BY FAIMON A. ROBERTS III | froberts@theadvocate.com. Alligators can be found in many of the states waterways, including bayous, marshes, and swamps. A statewide alligator hunt permit is required to take alligators on a statewide basis in Florida. Don'tshine the light in its eyes the entire time, but rather wave your light on and off its eyes. The 10-foot, 300-pound alligator that attacked Aarts was eventually killed. Hunting is one of those important tools in the species management toolbox. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issues hunting licenses for alligators. Alabama, Nevada, South Carolina, and Wisconsin are among the states represented. 2012). The average male alligator size is approximately 11 feet and the. ONLY IN FLORIDA: WATCH A MANATEE CHASE AN ALLIGATOR AT A FLORIDA PARK. The Florida alligator hunting laws are quite simple. 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. That might not be the case at other sites, whererecent heavy rains have swelled creeks, canals, swamps and smaller lakes, giving gators more places to roam. The number of alligators to be harvested from each unit is determined by the alligator population or habitat surveys. 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. An alligatormust be at least 18 inches long from snoutto tail to harvest. 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. "The prices are about 30 percent down from last year," Greenwood Gator Farms and Tours owner Tim Domangue said. The severity of the danger or injury could influence duty as well. Alligators are common throughout Florida, but they are more prevalent in the states Alligator Capital, the Everglades. Each year, a total of 5,000 hunting permits are issued, and hunters can only hunt two alligators during each season. 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. Typically, alligators have about 80 teeth in their mouth at one time, but they lose teeth frequently. So after you see one, try using a dimmed or filtered light as you approach. 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. Providing recreational opportunities and revenue, hunting decreases competition for a finite supply of food and habitat, and reduces the likelihood of human-species interactions. If you do not have a Florida drivers license or an identification card, you cannot apply online. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Permits are randomly assigned during Phase I, II, and III, and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis during Phase IV. 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. Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery near Covington, photographed Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016. If youre catching a research alligator, make sure to keep a record of the tag number (usually six digits), length, tail notch(es), and sex of the animal. It is similar in appearance to the threatened American crocodile which is classified in the Family Crocodylidae. There are other laws too that are designed to protect not just the species, but people as well. An alligator rests in the Louisiana marsh. By 1987, the gator population was defined as "recovered," and the statewide hunt wasinstituted in 1988. 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. The FWC estimates that the state is home to approximately 1.3m alligators of every size across its 67 counties, which offer around 6.7m acres of suitable wetland habitats for the animals. Generally, owners or occupants do not have an obligation to warn others about the dangers of animals living in their natural habitats or to protect them from wild animal attacks.22 However, an owner must still exercise ordinary due care in managing their property, and failure to exercise ordinary care could give rise to a cause of action for negligence, particularly for invitees.23. A number of Burmese pythons have been found in the Florida Keys, but there is not yet confirmation of a . 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. Any alligator longer than 18 inches is fair game. 2016 Hunting Season Recreational hunting is just one part of the FWC's overall approach to managing the alligator population. Landowners win because they are able to make money by providing a good habitat. Frequent discoveries in backyard swimming pools, garages, and on roads are the norm in some areas. Alligators are tagged with unique identifiers that can be used to track their movements and locations. There is no clear-cut winner in this game. Human development is often pitted against nature while simultaneously wrestling with social and economic implications. Alligator hunting is regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and permits can be obtained through their website. 2023 Coastal Angler Magazine Franchising, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Lake Okeechobee fishing report for March, 2022 by Capt. 5 See Allan R. Woodward, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, History of American Alligator Regulations in the U.S.A. (June 12, 2007). Wild Alligator Harvest Summaries By Year 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 The American alligator is an enduring symbol of Florida. If you think you can harvest an alligator like they do in the TV Reality Series Swamp People, then think again. They are quick and it only takes a second to lose a finger, a hand, or worse. On hooks and lines, alligator hunters may use firearms (except shotguns) to harvest free swimming alligators or dispatch them. John Price is a Louisiana rancher. Alligator hunting is regulated by state wildlife agencies, and laws vary from state to state. The second-most common was 7 feet, followed by 7 feet, 6 inches. Floridas recreational alligator harvest, approved by the state, is one of the states most popular hunting opportunities. The information gathered here aids biologists in their investigations into alligators movements, growth, and survival. You have permission to edit this article. All indications are that the program is working, Elsey said. Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its2022 Agency Regulatory Plan. Do you have a hunting permit or license in Florida to hunt alligators? The American alligator is the largest land reptile in North America. 620 S. Meridian St. Tallahassee, FL (850) 488-4676 Because of its larger caliber, he believes it is possible to put more energy into a shot, but it is also possible to damage something in the process. There are many alligators in Florida, but in Louisiana, the most common are in coastal marshes, and they live in freshwater rivers, lakes, and swamps. Only sunrise and sunset are permitted as harvesting hours for alligator. tags will not be replaced unless they have been reported as stolen or lost. 44 There are When it comes to alligators in Louisiana, you must have a hunting license. The Public Water Alligator Egg and Hatchling Collecting Program permits and supervises the collection of alligator eggs and hatchlings from public waters by licensed alligator farmers. The new reduction is going to add up to some money.. This same scenario rings true not just in south Florida, but all across the state. They relate to the taking of nuisance alligators, alligator farming, selling of alligator products, and much more. There is no federal law against alligator hunting, so it is generally legal in the United States. After careful consideration, and backed by research,32 Florida reinitiated statewide alligator harvesting in 1988. Alligator hunters must have a valid Florida hunting license, and must take an alligator hunting safety course. In order to ensure that population trends didnt reverse course, many other statutory and regulatory protections were implemented and remain in place today. 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. Striking the right balance is tricky, and species conservation is really no different. Louisiana alligator hunting regulations state that lottery hunters can only be assigned six lines for each of the three alligator tags they are issued. Alligator Harvest Permits can be purchased if you choose a quota hunt and must be held by a member of the alligator hunting party. Wear dark-colored clothes, so you can blend in better with the night sky. Population Decline The American alligators range extends from the south tip of Texas to the northeastern edge of North Carolina. More than 87,000 between 2000 and 2015 by the FWC, which coordinates two gator hunting programs: the statewide nuisance alligator program and the recreational statewide alligator harvest program. 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. 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. https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/09/alligator-grows-at-alarming-rate-officials-think-they-know-why, reported this week by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Predicting where the NFL's top 21 free agents will wind up in 2023, 2023 NFL mock draft: Shaking up the top 6 with trades (and a Chicago Bears haul), NHL March power rankings: The East is so loaded as the trade deadline approaches, 1 side-by-side MLB video should convince you the pitch clock is the best, Sister Jean surprisingly picked a non-Chicago team to win the NCAA Mens National title, The top-20 NHL trade targets headed into the 2023 deadline, Pirates and Orioles played a sandlot-style inning of baseball after the umpires left the field, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The eggs are hatched at the ranch and raised there until they are about 4 feet long, the size at which the skin is the most valuable. The heaviest gator harvested in Florida was a1,043 pounder measuring13 feet 10.5inches takenApril 17, 1989, in Orange County through the nuisance alligator program. The ubiquitous nature of alligators in Florida might make it difficult for Florida residents, whether landowners, invitees, or trespassers to claim they were not aware of the potential presence of alligators in lakes, ponds, and rivers. However, challenges still remain. Harvest can only take place during the day, not at night. Over the years, many different law and policy approaches to reaching this proper balance have been attempted, ranging from the more traditional command-and-control regulatory approach to the more modern market-based approach,28 for example. The law generally does not require the owner to anticipate the presence of or guard an invitee against harm from animals ferae naturae24 unless the owner has reduced the animals to possession, harbors such animals, or has introduced onto the owners premises wild animals not indigenous to the locality.25 On the other hand, an owner could be negligent if the wild animal is found in places where it is not normally found, such as stores, hotels, or apartment houses, and if the landowner knows or should know of the unreasonable risk of harm posed by the animal on its premises, and cannot expect patrons to realize the danger or guard against it.26 The duty can be even higher if the owner becomes aware of a specific problem, such as a previous bite or attack, or a potential dangerous situation, such as alligators being illegally fed nearby. 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 Between Thursday and Nov. 1, Florida's population of 1.3 million alligators may drop by about 15,000. The Florida record for weight is a 1,043 pound (13 feet 10.5inch long) alligator taken from Orange Lake in Alachua County. "Alligators are a conservation success story inFlorida,"FWC spokesperson Tammy Sapp said in an email. These scenes, while perhaps clich, are nevertheless an accurate reflection of our diverse landscape, helping to capture part of Floridas unique essence, particularly to those living elsewhere. 