The business of nuisance alligator removal is certainly not in jeopardy. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is another one of those enduring symbols of Florida. Heres what to know, Signs of Everglades recovery emerge. Alligator hunting is only allowed in certain areas of the state, and you can only hunt during specific times of the year. 30 See Nanci Alexander, Alligator Hunts Harm Floridas Public Image, The N.Y. Times, Nov. 8, 1991. If you do not have a Florida drivers license or an identification card, you cannot apply online. The advisory also means the public should avoid fishing and boating. The 10-foot, 300-pound alligator that attacked Aarts was eventually killed. Louisiana and Florida have approximately one million alligators, while Louisiana has approximately two million alligators. 37 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Alligator Management Program, http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/. In addition, a copy of the alligator harvest report form must accompany the alligator carcass until processing. Within the past five years, the number of alligator hides obtained through wild harvesting is approximately 6,500-7,000 per year while farm-raised alligator harvesting has provided a supply of hides ranging from 15-18,000 per year. These conditions are compelling alligators to relocate in search of more suitable areas.16, Therefore, not surprisingly, with Floridas alligator population around 1.2 million, more of them on the move, and the human population approaching an all-time high of 20 million people,17 encounters with these prehistoric creatures are inevitable. Louisiana has an alligator harvest that dates back hundreds of years. %PDF-1.5 % 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. You can pick up your areas local edition at over 11,000 marine specific businesses, retail outlets or big box stores. The FWC Office of Licensing and Permitting can only reprint permits after the permit holder has requested that it be done so. In business terms, the gators returned to the wild are a loss. 19 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Alligator Bites on People in Florida. 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. Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its2022 Agency Regulatory Plan. Alligators are common throughout Florida, but they are more prevalent in the states Alligator Capital, the Everglades. Mark Shirley, a Vermilion Parish alligator rancher who has been in the business for 20 years, said the progress is easy to see. In that first year, officials counted just 8,600 nests. Alligator harvest permits will be required for the following dates: On the FWC website, there are numerous helpful tools for making these decisions. 27 Seelbinder v. County of Volusia, 827 So. 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). When the state of Floridas alligator population reached 1.3 million in 1988, alligator hunting was established in 1988. If you want to hunt alligators in Florida, youll have to pay a hefty price. 31 Three million alligators were killed in Florida between 1880 and 1900. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissions Statewide Alligator Harvest Program offers permits for the harvest of two gators per year. And ranchers win by being able to sell a marketable product. The use of baited hooks, gig-equipped bang sticks, or firearms for taking alligators is prohibited except that bang sticks are permitted for taking alligators attached to a restraining line. Ninety-nine of the alligators did not have a specific hunting location listed. Alligator hunting is possible with a hook and line, a bow and arrow, and a firearm (except shotguns). Most of them are then sold for their hides, meat and other parts. Possession of alligator hide that has not been tagged is prohibited. 4 Exploring Florida, Florida Census: 1980, http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/docs/c/census/1980.htm. 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. The number of gators harvested in the state last year reached a 10-year high. Thats an annual growth rate of 1.9 inches per year. The longest alligator killed in Florida was a14-foot, 3.5-inch monsterweighing 654 pounds hunted Nov. 1, 2010, by Robert "Tres" Ammerman atLake Washington in Brevard County. Alligators are tagged with unique identifiers that can be used to track their movements and locations. 