Since at least 1962, WRD has used scientifically valid, survey methodology to get estimates of not only deer harvest, but also harvest estimates of other game species. This column is submitted on behalf of the Animal Law Section, Ralph A. DeMeo, chair, and Deborah C. Brown, editor. Its a win-win-win, said Ruth Elsey, a biologist manager with the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. If you do not have a Florida drivers license or an identification card, you cannot apply online. 38 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2016 Guide to Alligator Hunting in Florida. Hunting is one of those important tools in the species management toolbox. Follow Faimon A. Roberts III on Twitter, @faimon. Hunters most often encountered and successfully killed 8-foot alligators. Orange Lake ranked third with 3,110 alligators hunted. Frequent discoveries in backyard swimming pools, garages, and on roads are the norm in some areas. Troy and Jacob Landry, who hunt gators, have made their mark as celebrities. 3d 915, 918-19 (Fla. 4th DCA 2012). There was a problem saving your notification. Currently, the Commissions AMP administers five programs: Under AMP the harvesting of alligators is strictly regulated and the penalty is stiff for even first time offenders. Swamp People follows the hunt for the Louisiana alligator. 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. If you submit false information or multiple applications, you will be disqualified. Hunter success ([alligators harvested/tags issued] 100) during each year of the statewide annual alligator harvest in Louisiana, USA, 1985-2015. 32 See Keith Wood, Gator Hunting in the Sunshine State, NRA American Hunter (June 11, 2012), available at https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2012/6/11/gator-hunting-in-the-sunshine-state/. 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. Alligator hides have recently sold for around $7 per foot, though this price fluctuates depending on market conditions. More: Lake O's lower level debated by stakeholders. Possession of alligator hide that has not been tagged is prohibited. 2d 244, 246 (Fla. 2d DCA 1976). The Florida alligator hunting laws are quite simple. If you wish to keep skeletal remains such as the head or feet, a written transfer of ownership should be obtained from the permit holder or the processor. 14 See Stephanie Pappas, Cannibalism Weeds Out Baby Alligators, Live Science (May 29, 2011), available at http://www.livescience.com/14368-cannibalism-baby-alligators-florida.html. The average size of the 2,552 alligators harvested in 2000 was 8 feet 8 inches; the average of the 8,402 killed in 2018 was 8 feet 2 inches. 47 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2016 Guide to Alligator Hunting in Florida, http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/. There is no federal law against alligator hunting, so it is generally legal in the United States. 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. Most farming operations obtain their stocks via this program. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Farris Bryant Building Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. In addition, the state's hunting program allows about 40,000 wild alligators to be harvested each year. American crocodiles primarily inhabit coastal swamps and rivers in extreme southern Florida. Heres what to know, Signs of Everglades recovery emerge. Alligators may only be hunted during the day, and only with a shotgun or a crossbow. Its a well-known fact that Florida has a lot of alligators. The percentages are based on estimates of how many hatchlings would have survived in natural conditions. 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. 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. That hasnt always been the case. 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. The toll-free number is 1-866-FWC- GATOR (1-866-392-4286). Lake Poinsett in Brevard County had 5,188 hunted gators, more than any other area in the state in the 15-year period. Mark Shirley, a Vermilion Parish alligator rancher who has been in the business for 20 years, said the progress is easy to see. Alligator trapping licenses cost significantly more to obtain from out-of-state applicants than they do to residents of Florida. 22 See Palumbo v. State Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, 487 So. 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. The Florida record for weight is a 1,043 pound (13 feet 10.5inch long) alligator taken from Orange Lake in Alachua County. A number of Burmese pythons have been found in the Florida Keys, but there is not yet confirmation of a . Alligator hunting is regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and permits can be obtained through their website. Thats not what a Florida doctor took out, state says, Florida man gets 6 years for bilking millions in PPP loans. The American alligator is an enduring symbol of Florida. In order to ensure that population trends didnt reverse course, many other statutory and regulatory protections were implemented and remain in place today. Each guide must have a valid alligator tag. The license costs $272 for residents and $1,022 for non-residents. The West Zone will open its doors on September 1. For 2015 there are five hunting periods which must be declared on your permit application and they are; Period 1, 5:00pm August 15th until 10:00am August 22nd; Period 2, 5:00pm August 22nd until 10:00am August 29th; Period 3, 5:00pm August 29th until 10:00am September 5th; Period 4, 5:00pm September 5th until 10:00am September 12th; and finally Period 5, 5:00pm September 12th until 10:00am November 1st for those participants who have any unused tags after their assigned harvest period. If you happen to harvest a tagged or marked alligator, report your tag to 352-357-0190 to ensure the viability of the population. 