The average male alligator size is approximately 11 feet and the. 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). Do you have a hunting permit or license in Florida to hunt alligators? Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. When the state of Floridas alligator population reached 1.3 million in 1988, alligator hunting was established in 1988. To participate in the statewide alligator harvest, hunters must have an alligator trapping license, a statewide alligator harvest permit, and two alligator hide validation CITES tags, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Many alligators have been marked for research by biologists with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. In addition, a copy of the alligator harvest report form must accompany the alligator carcass until processing. Hunting for alligators is legal, but not for the majority of people. An alligatormust be at least 18 inches long from snoutto tail to harvest. If an owner voluntarily decides to warn his or her guests, the owner could become liable if the warning or precautions are not sufficient and someone is nevertheless injured.27. There are an estimated 800,000 alligators on ranches and more than a million in the wild in Louisiana. "Fifteen years ago, the average size of the alligators I killed was 11 feet, 3 inches," Clanton said. Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its2022 Agency Regulatory Plan. 47 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2016 Guide to Alligator Hunting in Florida, http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issues hunting licenses for alligators. Instead, he collects the eggs every summer from wild gators' nests on private land. Like so many areas of the law, environmental law and policy is a balancing act. Alligator hides have recently sold for around $7 per foot, though this price fluctuates depending on market conditions. In that first year, officials counted just 8,600 nests. Alligator hunting season runs Aug. 15 to Nov. 1 in Florida. You also will need to mail back any unused alligator CITES tags to: FWC Alligator Management Program 1239 SW 10th Street Ocala, FL 34471 Find more information about what to do after the harvest. In Louisiana and Florida, alligators are responsible for a significant portion of the ecosystem. Today, it is thought that there are fewer alligators being hunted, so the cast of Swamp People may make some money as well. Hunting season typically runs from late August to early November. Floridas wetlands support only two of twenty-three different species of crocodilians in the world. 38 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2016 Guide to Alligator Hunting in Florida. The experience of harvesting an alligator can provide a lifetime of memories and campfire stories. You can pick up your areas local edition at over 11,000 marine specific businesses, retail outlets or big box stores. You can complete the alligator harvest report form online or by submitting a printed hardcopy. Most were sold for boots, shoes, saddles and other leather goods. Between 1880 and 1933, more than 3.5 million alligators were killed, a rate greater than 64,000 per year. Louisiana and Florida have the largest alligator populationsthere are more than one million wild alligators in each state. Possession of alligator hide that has not been tagged is prohibited. Who has more alligators, Louisiana or Florida? There is no clear-cut winner in this game. In some states, alligator hunting is only allowed during a specific season and with a permit, while in other states no permit is required. Any alligator longer than 18 inches is fair game. Hunting season generally runs from August 15 through November 1 of each year.42 Hunting is allowed only at night and in the morning, between 5 p.m. and 10 a.m.43 Two alligators are allowed per permit without size limitations except that hatchlings cannot be taken (i.e., a minimum 18 inches from tip of snout to tip of tail).44 There are several legal methods of taking alligators including, but not limited to, bows, crossbows, gigs, spears, harpoons, spear guns, hand lines, fishing poles, and bang sticks. In addition to the state program, some Florida counties issue a county- wide alligator harvest permit. hbbd```b``"fHH &o^DY;`,X 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. You must have a permit in order to hunt alligators and kill them with a rectangular hard plate on top of their heads. 2d 1095, 1097 (Fla. 5th DCA 2002). Someone who is authorized to hunt a permit holder may assist them in their hunt. Typically, hunters kill about70 percent of the harvest quota. As expected, and in an effort to manage the total numbers taken, alligator hunting permits carry with them many restrictions. So after you see one, try using a dimmed or filtered light as you approach. Hunters are required to report any lost tags to the relevant authorities if they believe the tags have been lost. To apply, applicants must be legal Louisiana residents at least 16 years old and possess a valid hunting license. John K. Powell is an environmental lawyer, registered professional engineer, and member of the Animal Law Section of The Florida Bar. Or, if you prefer digital, our magazines are also available as a, 1275 South Patrick Dr. Suite A-9 | Satellite Beach, FL 32937 | 321.777.2773 |, The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is asking the public, in particular anglers, to report any sightings of any hellbender (water dogs) to the agency. You have permission to edit this article. 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. 27 Seelbinder v. County of Volusia, 827 So. The program, based on science, incorporates many restrictions to ensure alligator populations remain healthy and stable. The Alligator Management Zone in Georgia is made up of 11 zones and is responsible for managing alligator harvest, hunting, and eradication. To apply, applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a credit or debit card, which can be used at any bank. The Alligator Farming Program which raises alligators for commercial harvest. The statewide alligator hunt does not permit guests. Striking the right balance is tricky, and species conservation is really no different. Luckily for themand not so much for usalligators will regrow their teeth quickly. Wear dark-colored clothes, so you can blend in better with the night sky. Alligator hunters must have a valid Florida hunting license, and must take an alligator hunting safety course. 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 Hunting American alligators for sport is permitted by law in certain circumstances and with a state license. Alligator conservation is a success story in Florida. Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its2022 Agency Regulatory Plan. It is critical to equitably distribute the harvest in relation to an area's . You find them in all the suitable habitats around the state: coastal marshland, rivers, bayous and swamps.. Everybody knows we got alligators all over the place, he said. The cut from 12 percent to 10 percent for alligators that are at least 48 inches long may seem small, but it's nevertheless a boon for ranchers and a sign that Louisiana's efforts to bolster the populationof wild alligators are paying off. The FWC receives over 15,000 applications each year and only issues around 7,000 permits. Alligator skin is used to make boots, shoes, belts, and saddles, while alligator oil is used to grease cotton mills and steam engines. Also on FTW: Watch as a bear gets touchy-feely with a shocked jogger. 