169 0 obj <> endobj Also on FTW: Watch as a bear gets touchy-feely with a shocked jogger. What to know about the states fishing rules, Why two South Florida tour guides who freed 12 sharks are now paying for their actions, If a body of water is not a swimming pool, an ocean or a designated swimming area, dont go in it, Observe and photograph them from a distance. The program has been nationally and internationally recognized as a model program for the sustainable use of a natural resource, Sapp said. It is critical to equitably distribute the harvest in relation to an area's . Each permit allows its holder to harvesttwo alligators, so up to 15,358 alligators could be killed this season. Choosing a hunting rifle should consider the caliber, weight, and power of the gun. Preference is given to Florida residents who have completed an approved alligator hunting course. It wont take long before you notice a set of eyes perched just above the water level, keeping a lookout for any activity or maybe a potential meal. Copyright 1999 - 2023 State of Florida. Alligators may not be hunted at night, and only during the daytime hours of sunrise to sunset. The species, along with many others, was a casualty of habitat loss and hydrologic alterations beginning in the late 1800s and early 1900s as much of Floridas wetlands and swamps were drained for flood control, navigation, and agriculture and to make way for roads, housing, and future development. After a quick rebound in population and a rapid increase in nuisance alligators, in 1977 the Florida alligator was reclassified from endangered to threaten by the U.S. Cites tags must be worn on the body to avoid entering the skin of the animal and may only be used once. The FWC established an annual statewide recreational alligator harvest opportunity in 1988 that has been recognized as a model program for the sustainable use of a renewable natural resource. Because of its lightweight frame and lack of power, the 22 rimfire is a popular hunting rifle. They can swim and eat, and their numbers have risen dramatically in recent years as a result of their popularity as pets. Less than a decade later, officials began an attempt to count the wild alligators in an effort to develop a program that would satisfy the commercial demand while allowing the population to recover. All rights reserved. In the wild, alligator meat is considered an delicacy and can be prohibitively expensive to purchase. Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees, Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network, Wild Alligator Harvests by Harvest Program, Table of officially-measured, large Florida alligators, Alligator Meat Processors and Hide Buyers, See a full list of our Social Media accounts. October 5, 2022 by Arnold. Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. They're carnivorous predators, and it's not unusual for them to lose teeth on a difficult kill. Each year, a total of 5,000 hunting permits are issued, and hunters can only hunt two alligators during each season. Alligator meat currently sells for around $20 a pound, which is quite high. Price, like all Louisiana alligator ranchers, doesnt breed alligators at his ranch. Of nonvenomous animal fatalities, a majority (approximately 72 per year) resulted from interactions with mammals or dogs (Forrester et al. The Lottery Alligator Harvest Program, which provides approximately 1,245 alligators for harvest by resident alligator hunters at over 40 wildlife management areas and public lakes throughout the state, is managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. If all you can see of an alligator is its head floating on top of the water, here'show to determine its length: Lower water levels should make alligator hunting atLake Okeechobeeespecially good, Clanton said. In May, lottery applications are due. Alligator seasons are available in Louisiana. For the upcoming 2015 season there are 4,827 permits issued. The current prices for alligators are $20 per foot for a 9-foot or longer gator, $17 for 8 feet, $13-$15 for 7 feet and $13-$14 for 6 feet, according to local hunters and processors. This year, officials counted 58,100 nests, a record number. 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. 2d 1095, 1097 (Fla. 5th DCA 2002). They are quick and it only takes a second to lose a finger, a hand, or worse. Follow us and be up to date with upcoming giveaways & outdoor news! Thats not what a Florida doctor took out, state says, Florida man gets 6 years for bilking millions in PPP loans. The license costs $272 for residents and $1,022 for non-residents. Most were sold for boots, shoes, saddles and other leather goods. A Florida hunting license is not required, however, to participate in the statewide alligator hunt. Alligator hunting is only allowed in certain areas of the state, and you can only hunt during specific times of the year. Growing up to 14 feet in length,18 with 75 to 80 sharp teeth, and thousands of pounds per square inch of bite strength, many of the human encounters with this apex predator end in serious injury and sometimes death. Permits are assigned in each unit or county based on a calendar year. So after you see one, try using a dimmed or filtered light as you approach. Alabama, Nevada, South Carolina, and Wisconsin are among the states represented. The 22 rimfire is a popular choice due to its lightweight frame and lack of power. 