Alligators in Mississippi
Alligator mississippiensi, better known as the American alligator is literally named for the magnolia state. They once roamed every gum pond, oxbow lake, river and stream across the state but by the 1960s had dwindled to a rarity. In 1967, they were declared federally endangered. After decades of careful management, conservation, and restocking from other states, the alligator was removed from the endangered list in the 1980s. The gators continued to replenish themselves and now are widespread. According to statistics from the MDWFP, "that there are 32,000-38,000 alligators and about 408,000 acres of alligator habitat in Mississippi." They further state that, "While counting alligators we also estimate their size. We have discovered that the average size of Mississippi alligators is much larger than alligators sizes reported from other states, such as Florida or Louisiana, where alligators are hunted."
The largest concentrations of these animals are in Jackson County (with almost a quarter of the state's gator population), Hancock, and Rankin counties. Between the three counties, almost half of the state's population is accounted for.
In 2005, the state announced its first alligator season, allowing 50 animals to be harvested through a lottery process. Every year this hunt has grown and is very popular with Mississippi hunters. Besides the growing hunts, 25 Agent Trappers also harvest as many as 400 nuisance alligators each year.
How to apply
For the 2012 season, some 810 tags will be awarded in six public water alligator hunting zones. To apply go to https://xnetsecure.mdwfp.com/drawings/public/wmadrawings.aspx and enter your information with a $10 fee. If you miss this year's drawing, use the same link for next year's. You can also apply to hunt private lands holding more than 20-surface acres of wetlands in one of the available alligator hunting counties. For more information on private land permits visit the state's website at http://www.mdwfp.com/media/8372/pvt_lands_application_2012.pdf. In past years it was required that hunters attend a one-day Alligator Hunting Training Course that covers capture methods, biology and other facets of chasing down these apex predators of the bayou.
Capture methods
In Mississippi only four types of capture equipment is legal for the alligator harvest on public lands. Once captured and controlled by a snare they can be dispatched. The four capture methods are the:
1. Snatch Hook, hand thrown or cast from a rod and reel. These are large (5/0-10/0) treble hooks rigged with weights thrown to snag the hide of a gator.
2. Harpoon with attached line and/or buoy. Those used must have a detachable point.
3. Snare, either hand or pole type using thick steel cable to loop over an alligator's head and pulled tight.
4. Bow fishing equipment with attached line and/or buoy. Bow fishing arrow tips with hardened steel barbs and chisel points are recommended.
Alligators may only be dispatched with a shotgun with shot size no larger than #6 shot or with a bang stick chambered in .38 caliber or larger. All shotguns or bang sticks must remain cased and unloaded until the alligator is restrained. However if the gator is being hunted legally on private lands firearms may be used to dispatch an alligator without first being captured and/or restrained. However, type of firearm and ammunition are restricted. Centerfire rifles must be chambered in .277in./7.035mm (.270/7mm) or larger.
The 2011 Season
MDWFP received 2858 applications for 480 alligator permits. Of these 480 lucky permits awarded, the state reported that 354 applicants hunted and captured 436 of the long nosed amphibians. Of these 182 were harvested and the rest were returned to the wild. Of those harvested, most were over 7-feet long with several of the largest topping 12-feet. Almost all were captured with rod and reel but a few sportsmen were able to make captures with bow fishing equipment, snare poles, and harpoons.
For more information on all aspects of the Alligator Program in Mississippi contact your local game warden or visit www.mdwfp.com...and get your space cleared out in your freezer.
The largest concentrations of these animals are in Jackson County (with almost a quarter of the state's gator population), Hancock, and Rankin counties. Between the three counties, almost half of the state's population is accounted for.
In 2005, the state announced its first alligator season, allowing 50 animals to be harvested through a lottery process. Every year this hunt has grown and is very popular with Mississippi hunters. Besides the growing hunts, 25 Agent Trappers also harvest as many as 400 nuisance alligators each year.
How to apply
For the 2012 season, some 810 tags will be awarded in six public water alligator hunting zones. To apply go to https://xnetsecure.mdwfp.com/drawings/public/wmadrawings.aspx and enter your information with a $10 fee. If you miss this year's drawing, use the same link for next year's. You can also apply to hunt private lands holding more than 20-surface acres of wetlands in one of the available alligator hunting counties. For more information on private land permits visit the state's website at http://www.mdwfp.com/media/8372/pvt_lands_application_2012.pdf. In past years it was required that hunters attend a one-day Alligator Hunting Training Course that covers capture methods, biology and other facets of chasing down these apex predators of the bayou.
Capture methods
In Mississippi only four types of capture equipment is legal for the alligator harvest on public lands. Once captured and controlled by a snare they can be dispatched. The four capture methods are the:
1. Snatch Hook, hand thrown or cast from a rod and reel. These are large (5/0-10/0) treble hooks rigged with weights thrown to snag the hide of a gator.
2. Harpoon with attached line and/or buoy. Those used must have a detachable point.
3. Snare, either hand or pole type using thick steel cable to loop over an alligator's head and pulled tight.
4. Bow fishing equipment with attached line and/or buoy. Bow fishing arrow tips with hardened steel barbs and chisel points are recommended.
Alligators may only be dispatched with a shotgun with shot size no larger than #6 shot or with a bang stick chambered in .38 caliber or larger. All shotguns or bang sticks must remain cased and unloaded until the alligator is restrained. However if the gator is being hunted legally on private lands firearms may be used to dispatch an alligator without first being captured and/or restrained. However, type of firearm and ammunition are restricted. Centerfire rifles must be chambered in .277in./7.035mm (.270/7mm) or larger.
The 2011 Season
MDWFP received 2858 applications for 480 alligator permits. Of these 480 lucky permits awarded, the state reported that 354 applicants hunted and captured 436 of the long nosed amphibians. Of these 182 were harvested and the rest were returned to the wild. Of those harvested, most were over 7-feet long with several of the largest topping 12-feet. Almost all were captured with rod and reel but a few sportsmen were able to make captures with bow fishing equipment, snare poles, and harpoons.
For more information on all aspects of the Alligator Program in Mississippi contact your local game warden or visit www.mdwfp.com...and get your space cleared out in your freezer.
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