Image: steph_alligator_4_25

MDWFP is introducing a new alligator hunting licensing system and proposing more access to public hunting opportunities in the Southeast Zone. (Photo by Nina B)

Mississippi alligator hunters will see a difference in the upcoming permit drawing process and may gain hunting access to additional waters in the Southeast Zone.

According to the Clarion Ledger, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) is using a new licensing system for the upcoming alligator season. In past years, the drawing process for public waters alligator possession permits had two stages. Hunters submitted their applications for a random drawing. Successful applicants were then given a set number of days to purchase their permits. Unsold permits were then placed in a second drawing to ensure the maximum number of allowed permits were sold.

"We're going to do one draw and then the purchase process will run for an entire seven days and there will be no second drawing," Andrew Arnett, MDWFP alligator program coordinator, says.

To offset the switch to a single drawing, additional permits will be offered this year, but the number of additional permits has not been disclosed.

The application period for public water permits is from June 2-11.

Alligator hunters in Mississippi may also have more access to public hunting opportunities in the Southeast Zone.

"It would really be an addition to the rule to allow more public opportunity down there in that zone," Arnett told the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks during its April meeting. "It would be for Graveline Bayou and all portions thereof.

"It shall not extend into the Mississippi Sound, and for Fort Bayou and all portions thereof. It shall not extend west of Highway 609, or Washington Avenue," he says.

Fort Bayou is in the Ocean Springs area and Graveline Bayou is near Gautier in Jackson County.

Arnett told the Clarion-Ledger that although the bayous are public waters, alligator hunting is not technically legal in those bayous, because they don't fit the agency’s description of public waters

"Because of the way our administrative rule was written, they couldn't be hunted legally," Arnett says. "We just basically added it into administrative rule to allow them to hunt them legally."

If passed by the commission in a final vote, the additions, which are currently in a 30-day comment period, will ensure that hunters have plenty of alligators to hunt, he says.

"There's plenty of opportunity there," Arnett says. "Plus, it might help reduce complaints around Ocean Springs."

The public water season for alligators begins at noon on Aug. 29 and ends at noon on Sept. 8.