Registration is open for Alabama’s 14th annual regulated alligator hunt, with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources taking applications online through 8 a.m. on July 10 for a season split across five hunting zones sharing 260 tags.
Only Alabama residents and Alabama lifetime hunting license holders ages 16 or older may apply, though lifetime license holders can apply even if they have moved out of the state. The administrative fee is $22 and applicants may register once per zone. While the Alligator Possession Tag itself is free, selected hunters and their assistants must carry valid hunting licenses in the field.
Tags are awarded by random computer selection using a preference point system that improves the odds for repeat applicants as long as they keep applying. Applicants can check their selection status after noon on July 10, and those drawn must confirm acceptance online by 8 a.m. on July 17 before alternates are notified to fill vacancies. Each tag holder may harvest one alligator, with hunting allowed only from official sunset to official sunrise.
Where the hunts happen
The Southwest Alabama Zone carries 100 tags and covers private and public waters in Baldwin and Mobile counties north of Interstate 10, plus waters in Washington, Clarke and Monroe counties east of U.S. 43 and south of U.S. 84. Its two hunt windows run sunset August 8 to sunrise August 11 and sunset August 15 to sunrise August 18.
The Coastal Zone holds 50 tags for private and public waters in Baldwin and Mobile counties south of Interstate 10, with the same two hunt windows.
The American alligator, which can exceed 14 feet and 1,000 pounds, was nearly wiped out by unregulated harvest before Alabama moved to protect the species in 1938, believed to be the first state ban of its kind. Removed from the endangered species list in 1987, the population has continued to expand, allowing the state’s annual regulated hunt since 2006.
Also worth noting
In other local sports news, the UMS-Wright girls’ tennis team captured its 11th consecutive Class 6A state title, edging rival St. Paul’s Episcopal 54 points to 48 behind a strong doubles round. And University of South Alabama seniors Chason Milner, a Spanish Fort linebacker coming off a 29-tackle season, and kicker Gavin Patterson, who finished his career with 204 points scored, were named to the National Football Foundation’s Hampshire Honor Society.