Florida Extends Alligator Hunting Hours

Hunters can now harvest Florida alligators around the clock throughout the season, which opened August 15 and runs through November 1.

Fox 13 reports that previously the reptiles could only be hunted 17 hours a day – mostly at night. But, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) expanded the window to 24 hours.

The FWC says the expanded hours will allow more young and senior hunters to participate. Last year, hunters killed approximately 7,500 gators. Florida has an estimated gator population of 1.3 million.

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The FWC generally awards approximately 7,000 alligator hunting permits out of 15,000 applications each year. Successful applicants receive an alligator trapping license, an area-specific harvest permit, and two CITES tags, allowing them to harvest two gators.

Permits cost $272 for in-state hunters and more than $1,000 for out-of-state hunters. Hunters must also report their harvest to FWC at the end of the season.

To apply for a permit, head over to: GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

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