Alligator hunting permits available through June 30

Alligator Zone 2 comprises Columbia County much of southern central Arkansas. Permits are available until June 30. The season begins in late September.
Alligator Zone 2 comprises Columbia County much of southern central Arkansas. Permits are available until June 30. The season begins in late September.

Alligator hunting permits are now available until June 30. Arkansas alligator season is Sept. 20-23 and Sept. 27-30 in Alligator Zones 1, 2, and 3. Columbia, Nevada, Oucahita and Union Counties are included in Zone 2, while Lafayette and Miller Counties are included in Zone 1.

Alligator Permit Application Requirements

Hunters must be 16 or older by the day of the hunt to apply.

Applicants with 12 AGFC violation points are ineligible to apply.

Only Arkansas residents or holders of an Arkansas Lifetime Sportsman’s Permit may apply.

Duplicate or incomplete applications will not be processed.

A valid email address must be provided for draw notification.

Alligator Hunt Orientation

All successful permit applicants must attend a mandatory hunter orientation class.

Hope Class - August 4, 9 a.m.-noon, University of Arkansas Hope/Texarkana, Hempstead Hall Washington Suite, 2500 S. Main, Hope. Call 870-777-5580 to confirm attendance.

Pine Bluff Class - August 4, 9 a.m.-noon, Governor Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center, 1400 Black Dog Road, Pine Bluff. Call 877-367-3559 to confirm attendance.

Makeup Orientation Class - August 11, 9 a.m.-noon, AGFC Headquarters auditorium, 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock.

Successful applicants of a Private Land At-Large alligator tag must provide written landowner permission as well as a map identifying permitted hunting area at the mandatory hunter orientation class.

Alligator Hunt Details

Each permit authorizes the harvest of one alligator, which must be at least 4 feet long.

Alligator hunting is allowed from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise during the approved alligator seasons (night hunting only).

Successful applicants must attend a mandatory hunter orientation class.

Up to three assistants are allowed in the same boat as the permit holder. Only the permit holder is allowed to snare, harpoon and dispatch an alligator.

Alligator hunters and assistants must have a valid Arkansas hunting license.

Alligators must be snared or harpooned and subdued using a hand-held snare or harpoon and hand-held restraining line before dispatching. The use of any other equipment is prohibited.

Once subdued, an alligator may be dispatched using only a shotgun or shotgun shell-loaded bangstick using shot no larger than no. 4 common shot.

Modern day alligator hunting began in 2007 after approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition to the added sporting opportunity for Arkansans, alligator hunting helps control alligator populations and reduce nuisance animal complaints from alligators expanding into populated areas.

AGFC hunting permits can be applied for online at https://ar-web.s3licensing.com/

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