Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced that the phase I application period for the alligator harvest random drawing begins May 17, 2019 at 10 a.m. Eastern time and runs through May 27, 2019, and more than 7,000 harvest permits will be available.

The FWC states that if you’re 18 years old by Aug. 15, 2019, and have a valid credit or debit card, you can apply for an alligator harvest permit that allows the harvest of two alligators on a designated harvest unit or county.

Random drawings are a fair, unbiased way to issue alligator harvest permits. Because the number of applications submitted for the Statewide Alligator Harvest Program is usually three times more than the number of alligator harvest permits available, it can be a challenge to obtain a permit. Learn more about how the random drawing works and check out these tips to apply for alligator harvest permits.

The updated Guide to Alligator Hunting in Florida is another valuable source of information about the application process and hunt structure, rules and regulations, methods of take, and tips on how to safely and responsibly hunt alligators. See these pages for more information:

Since 1988, Florida’s statewide alligator harvest program has been nationally and internationally recognized as a model for the sustainable use of a renewable natural resource. Alligators are a conservation success story in Florida. The state’s alligator population is estimated at 1.3 million alligators of every size. Each year, alligator management units are established with appropriate harvest quotas to provide recreational opportunities for hunters from Florida and beyond.