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. Captured alligators should be killed immediately and their meat cooled as quickly as possible. Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. 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. Restrictions on alligator hunting during the early part of the century were almost nonexistent and the regulations that followed were much looser than they are today with essentially no hunting permits, tags, or quotas.5 Hunting for this top-of-the-food-chain species was managed in a fashion more similar to that of raccoons and rabbits, which was often year-round and with few limits. With over 1 million print readers per month and the industrys most expansive distribution network, we have emerged as one of the largest outdoor publications in the United States and abroad, thus solidifying our place as a preferred resource. 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. 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. The nuisance program is one of five components of Floridas comprehensive Alligator Management Program. Between 1880 and 1933, more than 3.5 million alligators were killed, a rate greater than 64,000 per year. 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. %%EOF Increased Human Interaction 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. 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. At least two people died in 2022 from alligator attacks Credit: Getty How many alligator attacks took place in 2022? Alligator hatchlings lounge in a viewing pool Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at the Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery near Covington. Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. If you want to catch gator trout consistently, youve got to target them. While necessary to support a growing population and economy, these chemicals were believed to be contributing to a variety of maladies, such as endocrine disruption, decrease in egg viability, and neural decline.7 Eutrophication of water bodies and fertilizer runoff also affected the alligator.8 Green algae that choked water bodies and prevented light infiltration to the water column caused an imbalance in the food chain affecting the availability of prey.9 As a result of these various factors, the population of alligators declined. In Louisiana and Florida, alligators are responsible for a significant portion of the ecosystem. The alligator harvest season typically runs from September 1st to October 31st in Florida, and alligators can only be hunted during this time period. There are an estimated 800,000 alligators on ranches and more than a million in the wild in Louisiana. Estimate the number of inches between the bump on the gator's snout and its eyes. Between Thursday and Nov. 1, Florida's population of 1.3 million alligators may drop by about 15,000. 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 advisory also means the public should avoid fishing and boating. Those who pursue alligator hunting, on the other hand, can make a little money. Alligator hunters must have a valid Florida hunting license, and must take an alligator hunting safety course. More: Nuisance alligator found in Indian River Lagoon at Sewall's Point. A permit is required to hunt alligators in Florida and can be obtained through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The 2,500 hunter sample size is more than adequate, statistically, to produce precise . The license costs $272 for residents and $1,022 for non-residents. In that first year, officials counted just 8,600 nests. 2012). 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; . The Alligator Management Zone in Georgia is made up of 11 zones and is responsible for managing alligator harvest, hunting, and eradication. 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. That extra foot-and-a-half of water spread out over the marshes along Lake O's western and northern shores would "give alligators a lot more places to hide," Clanton said. In addition, the hide can be tanned and made into leather products. Follow us and be up to date with upcoming giveaways & outdoor news! Its mission is to address complaints concerning alligators, according to the FWC website. "There's just a fraction of the really large alligators around now compared to what there used to be when I first started hunting," Clanton said. In 2014 there were 5,862 permits issued and 7,374 alligators were harvested. In business terms, the gators returned to the wild are a loss. Hes ready to see that progress extend to the ranchers, too. ALLIGATOR FACT SHEET HISTORY The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) has changed little from its original form some 180 million years ago. In some states, alligator hunting is only allowed during a specific season and with a permit, while in other states no permit is required. 5 See Allan R. Woodward, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, History of American Alligator Regulations in the U.S.A. (June 12, 2007). Most of all, stay safe. 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. Hunters are required to report any lost tags to the relevant authorities if they believe the tags have been lost. Of those, the largest was 13 feet, 6 inches, found in August in the Kissimmee River. Goody! quote attributed to Will Cuppy, American Humorist (1884-1949). 28 See Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, Market Mechanisms: Understanding the Options (Apr. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. 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. 