Alligator Hunting Permits to be Awarded Via Drawing

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks will be accepting applications beginning at 10 a.m. on May 31 through 10 a.m. June 6. Photo from MDWFP

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks will be accepting applications for permits to hunt alligators in Mississippi waters starting on Friday.

The 2019 Public Waters Alligator Hunting Season in Mississippi will open at noon on Aug.30 and conclude at noon on Sept. 9. A total of 960 permits will be available within seven hunting zones across the state for the 10-day season.

Permits are issued according to a random drawing and an application for eligibility is required.

MDWFP will be accepting applications beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 31 through 10 a.m. June 7. The application is free, but there is a $2.34 processing fee.

Applicants may only apply in one alligator hunting zone of their choice. Applications will be accepted online at www.mdwfp.com or at any point of sale location where Mississippi hunting and fishing licenses are sold. The first drawing will take place on or about June 12. Drawn applicants will be notified by email with a link to purchase their permit with a 48-hour deadline.

A second drawing will take place for permits that are not purchased during the first 48-hour period. Drawn applicants from the second drawing will also be notified by email with a link to purchase their permit with a 48-hour deadline. A credit card or debit card is required to complete the online permit purchase.

To be eligible to apply for an alligator hunting permit you must be a resident of Mississippi and at least 16 years of age at the time of application. Nonresidents with a Mississippi Lifetime License are eligible. Applicants must have one of the following licenses to be eligible to apply: a valid Mississippi Sportsman License, All-Game Hunting/Fishing License, Small Game Hunting/Fishing License, Apprentice Sportsman License, Apprentice All Game License, Apprentice Small Game License, Senior Exempt License, Disabled Exempt License or Lifetime License.

For more information regarding alligator hunting rules and regulations, visit our website at www.mdwfp.com/alligator or call us at 601-432-2199. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mdwfp or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWFPonline.

Courtesy of MDWFP