The alligator hunting season in Georgia always starts in the first part of September. For 2010, hunting will start on September 4 and run through October 3 for hunters that applied and received quota permits. You must be a permit holder to hunt alligators. The alligator bag limit is one alligator per hunter and legal alligators must be greater than or equal to 48 inches (4 foot) in length as measured from end of the snout to tip of the tail.
In addition to having an alligator hunting permit, any person hunting or assisting an alligator permit holder must possess a valid Alligator Hunting License in addition to a regular hunting license. A resident Alligator License is $50 and a Non-Resident License is $200. In addition, a wildlife management area (WMA) license is required if hunting on a WMA. Disability, Honorary and Lifetime License holders are exempt from these requirements.
Alligator hunters must be at least 12 years of age, but hunters age 12 to 15 do not need an Alligator Hunting License or Hunting License. However, these young hunters must possess a valid alligator permit or be with an alligator permit holder. As usual, in order to hunt unsupervised they must have a valid Hunter Education Certificate.
The legal alligator hunting methods in Georgia allow hunters to use legal alligator hunting equipment which includes hand-held ropes or snares, snatch hooks, harpoons, gigs or arrows with a restraining line attached. Legally harvested alligators must be dispatched immediately upon capture by using a handgun or bangstick, or by severing the spinal cord with a sharp knife/tool.
Alligators may be hunted in Georgia during the day or at night within one of the alligator hunting zones, but it is unlawful to hunt alligators without landowners permission. This includes any right-of-way and hunters must obtain the written permission of the landowner if the property is posted.