Florida Alligator Hunting: Application Period Opens Soon

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Hunters daring enough to brave Florida’s swamps to go after alligators will soon get their chance to apply for a statewide permit lottery. A few rules of the road, however, have changed that state officials want hunters to be aware of.

The state’s annual recreational alligator hunting season runs Aug. 15 through Nov. 1. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission plans to start accepting applications for its Phase 1 random drawing at 10 a.m. on May 6. Applications will be accepted through May 16 with more than 5,000 alligator harvest permits on the line.

Hunters can list their top choices of up to 20 different hunt areas and periods on their application, FWC wrote in a media release issued Tuesday. Permit holders are allowed to harvest two alligators on a designated harvest unit or in a county. In order to apply, people must be at least 18 by Aug. 15 and have a valid debit or credit card.

Applicants can submit their paperwork through any county tax collector’s office in the state, any license agent (retail locations that sell hunting and fishing supplies) and via the GoOutdoorsFlorida.com website. Credit card information is now required when applications are submitted.

“This is a change to the process from previous years,” FWC explained. “There is also a cancellation feature, which allows applicants to update their hunt choices or credit card information.”

Applicants will notice that within three days of the application period closing an authorization on their credit card will appear. This is simply a verification that sufficient funds are available to cover permit costs. The state stresses it doesn’t mean a hunter has been awarded a permit.

“Once the credit card authorization process is complete, the lottery drawing will be held,” FWC said. “All successful applicants will be charged, while those who were unsuccessful will have the authorizations lifted from their credit cards.”

Permits to harvest, including two hide validation CITES tags, cost $271.50 for Florida residents. Hunters with Florida Resident Persons with Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Licenses pay only $21.50. Nonresidents are charged $1,021.50 for a permit. Licensed alligator trappers face a $61.50 charge for their permits.

Should permits remain after phase one, a second random drawing will be staged. Applications for phase two will be accepted between May 20-30. Those who were accepted in phase one may not apply for a second permit. A third phase, if needed, will kick off June 3-13 at which time applications will accepted by FWC. A fourth phase will begin at 10 a.m. on June 17 and will continue until all available permits are gone.

“Anyone may apply during Phase IV, even if they were awarded a permit in one of the earlier phases, but there is a maximum of 10 permits allowed per person,” FWC said. “Customers who are able to purchase additional permits will only be charged $61.50, regardless of residency or disability.”

Hunters lucky enough to win permits this year will receive their licenses/harvest permits in the mail within six weeks of payments.

“To educate participants on the how-to’s and rules and regulations of the hunt, the FWC offers free training and orientation sessions, which will be held at various locations throughout the state in mid-July and early August,” FWC noted. “Participants are not required to attend, but first-time alligator hunters are strongly encouraged to go.”

Special “agent” licenses are also available for $51.50, regardless of residency. These licenses enable people to take part in the hunt as long as they are with a licensed and permitted hunter. Children age 15 and younger did not need an agent license to come along on the hunt. Those holding a Florida Resident Persons with Disabilities Hunting and Fishing License don’t have to pay for an agent license to assist in an alligator hunt, but they must apply for the special license.

To learn more about alligator hunting in Florida, visit MyFWC.com/Alligator.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission