Alligator Harvest Report Form

Within 24 hours of harvesting an alligator and prior to taking it to an alligator processing facility, you must complete an alligator harvest report form.

Harvest permit issuance:

(a) Harvest permits may be applied for through the Commission’s online licensing system at designated times and dates each year by:

Paying for an alligator trapping license, unless exempt, as specified by Section 379.3751, F.S., and $10 for each CITES tag, pursuant to Section 379.3752, F.S., issued with harvest permits, or

Providing evidence of possession of an alligator trapping license valid through the last day of the designated harvest season, or a current-year Statewide Alligator Harvest Permit, and paying $30 for each CITES tag, pursuant to Section 379.3752, F.S., issued with harvest permits.

(b) Applicants for a harvest permit shall:

Be 18 years of age or older by August 15 in the current application year.

Not have been convicted of any violation of Section 379.409 or 379.3015, F.S., or rules of the Commission relating to the illegal taking of any crocodilian species:

For a period of five (5) years preceding the date of application, or

For a period of ten (10) years preceding the date of application if such conviction involved the taking of an endangered crocodilian species.

(c) Permits shall be issued upon determination that the applicant meets the requirements of this subsection.

(d) CITES tags shall be issued with each harvest permit, except that harvest tags bearing the letters “MER” shall also be issued with harvest permits for management units for which the best available scientific data indicates the average mercury concentrations in alligators therein exceeds the Federal limit for legal sale of the meat.

(e) Harvest permits shall be valid only for the management unit and harvest period indicated thereon, and harvest permits and their associated harvest tags, if issued, and CITES tags are not transferable.

(f) The number of harvest permits issued per person shall be determined by the executive director or his designee.

Alligator trapping requirements:

(a) Alligators may only be taken in accordance with the provisions of the alligator harvest permit.

(b) Alligators may be taken from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 a.m. each day during the harvest period specified in the harvest permit. Harvest periods shall be from 5:00 p.m. on September 12 until 10:00 a.m. on November 1, and from either 5:00 p.m. on August 15 until 10:00 a.m. on August 22, or 5:00 p.m. on August 22 until 10:00 a.m. on August 29, or 5:00 p.m. on August 29 until 10:00 a.m. on September 5, or 5:00 p.m. on September 5 until 10:00 a.m. on September 12, except as otherwise provided in the harvest permit.

(c) Only non-hatchling alligators may be taken.

(d) Legal methods to take:

Alligators captured using hand-held snares and snatch hooks must be released or killed immediately.

Alligators taken by the use of artificial lures or baited, wooden pegs less than two (2) inches in length attached to hand-held restraining lines or restraining lines attached to a vessel occupied by the permittee and harpoons, gigs, and manually operated spears, spearguns, crossbows and bows with projectiles attached to restraining lines must be killed immediately.

The use of baited hooks, gig-equipped bang sticks, or firearms for taking alligators is prohibited except that bang sticks are permitted for taking alligators attached to a restraining line.

Not withstanding Rule 68A-4.002, F.A.C., a light may be used in conjunction with these methods of take.

(e) Any persons actively participating in the taking of alligators as provided herein shall possess an alligator trapping license or alligator trapping agent’s license, if necessary, in accordance with the provisions of Section 379.3751, F.S. However, for the purposes of this provision, the taking of alligators does not include the activities of driving the vessel or the use of a light.

(f) Alligators may only be taken in the area specified in the alligator harvest permit.

(g) Any person possessing a valid alligator trapping or trapping agent’s license, or who is exempt from such licenses, pursuant to Section 379.3751, F.S., may take alligators as provided in the harvest permit but only in the presence of the permittee.

(h) Immediately upon killing, a CITES tag issued by the Commission and a harvest tag, if issued, shall be locked through the skin of the carcass within six (6) inches of the tip of the tail. The CITES tag shall remain attached to the alligator hide until the hide is tanned, taxidermy mounted, or exported from the state. The harvest tag, if issued, shall remain attached to the alligator until processing. CITES tags may not be altered to compromise the locking mechanism in any way and shall be used only one time. The possession of any alligator hide not tagged as prescribed herein is prohibited, and such hide shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture to the Commission under the provisions of Section 379.338, F.S.