JACKSON – The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks finalized regulations for the 2015 alligator hunting season on public waters and private lands in Mississippi at its April meeting. The statewide public waters season will include opportunities in specific public waterways. A total of 920 permits will be available within seven hunting zones across the state for the ten day season which begins August 28 and runs through September 7.
The permitting process for public water hunting has changed significantly. For 2015, all public water permits will be available for purchase on a first-come-first-serve basis. Permits will only be available for purchase electronically through the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks' website (www.mdwfp.com) beginning July 14 at 9 a.m. Permits will remain on sale until all available permits have been purchased. 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). An Alligator Hunting Training Course will be provided to permit holders, however the course is no longer mandatory. In 2014, over 7,100 residents submitted over 30,000 zone applications for 920 available permits; 682 alligators were harvested.
A private lands alligator hunting season is available to landowners whose properties meet specific qualifications within 28 open counties. Applications and instructions for private lands permits will be available online in June and must be submitted by July 1. There are no changes to the private land season or the permitting process compared to 2014.
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.