Alligator Permits go on Sale July 14th

[PRESS RELEASE]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2015

Alligator Hunting Permits Go on Sale July 14

JACKSON – The 2015 Mississippi public waters alligator hunting season begins August 28 and runs through September 7.  A total of 920 permits will be available within seven public water hunting zones across the state. The process for obtaining these permits has changed significantly for 2015.  Permits will be available on a first come, first served basis and will only be available for electronic purchase through the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks’ website (www.mdwfp.com) beginning July 14 at 9 a.m. Permits will remain on sale until all available permits have been purchased. Each permit will cost $150 and will require the additional purchase of a $25 Alligator Hunting License. Permits will be non-refundable and non-transferable. Each person will be limited to only one permit in a zone of their choice.

To be eligible to purchase an alligator hunting permit you must be a resident of Mississippi, at least 16 years of age, and possess a valid Mississippi combination hunting/fishing license (Sportsman, All-Game, Lifetime, Exempt Senior, or Exempt Disabled). Non-residents who possess a Mississippi Lifetime or Native Lifetime License are also eligible.  Each permit will allow the harvest of two alligators over four feet long, but only one may exceed seven feet in length.  Hunters are required to tag all harvested alligators and conduct a mandatory harvest report.  During the 2014 alligator season, 682 alligators were harvested on public waterways.

An Alligator Hunting Training Course will be offered on August 15 at Roosevelt State Park for persons who purchase one of the special permits. Attendance is no longer mandatory, but highly recommended for persons who obtain a special permit.  Course topics include alligator biology, research projects, legal capture and dispatching methods, skinning and processing, proper documentation, license purchasing procedures, and boating safety.

For more information regarding alligator hunting rules and regulations, visit our website at www.mdwfp.com/alligator or call us at 601-432-2199. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mdwfp or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWFPonline.