This will be the 11th season that alligator hunting in Mississippi has taken place. This season is slated to kick off at noon on August 28 and conclude at noon on September 7. In relatively short order, the alligator hunting season has rapidly grown into one of the most popular hunting seasons in the state of Mississippi. In fact, alligator harvest has grown from 30 in 2005 to 682 in 2014. Each year, more than 7,000 residents compete for the opportunity to receive one of the 920 special hunting permits.
Gator hunters are required to obtain special permits (for hunting areas) and licenses, and alligators must be tagged immediately after harvest. Firearms may not be fired across public waters and must be cased at all times until an alligator has been legally restrained. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fish and Parks (MDWFP) Alligator Program Coordinator, Ricky Flynt explains:
“The methods of capture, along with restrictions on firearms and their use has been purposely designed to provide a safe recreational opportunity for hunters, as well as anyone who is out on public waterways during the hunts. The MDWFP makes it a priority to provide training and information to all permitted alligator hunters; the safety record over the last 10 years has been exceptional.”
The private land alligator hunting season will open at noon on August 28 and conclude at 6 a.m. on September 23. There are 89 private properties within 28 open counties that qualified for private lands alligator hunting permits. Hunters are required to tag all harvested alligators and complete a mandatory harvest report. Additional and daily-updated information on alligator hunting in Mississippi may be obtained by visiting the MDWFP Alligator Program webpage.