Choot Em! Louisiana Approves New Recreational Alligator Hunting Season

Choot 'em! Looks like the words of Troy Landry on Swamp People will sweep through all of Louisiana this fall.

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During the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission's May meeting last Thursday, they approved a Notice of Intent (NOI) for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to conduct a recreational alligator hunting season from Oct. 1-31, 2026.

According to LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth, "We are proud to increase recreational opportunity for Louisiana sportsmen and women across the state with this exciting new season. The American Alligator is a true conservation success story, and by being able to have a recreational season, we are able to further promote this success and the rich hunting heritage that makes up the Louisiana way of life."

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Of course this new recreational season will be completely separate from the Louisiana commercial alligator season and any properties already issued commercial harvest tags are excluded from recreational eligibility. Alligators, hides, meat and parts taken under a recreational hide tag may not be sold, bartered or commingled with commercial-tag alligators.

How Will The New Recreational Alligator Season Be Conducted In Louisiana?

The way this will work is a little complicated but here are the bullet points of the important aspects.

• The recreational season will be conducted by lottery. Only Louisiana residents may apply.
• A total of 5,000 participants would be selected with two recreational alligator hide tags issued to each participant.
• Method of take is restricted to hook and line, or snatch hook only — Pole hunting and free shooting is prohibited.
• There will be eight zones statewide with recreational opportunity in each zone.
• Zones B and C would have 1,250 participants
• Zone A (which includes all eligible properties located within DeSoto, Caddo, Bossier, Red River, Bienville, Webster, and Claiborne parishes) 500 participants
• Zones D, E, F, G and H 400 participants each.
• A recreational alligator hunter must possess a basic hunting license, the recreational alligator hunting license, valid recreational hide tags and written proof of land ownership or permission.
• A recreational alligator hunting license would be $25 for residents and $150 for non-residents.

No word yet on the cost to enter the recreational alligator season lottery or when LDWF will begin taking those entries, but as we get that information we'll be sure to pass it along.

To see the full NOI, visit the LDWF Alligator Hunting webpage.