Arkansas hunters who didn't draw a public land permit for alligator hunting this year will have another chance to tag a gator through the new quota-hunt system on private land.
The drawing for Arkansas' 2020-21 public land alligator season permits was held recently and 38 hunters have been notified of drawing their permit.
However, as a result of the new quota-hunt system, anyone with access to private land in the southern half of the state has an opportunity to go on an alligator hunt.
Hunters who own or have permission to hunt on private land will be able to hunt through a quota-based system similar to bear hunting and private land elk hunting in the state, said Randy Zellers, assistant chief of communications for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
The quota system has worked extremely well for elk during the last few years and has been in place for bear hunting in Arkansas for decades, Zellers said.
"Anyone can obtain the private land alligator permit through the AGFC's online licensing system for $5 in addition to their hunting license," Zellers said. "They will be able to participate in the alligator hunt on private land they have permission to hunt until the quota has been met in that zone. It will be up to each hunter to call in before their hunt every night to the wildlife hotline (1-800-440-1477) to see if the quota has been met and if they can continue their hunt.
"Once that quota is met, the hunt is over," Zellers said.
The change will allow more people with possible nuisance alligator issues to have a chance to remove those alligators or allow another hunter to do so.
The AGFC also hopes the change will encourage more hunters who have permits to follow through with their hunt.
The number of permits and quotas are set based on how many alligators need removed to keep the population at a sustainable level that minimizes nuisance issues. However, the AGFC sees quite a few private land tags go unfilled each year if the hunter doesn't find a large enough alligator to meet their expectations. Now that extra harvest opportunity can be used by another hunter on different land.
Alligator hunting season in Arkansas is the weekend of Sept. 18 through 21 and the weekend of Sept. 25 though 28. Hunting is only allowed at night.
Only one alligator per hunter is allowed to be harvested. The alligators must be over four feet long.
Hunter orientations also will see a bit of a change this year, as precautions against large public gatherings due to the coronavirus will prevent the seminar-style orientations historically used for successful permit applicants.
Instead, there is an online alligator hunt orientation and training manual at agfc.com that lays out all the most important details and frequently asked questions about the hunt.
Visit www.agfc.com/alligator for more information on Arkansas's 2020 alligator season. The private land alligator permit is available through the "Buy a License" button at agfc.com.