recreational program, established in 1988, contains alligator management units that set quotas based on annual population assessments and management objectives, FWC spokeswoman Tammy Sapp said. Louisiana alligator hunting regulations state that lottery hunters can only be assigned six lines for each of the three alligator tags they are issued. Whereas, the American crocodile is brown/tan in color with dark splotches on the sides and tail; it has a narrow snout; and the fourth tooth of its lower jaw projects outside the upper jaw. As a result, the lake elevation is slightlyless than 12 feet 6 inches instead of theaverage of nearly 14 feet for mid-August. We use asterisks (*) to indicate data points not used in analysis because of the deleterious effects on alligator nesting of Hurricane Rita (2005) and Hurricane Ike (2008). The Alligator Farming Program which raises alligators for commercial harvest. You can pick up your areas local edition at over 11,000 marine specific businesses, retail outlets or big box stores. A female alligator guards her nest in the Louisiana marsh. Currently, the Commissions AMP administers five programs: Under AMP the harvesting of alligators is strictly regulated and the penalty is stiff for even first time offenders. (to control the number of alligators that may be harvested from each area). It is a free-for-all. 46 See Care 2 Petitions, Stop the Alligator Hunt!, http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-the-alligator-hunt/. For example, the presence of poison ivy on a property may carry with it a lower level of due care than the presence of a 12-foot bull alligator. Frequent discoveries in backyard swimming pools, garages, and on roads are the norm in some areas. Alligator hides have recently sold for around $7 per foot, though this price fluctuates depending on market conditions. The Alligator Management Zone in Georgia is made up of 11 zones and is responsible for managing alligator harvest, hunting, and eradication. Rather, officials see the alligators as a resource, and they want to encourage wise utilization of that resource.. As expected, and in an effort to manage the total numbers taken, alligator hunting permits carry with them many restrictions. Additional pressures arose in the mid-1900s as Floridas population skyrocketed from around 2 million in 19403 to almost 10 million by 1980.4 Pressure from hunting was also a factor. Alligator hunting is regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and permits can be obtained through their website. Alligators less than 4 feet long can be relocated. Wear dark-colored clothes, so you can blend in better with the night sky. 19 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Alligator Bites on People in Florida. Alligators primarily inhabit freshwater; however, they may be found in any body of water or wetland throughout Florida. Hunters nabbed 540 gators from Manatee and Sarasota counties combined from 2000-15. In that first year, officials counted just 8,600 nests. tags will not be replaced unless they have been reported as stolen or lost. 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