After the Harvest
CITES Tag
Immediately after the alligator is dead, you must attach your alligator CITES tag within 6 inches of the tip of its tail. Cut a slit through the tail, slide the tag through the slit and securely lock the tag. Make sure to pull hard on the tag to confirm it is locked securely. The CITES tag must remain in place on the tail until the alligator’s hide is tanned, mounted by a taxidermist or made into alligator products.
Alligator Harvest Reporting
Within 24 hours of taking each alligator, and prior to the transfer of the carcass to another person, the permittee must complete and submit harvest information through the Commission’s harvest reporting system. A printed or electronic record generated through the Commission’s harvest reporting system shall accompany the carcass until final disposition.
1. When access to the Commission’s harvest reporting system is not available prior to the transfer of the carcass, the transfer shall be recorded in a temporary harvest transfer log which must accompany the carcass until the harvest information is reported as required.
2. The temporary harvest transfer log shall include: the permittee’s legal name; CITES tag number; date of harvest; county and water body where harvested; total length of the alligator in feet and inches; date and time of transfer; and legal name of the receiving party.
Information you will be asked when reporting your harvest includes:
- Date harvested
- County and location
- Total length. To measure total length, place marks on the ground at the tip of the snout and the tip of the tail, then measure that distance after the alligator is removed. Please call 352-620-7726, so the FWC can take an official measurement if you take a male alligator that measures 14 feet 3 inches or greater or weighs more than 1,043 pounds. We would also like to take official measurements of any female alligator that measures 10 feet 6 inches or greater or weighs more than 375 pounds.
- Tail girth
- Sex (If you know this)
- Pounds of meat yielded (If you processed the alligator yourself)
Take tail girth measurement at the third scute row behind its back legs.
Unused CITES Tags
You will need to mail back any unused alligator CITES tags by Nov. 15 to:
FWC Alligator Management Program
1239 SW 10th Street
Ocala, FL 34471
Recommendations for returning unused tags:
- Cut the large end from the tag before mailing
- Use a padded or cardboard envelope to ensure it is returned and not lost or damaged in transit
- Make sure that proper postage is applied, or your envelope may be returned
- Use a delivery service with package tracking
Frequently Asked Questions
Many alligators the FWC captures for research purposes are tagged. If you happen to harvest one of these tagged alligators, please call 352-800-5025. Data such as body measurements and harvest location provide FWC biologists with valuable information.
You are allowed to sell the meat only if it was processed by a licensed alligator processing facility. Green hides, meaning those that have not been tanned, may only be sold to licensed fur and hide dealers. Find a list of licensed Florida alligator meat processors and hide dealers.
Tanned hides as well as skeletal parts (including skulls) may be sold to anyone. But records must be kept showing who the parts were transferred to.
You will need to mail back any unused alligator CITES tags by Nov. 15 to:
FWC Alligator Management Program
1239 SW 10th Street
Ocala, FL 34471
Recommendations for returning unused tags:
- Cut the large end from the tag before mailing
- Use a padded or cardboard envelope to ensure it is returned and not lost or damaged in transit
- Make sure that proper postage is applied, or your envelope may be returned
- Use a delivery service with package tracking