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. 35 Michael R. Conover, Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflicts: The Science of Wildlife Damage Management 48 (2002). tags will not be replaced unless they have been reported as stolen or lost. Or, if you prefer digital, our magazines are also available as a, 1275 South Patrick Dr. Suite A-9 | Satellite Beach, FL 32937 | 321.777.2773 |, The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is asking the public, in particular anglers, to report any sightings of any hellbender (water dogs) to the agency. Clanton's theory why: Water levels in many of the state's waterways have been low for many years, allowing more large alligators to be harvested. In 2000, that was reduced to 14 percent, and in 2007, to 12 percent. If you think you can harvest an alligator like they do in the TV Reality Series Swamp People, then think again. ", 'Naked and Afraid': Couple from Discovery TV show hunt gators in Florida. endstream endobj 170 0 obj <. Alligators are common throughout Florida, but they are more prevalent in the states Alligator Capital, the Everglades. 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. Press, 2014). The highest number of harvest unit permits were issued in Lake Okeechobee, the St. Johns River, and Lake Kissimmee.41 In addition to applying for a permit, hunters must also obtain two CITES tags as well as an alligator trapping license. On hooks and lines, alligator hunters may use firearms (except shotguns) to harvest free swimming alligators or dispatch them. No longer on the list of endangered species, today the prognosis for their long-term survival appears favorable. ALLIGATOR FACT SHEET HISTORY The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) has changed little from its original form some 180 million years ago. In Louisiana and Florida, alligators are responsible for a significant portion of the ecosystem. It wasnt all that long ago that the alligators fate in Florida was in question. 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. 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. Numerous alligator encounters have been documented and reported by the media, many of which ended in serious injury or death. 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. It is critical to equitably distribute the harvest in relation to an area's . 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. As expected, and in an effort to manage the total numbers taken, alligator hunting permits carry with them many restrictions. A safari jeep full of tourists were observing two fighting rhinos when the animals suddenly turned their attention on the jeep and charged. The program has helped waterfowl, fish species and fur bearers, and that has benefited marsh-oriented businesses, like swamp tour companies and airboat operators. Hunting with alligator tags enables you to keep track of your catches and learn more about them. By 1987, the gator population was defined as "recovered," and the statewide hunt wasinstituted in 1988. Its a win-win-win, said Ruth Elsey, a biologist manager with the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Alligator trapping licenses cost significantly more to obtain from out-of-state applicants than they do to residents of Florida. 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. This same scenario rings true not just in south Florida, but all across the state. Most farming operations obtain their stocks via this program. endstream endobj startxref Customers who have a valid FWC Resident Disability License are exempt from the purchase of an Alligator Trapping Agent License. Alligator hunting is only allowed in certain areas of the state, and you can only hunt during specific times of the year. Like so many areas of the law, environmental law and policy is a balancing act. Striking the right balance is tricky, and species conservation is really no different. However, challenges still remain. 31 Three million alligators were killed in Florida between 1880 and 1900. 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. Hunting is one of those important tools in the species management toolbox. Couple from Discovery TV show hunt gators in Florida, Lake O's lower level debated by stakeholders, Nuisance alligator found in Indian River Lagoon at Sewall's Point, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Association, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Luckily for themand not so much for usalligators will regrow their teeth quickly. 1:41. Troy and Jacob Landry, who hunt gators, have made their mark as celebrities. 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 commission publishes data showing where the gators were hunted and how many were hunted each year, as well as the carcass size. The total number of deer hunters in the state is obtained from the hunting license database. 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. 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. 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.". Alligators, grouped by age and size, inhabit a pool Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at the Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery near Covington. It is a free-for-all. An alligatormust be at least 18 inches long from snoutto tail to harvest. Of those, the largest was 13 feet, 6 inches, found in August in the Kissimmee River. Alligators can be hunted using a variety of methods, including firearms, bows, and spears. More than 15,000 applications were submitted for 7,679 permits to hunt alligators during . accounted for an average of over 56 fatalities per year, compared to an average of about 1 fatality per year from alligator attacks in the United States (Forrester et al. The state of Florida and the federal government recognized the problem and took action. 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. Alligators for sale and shipping. 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. Those who pursue alligator hunting, on the other hand, can make a little money. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Farris Bryant Building New! The proposal must go through a public comment period. 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. Between Thursday and Nov. 1, Florida's population of 1.3 million alligators may drop by about 15,000. Each permit authorizes the taking of two alligators within a specified Harvest Unit. 10 32 Federal Register No. Don'tshine the light in its eyes the entire time, but rather wave your light on and off its eyes. Each permit allows its holder to harvesttwo alligators, so up to 15,358 alligators could be killed this season. Possession of alligator hide that has not been tagged is prohibited. Fish and Wildlife Service CITES Species Database, http://www.speciesplus.net/#/taxon_concepts/6810/legal. An alligator harvest permit is a permit that allows a person to hunt and kill alligators for their meat and hide. For alligators that are 3 feet long, the percentage is higher. Everybody knows we got alligators all over the place, he said. in a smaller area. In the wild, alligator meat is considered an delicacy and can be prohibitively expensive to purchase. Copyright 1999 - 2023 State of Florida. Since the time 2003-2005, this area of the Mississippi Delta has seen a tremendous increase in the Asian carp population, the MWDFP stated. Alligator hunting is a popular sport in Louisiana. It is a popular hunting sport in Louisiana and Florida. Wear dark-colored clothes, so you can blend in better with the night sky. 19 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Alligator Bites on People in Florida. Alligator hunters must have a valid Florida hunting license, and must take an alligator hunting safety course. 36 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2015 Florida Black Bear Hunt Summary Report; David Shiffman, 298 Bears Killed in Florida Hunt that Ignored Science, Washington Post, Oct. 29, 2015, available at https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/10/29/298-bears-killed-in-florida-hunt-that-ignored-science/?utm_term=.42cf5cfab9a9. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Farris Bryant Building You have permission to edit this article. So associated with and prevalent in the state, it was designated as the official state reptile by the Florida Legislature in 1987.2 Just take a drive across State Road 84, or Alligator Alley as it is often referred to by native south Floridians, and glance over into the dark tannic acid waters of the drainage canals that parallel this mostly desolate road. 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