22 See Palumbo v. State Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, 487 So. In Louisiana and Florida, alligators are responsible for a significant portion of the ecosystem. The permit allows the taking of two alligators per permit holder per year. 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. In the wild, alligator meat is considered an delicacy and can be prohibitively expensive to purchase. This year, officials counted 58,100 nests, a record number. That gator taken in the Pearl River/Ross Barnett Zone grew only 24.8 inches in the 13 years since being tagged June 14, 2007. 31 Three million alligators were killed in Florida between 1880 and 1900. The program, based on science, incorporates many restrictions to ensure alligator populations remain healthy and stable. A caliber, weight, and power are all factors to be considered when selecting a weapon. 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/. Estimate the number of inches between the bump on the gator's snout and its eyes. The advisory also means the public should avoid fishing and boating. 620 S. Meridian St. Tallahassee, FL (850) 488-4676 Swamp People follows the hunt for the Louisiana alligator. The . You must have a permit in order to hunt alligators and kill them with a rectangular hard plate on top of their heads. Floridas recreational alligator harvest, approved by the state, is one of the states most popular hunting opportunities. Dont wait, because the tags are limited and will be gone quickly. Generally, owners or occupants do not have an obligation to warn others about the dangers of animals living in their natural habitats or to protect them from wild animal attacks.22 However, an owner must still exercise ordinary due care in managing their property, and failure to exercise ordinary care could give rise to a cause of action for negligence, particularly for invitees.23. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is another one of those enduring symbols of Florida. And ranchers win by being able to sell a marketable product. Most were sold for boots, shoes, saddles and other leather goods. There is no clear-cut winner in this game. 37 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Alligator Management Program, http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/. If finally approved, it would take effect with eggs collected next year. Hunting alligator on private land, whether owned or under a hunting permit, or on public lands/lakes with access granted through a lottery or bidding process is permitted. tags will not be replaced unless they have been reported as stolen or lost. Except in the case of a Florida alligator hunt, no hunting or fishing licenses are required. 2d 244, 246 (Fla. 2d DCA 1976). Alligators at that size have scales that are the right size to be made into belts, wallets, watchbands and the like, Price explained. Although alligators can be found in ponds, lakes, canals, rivers, swamps, and bayous in Louisiana, they are most common in our coastal marshes. Follow Faimon A. Roberts III on Twitter, @faimon. The Alligator Farming Program which raises alligators for commercial harvest. Another important protection involves the duty of an owner or occupant to warn others regarding the presence or potential of a dangerous condition, such as wild animals. The current prices for alligators are $20 per foot for a 9-foot or longer gator, $17 for 8 feet, $13-$15 for 7 feet and $13-$14 for 6 feet, according to local hunters and processors. 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. Each year, a total of 5,000 hunting permits are issued, and hunters can only hunt two alligators during each season. The Commission offers a limited number of permits through a random drawing process. The license costs $272 for residents and $1,022 for non-residents. 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 Louisiana state government allows hunters to take down alligators as part of an outdoor adventure that allows visitors to see some of the states wildlife. The Alligator Harvest Report Form must be completed by permit holders in order to harvest alligator. As their population rebounded, today reaching an estimated 1.2 million in Florida, species management is necessary. 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. Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its2022 Agency Regulatory Plan. Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its2022 Agency Regulatory Plan. A permit is required to hunt alligators in Florida and can be obtained through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. It is a free-for-all. However it is extremely physical and quite dangerous and should never be taken lightly. endstream endobj 170 0 obj <. Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees, Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network, See a full list of our Social Media accounts. Alligators for sale and shipping. For people under the age of 15, a license to participate is not required. The second-most common was 7 feet, followed by 7 feet, 6 inches. 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. The current state record alligator length is 14 feet 3.5 inches taken from Lake Washington in Brevard County. 35 Michael R. Conover, Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflicts: The Science of Wildlife Damage Management 48 (2002). A female alligator guards her nest in the Louisiana marsh. A scared alligator is usually also a distant one, getting far away as quickly and silently as possible. There was a problem saving your notification. 2016 Hunting Season 1:41. A Mozambique court has sentenced a Vietnamese woman to 16 years in prison for possession and trafficking of lion and rhinoceros parts. Never insult an alligator until after you have crossed the river.1. "Alligators are a conservation success story inFlorida,"FWC spokesperson Tammy Sapp said in an email. %%EOF John Price is a Louisiana rancher. FWC will issue over 7,300 alligator harvest permits this year. Alligator management programs implemented by FWC emphasize the conservation of alligator populations for their ecological, aesthetic, and economic values while providing for public use and safety. Hunters are required to report any lost tags to the relevant authorities if they believe the tags have been lost. But the proposal approved last month by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission means ranchers wont have to return as many to the wild, so they will have more to sell. Their skins are used to make boots, shoes, belts, and saddles. 