South Carolina Is Now Accepting Hunting Applications for Alligator Season

Alligators have been popular golf course stories lately.  Seems like every couple of weeks ESPN is showing footage of the reptiles hanging out during a golf match.  Now, South Carolina is opening up their public hunting season for those interested in harveting a big old gator.

For those interested, South Carolina started taking applications for alligator season on May 1.   The Palmetto State has a stable population of alligators.  Previous hunting seasons have not had a signicant decrease to the numbers.  All fees collected from the application process are used toward alligator conservation.  The season will run from September 9 to October 14.  Keep reading for more information on the application process and hunting season regulations.

“Beginning May 1st, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) will begin accepting online applications for the 2017 Public Alligator Hunting season and the 2017 Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Alligator Hunting Season.”

“It is estimated that more than 100,000 alligators live from the Midlands to the coast of South Carolina and the population is not threatened by the regulated removal of a relatively small number of alligators. Last year, hunters took 394 alligators during the public alligator hunting season, with the average size being nearly nine feet in length.”

“Hunters participating in the Public Alligator Hunting Season may take alligators in public waters and on private land where permission is granted, but alligator hunting is prohibited on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Wildlife Refuges. In addition, public alligator season permits cannot be used on lands enrolled in the Private Lands Alligator Program.”

“By law, the fees collected are used to support the Alligator Management Program’s research and management activities, and for conservation of the American Alligator in South Carolina.”

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