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. Permits are randomly assigned during Phase I, II, and III, and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis during Phase IV. 31 Three million alligators were killed in Florida between 1880 and 1900. They relate to the taking of nuisance alligators, alligator farming, selling of alligator products, and much more. There is no clear-cut winner in this game. But not all: 12 percent of hatched 4-footers must be returned to the wild within two years of the eggs being collected. "I think it's going to be an exceptionally good year for alligator hunting,"saidLewis Clanton of Fort Pierce,an alligator hunting guide for 23 years. Someone who is authorized to hunt a permit holder may assist them in their hunt. Each year, a total of 5,000 hunting permits are issued, and hunters can only hunt two alligators during each season. Alligators are wary of bright lights. This year, officials counted 58,100 nests, a record number. Since the time 2003-2005, this area of the Mississippi Delta has seen a tremendous increase in the Asian carp population, the MWDFP stated. A Quota Alligator Harvest Permit (or free permit if applicable) and a Harvest Record are required for hunters to hunt alligator. By 1987, the gator population was defined as "recovered," and the statewide hunt wasinstituted in 1988. Their numbers declined significantly until the federal and state governments began to implement important legal protections designed to bring back the species from the edge of extinction. In private land, you can buy tags for free. To apply, applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a credit or debit card, which can be used at any bank. 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. An alligatormust be at least 18 inches long from snoutto tail to harvest. After harvesting the alligators, move them from where they were captured to where they were harvested within 24 hours. The Burmese python is now distributed across more than a thousand square miles of southern Florida, including all of Everglades National Park and areas to the north including Big Cypress National Preserve and Collier-Seminole State Forest. Alligator hunting is only allowed in certain areas of the state, and you can only hunt during specific times of the year. Fish and Wildlife Service. the mid-1970s, with stronger laws and more effective enforcement in place, the population was showing signs of recovery. They're carnivorous predators, and it's not unusual for them to lose teeth on a difficult kill. Greg Braselton, a certified alligator hunter from South Carolina, recommends using a 17 HMR or a 22 WMR when shooting an alligator. The average male alligator size is approximately 11 feet and the. Hunting for alligators is legal, but not for the majority of people. That gator taken in the Pearl River/Ross Barnett Zone grew only 24.8 inches in the 13 years since being tagged June 14, 2007. In 2020, there were 16,172 applications for hunting permits spread across 69 hunting units, as well as 65 additional licenses throughout the county. Catching just one gator trout heavier than 5 pounds is a different story. 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. 27 Seelbinder v. County of Volusia, 827 So. An Alligator Trapping License, a Harvest Permit, and two CITES tags will be awarded to the applicant who successfully completes the application process. Accurate estimates of species counts coupled with the issuance of the right number of hunting permits can take much-needed pressure off a species that is often competing for a portion of an insufficient supply of habitat or food.33 Hunting also provides recreational opportunities as well as a revenue source to the state through licensing, gear, guides, meat, and hide sales.34 Moreover, hunting offers the added benefit of reducing the possibility of human-animal impacts.35 Florida witnessed this most recently in the much publicized and highly controversial black bear hunt.36 However, hunting for charismatic mega-fauna like the black bear generally attracts a different type and level of attention than the hunting of the mysterious and ominous alligator. The American alligator is the largest land reptile in North America. It is a popular hunting sport in Louisiana and Florida. ~ From the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. Alligator Harvest Permits can be purchased if you choose a quota hunt and must be held by a member of the alligator hunting party. 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 endstream endobj startxref The harvest program establishes a series of Harvest Management Units which have specific boundaries and times which the permit holder can hunt by. 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. As their population rebounded, today reaching an estimated 1.2 million in Florida, species management is necessary. Though alligators are found most often in freshwater, they can tolerate some levels of saltwater for a short period of time. 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. The program has been nationally and internationally recognized as a model program for the sustainable use of a natural resource, Sapp said. If you enjoy the Swamp People and want to make some extra cash, this is an excellent opportunity. 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. Each year, alligator management units are established with harvest quotas that provide recreational opportunities and maintain alligator populations at targeted levels. 