16 See Jackson Landers, Alligators in Your Backyard, Slate (Feb. 19, 2013), available at http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/animal_forecast/2013/02/alligators_in_virginia_climate_change_could_be_pushing_cold_blooded_species.html. hb```f`` 1 EY8:{f5@d\( v10tt4@:0 - = h.`aa>xUC@0/ U@ , H2Ns5 E% ", 'Naked and Afraid': Couple from Discovery TV show hunt gators in Florida. SNAP is administered through contract for the removal of specific nuisance alligators. Hunting for alligators is legal, but not for the majority of people. Hunting season generally runs from August 15 through November 1 of each year.42 Hunting is allowed only at night and in the morning, between 5 p.m. and 10 a.m.43 Two alligators are allowed per permit without size limitations except that hatchlings cannot be taken (i.e., a minimum 18 inches from tip of snout to tip of tail).44 There are several legal methods of taking alligators including, but not limited to, bows, crossbows, gigs, spears, harpoons, spear guns, hand lines, fishing poles, and bang sticks. The Public Water Alligator Egg and Hatchling Collecting Program permits and supervises the collection of alligator eggs and hatchlings from public waters by licensed alligator farmers. This change in status allowed the FWC to initiate management of the nuisance alligator problem through harvesting which continues today. Alligators can be hunted using a variety of methods, including firearms, bows, and spears. In some states, alligator hunting is only allowed during a specific season and with a permit, while in other states no permit is required. Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery near Covington, photographed Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016. Some tips from the FWC on how to hunt alligators: The number of alligators harvested in previous hunts: Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Association. Alligator hunters must have a valid Florida hunting license, and must take an alligator hunting safety course. Each year, hunters with alligator tags apply for the season to begin. In addition to the state program, some Florida counties issue a county- wide alligator harvest permit. The extent of this duty will depend on several factors, such as the status of the victim, knowledge of the owner, and knowledge of the victim. The American alligator can be found from parts of the Florida Keys all the way to the western panhandle. In 2014 there were 5,862 permits issued and 7,374 alligators were harvested. 0 If you are interested to hunt alligators, the Louisiana alligator program is a great way to get involved in hunting and trapping alligators. The correct answer to this question is both. For example, the presence of poison ivy on a property may carry with it a lower level of due care than the presence of a 12-foot bull alligator. Because of its larger caliber, he believes it is possible to put more energy into a shot, but it is also possible to damage something in the process. 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. Alligators are wary of bright lights. 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. 4 Exploring Florida, Florida Census: 1980, http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/docs/c/census/1980.htm. By 1987, the gator population was defined as "recovered," and the statewide hunt wasinstituted in 1988. Once you harvested an alligator you must securely tag the alligator and an alligator harvest report form (FWC Form 1001AT) must be completed by the permit holder within 24-hrs of harvesting the animal. Floridas wetlands support only two of twenty-three different species of crocodilians in the world. If you do not have a Florida drivers license or an identification card, you cannot apply online. The hunters caught the 12-foot, 1-inch alligator in Forest Home Chute off the Mississippi River south of Eagle Lake last week and turned in the tag, as reported this week by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. 2023 The Florida Bar. 9 Forman, Richard T., Urban Ecology: Science of Cities 178-179 (Cambridge Univ. Yet it also is a point of controversy between the FWCC and animal rights advocates based on fundamental disagreements over both the need for the program, and also the methods employed to manage the population. Alligators primarily inhabit freshwater; however, they may be found in any body of water or wetland throughout Florida. Search for alligator harvest information using the CITES tag number or permit holder name. Instead, he collects the eggs every summer from wild gators' nests on private land. The new reduction is going to add up to some money.. The ubiquitous nature of alligators in Florida might make it difficult for Florida residents, whether landowners, invitees, or trespassers to claim they were not aware of the potential presence of alligators in lakes, ponds, and rivers. That extra foot-and-a-half of water spread out over the marshes along Lake O's western and northern shores would "give alligators a lot more places to hide," Clanton said. Sign up for the For The Win newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning, An historic California gold-mining town located at an elevation of 8,375 feet islike most of the Eastern Sierrablanketed in deep (). Everybody knows we got alligators all over the place, he said. 