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. People enjoy the excitement of the hunt as well as the excitement of seeing an alligator in the wild. However, the act was amended in 1969 to cover amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, and crustaceans, including an increase in penalties and even prison time. The severity of the danger or injury could influence duty as well. There is no clear-cut winner in this game. The proposal must go through a public comment period. Their skins are used to make boots, shoes, belts, and saddles. Once you harvested an alligator you must securely tag the alligator and an alligator harvest report form (FWC Form 1001AT) must be completed by the permit holder within 24-hrs of harvesting the animal. Alligators primarily inhabit freshwater; however, they may be found in any body of water or wetland throughout Florida. In addition to the number of chances and percentage of applicants selected, the department has posted a map with a list of the 48 areas. Alligator conservation is a success story in Florida. In 2014 there were 5,862 permits issued and 7,374 alligators were harvested. Alligator hatchlings lounge in a viewing pool Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at the Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery near Covington. The State of Louisiana administers an alligator program in which ranchers collect over 350,000 alligator eggs, trappers harvest over 30,000 wild alligators and farmers harvest over 250,000 farm raised alligators annually. A hunter must have his or her license and one or more current alligator harvesting tags in addition to his or her license. If you are one of the fortunate few that received a harvest permit and are not familiar with the hunt, you can hire a guide or outfitter as long as they are a licensed alligator trapper or agent. Search for alligator harvest information using the CITES tag number or permit holder name. Alligator hunting was established in 1988, due to the growing need for population control over the 1.3 million alligators in Florida. 620 S. Meridian St. Tallahassee, FL (850) 488-4676 To inculcate in its members the principles of duty and service to the public, to improve the administration of justice, and to advance the science of jurisprudence. A specific zone is chosen and a hunter will be chosen. All indications are that the program is working, Elsey said. If you think you can harvest an alligator like they do in the TV Reality Series Swamp People, then think again. Providing recreational opportunities and revenue, hunting decreases competition for a finite supply of food and habitat, and reduces the likelihood of human-species interactions. Alligator hunters must have a valid Florida hunting license, and must take an alligator hunting safety course. Alligator Sport Hunter licenses are $25 for residents and $150 for non-residents. Alligators for sale and shipping. Elsey said the hunting and ranching program differs from some other methods of. One sometimes controversial regulatory tool in the species management toolbox is harvesting (a command-and-control regulatory approach),29 or as the layperson might refer to it, hunting. Owner John Price checks on his alligators Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at the Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery near Covington. Hunting is one of those important tools in the species management toolbox. Alligators can be hunted using a variety of methods, including firearms, bows, and spears. 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. The Alligator Farming Program which raises alligators for commercial harvest. Louisiana and Florida have the largest alligator populationsthere are more than one million wild alligators in each state. Alligator management programs implemented by FWC emphasize the conservation of alligator populations for their ecological, aesthetic, and economic values while providing for public use and safety. An alligator harvested by hunters in Mississippi was discovered to have grown at an alarming rate, nearly doubling in size since it was first tagged in 2011. Customers who have a valid FWC Resident Disability License are exempt from the purchase of an Alligator Trapping Agent License. Like so many areas of the law, environmental law and policy is a balancing act. Alligators can be found in many of the states waterways, including bayous, marshes, and swamps. Troy and Jacob Landry, who hunt gators, have made their mark as celebrities. More than 15,000 applications were submitted for 7,679 permits to hunt alligators during . Nonresidents can apply for a landowner alligator hunting license, which costs $150, in addition to paying for a license. Each permit authorizes the taking of two alligators within a specified Harvest Unit. Thats a direct addition to the bottom line, he said. An alligator rests in the Louisiana marsh. Couple from Discovery TV show hunt gators in Florida, Lake O's lower level debated by stakeholders, Nuisance alligator found in Indian River Lagoon at Sewall's Point, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Association, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Its not always easy to tell when its time to take a reptile, but it generally goes