Florida Makes Changes to Statewide Alligator Hunt: Additional Hours and More

3 min read

HuntReminder Team • May 4, 2022

During a recent Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) meeting, the organization approved changes to Florida’s statewide alligator hunt. Proposed changes were initially approved by the FWC on March 3, 2022, with the final approval and implementation of the changes occurring on May 3rd and 4th this year.

Approved Changes

Approved changes regarding the statewide alligator hunt include increasing hunt hours from 17 per day to a full 24-hours of hunting during the day. The increase in hunting hours allows additional flexibility for planning alligator hunting tips. It also enables hunters with alligator trapping licenses or alligator harvest permits more time to hunt.

Changes also include legalizing precharged pneumatic air bows for harvesting alligators. Allowing for air bows with external high compression source power can provide youth and senior hunters with limited strength or dexterity an opportunity to harvest a gator. It also lets those with mobility challenges partake in the harvest.

Legal air bows must have a restraining line attached to the device so the hunter can control the alligator once they have caught it.

For more information on FWC changes to Florida’s 2022 alligator hunting season, visit the FWC website.

Harvest Permits for Alligators

The FWC offers gator hunting opportunities at 128 specified Area Management Units (AMU) throughout Florida. Over 7,300 alligator harvest permits will be issued in three random phase drawings and one leftover phase.

Application periods begin at 10 a.m. EST on the first day indicated for the period and run through 11:59 p.m. EST on the last day.

  • Phase I - opens May 6th and runs through May 16th
  • Phase II - opens May 20th and goes through May 30th
  • Phase III - opens June 3rd and runs through June 13th
  • Phase IV (leftover applications) - opens June 16th and runs until filled or October 14th

Hunters over the age of 18 by August 15th who have a valid credit card can apply for the August 15 through November 1, 2022 alligator hunting season.

To apply, visit  GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

You can also visit the program’s website to get more information on the Statewide Alligator Harvest Program application process.

By HuntReminder Team

To ensure you have the necessary information before your next hunting trip, our journalists find and summarize the most recent and important news stories in the hunting industry.