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. Preference is given to Florida residents who have completed an approved alligator hunting course. Alligators can be found in many of the states waterways, including bayous, marshes, and swamps. All told, alligator ranching is estimated to be a $100 million industry in Louisiana, Elsey said. They are quick and it only takes a second to lose a finger, a hand, or worse. Press, 2014). Elsey said the hunting and ranching program differs from some other methods of. Swamp People follows a group of alligator hunters as they hunt alligators during Louisianas 60-day alligator hunting season. 48 (Mar. The permits will be issued in random drawings over four periods. 46 See Care 2 Petitions, Stop the Alligator Hunt!, http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-the-alligator-hunt/. 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. For people under the age of 15, a license to participate is not required. Alligator trapping licenses cost significantly more to obtain from out-of-state applicants than they do to residents of Florida. Most of them are then sold for their hides, meat and other parts. The toll-free number is 1-866-FWC- GATOR (1-866-392-4286). Do you have a hunting permit or license in Florida to hunt alligators? Hunter success ([alligators harvested/tags issued] 100) during each year of the statewide annual alligator harvest in Louisiana, USA, 1985-2015. Alligator hunting is only allowed in certain areas of the state, and you can only hunt during specific times of the year. You also will need to mail back any unused alligator CITES tags to: FWC Alligator Management Program 1239 SW 10th Street Ocala, FL 34471 Find more information about what to do after the harvest. Typically, alligators have about 80 teeth in their mouth at one time, but they lose teeth frequently. This venue is open from August 5 to September 1 (the season is 60 days long). People can call a toll-free number to submit complaints regarding nuisance alligators and the Commission evaluates these complaints to determine if an alligator should be removed. 2023 The Florida Bar. hbbd```b``"fHH &o^DY;`,X Since the time 2003-2005, this area of the Mississippi Delta has seen a tremendous increase in the Asian carp population, the MWDFP stated. The harvest program establishes a series of Harvest Management Units which have specific boundaries and times which the permit holder can hunt by. The number of alligators to be harvested from each unit is determined by the alligator population or habitat surveys. Follow Faimon A. Roberts III on Twitter, @faimon. Its a well-known fact that Florida has a lot of alligators. Cites tags must be worn on the body to avoid entering the skin of the animal and may only be used once. 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. Permits are assigned in each unit or county based on a calendar year. Copyright 1999 - 2023 State of Florida. 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. Fish and Wildlife Service, Species Profile for American Alligator, http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=C000. 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. In 1975, the American alligator was also listed as an Appendix I species during the Convention for the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), thereby prohibiting the export of alligator hides.13. 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. All indications are that the program is working, Elsey said. Alligators are tagged with unique identifiers that can be used to track their movements and locations. The FWC Office of Licensing and Permitting can only reprint permits after the permit holder has requested that it be done so. 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. You can complete the alligator harvest report form online or by submitting a printed hardcopy. In addition, the state's hunting program allows about 40,000 wild alligators to be harvested each year. If you think you can harvest an alligator like they do in the TV Reality Series Swamp People, then think again. Hunting or fishing are not required in Florida for the alligator hunting season. 35 Michael R. Conover, Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflicts: The Science of Wildlife Damage Management 48 (2002). A link to the Florida alligator harvest statistics by year (Provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation . 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. The program, based on science, incorporates many restrictions to ensure alligator populations remain healthy and stable. Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. Choosing a hunting rifle should consider the caliber, weight, and power of the gun. Despite the lessening of restrictions, the annual hunt is anything but a free-for-all, and state regulations limit the amount of participants and how many alligators are harvested. Hunters nabbed 540 gators from Manatee and Sarasota counties combined from 2000-15. Please check your email for a confirmation. This policy became the ground work for todays Alligator Management Program (AMP). After all, to live in Florida is to coexist among these ancient reptilian predators. 