Alligator hunt deadline approaching - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

State officials want to remind people that the deadline for Georgia's alligator hunt is just two weeks away.

July 31st is the final day to apply for a permit to hunt Georgia's largest reptile and state officials say they expect tens of thousands of applications for the permits. There are only 850 hunting permits given out and more than 15,000 people applied for them last year. State officials say they expect to see even more people to apply this year.

Tens of thousands of people from all across the nation apply every year to come to South Georgia for alligator season. The Department of Natural Resources officials say they expect that number to grow again in 2012.

 "We have people putting in from out of state,"said wildlife biologist John Denton. People putting in from all different parts of Georgia. So it's very popular."

John Wagnon is an experienced alligator hunter, and guide, who knows the thrill of hunting such a large reptile.

"DNR's regulation requires you to catch the animal before you extinguish it," said Wagnon. "I think that's the thrill of the chase. It's what gets everybody interested, among other things. It's a fun sport."

Hunting is done at night, spotlighting the eyes to find the alligator. Then you spear or shoot an arrow to hook the gator, and pull it beside the boat to shoot it. Georgia alligators are not an endangered species anymore, and the hunting is needed to keep their population under control.

"So they don't become over abundant in these areas," said Denton. "And it also helps with nuisance problems. It gives a healthy fear of humans as well."

You have to apply on line this year. The state has set up a quota selection system, where people get priority points for each year's application, and it takes four or five years to get enough priority points to get your permit.

 "It's going to get worse unfortunately, with the popularity," said Wagnon.  "It's going to take more priority points to get chosen."

It costs $50 for an alligator hunting license for Georgians, and $200 for out of state hunters plus you have to buy a general Georgia hunting license. But the chance to harvest one of the largest animals in the state has made alligator hunting permits one of the most sought after opportunities in Georgia. And we are talking big.

There are nine hunting zones in Georgia, and each zone had an alligator more than 11 feet long harvested last year. The largest gator was taken in Quitman County, and weighed more than 860 pounds. Alligator hunting season runs from September 1st through October 7th.

You have to be 16 years old to apply for an alligator hunting permit. Here are the links to more information on alligator license prices and quotas.

http://www.georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permits-passes#Recreational_Licenses_and_Passes

http://www.georgiawildlife.com/sites/default/files/uploads/wildlife/hunting/pdf/quota/Alligator_Selection_data.pdf  

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