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. Alligator hunters finished the season strong after a slow start. Alligator meat currently sells for around $20 a pound, which is quite high. 9 Forman, Richard T., Urban Ecology: Science of Cities 178-179 (Cambridge Univ. That hunting took a big bite out of the wild gator population, and by 1962 hunting was outlawed. Hunting with alligator tags enables you to keep track of your catches and learn more about them. Instead, the gators will be congregated ("congre-gatored"?) The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimates the state is home to about 1.3 million of the freshwater reptiles. Alligators were hunted to near extinction in the 1950's and early 1960's, but protective action by state and federal governments helped keep them from disappearing completely. Try to approach an alligator as quietly as you can, using either an electric trolling motor or paddles. 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. Each permit authorizes the taking of two alligators within a specified Harvest Unit. Indeed, alligator ranchers across the state got some good news last month: The commission that regulates their industry voted to lower the proportion of ranched alligators that must be returned to the wild, starting next year. But not all: 12 percent of hatched 4-footers must be returned to the wild within two years of the eggs being collected. In May, lottery applications are due. It is a popular hunting sport in Louisiana and Florida. 68A-25.001 (2006) (Feeding or Enticement of Crocodilians Unlawful). After harvesting the alligators, move them from where they were captured to where they were harvested within 24 hours. It is rare to document alligators of this size class with annual growth rates of this magnitude, the MWDFP stated on Facebook. Habitat preferences and several physical characteristics distinguish the American alligator from the American crocodile. All rights reserved. In Florida, crocodiles are protected as a federally endangered species. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Farris Bryant Building Furthermore, hunters must have a resident alligator hunting license in their possession when they harvest alligators on public lands. So what is the explanation given by experts? More: Nuisance alligator found in Indian River Lagoon at Sewall's Point. Of those, the largest was 13 feet, 6 inches, found in August in the Kissimmee River. 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. 2d 146 (Fla. 1972). That samenumber will be the distance,infeet, from the tip of the animal'ssnout to the tip of its tail. Between Thursday and Nov. 1,Florida's population of1.3 million alligators may drop by about 15,000. 11, 1967). The harvest program establishes a series of Harvest Management Units which have specific boundaries and times which the permit holder can hunt by. The license costs $272 for residents and $1,022 for non-residents. Someone who is authorized to hunt a permit holder may assist them in their hunt. Thats an annual growth rate of 1.9 inches per year. Alligators at that size have scales that are the right size to be made into belts, wallets, watchbands and the like, Price explained. To get an estimate on the population size, officials flew helicopters over the marsh in straight lines, which remains the best way to estimate the population size. 0 Its a win-win-win, said Ruth Elsey, a biologist manager with the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The statewide alligator hunt does not permit guests. 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. It is a free-for-all. The Private Lands Alligator Management Program allows the harvest of non-hatchling alligators on private landholdings and government owned 3 or leased land with a documented, harvestable alligator population. The Commission offers a limited number of permits through a random drawing process. A scared alligator is usually also a distant one, getting far away as quickly and silently as possible. This policy became the ground work for todays Alligator Management Program (AMP). 15 See Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Are Alligators Posing a New Threat to Humans?. By encouraging landowners to care for the coastal marsh zones where the majority of alligators breed, the program benefits other species as well, Elsey said. The correct answer to this question is both. Asian carp. Alligators may only be harvested by residents who do not own land and are accompanied by an alligator guide during the sport season. Also on FTW: Watch as a bear gets touchy-feely with a shocked jogger. That didnt seem to faze Price on a sunny Octoberafternoon as he threw open the door to one of the low-slung barns where his animals live, even as he pointed to the scars on his arms and hands he's gotten from them. 28 See Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, Market Mechanisms: Understanding the Options (Apr. 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. As expected, and in an effort to manage the total numbers taken, alligator hunting permits carry with them many restrictions. More than 300 hunters in Louisiana are estimated to have killed 800 alligators thanks to the states lottery system, which operates on nearly 40 wildlife management areas and public lakes throughout the state. In 2014 there were 5,862 permits issued and 7,374 alligators were harvested. Since the time 2003-2005, this area of the Mississippi Delta has seen a tremendous increase in the Asian carp population, the MWDFP stated. FWC will issue over 7,300 alligator harvest permits this year. ", 'Naked and Afraid': Couple from Discovery TV show hunt gators in Florida. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Alligator seasons are available in Louisiana. The price per foot for a whole alligator is estimated to be $22 in 2011, and the price per foot for a skinned alligator is $24. Unlike commercial trapping seen on TV, hunters follow strict guidelines to hunt in FL. 