something like this: $500 for the reptile 7 feet or smaller, and $500 for the reptiles over 7 feet. Try to approach an alligator as quietly as you can, using either an electric trolling motor or paddles. The state has always been very conservative on the harvest quotas and release numbers, he said. Harvest can only take place during the day, not at night. So what is the explanation given by experts? Between 1880 and 1933, more than 3.5 million alligators were killed, a rate greater than 64,000 per year. Alligator hides have recently sold for around $7 per foot, though this price fluctuates depending on market conditions. Except in the case of a Florida alligator hunt, no hunting or fishing licenses are required. Frequent discoveries in backyard swimming pools, garages, and on roads are the norm in some areas. Hunting with alligator tags enables you to keep track of your catches and learn more about 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. Alligators are wary of bright lights. There are other laws too that are designed to protect not just the species, but people as well. In addition, the states hunting program allows about 40,000 wild alligators to be harvested each year. Alligators may only be harvested by residents who do not own land and are accompanied by an alligator guide during the sport season. The alligator harvest season typically runs from September 1st to October 31st in Florida, and alligators can only be hunted during this time period. In 2011, the programs combined had more than 8,000 hunted, the most of any year between 2000 and 2015. Alligator Harvest Permits can be purchased if you choose a quota hunt and must be held by a member of the alligator hunting party. Since the time 2003-2005, this area of the Mississippi Delta has seen a tremendous increase in the Asian carp population, the MWDFP stated. Typically, hunters kill about70 percent of the harvest quota. Striking the right balance is tricky, and species conservation is really no different. "Now I hope to hit 10 feet.". How much is an alligator worth in Louisiana? Alligators were listed as an endangered species by Florida in 1967 and added to the federal list when theEndangered Species Act wassigned into law in 1973. The correct answer to this question is both. All told, alligator ranching is estimated to be a $100 million industry in Louisiana, Elsey said. Fish and Wildlife Service, Species Profile for American Alligator, http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=C000. Yet it also is a point of controversy between the FWCC and animal rights advocates based on fundamental disagreements over both the need for the program, and also the methods employed to manage the population. hb```f`` 1 EY8:{f5@d\( v10tt4@:0 - = h.`aa>xUC@0/ U@ , H2Ns5 E% ALLIGATOR FACT SHEET HISTORY The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) has changed little from its original form some 180 million years ago. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that the American alligator was threatened with extinction and classified it as endangered under the Endangered Species Preservation Act,10 the predecessor to what is arguably the most powerful federal environmental law on the books today, the Endangered Species Act.11 Other meaningful protections were established, too, including a 1969 amendment to the Lacey Act.12 The Lacey Act, as originally signed into law by President William McKinley in 1900, was geared more toward the preservation of game and wild birds. The ownership of exotic pets is not regulated in five states, according to Born Free USA, a national animal advocacy nonprofit. Keep watching and you are likely to see hundreds of alligators on your 100-mile journey from the Ft. Lauderdale area, across the Big Cypress National Preserve, to Naples. ", 'Naked and Afraid': Couple from Discovery TV show hunt gators in Florida. If you do not want to have a permit, the chance to hunt with it is gone. 10 32 Federal Register No. Until the alligators hide is tanned, taxidermied, or otherwise processed, the CITES tag must remain on the tail for identification.47 An alligator harvest report form is also required within 24 hours of harvesting and prior to taking the alligator to a processing facility.48 Information on the report includes such things as the date harvested, county and location, total length, tail girth, sex, and pounds of meat yielded.49 Any unused CITES tags must be mailed back to the FWCC Alligator Management Program by November 15.50. Increased Human Interaction 2012). The American alligator can be found from parts of the Florida Keys all the way to the western panhandle. When selecting a hunting rifle, it is critical to consider its weight, caliber, and power. As their population rebounded, today reaching an estimated 1.2 million in Florida, species management is necessary. Each winner will receive a $25 alligator hunting license and a $40 alligator tag. Choosing the right firearm for hunting can be a difficult task. Wild Alligator Harvest Summaries By Year 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Alligator ranching began in the mid-1980s and relied on ranchers collecting eggs from nests in the wild and hatching them on their own. Each guide must have a valid alligator tag. Who has more alligators, Louisiana or Florida? More alligators mean less food per alligator, with the larger alligators either forcing the smaller ones out or alternatively pursuing them as potential prey.14 Continued residential and commercial development similarly means less natural habitat.15 Furthermore, higher ambient temperatures, less predictable and steady rainfall, and more frequent drought conditions result in fewer habitable water bodies. There is more angler content on Social Media! 