Alligator hunters can use firearms (except shotguns) to harvest free-floating alligators or send alligators on hooks and leashes (see above). Hunters should exercise extreme caution when harvesting free-swimming alligators to ensure alligators can be recovered after shooting. Hunters must practice firearms safety at all times and pay particular attention to ricochet hazards. Catching free-swimming alligators may be prohibited on public property/lakes. The licenses required to harvest alligators in Louisiana depend on your residency status and access to private and/or public properties/lakes. (5) Alligator Processing Plant Operations Regulations: Alligator protection is a success story in Florida. The alligator population in the state is estimated at 1.3 million alligators of all sizes and has been stable for many years. The FWC introduced an annual national alligator harvest opportunity in 1988, which has been recognized as a model program for the sustainable use of a renewable natural resource. Louisiana is divided into eastern and western alligator hunting areas. The East Zone opens on the last Wednesday of August; the West Zone opens on the first Wednesday of September.

Each zone will remain open for 60 days from the opening date. Hooks and bait lines must not be installed more than 24 hours before the opening season and must be removed no later than sunset on the last day of the open season. For more information on alligator hunting area boundaries, please click the Alligator Area Map button below or visit our interactive Outdoor Explorer map and select the Alligator Hunting Areas layer from the list of hunting levels. 9. The feet, viscera or skeletal parts of legally acquired alligators may be retained or transferred, provided that all transfers, with the exception of retail sales to the consumer, are documented in writing to indicate the nature and quantity of the items and the date of delivery, as well as the name and address of each consignee, and that these records be kept for a period of one year. LDWF biologists have tagged many alligators for research purposes. Some of them were caught in the wild, others were released into the wild from commercial farms. These alligators have one or more notches cut out of the tail cuties and two metal pendants in the strap between the toes (usually on the hind legs). When catching a tagged search alligator, write down the label number (usually 6 digits) as well as the alligator`s length, tail notches, and gender. Submit this information on a form provided by LDWF. It is important to report information from tagged alligators – this information allows biologists to track alligator movement, growth and survival and inform management for other harvests.

Note that sometimes the tag is lost as the alligator grows, but the information on the tail notch still allows biologists to know in which year the alligator was tagged. (4) Alligator processing plants may be constructed and operated only with the authorization of the General Manager and shall be constructed and operated in accordance with § 379.3751, F.S. The criteria for obtaining a permit for alligator processing plants are as follows: All alligators/alligator skins that are not sold to purchasers or distributors or shipped for tanning or taxidermy within 30 days of the end of the season must be reported to the LDWF using an official form. with information such as label number, location, intended use, and length. • Out-of-state applicants pay significantly more than Florida residents for the alligator fishing license. Florida residents pay $272 and state nominees pay $1,022. Alligator hunters who have already applied for an alligator hunter or assistance licence can now pay for their licence online at the link below. PLEASE NOTE: This is not an option for new hunters who have not yet obtained an alligator permit.

Alligator hunters who pay for their licence online must always pick up their licence and tags in person at their LDWF office. (10) Finished articles made wholly or partly of alligator leather, organs, teeth or skulls or other skeletal materials may be sold only in accordance with Rule 68A-25.002, FA. (b) all alligator meat purchased remains in its original packaging until it is reprocessed or prepared for consumption and the packaging is used only once for packaging the meat; Alligators and alligator pelts can only be sold to licensed fur buyers or fur traders. Most wild alligators are sold entirely to fur buyers/traders in processing plants. Make sure you have provisions in place to sell alligators before laying lines or harvesting alligators. Alligator skins can be stored anywhere, as long as they are properly labeled and documented. An alligator hunter must have all alligator skins shipped or tanned or used for taxidermy out of state inspected by LDWF, pay the appropriate daily fee and departure tax, and receive a shipping label prior to shipment.