FWC Accepting Applications to Hunt Alligators

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is going to issue 5,000 hunting permits for hunters to participate in the 11-week alligator season.

Alligator season runs Aug. 15 – Nov. 1.

According to the FWC, alligator trapping licenses and two hide-validation tags costs $272 for Florida residents and $1,022 for nonresidents, a news release said. 

Each permit enables you to take two alligators from whichever county or body of water you were awarded during a specific harvest period. To purchase a permit, you must be at least 18 years old. 

According to the FWC, the application process is conducted in three phases and begins by submitting a no-cost application at any tax collector’s office, license agent or online at http://license.myfwc.com.

During the Phase I application period, alligator permits are issued by random drawing. Phase I ends May 12, and applicants are limited to being drawn for only one permit, a news release said.

If selected, applicants have until June 3 to pay the cost of the permit. Otherwise, the permit will be placed back into the system, with the other remaining permits, to be sold in Phase II on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 10 a.m. June 7 and continuing through June 12. Those who received a permit in Phase I and paid for it cannot apply during Phase II.

Any permits remaining after June 12 will be issued during Phase III on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 10 a.m. June 14 until all are sold. Anyone can apply during Phase III – despite having already bought a permit in Phase I or Phase II.

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