Jacksonville — With Florida described as the alligator hunting capital of the world, many will delight in knowing that today marks the beginning of alligator hunting season. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the season runs between August 15 and November 1 annually.
Once listed as an endangered species, today alligators roam the state of flowers in abundance.
“Alligators are a conservation success story in Florida,” said FWC’s Tammy Sapp. “The state’s alligator population, which was included on the original Federal Endangered Species List in 1967, is now estimated at 1.3 million alligators. The population has been stable for many years.”
Sapp said that the Statewide Alligator Harvest Program was created in 1988 to provide recreational opportunities for national and international hunters. The program is recognized as a model for the sustainable use of a renewable natural resource.
“Each year, alligator management units are established with appropriate harvest quotas to provide recreational opportunities for hunters from Florida and beyond,” she continued.
Today, over 7,300 alligator harvest permits are distributed with each permit allowing the harvest of two alligators.
According to the FWC, live American alligators cannot be taken from the wild without a valid Alligator Trapping License. To possess lawfully acquired American alligators for educational purposes, exhibition, or sale to permitted facilities, individuals must have a Class II License to Possess Wildlife for Exhibition or Public Sale issued by the FWC Captive Wildlife Program.
More information can be found on https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/farming/
The following information is a guideline for those licensed to hunt according to the FWC.
The FWC has initiated three programs for harvesting alligators from the wild that include the Statewide Alligator Harvest Program, the Private Lands Alligator Management Program, and the Statewide Nuisance Alligator. Licenses are also required for alligator processing and farming.
The Private Lands Alligator Management Program allows the harvest of non-hatchling alligators and collection of alligator eggs and/or hatchlings on specified private lands. Licenses are required by the private land owner that include an Alligator Trapping License for adult harvest and an Alligator Farming License for eggs and hatchlings. Appropriate tags for adults and hatchlings are required for removal off property. The FWC contracts with a limited number of private “Nuisance Alligator Trappers,” to remove specific nuisance alligators.
Individuals assisting alligator trappers can become licensed as thair agents. Call 1-888-HUNT-FLORIDA (1-888-486-8356) for more info and/or visit a tax collector’s office or license agent - a retail outlet that sells hunting and fishing licenses. Additional permits and tags are required to harvest alligators. A license is also required to purchase and process lawfully acquired alligators to sell as meat, hides, etc. A permit is required to import or export live alligators or alligator parts. Contact the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at 305-526-2610 regarding country to country export laws.
Because farming alligator hide and meat is described as a “volatile and tenuous business,” the FWC suggests that understand alligator farming and suggests to refer to the following websites: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/farming/ https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/harvest
Application Information:
Visit MyFWC.com/Alligator for details on how to apply. Applications can be submitted to a county tax collector’s office, a license agent - a retail outlet that sells hunting and fishing licenses - or online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. Credit credit card information must be submitted with each application. Applicants will be charged if awarded a permit. There is no fee to apply.
Hunters must be 18 years of age by August 15. All sales are final. Alligator harvest permits are not transferable. No other hunting licenses or FWC-issued permits are required. Permits and tags will be mailed within six weeks of drawing results and charges.
Alligator trapping license and hide validation tags tally at $272 for Florida residents and $1,022 for nonresidents. Florida Resident Persons with Disabilities Hunting and Fishing License pay $22. Additional alligator harvest permits, regardless of residency or disability are 62$.
To learn more about these alligator hunts, visit MyFWC.com/Alligator