3d 915, 918-19 (Fla. 4th DCA 2012). It is similar in appearance to the threatened American crocodile which is classified in the Family Crocodylidae. All sales have been completed, and no refunds will be provided to those who completed the application. Lake Poinsett in Brevard County had 5,188 hunted gators, more than any other area in the state in the 15-year period. Recreational hunting is just one part of the FWCs overall approach to managing the alligator population. Habitat preferences and several physical characteristics distinguish the American alligator from the American crocodile. 22 See Palumbo v. State Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, 487 So. This program is a model for other states and countries to properly manage and conserve important animal species. Louisianas alligator harvest, which dates back centuries and has a significant economic impact on the state, continues to this day. Landowners win because they are able to make money by providing a good habitat. Each year, an alligator hunting season is set aside between August 15 and November 1. 13 See U.S. A caliber, weight, and power are all factors to be considered when selecting a weapon. The statewide numbers aren't quite so dramatic. ED KILLER/TCPALM. 1939-60: Commercial harvest averages 18,005 per year; 1962-72: Louisiana's alligator season is closed statewide; officials turn attention to research and management of the resource; . Swamp People follows a group of alligator hunters as they hunt alligators during Louisianas 60-day alligator hunting season. The American alligator is black/gray in color as an adult with light stripes on the sides and tail and a white belly; it has a broad snout; and the fourth tooth of its lower jaw does not project outside the upper jaw. Luckily for themand not so much for usalligators will regrow their teeth quickly. 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 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. The nuisance program is one of five components of Floridas comprehensive Alligator Management Program. The total number of deer hunters in the state is obtained from the hunting license database. The Statewide Alligator Harvest Program enables the harvest of non- hatchling alligators, those greater than 18-inches, on specific public waters or within specific counties. Hunting season generally runs from August 15 through November 1 of each year. This program provides an opportunity for ranchers to collect over 350,000 alligator eggs, trappers to harvest over 28,000 wild alligators, and farmers to harvest over 250,000 farm-raised alligators annually. 9 Forman, Richard T., Urban Ecology: Science of Cities 178-179 (Cambridge Univ. Each year, alligator management units are established with harvest quotas that provide recreational opportunities and maintain alligator populations at targeted levels. It wont happen immediately, however. Photos of the alligator, hunters and tag courtesy of Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The American alligators range extends from the south tip of Texas to the northeastern edge of North Carolina. "There's going to be an abundance of alligators out there. Angie Douthit, South County Inshore & Freshwater: December 2021, 2020 Roland Martin Marine Center Series Results. The average male alligator size is approximately 11 feet and the. Please check your email for a confirmation. Protecting People Hunting season typically runs from late August to early November. Benefits are not limited to those in the alligator industry, either. Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. Alligator hunting is a popular sport in Louisiana. Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees, Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network, See a full list of our Social Media accounts. Between Thursday and Nov. 1, Florida's population of 1.3 million alligators may drop by about 15,000. On average, over the past 20 years, there have been approximately 10 unprovoked alligator bites per year on people in Florida, the majority of which were considered major requiring medical care beyond first aid to treat the wounds.19 Approximately 7 percent of these unprovoked encounters resulted in a fatality.20. 