TAMPA, Fla. — Permit applications for a new alligator "harvest" opportunity opened Friday after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation announced its two hunting events.
The Alligator Super Hunt is starting up this year as the commission approved rule changes.
People interested can apply for a permit that allows the harvest of two alligators from most alligator management units and private property with owner permission. Sixteen alligator management units will be off-limits for the super hunt.
The applications cost $5 each, and hunters can apply as many times as they want until June 3. The more you apply, the higher the chance of getting a permit, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife.
The number of permits will be established annually and will be selected through a random drawing process. This year, 100 permits will be given out for the hunting season running from Aug. 15 to Dec. 31.
People can also apply for the Statewide Alligator Harvest Program which allows for many more permits totaling 7,356, but you can only apply once. There will be four phases of application dates:
- May 3-May 13
- May 17-27
- May 31- June 10
- June 13- until filled
These permits allow the harvest of two alligators from a specific alligator management area.
Participants don't need to have a hunting license for either of the hunts, but applicants who are awarded a permit have to pay for two CITES tags and an Alligator Trapping License. The cost for Florida residents is $272 and for non-residents, it's $1,022.
Applications can be submitted at the Go Outdoors Florida website, any county tax collector's office or license agent.