ALLIGATOR HUNT REGISTRATION BEGINS JUNE 2
An alligator on the La Chua trail in Alachua County, Florida. Photo by Sydney Melson
By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Sydney Melson
Alligator hunting season is on the horizon! The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will open online registration on June 2 at 8 a.m. Registration ends on July 8 at 8 a.m.
A total of 260 Alligator Possession Tags will be distributed among five hunting zones in Alabama. Only Alabama residents and Alabama lifetime license holders who are 16 or older may apply for a tag. Lifetime license holders may apply for a tag even if they have moved out of the state.
The tags will be randomly distributed to applicants. A “preference point” system is in place, meaning people who apply each year are more likely to be chosen. If someone does not register in a given year or is selected and accepts a tag, the preference is forfeited.
Applicants can check their status on July 8 after 12 p.m. here. Those selected must confirm their acceptance online by July 15 at 8 a.m. Hunters may be selected for multiple zones, and may only choose one.
Zones, total tags issued and hunt dates are listed below. Visit Outdoor Alabama to register during the registration period.
SOUTHWEST ALABAMA ZONE – 100 Tags
Locations: Private and public waters in Baldwin and Mobile counties north of interstate 10, and private and public waters in Washington, Clarke and Monroe counties east of U.S. Highway 43 and south of U.S. Highway 84.
2020 Dates: Sunset on August 13, until sunrise on August 16. Sunset on August 20, until sunrise on August 23.
COASTAL ZONE – 50 Tags
Locations: Private and public waters in Baldwin and Mobile counties south of Interstate 10.
2020 Dates: Sunset on August 13, until sunrise on August 16. Sunset on August 20, until sunrise on August 23.
SOUTHEAST ALABAMA ZONE – 40 Tags
Locations: Private and public waters in Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Russell counties (excluding public Alabama state waters in Walter F. George Reservoir/Lake Eufaula and its navigable tributaries).
2020 Dates: Sunset on August 8, until sunrise on September 7.
WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA ZONE – 50 Tags
Locations: Private and public waters in Monroe (north of U.S. Highway 84), Wilcox and Dallas counties.
2020 Dates: Sunset on August 13, until sunrise on August 16. Sunset on August 20, until sunrise on August 23.
LAKE EUFAULA ZONE – 20 Tags
Locations: Public state waters only in the Walter F. George Reservoir/Lake Eufaula and its navigable tributaries, south of Alabama Highway 208 at Omaha Bridge (excludes Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge).
2020 Dates: Sunset August 14, until sunrise October 5.
Note: An 8-foot minimum length requirement is in effect for alligators harvested in the Lake Eufaula Zone.
Each person with an Alligator Possession Tag is allowed one alligator. No bait is allowed.
Hunters must immediately tag their catch with the Alligator Possession Tag and report as directed for each Zone. Permanent tags will be distributed after the season ends by Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division personnel.