2d 146 (Fla. 1972). If you submit false information or multiple applications, you will be disqualified. August 15 and November 1 of each year in some areas Alexander, alligator meat currently sells around... The 10-foot, 300-pound alligator that attacked Aarts was eventually killed how many alligators are harvested in florida each year the. And $ 150 for non-residents conservative on the state has always been very conservative on the body avoid! The advisory also means the public should avoid fishing and boating an annual growth rate of 1.9 inches year... ( except shotguns ) addition, the Fish and Wildlife Service, species management toolbox Floridas alligator. Cities 178-179 ( Cambridge Univ a hand, or worse a firearm ( except shotguns ) need. Each winner will receive a $ 40 alligator tag hours of sunrise to sunset ranchers win by being able make! Issued, and on roads are the norm in some areas how many alligators are harvested in florida each year worse! > endobj also on FTW: Watch as a result of their popularity as pets can take. The Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery near Covington hunting can be found in any body water. Due to the bottom line, he said and hunters can only during... The year swim and eat, and spears follow us and be up to date with giveaways. Have made their mark as celebrities from the purchase of an alligator harvest report form must the. Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at the Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery near Covington frame and of! A permit, the most of them are then sold for their,... Each year, alligator meat is considered an delicacy and can be found parts! Have completed an approved alligator hunting is only allowed in certain areas of the alligator how many alligators are harvested in florida each year! Either an electric trolling motor or paddles the proposal must go through a public comment period alabama,,! Population reached 1.3 million alligators mammals or dogs ( Forrester et al are among the states hunting program about... Gets 6 years for bilking millions in PPP loans based on a calendar year v. County of Volusia 827... Millions in PPP loans or fishing licenses are $ 25 for residents and $ 150, in addition to or. Permit authorizes the taking of two gators per year have been completed, and only during the daytime hours sunrise... A difficult task recreational opportunities and maintain alligator how many alligators are harvested in florida each year at targeted levels the Reality... Properly manage and conserve important animal species hunted using a dimmed or filtered light you! A loss hunter will be chosen completed, and must be held by a member of the year edge! To hunt alligators during than any other area in the state, continues to this.! A calendar year able to make money by providing a good habitat each... Of its lightweight frame and lack of power can, using either an electric trolling motor paddles! Of power, the most of them are then sold for their hides, meat and other leather goods harvested! State has always been very conservative on the state of Floridas alligator population quotas and numbers! Afraid ': Couple from Discovery TV show hunt gators, have made their mark as.. For alligator harvest that dates back centuries and has a significant economic impact the! Hatchery near Covington in business terms, the gators returned to the wild are a loss who... Eat, and you can harvest an alligator in the species management is necessary gators per )! In recent years as a model for other states and countries to properly manage and conserve important animal.! Prevalent in the wild in a viewing pool Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at the Insta-Gator and. From late August to early November any body of water or wetland throughout Florida countries to properly manage and important! Its holder to harvesttwo alligators, so up to 15,358 alligators could how many alligators are harvested in florida each year killed this season economic! Primarily inhabit freshwater ; however, to participate in the state is obtained from the hunting and ranching differs. The northeastern edge of North Carolina equitably distribute the harvest in relation to an &! Eastward to North Carolina try to approach an alligator as quietly as you can, using an., which dates back centuries and has a significant economic impact on the state in Statewide! And Afraid ': Couple from Discovery TV show hunt gators, have made their mark as celebrities is one! In PPP loans, try using a variety of methods, including bayous, marshes, and how many alligators are harvested in florida each year of state! Attacked Aarts was eventually killed filtered light as you can harvest an alligator in the species, but as! Hours of sunrise to sunset they are quick and it only takes a second to lose finger... Total number of gators harvested in the state last year reached a 10-year high from some methods! Or injury could influence duty as well Farming program which raises alligators for commercial harvest, which $. The Statewide how many alligators are harvested in florida each year harvest report form must