Love Swamp People? Louisiana Says It's Your Turn!

Louisiana is opening a new Recreational Alligator Hunting Season, allowing qualified hunters to harvest wild alligators in a supervised lottery. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the state’s wild alligator population is fully recovered after decades of conservation, enabling additional recreational hunting without damaging the commercial alligator industry. That industry generates more than $250 million a year for Louisiana’s economy, according to LDWF. Up to 5,000 hunters may be selected. Applicants must be Louisiana residents, at least 16, and certified in hunter education. Selected hunters get two non-transferable alligator hide tags per zone, with each zone application costing $50. Louisiana residents need a Resident Alligator Sports Hunter License ($25); nonresidents require one costing $150.