Alligator Hunting in Florida Extended to 24 Hours But There's a Catch; FWC Officials Raise Concerns About New Ruling

In Florida, alligator hunters can now chase the reptiles at any time of day or night for as long as they get a permit from officials.

According to a press release from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, a proposal to change the parameters of the state's alligator harvest program was approved Tuesday.

The press release explained that the idea was to extend hunting hours from 17 to 24 hours each day "in most locations," according to the press release.

The organization said that certain regions with restricted access currently limit alligator hunting hours and will continue to do so in the future.

"Increasing hunting hours from the current 17 hours a day to 24 hours a day on most areas will provide those with an alligator trapping license/alligator harvest permit seven more hours a day of hunting opportunity and more flexibility when scheduling hunting trips," Florida's FWC said in a release.

Alligator Hunting Season in Florida Extended

According to the Miami Herald, the alligator hunting season in Florida runs from Aug. 15 through Nov. 1, 2022.

Another new regulation introduced at the conference was the permission to hunt using precharged pneumatic airbows.

To be declared lawful, the airbows arrow must be linked to a restraining line, according to the FWC.

Anybody who is at least 18 years old by Aug. 15 and with a valid credit card can apply for alligator harvest licenses, Miami Herald added.

FWC Officials Raise Concerns About New Ruling

Kevin Brotz, an alligator hunter who also helps others attempting to get one, said he's not sure how many people would hunt during the day now that it's legal to do so during the season.

"An hour or two here or there would have been maybe a better option because that middle of the day, it's so hot," Brotz told WESH.

Meanwhile, the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida's Bryan Wilson argues that gators should be off-limits at certain times of the day.

He is concerned that pleasure boaters would be exposed to more than they want.

"For anybody who doesn't want to see an alligator shot in the head on Florida's waterways, we encourage [contacting FWC and telling] them this rule is going in the wrong direction," Wilson said.

Officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) stated that starting at 5 p.m. and finishing at 10 a.m. had previously resulted in overlapping hours when other users were enjoying Florida waterbodies.

They also stated that they do not anticipate a significant rise in persons taking advantage of the extended hours.

Brotz claims that he's only had a few disagreements with other hunters, fishermen, and boaters in his years of hunting alligators.

"They see a gator, they get excited, but I've never had a negative tone to that interaction," Brotz said.

The state is boosting the number of hunting licenses available, but only for a limited time.

Hunters who go out in the middle of the day, according to Brotz, should keep any alligators they catch frozen.

Why Do People Hunt Alligators?

Alligator hunting was established in 1988 to control the growing population of alligators, as there are reports about them becoming a nuisance. Also, people hunt for their meat and hide.

The Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program in Florida has contracts with over hundreds of trappers across the state. Law enforcement dispatches them when they receive a call about an alligator posing a threat to people, property, or animals.

The trapper who removes the alligator becomes the owner of the animal, according to Tammy Sapp, a spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission by email, Tampa Bay Times reported.

She confirmed that alligators are processed for their meat and hide in most cases, which is the primary source of compensation for the trapper's service.

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