31 Three million alligators were killed in Florida between 1880 and 1900. Hunting for alligators is legal, but not for the majority of people. The American alligator is an enduring symbol of Florida. 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. If you happen to harvest a tagged or marked alligator, report your tag to 352-357-0190 to ensure the viability of the population. 449 S 12th St.Tampa, Florida 33602United States, How To Get A Night Hunting License In The US, Equipping Police Cars With Binoculars For Hazardous Materials Incidents, Bringing Binoculars To A Meadowlands Concert: See The Performers And Venue Like Never Before, How To Put Your Name On Binoculars Without Damaging Them, Understanding The 6 Degrees Measurement: A Guide To Field Of View In Binoculars, Understanding Air Travel Rules For Carrying Binoculars: A Guide To Packing Binoculars For Your Flight, How To Properly Tighten Your Bushnell Binoculars: An Easy Guide, How To Repair Sticky Coating On Binoculars: A Guide To DIY Binocular Repair, Unlock The Wonders Of The World With Binoculars: A Guide For Kids, Get The Lowdown On Binoculars: An Exploration Of The Numbers On Binoculars, Choosing The Right Binoculars For Birding: Finding The Balance Between Magnification And Field Of View, Exploring The Strength And Durability Of WW2 Binoculars: An In-Depth Look At A Vital Piece Of Battlefield Equipment, Find The Best Deals On Binoculars: Key Times To Check For Sales, Spotting Potential Connections: The Power Of Jackds Binoculars. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimates the state is home to about 1.3 million of the freshwater reptiles. Luckily for themand not so much for usalligators will regrow their teeth quickly. When an alligator hunter reaches his or her quota, all hooks and lines must be removed from the water. For example, in 1967 after consultation with the states and scientists, the U.S. The current state record alligator length is 14 feet 3.5 inches taken from Lake Washington in Brevard County. Swamp People follows the hunt for the Louisiana alligator. The American alligator can be found from parts of the Florida Keys all the way to the western panhandle. 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. The severity of the danger or injury could influence duty as well. A female alligator guards her nest in the Louisiana marsh. Asian carp. The Florida alligator hunting laws are quite simple. By 1987, the gator population was defined as "recovered," and the statewide hunt wasinstituted in 1988. hb```f`` 1 EY8:{f5@d\( v10tt4@:0 - = h.`aa>xUC@0/ U@ , H2Ns5 E% 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. It debuted in 2010 and quickly became a smash hit. Louisianas alligator harvest, which dates back centuries and has a significant economic impact on the state, continues to this day. 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. Hunting season generally runs from August 15 through November 1 of each year.42 Hunting is allowed only at night and in the morning, between 5 p.m. and 10 a.m.43 Two alligators are allowed per permit without size limitations except that hatchlings cannot be taken (i.e., a minimum 18 inches from tip of snout to tip of tail).44 There are several legal methods of taking alligators including, but not limited to, bows, crossbows, gigs, spears, harpoons, spear guns, hand lines, fishing poles, and bang sticks. In that first year, officials counted just 8,600 nests. Being on the water in the darkness is part of what gives hunting gators "areal adrenaline rush," Clanton said. They can swim and eat, and their numbers have risen dramatically in recent years as a result of their popularity as pets. Its mission is to address complaints concerning alligators, according to the FWC website. 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. Recreational hunting is just one part of the FWCs overall approach to managing the alligator population. The license costs $272 for residents and $1,022 for non-residents. 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. 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. Fish and Wildlife Service CITES Species Database, http://www.speciesplus.net/#/taxon_concepts/6810/legal. The Florida record for weight is a 1,043 pound (13 feet 10.5inch long) alligator taken from Orange Lake in Alachua County. When selecting a hunting rifle, it is critical to consider its weight, caliber, and power. 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. 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. endstream endobj startxref Since 1988, the FWCC has successfully offered an alligator hunting season in Florida. 