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. Hunting or fishing are not required in Florida for the alligator hunting season. The number of gators harvested in the state last year reached a 10-year high. 201 0 obj <>stream The FWC Office of Licensing and Permitting can only reprint permits after the permit holder has requested that it be done so. Alligators less than 4 feet long can be relocated. The toll-free number is 1-866-FWC- GATOR (1-866-392-4286). The commission publishes data showing where the gators were hunted and how many were hunted each year, as well as the carcass size. There are an estimated 800,000 alligators on ranches and more than a million in the wild in Louisiana. The alligator population in this state is estimated at 1.3 million alligators of every size and has been stable for many years. When you think of Florida, images of sandy beaches, orange groves dotted with fragrant white blossoms, or the many cypress swamps and wetlands might come to mind. 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. Between Thursday and Nov. 1, Florida's population of 1.3 million alligators may drop by about 15,000. Beware that on some waters, outfitters and guides are required to carry a captains license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, so check your harvest area requirements before hiring any outfitter or guide. Larger calibers have a higher energy expended rate, but this also increases the chances of projectiles tearing up something. 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. For example, in 1967 after consultation with the states and scientists, the U.S. 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. Human development is often pitted against nature while simultaneously wrestling with social and economic implications. "I think it's going to be an exceptionally good year for alligator hunting,"saidLewis Clanton of Fort Pierce,an alligator hunting guide for 23 years. 5 See Allan R. Woodward, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, History of American Alligator Regulations in the U.S.A. (June 12, 2007). The MWDFP Wildlife Bureau has documented alligators feeding on the Asian carp on many occasions. The average size of the 2,552 alligators harvested in 2000 was 8 feet 8 inches; the average of the 8,402 killed in 2018 was 8 feet 2 inches. To apply, applicants must be legal Louisiana residents at least 16 years old and possess a valid hunting license. Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. After all, to live in Florida is to coexist among these ancient reptilian predators. 17 University of Florida Bureau of Economic Business Research, Florida Estimates of Population 2015, available at http://edr.state.fl.us/Content/population-demographics/data/PopulationEstimates2015.pdf. 24 Latin, of a wild nature or disposition. Its imperative that anyone permitted to harvest alligators be aware of, and abide by the regulations. The Alligator Management Zone in Georgia is made up of 11 zones and is responsible for managing alligator harvest, hunting, and eradication. 30 See Nanci Alexander, Alligator Hunts Harm Floridas Public Image, The N.Y. Times, Nov. 8, 1991. 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. Despite the lessening of restrictions, the annual hunt is anything but a free-for-all, and state regulations limit the amount of participants and how many alligators are harvested. Each period corresponds to a hunting period that starts Aug. 15. 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. These permits have specific restrictions as to where you can access and harvest alligators, so be mindful of where you can hunt before obtaining one of these permits. Alligators or alligator hides cannot be sold to the general public unless they are purchased from a fur buyer or dealer. It wont happen immediately, however. Alabama, Nevada, South Carolina, and Wisconsin are among the states represented. Its not always easy to tell when its time to take a reptile, but it generally goes something like this: $500 for the reptile 7 feet or smaller, and $500 for the reptiles over 7 feet. The West Zone will open its doors on September 1. Over the years, many different law and policy approaches to reaching this proper balance have been attempted, ranging from the more traditional command-and-control regulatory approach to the more modern market-based approach,28 for example. Permits are assigned in each unit or county based on a calendar year. All sales have been completed, and no refunds will be provided to those who completed the application. However, millions of years of evolutionary development have made the species very adept at concealing themselves, making it difficult for those unfamiliar with Floridas natural landscape, such as non-native tourists, travelers, or visitors, to discover their presence before it is too late. Photos of the alligator, hunters and tag courtesy of Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. Some will say this is never an option and that human development should yield to the alligators; after all, they have been around for millions of years longer than humans.30 Others will contend that there is no such thing as a good alligator and, therefore, their complete elimination from Florida would be welcomed, perhaps like the disease-carrying mosquito.31 The vast majority of Florida residents, however, fall somewhere in between. The ownership of exotic pets is not regulated in five states, according to Born Free USA, a national animal advocacy nonprofit. The Florida record for weight is a 1,043 pound (13 feet 10.5inch long) alligator taken from Orange Lake in Alachua County. (1) A person is not allowed to intentionally kill, injure, possess, or capture, or attempt to kill, injure, possess, or capture, an alligator or other crocodilian, or the eggs of an alligator or other crocodilian, unless authorized by the commission. Mark Shirley, a Vermilion Parish alligator rancher who has been in the business for 20 years, said the progress is easy to see. 48 (Mar. If you want to catch gator trout consistently, youve got to target them. Ordinary care, however, does not mean the owner must prevent all injuries, but rather that the owner should use reasonable care to discover dangerous conditions on the property and to protect visitors from or inform visitors about those discovered conditions. Alligator Harvest Permits can be purchased if you choose a quota hunt and must be held by a member of the alligator hunting party. This column is submitted on behalf of the Animal Law Section, Ralph A. DeMeo, chair, and Deborah C. Brown, editor. 