New proposals give people more alligator hunting opportunities through special permit

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Proposed rule changes from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Division of Hunting and Game Management would provide more alligator hunting opportunities to people through a special permit.

The division will present the proposals Dec. 5. The changes would offer a sustainably managed statewide alligator hunt, offering recreational hunters the opportunity to legally harvest alligators from public waters.

In response to the growing demand for improved access to highly coveted alligator management units, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission explored a different alligator harvest opportunity.

The proposed special alligator harvest opportunity, which will be presented alongside existing recreational alligator harvest opportunities, aims to provide greater flexibility and increased chances for today’s recreational alligator hunters, according to a presentation from the hunting and game management division.

According to the presentation, the proposed rules would create an opportunity for a select group of randomly chosen alligator hunters to gain access to all alligator management units, excluding areas where legal access cannot be granted.

This access would be valid for the entire duration of the statewide alligator harvest season.

The statewide alligator hunt currently operates on a random draw system, where applicants have a single chance per phase of the permit issuance process to secure a permit for a specific alligator management unit and hunting period.

A recent Human Dimensions study conducted by the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute highlighted a common concern among hunters regarding the difficulty of securing permits for specific, highly desirable areas due to the high number of applicants vying for the same regions and timeframes.

The competitive nature of the draw has led to challenges for many hunters in obtaining their preferred locations and time slots, according to the presentation.

The proposed special alligator harvest opportunity, distinct from the traditional statewide harvest, mirrors other special‐opportunity hunts implemented by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Applicants for the hunting opportunity will be required to pay for each application, with flexibility to apply multiple times during the application period. The issuance of a limited number of permits will be based on sustainable harvest estimates.

Key benefits of the proposed special hunt opportunity include: 

• Increased harvest opportunity: Hunters permitted for the special hunt could harvest two additional alligators beyond the limit allowed in the statewide alligator harvest. Participation in the hunt does not preclude a hunter from taking part in the traditional statewide harvest.
• Extended Hunting Season: Participants in the special hunt would have the opportunity to hunt throughout the entire statewide alligator season.
• Access to all alligator management units: The special hunt allows access to all alligator management units, both countywide and standalone, during the alligator harvest season, excluding areas like Loxahatchee NWR and others where legal access may not be permitted.
• Increased draw likelihood: Hunters have the option to enhance their chances of being drawn by submitting a higher number of applications.
• Elevated significance of alligator hunting: The proposals aim to elevate the significance and recognition of alligator hunting in Florida.

Potential drawbacks to the proposals include:

• Non‐refundable application fees.
• Potential high level of competition for a limited number of permits.