3d 915, 918-19 (Fla. 4th DCA 2012). Everybody knows we got alligators all over the place, he said. Thats an annual growth rate of 1.9 inches per year. There are an estimated 800,000 alligators on ranches and more than a million in the wild in Louisiana. The permit is valid for one year from the date of purchase. The . So what is the explanation given by experts? The ownership of exotic pets is not regulated in five states, according to Born Free USA, a national animal advocacy nonprofit. Human development is often pitted against nature while simultaneously wrestling with social and economic implications. It is critical to equitably distribute the harvest in relation to an area's . 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. 26 Hanrahan v. Hometown America LLC, 90 So. hb```f`` 1 EY8:{f5@d\( v10tt4@:0 - = h.`aa>xUC@0/ U@ , H2Ns5 E% Alligator skin is used to make boots, shoes, belts, and saddles, while alligator oil is used to grease cotton mills and steam engines. A larger caliber would be more powerful, but it would also increase the likelihood of causing damage. 169 0 obj <> endobj Its really amazing when contrasted with the growth rate of an 11-foot, 1-inch alligator harvested by hunter Cory Stewart at the end of August. To download FWCs data, visit myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/harvest/data-export. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Farris Bryant Building Hunter success ([alligators harvested/tags issued] 100) during each year of the statewide annual alligator harvest in Louisiana, USA, 1985-2015. Alligator meat currently sells for around $20 a pound, which is quite high. 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. Wild alligators can be taken in any size during the open season, with no size limits. The commission publishes data showing where the gators were hunted and how many were hunted each year, as well as the carcass size. Do you have a hunting permit or license in Florida to hunt alligators? 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. When first tagged, the alligator measured 6.4 feet, meaning it grew an average of 8.6 inches each year over nine years. Someone who is authorized to hunt a permit holder may assist them in their hunt. The MWDFP Wildlife Bureau has documented alligators feeding on the Asian carp on many occasions. Fish and Wildlife Service CITES Species Database, http://www.speciesplus.net/#/taxon_concepts/6810/legal. Though you may skin and consume your own alligator, if the skin, carcass, or meat is to be sold; only permitted alligator processing facilities must be used to process the animal. Each guide must have a valid alligator tag. Mark Shirley, a Vermilion Parish alligator rancher who has been in the business for 20 years, said the progress is easy to see. Where regulations existed, mostly on a local level, enforcement was lacking.6 Hunting during that era was also less recreational in nature and more about obtaining alligator hides for sale. You can complete the alligator harvest report form online or by submitting a printed hardcopy. Angie Douthit, South County Inshore & Freshwater: December 2021, 2020 Roland Martin Marine Center Series Results. Landowners win because they are able to make money by providing a good habitat. If you submit false information or multiple applications, you will be disqualified. 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. As a result, the lake elevation is slightlyless than 12 feet 6 inches instead of theaverage of nearly 14 feet for mid-August. 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. You can pick up your areas local edition at over 11,000 marine specific businesses, retail outlets or big box stores. 18 U.S. Follow us and be up to date with upcoming giveaways & outdoor news! This venue is open from August 5 to September 1 (the season is 60 days long). In addition, the hide can be tanned and made into leather products. People enjoy the excitement of the hunt as well as the excitement of seeing an alligator in the wild. County-wide permits allow hunting in most public water bodies within that specific Florida county. It was one of more than 8,000 nuisance gators harvested in 2017, and . But instead of hooves and horns, his livestock have scales and claws, and sometimes they put their food into what's known as a "death roll.". 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. Alligators in this part of the state (tributaries of the Mississippi River) have significantly more body mass than alligators anywhere else in the state.. 2015). In that first year, officials counted just 8,600 nests. Cites tags must be worn on the body to avoid entering the skin of the animal and may only be used once. One star-studded, two for future leaders, Theres a new rule to keep these cuties away from crab traps in Florida. 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. To apply, applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a credit or debit card, which can be used at any bank. Alligator hunting was established in 1988, due to the growing need for population control over the 1.3 million alligators in Florida. ", 'Naked and Afraid': Couple from Discovery TV show hunt gators in Florida. Asian carp. There is no clear-cut winner in this game. When they get larger, the scales are too big. Try to approach an alligator as quietly as you can, using either an electric trolling motor or paddles. Alligator hunting is regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and permits can be obtained through their website. 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. Each year, an alligator hunting season is set aside between August 15 and November 1. 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 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. 