LIFESTYLE

Can you hunt alligators year-round in Florida? Everything to know about gator hunting

Lianna Norman
USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida

It’s that time of year! Traditional hunting seasons are just around the corner. And Florida’s statewide alligator hunting season comes first. Who's ready for some fried gator tail?

Here’s everything you need to know about the rules for hunting gators in the state of Florida.

Can you hunt gators year-round in Florida? Is it open season on alligators in Florida?

You can’t hunt alligators year-round. Florida has an alligator hunting season. Florida’s gator hunting season begins on August 15 and ends on November 1.

The season is broken up into four harvest periods. Depending on which harvest period you draw, you’ll be assigned to hunt for one of the first four weeks. 

Each person that's selected to win a gator hunting permit is allowed two gators during their allotted harvest time. If you don’t harvest both of your gators during your assigned harvest week, you can hunt during the seven-week open season, which starts on September 12 and ends on November 1.

The application periods for the first harvest periods have ended, but you can apply for leftover permits for the last seven weeks of the season, until all permits are claimed or until the last day of the season (whichever comes first). Permits usually go on sale in June and sell out within a matter of days. This year, permits went on sale in May.

How much is a gator tag in Florida? How much does it cost to get an alligator hunting license in Florida?

There is no cost to apply for an alligator trapping license in Florida, but if your application is approved there are different prices for out-of-state hunters and Florida residents. Applying does require credit card information so that your card can be authorized, but you won’t be charged unless you’re approved and picked in the drawing.

If you’re a Florida resident, an alligator trapping license, a permit and your two permitted alligator tags will cost you $272.

If you already have a valid alligator trapping license, your permit and tags for the season will only cost you $62.

If you’re not a Florida resident, an alligator trapping license, a permit and your two permitted alligator tags will cost significantly more, at $1,022, according to the FWC.

How many alligator tags does Florida give out?

Florida’s statewide alligator hunt is highly anticipated for a lot of Florida hunters and there are typically more applications than licenses and tags permitted. 

According to the FWC, there are often more than 15,000 applicants that will apply for the approximately 7,000 permits available each year. 

Who can apply for a gator hunting permit in Florida?

The only requirements to apply are that the applicant must be at least 18 years old by the beginning of alligator hunting season on August 15 and have a valid credit or debit card.

When to apply for alligator tags in Florida

Applications open at 10 a.m. on the first day of each listed application period and will stay available through 11:59 p.m. on the final day of the application period. 

All four phases of applications have already passed, but anyone who wants to apply still can, until all permits are filled or the final hunt date, whichever comes first. The fourth phase of applications opened on June 13.

How many alligator tags do you get in Florida?

Each approved applicant will only get two tags each alligator hunting season, permitting each applicant to only harvest two alligators.

Can you shoot alligators in your yard in Florida?

It is illegal to kill, injure or possess an alligator without a permit in the state of Florida.

Got a gator in your yard or pool?It's a Florida thing, so here's who to call

When and where can you shoot alligators in Florida?

Each alligator hunt applicant who is accepted will receive an alligator trapping license, an area-specific harvest permit, and two tags, authorizing the holder to hunt and kill only two alligators. 

The harvest areas and hunt dates are specific for each permit, and the permit specifies the boundaries or limitations of the harvest area. The first four weeks of the season are divided into four quota weeks, and each permit is assigned one of those weeks.

Alligator hunters can now hunt anytime during the day or night that they wish, 24 hours a day, in most of the designated hunting areas. In 2022, the FWC made the switch to allow for day hunting.

What device can you use to kill alligators?

Here are the legal methods of take for alligators in the state of Florida as listed by the FWC:

  • Fishing rods using a weighted treble hook
  • Fishing rods using artificial lures
  • Baited wooden pegs (must be less than two inches long) using a fishing rod or hand-held line
  • Hand-line snatch hooks
  • Hand-held catch poles or similar devices
  • Bang sticks (the only firearm you’re allowed to use for alligator hunting)
  • Bows
  • Crossbows
  • Pre-charged pneumatic airbows
  • Gigs
  • Harpoons
  • Spears
  • Spearguns

What is the best bait for alligators?

The most commonly used bait for alligator harvesting is chicken leg quarters. Letting them age for two to three days prior to using them as bait helps them become more appealing to gators.