If you are considering coming to Florida in pursuit of an Alligator, the following should be considered prior to arranging a hunt with any outfitter or guide service.

OUT OF STATE HUNTERS

If you are considering an alligator hunt in Florida and are a (NON-RESIDENT) participating in the system for public waters hunts, be advised that the cost of the license (if you are selected) is over $1000.00. You will only be permitted to harvest two alligators. You will have to choose your harvest period in advance of the hunt. If you expect to be successful, it will be necessary for you to acquire a guide to hunt on the area which you were selected, unless you have the equipment required and have alligator hunting experience. You will have the cost of the guide (usually per-night) to consider. You have to purchase a $50.00 agents licenses for each person participating in the harvest of alligators with you. You will have lodging costs to consider as well. You can use our service, hunt anytime of the year you want and harvest a eight foot or less alligator, have lodging, meals, guides and licenses all included for a little more than the cost of your license on a public water hunt.

TYPES OF HUNTS

Please be sure to research the type of hunt you are purchasing and what you can expect. Certain types of hunts offered by Nuisance Trappers licensed by the state are just that. Nuisance Trappers are issued a tag by the state to harvest a select alligator that has become a Nuisance to the public and are required to harvest that alligator out of a select area. They generally are not permitted to kill the alligator but capture the alligator and remove it from the area. You can research Nuisance Trappers and the requirements by contacting the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission or research them online.

ALLIGATORS

If you are coming to Florida to hunt real wild alligators, be sure that the hunting service you select offers them. Make sure they are wild alligators not ones purchased at alligator farms and placed into an area just prior to the hunt. (Yes, this does occur.) Research how to tell the difference between a farm gator and a wild gat or. Farm gators (called brood gators) are usually very heavy (fat) in weight. Their heads are very flat and wide. The large gators usually have moss growing on them from just laying around and they are not very weary of humans. Remember that gators over 9 feet in length are always males. Large males didn't get that way from being stupid. Chances are if the alligator is nine or ten feet in length he has been hunted before by someone by legal or illegal means and is very aware of his environment around him. They have excellent eyesight, hearing and sense of smell.

NEW REGULATIONS

The state of Florida has changed the regulations concerning alligators on PRIVATE lands as of March 2008 with regards to live transfer of alligators. This change ALLOWS persons to CAPTURE and transfer alligators within their permitted property as well as purchase alligators from others and place them into their area (with proper permits). This was not permitted previously but occurred quite often. This will change the hunting of alligators in Florida. This opens the door to the canned hunting of alligators legally much like all other wildlife harvested in enclosures in Florida and other states. If an operation GUARANTEES you a harvest, be careful in your selection of such guide services as the alligators you could be hunting could be placed there prior to your arrival (legally). Several operations in Florida (advertising as guide services) also own and operate alligator farms as well. AGAIN, PLACING ALLIGATORS IN SMALL WATER HOLES PRIOR TO YOUR ARRIVAL FOR YOUR "GUARANTEED KILL" IS NOW A LEGAL PRACTICE.

TAXIDERMY

The operation you choose should have a taxidermist available that handles a lot of ALLIGATORS. If at all possible ask for his name prior to the hunt and call and talk to him personally. If he is a legitimate taxidermist he should be able to answer any of your questions. This service should be included in the hunt. If not it should at least be available to you. The type of mount should be determined prior to the hunt.