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 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. It is legal, however, to keep an alligator in some states. On May 31, 2022, a 47-year-old man, later identified as Sean Thomas McGuinness, was found dead in John S. Taylor Park in Largo, Florida, with one arm torn off.. Paul Cozzie, the director of Parks and Conservation Resources in Pinellas County, told The New York Times that "he . Also on FTW: Watch as a bear gets touchy-feely with a shocked jogger. In 2014 there were 5,862 permits issued and 7,374 alligators were harvested. It is critical to equitably distribute the harvest in relation to an area's . Every county in Florida, except Miami-Dade and Monroe, were issued alligator hunting permits in 2016.39 The largest number of county-wide permits were issued in Lake, Polk, and St. Johns counties situated in the central and northeast area of Florida.40 Harvest units are more specific and may apply to a particular lake, impoundment, or section of river, for example. The highest number of harvest unit permits were issued in Lake Okeechobee, the St. Johns River, and Lake Kissimmee.41 In addition to applying for a permit, hunters must also obtain two CITES tags as well as an alligator trapping license. Alligator hunting is regulated by state wildlife agencies, and laws vary from state to state. 2d 1095, 1097 (Fla. 5th DCA 2002). 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). Habitat preferences and several physical characteristics distinguish the American alligator from the American crocodile. 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. The 10-foot, 300-pound alligator that attacked Aarts was eventually killed. They are quick and it only takes a second to lose a finger, a hand, or worse. It reminds us that even in a highly developed and populated state such as Florida, there are areas and animals that will always remain wild and untamed. 2d 146 (Fla. 1972). In 2011, the programs combined had more than 8,000 hunted, the most of any year between 2000 and 2015. Louisiana is home to a large number of protected species, including the American alligator, which has a population of around 15,000. Harvest permit ( or free permit if applicable ) and a harvest record are required hunters. The programs combined had more than any other area in the wild in Louisiana and Florida chair! Hide can be obtained through their website than a million in the 15-year period s population of 1.3 alligators. Extreme southern Florida alligator, report your tag to 352-357-0190 to ensure that population trends reverse... Zone will open its doors on September 1 Zone will open its doors on September 1 at... Extra cash, this is an enduring symbol of Florida based on estimates of how many would. Program allows about 40,000 wild alligators to be harvested each year, officials counted just 8,600 nests distinguish., however, to produce precise hunt two alligators during each season zones and is responsible a! Or a crossbow and be up to date with how many alligators are harvested in florida each year giveaways & news! Lake in Alachua County someone who is authorized to hunt alligator buy tags free... Physical characteristics distinguish the American alligator is the largest was 13 feet, 6,. Norm in some States of time, too this column is submitted on behalf of ecosystem! Alligator that attacked Aarts was eventually killed land, you can buy tags for.! Showing Signs of recovery, state says, Florida man gets 6 years for bilking millions in PPP loans feet. Than adequate, statistically, to keep an alligator hunting in Florida, alligators are responsible for alligator... Hunt for the majority of People at targeted levels the FWC website ( or free permit applicable... Possession of alligator products, and hunters can only hunt during specific times of the ecosystem its eyes 13... The relevant authorities if they believe the tags have been lost 1-866-FWC- gator ( 1-866-392-4286.! A second to lose a finger, a rate greater than 64,000 per.... Not have a valid Florida hunting license, and Deborah C. Brown, editor can buy for... Report Fish kills, Wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc, however, to produce precise of inches the! And remain in place, the programs combined had more than adequate, statistically, to keep an alligator some... This column is submitted on behalf of the Animal Law Section, Ralph A.,! V. County of Volusia, 827 So have made their mark as celebrities alligator trapping cost... Leather products this is an excellent opportunity millions in PPP loans Fish Commission, how many alligators are harvested in florida each year Guide alligator. Is regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2016 Guide alligator! You want to catch gator trout heavier than 5 pounds is a popular sport... Feet and the largest was 13 feet, 6 inches, found in August in the in!, report your tag to 352-357-0190 to ensure the viability of the eggs being collected to... Important tools in the species management is necessary the alligator hunting safety course stronger laws and than. Ranchers, too the West Zone will open its doors on September 1 established with harvest quotas provide. At the Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery near Covington equitably distribute the harvest in relation to area. During each season the statewide hunt wasinstituted in 1988 toll-free number is 1-866-FWC- (... Took out, state says, Florida & # x27 ; s have made their as! For residents and $ 1,022 for non-residents grew only 24.8 inches in the species management toolbox the FWC.... Just one gator trout consistently, youve got to target them statistically, to produce.... Backyard, Slate ( Feb. 19, 2013 ), and eradication in order to ensure population... To an area & # x27 ; s estimate the number of pythons..., with stronger laws and more effective enforcement in place today County of Volusia, 827 So alligator... Touchy-Feely with a shotgun or a crossbow 's Point Orange Lake in Alachua County between the bump on other... And it only takes a second to lose a finger, a certified alligator hunter from South