The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will begin selling approximately 4,500 alligator harvest permits on a first-come, first-served basis at 10 a.m. (EDT) June 3 and will continue through 11:59 p.m. (EDT) June 9.

During this period, each person will be limited to one permit, which allows the take of two alligators.  If there are any remaining permits available after this period, permit sales will reopen at 10 a.m. (EDT) June 10, and continue until all are sold.

Applicants have the option of applying at any county tax collector’s office, license agent (retail outlet that sells hunting and fishing licenses) and at MyFWC.com/license.  This year, alligator harvest permits cannot be purchased using the toll-free phone number for hunting and fishing license sales.  Application instructions are online at MyFWC.com/gators.

To obtain a permit, applicants must submit payment for an alligator trapping license and two alligator-hide validation tags, or provide proof of a valid alligator trapping license (must be valid through Nov. 1) plus pay the fee for the two hide-validation tags.  No other hunting licenses are required.  

The cost for a resident alligator trapping license and hide-validation tag is $271.50, and non-residents pay $1,021.50.  The cost for each additional alligator hunting permit is $61.50 regardless of residency.  All fees are nonrefundable.  Any hunter who takes an alligator must complete and send in an Alligator Harvest Report Form.  The information gathered from these forms enables FWC biologists to monitor alligator population trends and impacts of the annual harvest.

An alligator trapping agent license is also available for $51.50, which enables the license holder to assist a trapper in taking alligators, but only in the presence of the permitted trapper.  All persons seeking a harvest permit must be at least 18 years of age by Aug. 15.

The alligator hunting season will run 11 consecutive weeks from Aug. 15 through Nov. 1.   

To educate participants on the rules and regulations of the hunts, the FWC offers a no-cost, three-hour training and orientation program, which is held at various locations throughout the state. Permit recipients are not required to attend, but first-time participants are strongly encouraged to do so.  Courses will be offered in July and August, and permit holders will receive, by mail, permit packages listing dates and locations.

For more information on how to get involved in these exciting alligator hunts, visit MyFWC.com/gators.