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. It wasnt all that long ago that the alligators fate in Florida was in question. It was one of more than 8,000 nuisance gators harvested in 2017, and . "The prices are about 30 percent down from last year," Greenwood Gator Farms and Tours owner Tim Domangue said. Catching just one gator trout heavier than 5 pounds is a different story. Try to approach an alligator as quietly as you can, using either an electric trolling motor or paddles. "Fifteen years ago, the average size of the alligators I killed was 11 feet, 3 inches," Clanton said. Numerous alligator encounters have been documented and reported by the media, many of which ended in serious injury or death. Alligator permits sold out in 201637 with the FWCC issuing more than 6,000 permits.38 Two types of hunting licenses are generally offered: by county or by harvest unit. A permit is required to hunt alligators in Florida and can be obtained through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. He is the environmental services and facilities director for the City of Tallahassee. It is rare to document alligators of this size class with annual growth rates of this magnitude, the MWDFP stated on Facebook. 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. Ranchers wont actually be able to return the lower percentage until 2018 at the earliest. Hunting is one of those important tools in the species management toolbox. 620 S. Meridian St. Tallahassee, FL (850) 488-4676 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. The Alligator Harvest Report Form must be completed by permit holders in order to harvest alligator. 18 U.S. It is a popular hunting sport in Louisiana and Florida. They relate to the taking of nuisance alligators, alligator farming, selling of alligator products, and much more. 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. You have permission to edit this article. 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. myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/harvest/data-export, Miami-Dade issues no-swim alert after 2,800 gallons of wastewater entered Biscayne Bay, Massive Arctic creature spotted for first time in 25 years along coast of Scotland, They were pulled over for tinted windows in Florida. 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. A larger caliber would be more powerful, but it would also increase the likelihood of causing damage. Never insult an alligator until after you have crossed the river.1. Each year, a total of 5,000 hunting permits are issued, and hunters can only hunt two alligators during each season. 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. 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. Its a little opposed to the method of total protection, hands-off, she said. Its imperative that anyone permitted to harvest alligators be aware of, and abide by the regulations. This year, officials counted 58,100 nests, a record number. While accompanied by a guide, a non-resident or person who is not a resident of the state may harvest alligators as a sport hunter on private property without the use of a hunting license or permission. More than 15,000 applications were submitted for 7,679 permits to hunt alligators during . Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Farris Bryant Building Most farming operations obtain their stocks via this program. In order to hunt alligators, you need a license from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. When first tagged, the alligator measured 6.4 feet, meaning it grew an average of 8.6 inches each year over nine years. Only time will tell whether harvesting will remain a viable tool for population control. Alligator hunters finished the season strong after a slow start. 11 See, e.g., Erin Chapman, The Most Powerful Environmental Law on the Books, PBS News (July 9, 2010), available at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/environment/video-the-most-powerful-environmental-law-on-the-books/2123/. When it comes to the business of hunting alligators, which has become a lucrative business across the state in recent years for their skin and meat, Florida residents and non-residents aged 18 or older can register for a permit, which allows for hunting two gators. Captured alligators should be killed immediately and their meat cooled as quickly as possible. Orange Lake ranked third with 3,110 alligators hunted. The program has been nationally and internationally recognized as a model program for the sustainable use of a natural resource, Sapp said. Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. 2d 244, 246 (Fla. 2d DCA 1976). Alligators that are nuisance animals can be removed from their natural habitat or relocated to another location if they are deemed a threat. No longer on the list of endangered species, today the prognosis for their long-term survival appears favorable. Alligators have been a part of Floridas environment for thousands of years and records of commercial utilization of alligators in Florida date back into the late 1800s. Alligators less than 4 feet long can be relocated. Applicants can apply for limited entry and quotas permits online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com (sign in) or by completing the Application Form and presenting it to a license agent or tax collectors office. How much is an alligator worth in Louisiana? 38 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2016 Guide to Alligator Hunting in Florida. A Florida alligator trapping license or harvest permit costs $272, while two hide validation CITES tags for non-residents cost $22. In some states, alligator hunting is only allowed during a specific season and with a permit, while in other states no permit is required. 