Louisiana is set to hold its first recreational alligator hunt in more than 50 years, with the state offering up to 5,000 tags to licensed hunters for a month-long season beginning 1 October across eight zones. The move follows the recovery of the alligator population, which has risen to an estimated 3 million in the wild, up from fewer than 100,000 in the 1960s.
Historic return of recreational alligator hunting
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LWF) announced the new recreational season, which marks the first time since 1962 that the public can legally hunt alligators for sport. The state banned alligator hunting in 1962 to allow the species to recover after decades of unregulated killings for meat and hides had drastically reduced their numbers.
Although alligator hunting has taken place since an outright 10-year ban ended in 1972, it had been restricted to tightly regulated commercial harvesting. This new recreational season is the first time the public has been able to legally snare alligators for fun or sport, a creature deeply embedded in Louisiana's culture and history.
Permits, rules, and costs for hunters
Applicants have until Monday to enter a lottery for the 5,000 tags, with each successful applicant eligible for up to two tags. State residents will pay $25 per zone, while visitors will pay $150 per zone, on top of a $50 application fee. All applicants must already possess a basic hunting license issued by LWF.
The hunt has been designated strictly non-commercial, meaning that those who capture an alligator cannot sell the meat or skin. Hunters are restricted to hook and line trapping, and cannot use poles or other methods favored by poachers. Firearms can only be used to kill captured alligators, not for shooting free-swimming reptiles.
Economic and conservation impact
In a statement, LWF said: "Louisiana now has a robust alligator resource capable of providing sustainable recreational harvest opportunities to Louisiana residents without negatively impacting a highly valuable commercial industry that provides more than $250m annually to Louisiana's economy."
The hunt brings Louisiana broadly into line with Florida, which introduced a similarly regulated statewide recreational alligator hunting program in 1988 after its conservation programs allowed alligator numbers to recover. The new Louisiana season is expected to provide additional recreational opportunities while maintaining the state's commercial alligator industry.