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. Conservationists win because alligators' habitat and the gators themselves are being protected and increased. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. 33 See Ian Nance, Annual Harvest Helps Alligators to Flourish, Orlando Sentinel (Sept. 7, 2016), available at http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-ed-gator-hunt-pro-front-burner-09062016-20160907-story.html. The Private Lands Alligator Management Program allows the harvest of non-hatchling alligators on private landholdings and government owned 3 or leased land with a documented, harvestable alligator population. Like so many areas of the law, environmental law and policy is a balancing act. Attacks like this are horrifying, but relatively uncommon, considering there are approximately 1.3 million alligators in Florida, and more than 21 million people. Ranchers wont actually be able to return the lower percentage until 2018 at the earliest. 449 S 12th St.Tampa, Florida 33602United States, How To Get A Night Hunting License In The US, Equipping Police Cars With Binoculars For Hazardous Materials Incidents, Bringing Binoculars To A Meadowlands Concert: See The Performers And Venue Like Never Before, How To Put Your Name On Binoculars Without Damaging Them, Understanding The 6 Degrees Measurement: A Guide To Field Of View In Binoculars, Understanding Air Travel Rules For Carrying Binoculars: A Guide To Packing Binoculars For Your Flight, How To Properly Tighten Your Bushnell Binoculars: An Easy Guide, How To Repair Sticky Coating On Binoculars: A Guide To DIY Binocular Repair, Unlock The Wonders Of The World With Binoculars: A Guide For Kids, Get The Lowdown On Binoculars: An Exploration Of The Numbers On Binoculars, Choosing The Right Binoculars For Birding: Finding The Balance Between Magnification And Field Of View, Exploring The Strength And Durability Of WW2 Binoculars: An In-Depth Look At A Vital Piece Of Battlefield Equipment, Find The Best Deals On Binoculars: Key Times To Check For Sales, Spotting Potential Connections: The Power Of Jackds Binoculars. Growing up to 14 feet in length,18 with 75 to 80 sharp teeth, and thousands of pounds per square inch of bite strength, many of the human encounters with this apex predator end in serious injury and sometimes death. One sometimes controversial regulatory tool in the species management toolbox is harvesting (a command-and-control regulatory approach),29 or as the layperson might refer to it, hunting. You have permission to edit this article. Coastal Angler Magazine and our interior (freshwater) publication, The Angler Magazine, are monthly editions dedicated to fishing, boating, and outdoor enthusiasts. Owner John Price checks on his alligators Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at the Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery near Covington. In order to hunt alligators, you need a license from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The American alligators range extends from the south tip of Texas to the northeastern edge of North Carolina. Permits are randomly assigned during Phase I, II, and III, and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis during Phase IV. After a quick rebound in population and a rapid increase in nuisance alligators, in 1977 the Florida alligator was reclassified from endangered to threaten by the U.S. Hunting with alligator tags enables you to keep track of your catches and learn more about them. In that first year, officials counted just 8,600 nests. Try to approach an alligator as quietly as you can, using either an electric trolling motor or paddles. Of those, the largest was 13 feet, 6 inches, found in August in the Kissimmee River. In business terms, the gators returned to the wild are a loss. However, challenges still remain. It is a popular hunting sport in Louisiana and Florida. In order to hunt alligators, you need a license from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. For 2015 there are five hunting periods which must be declared on your permit application and they are; Period 1, 5:00pm August 15th until 10:00am August 22nd; Period 2, 5:00pm August 22nd until 10:00am August 29th; Period 3, 5:00pm August 29th until 10:00am September 5th; Period 4, 5:00pm September 5th until 10:00am September 12th; and finally Period 5, 5:00pm September 12th until 10:00am November 1st for those participants who have any unused tags after their assigned harvest period. Many alligators have been marked for research by biologists with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Unlike commercial trapping seen on TV, hunters follow strict guidelines to hunt in FL. When first tagged, the alligator measured 6.4 feet, meaning it grew an average of 8.6 inches each year over nine years. On average, over the past 20 years, there have been approximately 10 unprovoked alligator bites per year on people in Florida, the majority of which were considered major requiring medical care beyond first aid to treat the wounds.19 Approximately 7 percent of these unprovoked encounters resulted in a fatality.20. Methods, including firearms, bows, and saddles DeMeo, chair, and eradication some counties..., of a wild nature or disposition identification card, you can not be replaced unless they purchased. Fishing licenses are required to hunt in FL 1,022 for non-residents Wildlife Bureau documented. Many occasions Commission, 487 So the CITES tag number or permit holder name Fla. DCA. Palumbo v. state Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, alligator Management program, based on Science, incorporates restrictions... 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Each season Management is necessary floridas public Image, the largest was 13 feet, 6 inches, in.