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. Alligators may be taken only by the use of artificial lures, or baited wooden pegs less than two inches in length attached to a hand-held restraining line and hand-held snares, harpoons, gigs, snatch hooks, and manually operated spears, spear guns, crossbows and bows with projectiles attached to a restraining line. 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. Nonresidents can apply for a landowner alligator hunting license, which costs $150, in addition to paying for a license. So what is the explanation given by experts? FWC will issue over 7,300 alligator harvest permits this year. On hooks and lines, alligator hunters may use firearms (except shotguns) to harvest free swimming alligators or dispatch them. More so, when harvesting alligators, NEVER assume an alligator is dead and does not need to be secured properly. In 2011, 8,103 gators were taken, well up above the number just a . 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. In addition, the hide can be tanned and made into leather products. 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. Alligators in this part of the state (tributaries of the Mississippi River) have significantly more body mass than alligators anywhere else in the state.. 22 See Palumbo v. State Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, 487 So. Alligator Harvest Permits can be purchased if you choose a quota hunt and must be held by a member of the alligator hunting party. To participate in the statewide alligator harvest, hunters must have an alligator trapping license, a statewide alligator harvest permit, and two alligator hide validation CITES tags, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Habitat preferences and several physical characteristics distinguish the American alligator from the American crocodile. Population Decline The correct answer to this question is both. Alligators may only be harvested by residents who do not own land and are accompanied by an alligator guide during the sport season. The permit allows the taking of two alligators per permit holder per year. 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. The 22 rimfire is a popular choice due to its lightweight frame and lack of power. Or, if you prefer digital, our magazines are also available as a, 1275 South Patrick Dr. Suite A-9 | Satellite Beach, FL 32937 | 321.777.2773 |, The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is asking the public, in particular anglers, to report any sightings of any hellbender (water dogs) to the agency. 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. If an owner voluntarily decides to warn his or her guests, the owner could become liable if the warning or precautions are not sufficient and someone is nevertheless injured.27. The harvesting of alligators in Florida is an important component of alligator management in Florida and is regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservations Commission (FWC). BY FAIMON A. ROBERTS III | froberts@theadvocate.com. In 2011, the programs combined had more than 8,000 hunted, the most of any year between 2000 and 2015. The Louisiana wild harvest program has been used as a model throughout the world for managing various crocodile species. Alligator hunting is regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and permits can be obtained through their website. 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. 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. Estimate the number of inches between the bump on the gator's snout and its eyes. Long way to go but trending in the right direction, Can you catch or keep a shark in Florida? 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. John K. Powell is an environmental lawyer, registered professional engineer, and member of the Animal Law Section of The Florida Bar. 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. All hooks and lines must be removed from the American alligator is an enduring symbol Florida... Completed by permit holders in order to hunt alligators during Louisianas 60-day alligator in! As they hunt alligators during Louisianas 60-day alligator hunting is one of those important tools the! Wild alligators to be secured properly Guide to alligator hunting season tagged, the programs combined had more 15,000... Damage Management 48 ( 2002 ) ago, the FWCC has successfully offered an alligator until after you have hunting... Program ( AMP ) and permits can be found in many of ended. Permit allows the taking of two alligators during each season or relocated another! Of alligator products, and abide by the alligator harvest report form must be removed their! Sport season gator trout heavier than 5 pounds is a popular hunting sport in Louisiana and Florida follow A.! Throughout the world for managing various crocodile species from some other methods of crossed the river.1 is! Imperative that anyone permitted to harvest a tagged or marked alligator, report your to. Bump on the body to avoid entering the skin of the state & x27... Indications are that the alligators I killed was 11 feet, 3 inches, '' Clanton said the hunt the! 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