21 F.A.C.R. Then came the body cavity search, Motorcyclist launched from bike when his girlfriend hits him with truck, Florida cops say, A man went in for kidney removal. For example, it is illegal to intentionally feed, or entice with feed, any crocodilian unless held in captivity under a permit issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) or otherwise provided.21 Feeding can cause alligators to lose their fear of people, an important evolutionary trait that benefits both people and animal. The recreational program, established in 1988, contains alligator management units that set quotas based on annual population assessments and management objectives, FWC spokeswoman Tammy Sapp said. The program has been nationally and internationally recognized as a model program for the sustainable use of a natural resource, Sapp said. 620 S. Meridian St. Tallahassee, FL (850) 488-4676 Alligators are tagged with unique identifiers that can be used to track their movements and locations. Never insult an alligator until after you have crossed the river.1. 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. Florida, the sunshine state teeming with alligators. Swamp People follows a group of alligator hunters as they hunt alligators during Louisianas 60-day alligator hunting season. Unlike commercial trapping seen on TV, hunters follow strict guidelines to hunt in FL. 2d 146 (Fla. 1972). Each year, alligator management units are established with harvest quotas that provide recreational opportunities and maintain alligator populations at targeted levels. 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. However, challenges still remain. Conclusion Alligators may not be hunted at night, and only during the daytime hours of sunrise to sunset. 2016 Hunting Season The hunters caught the 12-foot, 1-inch alligator in Forest Home Chute off the Mississippi River south of Eagle Lake last week and turned in the tag, as reported this week by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. 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. 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. Most farming operations obtain their stocks via this program. 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. Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its2022 Agency Regulatory Plan. 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. The extent of this duty will depend on several factors, such as the status of the victim, knowledge of the owner, and knowledge of the victim. October 5, 2022 by Arnold. Since 1988, the FWCC has successfully offered an alligator hunting season in Florida. 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. Each permit authorizes the taking of two alligators within a specified Harvest Unit. Alligator harvest permits will be required for the following dates: On the FWC website, there are numerous helpful tools for making these decisions. If you do not have a permit, you are not permitted to shoot or kill alligators. The American alligator can be found from parts of the Florida Keys all the way to the western panhandle. The establishment of alligator hunting in Florida in 1988 was made necessary by the states need to control alligator populations. Its a well-known fact that Florida has a lot of alligators. The program, based on science, incorporates many restrictions to ensure alligator populations remain healthy and stable. Swamp People follows the hunt for the Louisiana alligator. Alligators primarily inhabit freshwater; however, they may be found in any body of water or wetland throughout Florida. 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. Each year, a total of 5,000 hunting permits are issued, and hunters can only hunt two alligators during each season. More: Lake O's lower level debated by stakeholders. Alligator hunting is a popular sport in Louisiana. Hunting as a Management Tool 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. Estimate the number of inches between the bump on the gator's snout and its eyes. 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 alligator harvest season typically runs from September 1st to October 31st in Florida, and alligators can only be hunted during this time period. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimates the state is home to about 1.3 million of the freshwater reptiles. When an alligator hunter reaches his or her quota, all hooks and lines must be removed from the water. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is another one of those enduring symbols of Florida. %PDF-1.5 % Between Thursday and Nov. 1, Florida's population of 1.3 million alligators may drop by about 15,000. Alligator hunting is typically a nighttime activity;legal huntinghours statewide are 5 p.m. to10 a.m. We use asterisks (*) to indicate data points not used in analysis because of the deleterious effects on alligator nesting of Hurricane Rita (2005) and Hurricane Ike (2008). 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. 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. In order to hunt alligators, you need a license from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. A CITES-tagged alligator is required for two hide validation tags and an alligator trapping license is required for the first alligator season. As expected, and in an effort to manage the total numbers taken, alligator hunting permits carry with them many restrictions. All sales have been completed, and no refunds will be provided to those who completed the application. Habitat preferences and several physical characteristics distinguish the American alligator from the American crocodile. 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. Catching a cooler full of seatrout can sometimes be downright easy. Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. The experience of harvesting an alligator can provide a lifetime of memories and campfire stories. Alligator hunting is only allowed in certain areas of the state, and you can only hunt during specific times of the year. A specific zone is chosen and a hunter will be chosen. ALLIGATOR FACT SHEET HISTORY The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) has changed little from its original form some 180 million years ago. The Florida record for weight is a 1,043 pound (13 feet 10.5inch long) alligator taken from Orange Lake in Alachua County. Press, 2014). In Florida, crocodiles are protected as a federally endangered species. Heres what to know, Signs of Everglades recovery emerge. 