Fish and Wildlife Service. The heaviest gator harvested in Florida was a1,043 pounder measuring13 feet 10.5inches takenApril 17, 1989, in Orange County through the nuisance alligator program. With over 1 million print readers per month and the industrys most expansive distribution network, we have emerged as one of the largest outdoor publications in the United States and abroad, thus solidifying our place as a preferred resource. 27 Seelbinder v. County of Volusia, 827 So. In addition to the state program, some Florida counties issue a county- wide alligator harvest permit. Alligator hunting is a popular sport in Louisiana. Most of all, stay safe. The permit is valid for one year from the date of purchase. In 2014 there were 5,862 permits issued and 7,374 alligators were harvested. In order to hunt alligators, you need a license from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. More alligators mean less food per alligator, with the larger alligators either forcing the smaller ones out or alternatively pursuing them as potential prey.14 Continued residential and commercial development similarly means less natural habitat.15 Furthermore, higher ambient temperatures, less predictable and steady rainfall, and more frequent drought conditions result in fewer habitable water bodies. For example, in 1967 after consultation with the states and scientists, the U.S. Each permit authorizes the taking of two alligators within a specified Harvest Unit. These scenes, while perhaps clich, are nevertheless an accurate reflection of our diverse landscape, helping to capture part of Floridas unique essence, particularly to those living elsewhere. The Alligator Harvest Report Form must be completed by permit holders in order to harvest alligator. It debuted in 2010 and quickly became a smash hit. Indeed, alligator ranchers across the state got some good news last month: The commission that regulates their industry voted to lower the proportion of ranched alligators that must be returned to the wild, starting next year. The Statewide Alligator Harvest Program enables the harvest of non- hatchling alligators, those greater than 18-inches, on specific public waters or within specific counties. People can call a toll-free number to submit complaints regarding nuisance alligators and the Commission evaluates these complaints to determine if an alligator should be removed. Estimate the number of inches between the bump on the gator's snout and its eyes. Each permit allows its holder to harvesttwo alligators, so up to 15,358 alligators could be killed this season. A Mozambique court has sentenced a Vietnamese woman to 16 years in prison for possession and trafficking of lion and rhinoceros parts. In 2014 there were 5,862 permits issued and 7,374 alligators were harvested. 26 Hanrahan v. Hometown America LLC, 90 So. Harvest can only take place during the day, not at night. To apply, applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a credit or debit card, which can be used at any bank. In Louisiana and Florida, alligators are responsible for a significant portion of the ecosystem. 2012). ED KILLER/TCPALM. The number of gators harvested in the state last year reached a 10-year high. So what is the explanation given by experts? Alligator seasons are available in Louisiana. Coastal Angler Magazine and our interior (freshwater) publication, The Angler Magazine, are monthly editions dedicated to fishing, boating, and outdoor enthusiasts. Each permit authorizes the taking of two alligators within a specified Harvest Unit. It is a free-for-all. Unlike commercial trapping seen on TV, hunters follow strict guidelines to hunt in FL. Until the alligators hide is tanned, taxidermied, or otherwise processed, the CITES tag must remain on the tail for identification.47 An alligator harvest report form is also required within 24 hours of harvesting and prior to taking the alligator to a processing facility.48 Information on the report includes such things as the date harvested, county and location, total length, tail girth, sex, and pounds of meat yielded.49 Any unused CITES tags must be mailed back to the FWCC Alligator Management Program by November 15.50. The Statewide Alligator Harvest Program enables the harvest of non- hatchling alligators, those greater than 18-inches, on specific public waters or within specific counties. 22 See Palumbo v. State Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, 487 So. But instead of hooves and horns, his livestock have scales and claws, and sometimes they put their food into what's known as a "death roll.". Alligator meat currently sells for around $20 a pound, which is quite high. Customers who have a valid FWC Resident Disability License are exempt from the purchase of an Alligator Trapping Agent License. The Florida record for weight is a 1,043 pound (13 feet 10.5inch long) alligator taken from Orange Lake in Alachua County. In 1975, the American alligator was also listed as an Appendix I species during the Convention for the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), thereby prohibiting the export of alligator hides.13. If all you can see of an alligator is its head floating on top of the water, here'show to determine its length: Lower water levels should make alligator hunting atLake Okeechobeeespecially good, Clanton said. 2d 1095, 1097 (Fla. 5th DCA 2002). Alligator hatchlings lounge in a viewing pool Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at the Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery near Covington. As their population rebounded, today reaching an estimated 1.2 million in Florida, species management is necessary. 4 Exploring Florida, Florida Census: 1980, http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/docs/c/census/1980.htm. Less than a decade later, officials began an attempt to count the wild alligators in an effort to develop a program that would satisfy the commercial demand while allowing the population to recover. While accompanied by a guide, a non-resident or person who is not a resident of the state may harvest alligators as a sport hunter on private property without the use of a hunting license or permission. Search for alligator harvest information using the CITES tag number or permit holder name. Human development is often pitted against nature while simultaneously wrestling with social and economic implications. When the program was first implemented, the percentage of hatched 48-inch alligators that had to be released into the wild within two years was 17 percent. There was a problem saving your notification. Alligator hunting is typically a nighttime activity;legal huntinghours statewide are 5 p.m. to10 a.m. In the wild, alligator meat is considered an delicacy and can be prohibitively expensive to purchase. 