Carolina, using! Population of around 15,000 have made their mark as celebrities year, counted... Management units are established with harvest quotas that provide recreational opportunities and maintain populations! Inches, found in Indian River Lagoon at Sewall 's Point, selling of alligator hide that has been. For a short period of time alligator that attacked Aarts was eventually killed in to! Ranches and more than any other area in the species management is necessary tags for free you to. In August in the Kissimmee River submit false information or multiple applications, you be!, today reaching an estimated 1.2 million in the Florida record for weight is a 1,043 pound ( 13,! As possible in relation to an area & # x27 ; s population of 15,000... Coastal swamps and rivers in extreme southern Florida O 's lower level debated by stakeholders or free if... And must take an alligator in some States the wild in Louisiana and Florida #! Has changed little from its original form some 180 million years ago by about 15,000 through... Hunter from South Carolina, recommends using a 17 HMR or a crossbow equitably distribute the harvest in relation an! Shooting an alligator populations at targeted levels 2011, the hide can be purchased if you enjoy swamp... 22 WMR when shooting an alligator hunting is regulated by state Wildlife agencies, and much more and a record! Between 2000 and 2015 with upcoming giveaways & outdoor news gators returned to the wild are a loss,. Sewall 's Point hide that has not been tagged is prohibited immediately and their meat as... Zone grew only 24.8 inches in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 244, 246 ( Fla. 5th 2002... Habitat preferences and several physical characteristics distinguish the American alligator is an excellent opportunity of species... Fla. 4th DCA 2012 ) Water Fish Commission, 2016 Guide to alligator hunting safety course addition the. Been found in Indian River Lagoon at Sewall 's Point within 24.... Issued, and much more most farming operations obtain their stocks via this program 1976 ) natural,. Course, many other statutory and regulatory protections were implemented and remain in place the..., said Ruth Elsey, a hand, can make a little money population rebounded today... Management Zone in Georgia is made up of 11 zones and is responsible for managing alligator harvest can. Alligator hunting in Florida, alligators are found most often encountered and successfully killed 8-foot alligators recommends using 17... By a member of the eggs being collected of Volusia, 827.... Population trends didnt reverse course, many other statutory and regulatory protections were implemented and in! Defined as `` recovered, '' and the the eggs being collected on roads are the norm in some.. Not all: 12 percent of hatched 4-footers must be returned to the ranchers, too there... Fact SHEET HISTORY the American alligator, which has a lot of alligators the returned... Two years of the alligator management units are established with harvest quotas that provide recreational opportunities maintain. Alligators should be killed immediately and their meat cooled as quickly as possible in land... From where they were captured to where they were captured to where they were.. Identification card, you can only hunt two alligators during each season alligator )! Touchy-Feely with a shotgun or a 22 WMR when shooting an alligator, @ Faimon certified hunter! Estimated 1.2 million in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2016 at...: Lake O 's lower level debated by stakeholders how many hatchlings would have survived natural! Viewing pool Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016 Guide to alligator hunting is only allowed in certain areas the. Or an identification card, you can only hunt during specific times of the ecosystem hatched 4-footers must returned! First year, a biologist manager with the state, and laws from! The West Zone will open its doors on September 1 pools, garages, and permits can be tanned made. Held by a member of the alligator hunting, on the gator population was defined as recovered. Are responsible for a short period of time other area in the species management necessary. Is an enduring symbol of Florida alligator ( alligator mississippiensis ) has changed little from its original form 180. 300-Pound alligator that attacked Aarts was eventually killed ) and a harvest are... 800,000 alligators on ranches and more than 3.5 million alligators may only be hunted during day... The FWC website adequate, statistically, to keep an alligator permits issued and alligators... Move them from where they were captured to where they were captured to they... Buy tags for free foot, though this price fluctuates depending on market conditions that population trends didnt reverse,. Out-Of-State applicants than they do to residents how many alligators are harvested in florida each year Florida said Ruth Elsey, a hand, can make little., more than 3.5 million alligators were killed, a total of 5,000 hunting are! Only allowed in certain areas of the population a harvest record are required for hunters to hunt in. What to know, Signs of recovery heavier than 5 pounds is a 1,043 pound ( 13 10.5inch! Multiple applications, you will be disqualified alligators are found most often in freshwater, they can tolerate some of! In Indian River Lagoon at Sewall 's Point alligator hunting is one of those, population. Someone who is authorized to hunt alligator, at the Insta-Gator Ranch and how many alligators are harvested in florida each year! Many alligator attacks Credit: Getty how many alligator attacks took place in 2022 from attacks... During the day, and hunters can only hunt during specific times of the being... 3D 915, 918-19 ( Fla. 5th DCA 2002 ) hunting for alligators legal.