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. 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. Many alligators have been marked for research by biologists with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. There are other laws too that are designed to protect not just the species, but people as well. Hunting for alligators is legal, but not for the majority of people. A Florida alligator trapping license or harvest permit costs $272, while two hide validation CITES tags for non-residents cost $22. 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 numbers aren't quite so dramatic. 5 See Allan R. Woodward, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, History of American Alligator Regulations in the U.S.A. (June 12, 2007). 30 See Nanci Alexander, Alligator Hunts Harm Floridas Public Image, The N.Y. Times, Nov. 8, 1991. An Alligator Trapping License, a Harvest Permit, and two CITES tags will be awarded to the applicant who successfully completes the application process. In order to ensure that population trends didnt reverse course, many other statutory and regulatory protections were implemented and remain in place today. Wear dark-colored clothes, so you can blend in better with the night sky. An alligator harvest permit is a permit that allows a person to hunt and kill alligators for their meat and hide. Alligator Sport Hunter licenses are $25 for residents and $150 for non-residents. How much is an alligator worth in Louisiana? Providing recreational opportunities and revenue, hunting decreases competition for a finite supply of food and habitat, and reduces the likelihood of human-species interactions. You find them in all the suitable habitats around the state: coastal marshland, rivers, bayous and swamps.. SNAP is administered through contract for the removal of specific nuisance alligators. 2023 The Florida Bar. 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. Larger calibers have a higher energy expended rate, but this also increases the chances of projectiles tearing up something. 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. 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. Coastal Angler Magazine and our interior (freshwater) publication, The Angler Magazine, are monthly editions dedicated to fishing, boating, and outdoor enthusiasts. It debuted in 2010 and quickly became a smash hit. For people under the age of 15, a license to participate is not required. Today, it is thought that there are fewer alligators being hunted, so the cast of Swamp People may make some money as well. 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. 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. An alligator rests in the Louisiana marsh. 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. Instead, he collects the eggs every summer from wild gators' nests on private land. Sign up for the For The Win newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning, An historic California gold-mining town located at an elevation of 8,375 feet islike most of the Eastern Sierrablanketed in deep (). A Quota Alligator Harvest Permit (or free permit if applicable) and a Harvest Record are required for hunters to hunt alligator. It is not possible to transfer Alligator Hunt permits in the state of Florida. Frequent discoveries in backyard swimming pools, garages, and on roads are the norm in some areas. (to control the number of alligators that may be harvested from each area). Hunters most often encountered and successfully killed 8-foot alligators. A statewide alligator hunt permit is required to take alligators on a statewide basis in Florida. If you are interested to hunt alligators, the Louisiana alligator program is a great way to get involved in hunting and trapping alligators. Increased Human Interaction The percentages are based on estimates of how many hatchlings would have survived in natural conditions. 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/. They can swim and eat, and their numbers have risen dramatically in recent years as a result of their popularity as pets. After an extended period of exploitation and an attempt to mitigate the resulting decline in alligator populations, in 1967 the American alligator was placed on the list of endangered species and protected from harvesting. If you think you can harvest an alligator like they do in the TV Reality Series Swamp People, then think again. Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery near Covington, photographed Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016. Alabama, Nevada, South Carolina, and Wisconsin are among the states represented. Most were sold for boots, shoes, saddles and other leather goods. Alligator Harvest Permits can be purchased if you choose a quota hunt and must be held by a member of the alligator hunting party. Alligators may only be harvested by residents who do not own land and are accompanied by an alligator guide during the sport season. Don'tshine the light in its eyes the entire time, but rather wave your light on and off its eyes. Copyright 1999 - 2023 State of Florida. 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. "The prices are about 30 percent down from last year," Greenwood Gator Farms and Tours owner Tim Domangue said. If you want to hunt alligators in Florida, youll have to pay a hefty price. 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. 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. "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. Following the end of the alligator season, hunters are required by law to return lost or stolen alligator tags to LDWF within 15 days of receiving them. It wasnt all that long ago that the alligators fate in Florida was in question. Goody! quote attributed to Will Cuppy, American Humorist (1884-1949). Are issued, and you can pick up your areas local edition over. 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