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. 2d 244, 246 (Fla. 2d DCA 1976). The program has been nationally and internationally recognized as a model program for the sustainable use of a natural resource, Sapp said. In 2014 there were 5,862 permits issued and 7,374 alligators were harvested. The American alligator is a reptile scientifically classified in the Family Alligatoridae. 18 U.S. If you do not want to have a permit, the chance to hunt with it is gone. Each permit authorizes the taking of two alligators within a specified Harvest Unit. The toll-free number is 1-866-FWC- GATOR (1-866-392-4286). Follow us and be up to date with upcoming giveaways & outdoor news! Cites tags must be worn on the body to avoid entering the skin of the animal and may only be used once. An alligator rests in the Louisiana marsh. Hunting season generally runs from August 15 through November 1 of each year. 26 Hanrahan v. Hometown America LLC, 90 So. Their skins are used to make boots, shoes, belts, and saddles. The Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) which permits the harvest of alligators that are determined to be a threat to wildlife, to the public, or the publics pets, livestock, or property. Permits are assigned in each unit or county based on a calendar year. Swamp People follows a group of alligator hunters as they hunt alligators during Louisianas 60-day alligator hunting season. Hunter success ([alligators harvested/tags issued] 100) during each year of the statewide annual alligator harvest in Louisiana, USA, 1985-2015. ~ From the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. 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. Choosing a hunting rifle should consider the caliber, weight, and power of the gun. Greg Braselton, a certified alligator hunter from South Carolina, recommends using a 17 HMR or a 22 WMR when shooting an alligator. Louisiana residents will have an excellent chance to get their hands on some alligator hunting equipment. Alligators may not be hunted at night, and only during the daytime hours of sunrise to sunset. This year, hunters in Louisiana will be treated to 30 tags for hunting alligators on Cross Lake and Bistineau Lake. 17 University of Florida Bureau of Economic Business Research, Florida Estimates of Population 2015, available at http://edr.state.fl.us/Content/population-demographics/data/PopulationEstimates2015.pdf. 7 See, e.g., Endocrine Disruptors Start a Medical Revolution: From Alligators to Humans, Science Daily (Jan. 5, 2014), available at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140105102505.htm. However, the act was amended in 1969 to cover amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, and crustaceans, including an increase in penalties and even prison time. Alligator hunting was established in 1988, due to the growing need for population control over the 1.3 million alligators in Florida. Ordinary care, however, does not mean the owner must prevent all injuries, but rather that the owner should use reasonable care to discover dangerous conditions on the property and to protect visitors from or inform visitors about those discovered conditions. Though you may skin and consume your own alligator, if the skin, carcass, or meat is to be sold; only permitted alligator processing facilities must be used to process the animal. 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. Alligators that are nuisance animals can be removed from their natural habitat or relocated to another location if they are deemed a threat. Since the time 2003-2005, this area of the Mississippi Delta has seen a tremendous increase in the Asian carp population, the MWDFP stated. The total number of deer hunters in the state is obtained from the hunting license database. 2d 146 (Fla. 1972). Alligator trapping licenses cost significantly more to obtain from out-of-state applicants than they do to residents of Florida. Though alligators are found most often in freshwater, they can tolerate some levels of saltwater for a short period of time. 36 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2015 Florida Black Bear Hunt Summary Report; David Shiffman, 298 Bears Killed in Florida Hunt that Ignored Science, Washington Post, Oct. 29, 2015, available at https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/10/29/298-bears-killed-in-florida-hunt-that-ignored-science/?utm_term=.42cf5cfab9a9. If you want to catch gator trout consistently, youve got to target them. Another important protection involves the duty of an owner or occupant to warn others regarding the presence or potential of a dangerous condition, such as wild animals. The alligator population in this state is estimated at 1.3 million alligators of every size and has been stable for many years. 2d 352, 353 (Fla. 1st DCA 1986). Troy and Jacob Landry, who hunt gators, have made their mark as celebrities. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Farris Bryant Building Beware that on some waters, outfitters and guides are required to carry a captains license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, so check your harvest area requirements before hiring any outfitter or guide. It is rare to document alligators of this size class with annual growth rates of this magnitude, the MWDFP stated on Facebook. Heres what to know, Signs of Everglades recovery emerge. The current state record alligator length is 14 feet 3.5 inches taken from Lake Washington in Brevard County. 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. Each winner will receive a $25 alligator hunting license and a $40 alligator tag. FWC holds training seminars prior to the season to help informed the public on the requirements within the harvesting program. Fish and Wildlife Service, Species Profile for American Alligator, http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=C000. Though alligators are found most often in freshwater, they can tolerate some levels of saltwater for a short period of time. It wont happen immediately, however. Following the end of the alligator season, hunters are required by law to return lost or stolen alligator tags to LDWF within 15 days of receiving them. There is more angler content on Social Media! Alligator hunting is frequently used to remove large gators from areas. People can call a toll-free number to submit complaints regarding nuisance alligators and the Commission evaluates these complaints to determine if an alligator should be removed. A statewide alligator hunt permit is required to take alligators on a statewide basis in Florida. Interest in alligators as a source of meat and leather dates back to the early 19th century. 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. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimates the state is home to about 1.3 million of the freshwater reptiles. The permits will be issued in random drawings over four periods. For alligators that are 3 feet long, the percentage is higher. For those closer to 5 feet, its slightly lower. The harvesting of alligator is available in a variety of locations, including coastal, upland, and public lakes, but the coastal and upland WMAs provide the most opportunities. 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