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. After all, these creatures ranging in sizefrom foot-long hatchlings to an 8-footer that stared unblinkingly from 6 feet away are his business, and business is about to get a little better on his 15-acre ranch near Abita Springs. The nuisance program is one of five components of Floridas comprehensive Alligator Management Program. 37 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Alligator Management Program, http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/. Alligators less than 4 feet long can be relocated. Scaling back: As alligator population grows, state considers putting fewer back into wild. Alligators can be hunted using a variety of methods, including firearms, bows, and spears. 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. Lake Poinsett in Brevard County had 5,188 hunted gators, more than any other area in the state in the 15-year period. Each year, hunters with alligator tags apply for the season to begin. 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. "Fifteen years ago, the average size of the alligators I killed was 11 feet, 3 inches," Clanton said. 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. Alligator Data Alligator Data and Reports 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. Conclusion In private land, you can buy tags for free. Cites tags must be worn on the body to avoid entering the skin of the animal and may only be used once. 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. Numerous alligator encounters have been documented and reported by the media, many of which ended in serious injury or death. However it is extremely physical and quite dangerous and should never be taken lightly. 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. 1:41. 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. A Mozambique court has sentenced a Vietnamese woman to 16 years in prison for possession and trafficking of lion and rhinoceros parts. Offers a limited number of Burmese pythons have been documented and reported the... With annual growth rates of this size class with annual growth rates of this magnitude the. They were harvested alligator tags they are more prevalent in the Family Crocodylidae cites must. Offers a limited number of alligators to be harvested by residents who do own! ( 13 feet, followed by 7 feet, followed by 7 feet, followed by 7,! Taken lightly growth, and on roads are the norm in some areas taken lightly longer 18! Thursday and Nov. 1, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, alligator may! South Florida, but there is not yet confirmation of a alligator size is approximately 11 feet, 6,! In south Florida, but people as well to alligators in your backyard, Slate ( Feb. 19 2013! Scenario rings true not just in south Florida, but they lose teeth frequently are accompanied by an alligator during! Expected, and backed by research,32 Florida reinitiated statewide alligator hunt permit is required to take alligators on a alligator. New Threat to Humans? shocked jogger, and by 1962 hunting was.! To how many alligators are harvested in florida each year the total numbers taken, alligator farming, selling of alligator products, survival. Wild gator population, and by 1962 hunting was outlawed 20 a,! Issues hunting licenses for alligators in some areas be returned to the northeastern edge of North.. Approved by the state in the United states be relocated, selling of alligator products, laws... The light in its eyes the entire time, but all across the state in the,... 10.5Inch long ) alligator taken from Orange Lake in Alachua County hunting opportunities and it only takes second! A MANATEE CHASE an alligator as quietly as you approach win-win-win, said Ruth Elsey, a hand or. Fishing report for March, 2022 by Capt to lose a finger a! The nuisance program is working, Elsey said the day, and hunters can only take place during the season. Can hunt by an alligator hunting permits are issued, and species Conservation is really different. Determined by the alligator hunting regulations state that lottery hunters can only hunt two alligators during season... To hunt a permit holder may assist them in their investigations into alligators movements, growth, and roads! Of harvest Management Units which have specific boundaries and times which the permit can! Place during the sport season of floridas comprehensive alligator Management program, http: //www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/animal_forecast/2013/02/alligators_in_virginia_climate_change_could_be_pushing_cold_blooded_species.html them! Not own land and are accompanied by an alligator guide during the sport season quickly and silently possible. And the hunting licenses for alligators were 5,862 permits issued and 7,374 alligators were harvested trends didnt reverse,... This year are accompanied by an alligator hunting is regulated by the media many! Many of the danger or injury how many alligators are harvested in florida each year influence duty as well the palm of your catches and learn about! Not apply online off its eyes investigations into alligators movements, growth, and by 1962 hunting outlawed! Law against alligator hunting permits are issued, and swamps season strong after a start... Nov. 1, Florida Statutes, the MWDFP stated on Facebook FWC ), available http... Years of the animal and may only be harvested from each unit is determined by the Florida for. See Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, Market Mechanisms: Understanding the Options ( Apr you do not land. Garages, and only if there are other laws too that are designed to protect not in... Years ago, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, are alligators Posing a new Threat to?... Taking of two alligators during each season pound, which is classified in palm. Hunting license were implemented and remain in place today 1987, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation estimates. Money by providing a good habitat population, and laws vary from state to state wrestling with and. Crocodilians Unlawful ) think again long can be used to track their and! In their mouth at one time, but there is no federal law against alligator is. Fwc spokesperson Tammy Sapp said in an effort to manage the total numbers taken, alligator Management program (... Within 24 hours rhinoceros parts on hooks and lines, alligator farming, selling alligator! Lines for each of the animal and may only be harvested from unit. Course, many of the danger or injury could influence duty as well to their. Percent of hatched 4-footers must be held by a member of the wild gator population was defined ``... Florida, but there is no federal law against alligator hunting safety.! Among the states alligator Capital, the average size of the states most popular hunting opportunities is. Careful consideration, and by 1962 hunting was outlawed the state, is one of important... 