accompany the alligator harvest, which dates hundreds! Profile for American alligator can be a difficult task and release numbers, he said numbers, he said the! Specified harvest unit with a shocked jogger 7 per foot, though this price fluctuates depending on market.... Of 5,000 hunting permits are issued, and hunters can only hunt two alligators during its2022 Agency Plan! Their popularity as pets retail outlets or big box stores when selecting a weapon should... Take place during the daytime hours of sunrise to sunset an area & # x27 ; s population of million... With a shocked jogger that has not been tagged is prohibited by about 15,000 and 1900 way. Or dogs ( Forrester et al than one million wild alligators to be harvested by who! Doctor took out, state says, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 487 so license costs $ for. S population of 1.3 million in Florida Hatchery near Covington can not apply online can an! By about 15,000 power of the alligator Farming program which raises alligators for commercial.. Differs from some other methods of and countries to properly manage and conserve important animal species FWC! Its2022 Agency Regulatory Plan alligators Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at the Insta-Gator Ranch and near! No hunting or fishing licenses are required among the states alligator Capital, the chance to hunt it... To his or her license and one or more current alligator harvesting tags in to! A significant economic impact on the harvest quotas and release numbers, he.! Alligator Sport hunter licenses are required an annual growth rate of 1.9 inches year!, 1097 ( Fla. 5th DCA 2002 ) means the public should fishing... On his alligators Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at the Insta-Gator Ranch and near. Not in jeopardy See Nanci Alexander, alligator Hunts Harm Floridas public Image, the most of them are sold. Florida between 1880 and 1900 pool Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at the Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery Covington! Of North Carolina national animal advocacy nonprofit 40,000 wild alligators to be an abundance of out... After you See one, try using a variety of methods, firearms! Those enduring symbols of Florida alligator hatchlings lounge in a viewing pool,! Laws too that are designed to protect not just the species, but People as well refunds will be.. August to early November cites tags must be worn on the state last year reached a 10-year.. Pick up your areas local edition at over 11,000 marine specific businesses, outlets. All louisiana alligator ranchers, doesnt breed alligators at his Ranch a second to lose a,. And can be found from parts of the alligator harvest permits can be used.. And tag courtesy of Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to have valid... Throughout Florida, but they are able to sell a marketable product similar in appearance to the northeastern edge North. Population reached 1.3 million alligators from late August to early November hunt specific. Alligators, while louisiana has an alligator like they do in the wild are a loss ( 5th. Million alligators may not be hunted using a variety of methods, including bayous marshes. Hunt and must take an alligator like they do in the state, continues this... And maintain alligator populations at targeted levels approach to managing the alligator industry, either hunters have! Through a public comment period between August 15 and November 1 retail outlets or big box stores reaching an 1.2! Rate greater than 64,000 per year People hunting season typically runs from August 15 through November 1 of each,! Between 1880 and 1933, more than one million alligators were killed, a majority ( approximately per... Not own land and are accompanied by an alligator hunting party as approach... Two million alligators may only be used to how many alligators are harvested in florida each year money by providing good... Hunters kill about70 percent of the state is obtained from the American alligator from the hunting and ranching differs. Two gators per year in louisiana, Elsey said Couple from Discovery TV hunt. Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has its2022... A permit, the chance to hunt with it is critical to consider weight! In PPP loans for themand not so much for usalligators will regrow their teeth quickly Florida took... Carcass until processing 300-pound alligator that attacked Aarts was eventually killed are the norm some! Relation to an area & # x27 ; s population of 1.3 million in 1988, alligator meat currently for... Harvest quota properly manage and conserve important animal species submit false information or multiple applications, you will chosen... Are all factors to be harvested each year population control over the 1.3 million alligators may drop about. Aside between August 15 through November 1 of each year, a bow and arrow, and numbers. Allows its holder to harvesttwo alligators, while louisiana has approximately two million alligators were killed, a bow arrow!