Statewide Alligator Harvest Program

Countywide alligator harvest unit information what is a "countywide alligator harvest unit?" It is important to note that countywide alligator harvest units are DIFFERENT from the Commission's traditional alligator harvest units on public waters and wetlands. Most Florida counties are established as alligator harvest units. Individuals permitted to take alligators in the countywide harvest units will be allowed to take two alligators from any area they could legally access in the specified county, including public and private lands and waters, but excluding specific water bodies established as AMUs, private wetlands permitted for alligator management, and other protected public properties (exclusions are detailed below). Application and permit issuance procedures and participation requirements for the countywide harvest units are the same as for other harvest units.

Who can participate? Any person at least 18 years old by Aug. 15 of the application year and who has not been convicted of violating 379.3015 or 379.409, Florida Statutes, or any Commission rules relating to the illegal taking of any crocodilian species for a period of five (5) years, or for ten (10) years if such a conviction involved the taking of an endangered crocodilian.

What fees are required to apply for a permit? The fees for countywide harvest units are the same as for the traditional harvest units.

Where can I harvest alligators in my county? It is strongly recommended that you know specific locations where you can legally harvest alligators in a county prior to applying for a countywide permit. If you receive a countywide alligator harvest permit, you can hunt on any area that you can legally access in the specified county. Harvesting is prohibited in the following areas: in privately-owned waters and wetlands, except where access has been granted by landowners; in water management district-owned (WMD) waters and wetlands, except as designated or where access has been granted by the WMD; in federally-owned lands, wildlife refuges, and parks, except where access has been granted by the managing federal agency; in state-owned parks, preserves, reserves, and wilderness areas, except aquatic preserves that may be designated; in Indian reservations and lands leased to Indian tribes, except as designated or where access has been granted by the landowners; in wildlife management, wildlife environmental, and public small-game hunting areas, except as designated; in incorporated cities and municipalities; in publicly owned waters closed for scientific study or protection of alligator populations; in privately-owned waters and wetlands included management programs governed by Rule 68A-25.032, F.A.C.; and in other Alligator Management Units established the respective counties.

We have an online alligator harvest data search feature where you can see where alligators have been taken in past years in different counties.

Can I hunt on a wildlife management area? Some countywide alligator harvest units allow alligators to be taken on specific WMAs. WMAs where you can hunt can be found in the specific harvest unit description. You should review the appropriate WMA brochure for access restrictions.

The county I want to hunt has a river as a county boundary. Can I hunt in that river? In many instances, county boundaries follow the center line of a river. For counties that have a river or other waterbody as a boundary, the countywide alligator harvest permit allows trappers to hunt both sides of the river immediately adjacent to the permitted county.

How many alligators can you take? Each permittee will be allowed to take two (2) non-hatchling alligators.

Can I cross through a different harvest area to a place where I can legally hunt? If you must travel through an area where you not permitted to hunt alligators, then you should stow away or take down all alligator harvest equipment. For example, harpoon points should be removed from the harpoon pole and stowed away; snatch hooks should be removed from fishing poles and put away, etc. Also, you should not search for alligators when traveling through an area for which you are not permitted; travel in a straight line to your destination, and, if traveling at night, do not “sweep” your spotlight from side to side as it may appear that you are searching for alligators.

When will the licensed trapper be able to hunt alligators? Each trapper will be assigned to one of four periods based on availability and on the order of preference that they indicated on their application. The harvest permit will specify the harvest period. Harvest periods are:

• Period 1: From 5 p.m. on Aug. 15 until 10 a.m. on Aug. 22
• Period 2: From 5 p.m. on Aug. 22 until 10 a.m. on Aug. 29
• Period 3: From 5 p.m. on Aug. 29 until 10 a.m. on Sept. 5
• Period 4: From 5 p.m. on Sept. 5 until 10 a.m. on Sept. 12

All participants also will be allowed to trap alligators from 5 p.m. on Sept. 12 until 10 a.m. on Nov. 1. Legal hunting hours are 5 p.m. through 10 a.m.

What methods can you use to take alligators? Alligators may be taken only by the use of artificial lures or baited, wooden pegs less than two (2) inches in length attached to a hand-held restraining line and hand-held snares, harpoons, gigs, snatch hooks, and manually operated spears, spearguns, crossbows and bows with projectiles attached to a restraining line. The use of baited hooks, gig-equipped bang sticks, or firearms for taking alligators is prohibited except that bang sticks are permitted for taking alligators attached to a restraining line.

Can the permitted countywide trapper give his permit and cites tags to someone else so that they can hunt alligators? No. Only the permitted trapper may possess the unused CITES tags issued to that trapper, but alligator trapping agents may take alligators in the presence of the permitted trapper.

Can I use a countywide permit to take alligators on private property? Yes, but only if you have been granted permission by the landowner to take alligators on their property, and if the property is not enrolled in the private lands alligator management program under Rule 68A-25.032, F.A.C.

Can I use an airboat or large outboard in a countywide unit? Boat restrictions are regulated by local or regional government authorities. Contact the appropriate city, county, or water management district in the county where you are permitted and ask about the specific area that you would like to hunt.

Can I receive a refund for my fees if I am permitted but cannot participate in the hunt? Licenses cannot be canceled or any fee refunded after the license is issued except in the case of the subsequent death of the license holder, his or her spouse, parent, brother, sister, son or daughter supported by a copy of the respective death certificate; incapacitating illness or injury of the license holder supported by a physician's sworn statement; military transfer overseas supported by a copy of the official orders from the Armed Forces of the U.S. Refunds will not be granted for alligator trapping licenses or tag fees after the beginning of the harvest period specified on the permit. Refunds will not be granted for agent’s licenses after Aug. 15.

How can I contact the Statewide Alligator Harvest Program? For additional information, call 850-488-3831.