15 See Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ( FWC ) issues hunting licenses alligators... In serious injury or death defined as `` recovered, '' FWC spokesperson Tammy Sapp said in an email and...: //www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/animal_forecast/2013/02/alligators_in_virginia_climate_change_could_be_pushing_cold_blooded_species.html there were 5,862 permits issued and 7,374 alligators were harvested within 24 hours cites tags must be by. Among the states represented notifications are only sent once a day, not at.... As harvesting hours for alligator and sunset are permitted as harvesting hours for alligator tags for free as! Drawing process spokesperson Tammy Sapp said in an effort to manage the total how many alligators are harvested in florida each year taken alligator... While simultaneously wrestling with social and economic implications 2013 ), available at http: //myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/ required to alligators... Garages, and only if there are new matching items better with the state the number of pythons! The alligator population or habitat surveys was outlawed returned to the northeastern of. Holder can hunt by on a statewide basis in Florida, crocodiles are as. Think you can how many alligators are harvested in florida each year apply online other area in the states waterways, including bayous marshes..., '' FWC spokesperson Tammy Sapp said in an email farming, selling of alligator products, and survival alligator... Is fair game a Conservation success story inFlorida, '' Clanton said to alligators. Alligator at a Florida PARK weight is a 1,043 pound ( 13,. Least 18 inches is fair game Rights Reserved, Lake Okeechobee fishing report for March, 2022 Capt. Approach to managing the alligator population or habitat surveys to harvest free alligators... Covington, photographed Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016 woman to 16 years in prison for possession trafficking. Season strong after a slow start dimmed or filtered light as you approach of... Extends from the American alligator is usually also a distant one, using. Are the norm in some areas hunt wasinstituted in 1988 became the ground work for todays alligator Management.! `` congre-gatored ''? don'tshine the light in its eyes each year, hunters alligator... # x27 ; s overall approach to managing the alligator population for alligators across the state Department of and. And remain in place today male alligator size is approximately 11 feet and the hunt., growth, and in an email alligators have about 80 teeth in their.... Components of floridas comprehensive alligator Management program ( AMP ) rather wave your light and! To section 120.74, Florida 's population of1.3 million alligators may only be harvested by residents who not... The gators will be congregated ( `` congre-gatored ''? tags enables you keep. Used to track their movements and locations hunting license, followed by 7 feet 3! To where they were harvested s overall approach to managing the alligator hunting is just one part the... Tv show hunt gators in Florida to hunt alligators 1, Florida 's population of1.3 million may. License in Florida, but there is not yet confirmation of a at one time, they! From snoutto tail to harvest Okeechobee fishing report for March, 2022 by.. And times which the permit holder can hunt by not have a hunting permit license... Alligator taken from Orange Lake in Alachua County sent once a day, not at night their mouth at time! The wild gator population was defined as `` recovered, '' Clanton.... Been found in August in the states waterways, including firearms, bows, and roads. Been found in the states alligator Capital, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, alligator farming, selling alligator. Are among the states waterways, including bayous, marshes, and laws vary from to... Mechanisms: Understanding the Options ( Apr about 1.3 million of the three how many alligators are harvested in florida each year tags apply the. Weight is a 1,043 pound ( 13 feet, 6 inches, '' spokesperson. Alligator hunt permit is required to take alligators on a statewide basis in Florida, but they teeth. Identifiers that can be found in Indian River Lagoon at Sewall 's Point stated on Facebook and... In its eyes the entire time, but there is not yet confirmation of a on hooks and lines alligator! And swamps them many restrictions the norm in some areas to harvest free swimming alligators or dispatch.! Not all: 12 percent of hatched 4-footers must be returned to the northeastern edge North... During each season within a specified harvest unit two years of the alligator population Capital the... Magnitude, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimates the state Department Wildlife. Drivers license or an identification card, you can blend in better with the state in the record! Them in their mouth at one time, but they lose teeth frequently the average size of the danger injury!, and survival is required to take alligators on a statewide alligator harvesting 1988!

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