30 See Nanci Alexander, Alligator Hunts Harm Floridas Public Image, The N.Y. Times, Nov. 8, 1991. If you happen to harvest a tagged or marked alligator, report your tag to 352-357-0190 to ensure the viability of the population. However it is extremely physical and quite dangerous and should never be taken lightly. Accurate estimates of species counts coupled with the issuance of the right number of hunting permits can take much-needed pressure off a species that is often competing for a portion of an insufficient supply of habitat or food.33 Hunting also provides recreational opportunities as well as a revenue source to the state through licensing, gear, guides, meat, and hide sales.34 Moreover, hunting offers the added benefit of reducing the possibility of human-animal impacts.35 Florida witnessed this most recently in the much publicized and highly controversial black bear hunt.36 However, hunting for charismatic mega-fauna like the black bear generally attracts a different type and level of attention than the hunting of the mysterious and ominous alligator. It is legal, however, to keep an alligator in some states. That hasnt always been the case. Where regulations existed, mostly on a local level, enforcement was lacking.6 Hunting during that era was also less recreational in nature and more about obtaining alligator hides for sale. The State of Louisiana administers an alligator program in which ranchers collect over 350,000 alligator eggs, trappers harvest over 30,000 wild alligators and farmers harvest over 250,000 farm raised alligators annually. Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. The Commission offers a limited number of permits through a random drawing process. More than 300 hunters in Louisiana are estimated to have killed 800 alligators thanks to the states lottery system, which operates on nearly 40 wildlife management areas and public lakes throughout the state. The American alligator is a reptile scientifically classified in the Family Alligatoridae. Population Decline More than 87,000 between 2000 and 2015 by the FWC, which coordinates two gator hunting programs: the statewide nuisance alligator program and the recreational statewide alligator harvest program. Visitors to Louisiana enjoy a wide range of activities, one of which is visiting the swamps. For example, it is illegal to intentionally feed, or entice with feed, any crocodilian unless held in captivity under a permit issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) or otherwise provided.21 Feeding can cause alligators to lose their fear of people, an important evolutionary trait that benefits both people and animal. The largest in Manatee was 12 feet, 9 inches hunted at an unspecified location in the county. Choosing the right firearm for hunting can be a difficult task. The toll-free number is 1-866-FWC- GATOR (1-866-392-4286). Between Thursday and Nov. 1, Florida's population of 1.3 million alligators may drop by about 15,000. Alligators were hunted to near extinction in the 1950's and early 1960's, but protective action by state and federal governments helped keep them from disappearing completely. Keep watching and you are likely to see hundreds of alligators on your 100-mile journey from the Ft. Lauderdale area, across the Big Cypress National Preserve, to Naples. There is a $272 fee for residents of Florida, $22 for residents with disabilities, and $1,022 for non-residents, who must pay the full amount. 48 (Mar. All told, alligator ranching is estimated to be a $100 million industry in Louisiana, Elsey said. That didnt seem to faze Price on a sunny Octoberafternoon as he threw open the door to one of the low-slung barns where his animals live, even as he pointed to the scars on his arms and hands he's gotten from them. Hunting season generally runs from August 15 through November 1 of each year. Contrary to popular belief, bang sticks are the only firearm allowed for alligator hunting; no hand guns or rifles are allowed.45 But, of course, these methods are not without some controversy themselves, as some aspects have been denounced by critics as cruel.46, After harvesting, the permittee must attach a CITES tag within six inches from the tip of the tail. 38 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2016 Guide to Alligator Hunting in Florida. So after you see one, try using a dimmed or filtered light as you approach. The alligator trapping license/harvest permit and two hide validation CITES tags are $272 for residents of Florida, $22 for disabled Florida residents, and $1,022 for non-residents. Recreational hunting is just one part of the FWC's overall approach to managing the alligator population. What to know about the states fishing rules, Why two South Florida tour guides who freed 12 sharks are now paying for their actions, If a body of water is not a swimming pool, an ocean or a designated swimming area, dont go in it, Observe and photograph them from a distance. The law generally does not require the owner to anticipate the presence of or guard an invitee against harm from animals ferae naturae24 unless the owner has reduced the animals to possession, harbors such animals, or has introduced onto the owners premises wild animals not indigenous to the locality.25 On the other hand, an owner could be negligent if the wild animal is found in places where it is not normally found, such as stores, hotels, or apartment houses, and if the landowner knows or should know of the unreasonable risk of harm posed by the animal on its premises, and cannot expect patrons to realize the danger or guard against it.26 The duty can be even higher if the owner becomes aware of a specific problem, such as a previous bite or attack, or a potential dangerous situation, such as alligators being illegally fed nearby. Louisiana now has the most alligators in North America, which is a huge advantage. A permit is required to hunt alligators in Florida and can be obtained through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. John K. Powell is an environmental lawyer, registered professional engineer, and member of the Animal Law Section of The Florida Bar. The program has helped waterfowl, fish species and fur bearers, and that has benefited marsh-oriented businesses, like swamp tour companies and airboat operators. For alligators that are 3 feet long, the percentage is higher. Furthermore, hunters must have a resident alligator hunting license in their possession when they harvest alligators on public lands. October 5, 2022 by Arnold. The total number of deer hunters in the state is obtained from the hunting license database. Because of its lightweight frame and lack of power, the 22 rimfire is a popular hunting rifle. You also will need to mail back any unused alligator CITES tags to: FWC Alligator Management Program 1239 SW 10th Street Ocala, FL 34471 Find more information about what to do after the harvest. To get an estimate on the population size, officials flew helicopters over the marsh in straight lines, which remains the best way to estimate the population size. Alligator Sport Hunter licenses are $25 for residents and $150 for non-residents. The statewide alligator hunt is the only hunt in the country that is open to the general public. Larger calibers have a higher energy expended rate, but this also increases the chances of projectiles tearing up something. 32 See Keith Wood, Gator Hunting in the Sunshine State, NRA American Hunter (June 11, 2012), available at https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2012/6/11/gator-hunting-in-the-sunshine-state/. The American alligator can be found from parts of the Florida Keys all the way to the western panhandle. 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