Gator hunt
Ark. authorities okay 40 slots for hunting alligators
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — For the first time in the state's history, 40 lucky hunters will get the opportunity to legally hunt alligators in Arkansas. The state's first legal alligator hunt begins 30 minutes after sunset Friday, Sept. 21, and runs until 30 minutes before sunrise Monday, Sept. 24. The second hunt will begin 30 minutes after sunset Friday, Sept. 28, and run until 30 minutes before sunrise Monday, Oct. 1.
The alligator hunt has been seven years in the making and has been approved for one year with reports and monitoring required for subsequent hunts.
A total of 40 permits were available to Arkansas hunters. Twenty-three of the tags were offered through the computer draw with the other 17 permits going directly to private landowners who assign the tag to the person of their choice. There were about 2,800 applicants for the permits.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved of the AGFC plan to open alligator hunting season earlier this summer.
"The USFWS Division of Scientific Authority finds the export of properly tagged skins, meat and other parts and products of American alligator harvested in 2007 in Arkansas by sport hunting will not be detrimental to the survival of the species," stated the USFWS letter of approval, received May 15.
The online application process for hunters began June 1 and ended at midnight, June 29.
Each applicant was required to have a valid resident big game license. Hunters were also required to attend one of three training workshops in August to become eligible to take an alligator. Successful applicants can hunt both weekends if necessary to harvest their alligator.The bag limit is one alligator at least 4 feet long.
