Ala. Admin. Code r. 220-2-.143

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 10, July 31, 2024

Section 220-2-.143 - Alligator Management Areas and Seasons Established

(1) A hunting season for American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is hereby established in five areas of Alabama, as provided for below. These areas hereafter are referred to as Alligator Management Areas (AMAs) and are hereby established as, and shall constitute special "wildlife management areas," in accordance with Sections 9-11-300, 301, Code of Ala. 1975. Five AMAs shall be in portions of Baldwin, Mobile, Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Choctaw, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Marengo, Russell, Dallas, and Wilcox Counties. Hunting of alligator for the purpose of harvest management of wildlife are subject to these regulations.

(2)Locations of AMAs:

(a)SOUTHWEST MANAGEMENT AREA - The private and public waters in Baldwin and Mobile Counties that lie north of I-10 and private and public waters in Washington, Choctaw, Clarke, and Monroe Counties that lie south of U.S. Highway 84.

(b)COASTAL MANAGEMENT AREA - The private and public waters in Baldwin and Mobile Counties that lie south of I-10.

(c)SOUTHEAST MANAGEMENT AREA - The private and public waters in Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Russell Counties (excluding public Alabama state waters in Walter F. George Reservoir (Lake Eufaula) and its navigable tributaries).

(d)WEST CENTRAL MANAGEMENT AREA - The private and public waters in Monroe, Clarke and Choctaw Counties north of U.S. Highway 84; Marengo County west of State Highway 28 and South of U.S. Highway 80; and Wilcox and Dallas Counties (excluding Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge).

(e)LAKE EUFAULA MANAGEMENT AREA - The public Alabama state waters only in the Walter F. George Reservoir (Lake Eufaula) and its navigable tributaries (excluding main channel of the Chattahoochee River), south of 13th Street Bridge in Phenix City (excluding Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge).

(3) Season:

(a)SOUTHWEST MANAGEMENT AREA - From Official Sunset Time on the second Thursday in August until Official Sunrise Time on the Sunday immediately following the second Thursday in August; from Official Sunset Time on the third Thursday in August until Official Sunrise Time on the Sunday immediately following the third Thursday in August; and from Official Sunset Time on the second Thursday in September until Official Sunrise Time on the Sunday immediately following the second Thursday in September.

(b)COASTAL MANAGEMENT AREA - From Official Sunset Time on the second Thursday in August until Official Sunrise Time on the Sunday immediately following the second Thursday in August; from Official Sunset Time on the third Thursday in August until Official Sunrise Time on the Sunday immediately following the third Thursday in August; and from Official Sunset Time on the second Thursday in September until Official Sunrise Time on the Sunday immediately following the second Thursday in September.

(c)SOUTHEAST MANAGEMENT AREA - From Official Sunset Time on the second Saturday in August until the Official Sunrise Time on the first Monday of September.

(d)WEST CENTRAL MANAGEMENT AREA - From Official Sunset Time on the second Thursday in August until Official Sunrise Time on the Sunday immediately following the second Thursday in August; and from Official Sunset Time on the third Thursday in August until Official Sunrise Time on the Sunday immediately following the third Thursday in August; and from the Official Sunset Time on the second Thursday in September until Official Sunrise Time on the Sunday immediately following the second Thursday in September.

(e)LAKE EUFAULA MANAGEMENT AREA - From Official Sunset Time on the second Thursday in August until Official Sunrise Time on the Sunday immediately following the second Thursday in August; from Official Sunset Time on the third Thursday in August until Official Sunrise Time on the Sunday immediately following the third Thursday in August; and from Official Sunset Time on the second Thursday in September until Official Sunrise Time on the Sunday immediately following the second Thursday in September.

(4)Hunting Hours:

(a) Southwest, Coastal, Southeast, Lake Eufaula, and West Central Management Areas - Official Sunset until Official Sunrise.

(5)Persons Eligible:

(a)Alabama Residents and Lifetime Hunting License holders of the State of Alabama who are sixteen (16) years of age or older holding any valid all game or small game Alabama Hunting License may apply for Resident Alligator Harvest Permit (see License Requirements).

(b)Non-residents who are sixteen (16) years of age or older holding any valid all game or small game Alabama Non-resident Hunting License may apply for an Alligator Harvest Permit (see License Requirements).

(c)Hunting Assistants (Residents and Non-Residents) sixteen (16) years of age or older must hold any valid all game or small game Alabama Hunting License.

(6)Harvest Permits:

(a)Permit Holders - The following permits and tags are established and required to hunt and harvest alligator in the State of Alabama. Each Permit Holder can receive up to two (2) Alligator Possession Tags.

1.Alabama Residents.

(i) Resident Alligator Harvest Permit [$250.00]. This Permit is required for residents to hunt and take alligators in a designated Alligator Management Area. A valid all game or small game Alabama Hunting License is required in addition to the Alligator Harvest Permit to harvest and possess alligators.

(ii) Resident Alligator Bonus Management Harvest Permit [$125.00]. This permit is required for residents to hunt and take a bonus alligator in a designated Alligator Management Area. Holders of a Resident Alligator Harvest Permit are eligible to purchase one (1) Resident Alligator Bonus Management Harvest Permit. A valid all game or small game Alabama Hunting License is required in addition to the Alligator Harvest Permit to harvest and possess alligators.

2. Non-residents.

(i) Non-resident Alligator Harvest Permit [$1000.00]. This Permit is required for non-residents to hunt and take alligators in a designated Alligator Management Area. A valid all game or small game Non-resident Alabama Hunting License is required in addition to the Non-resident Alligator Harvest Permit to harvest and possess alligators.

(ii) Non-resident Alligator Bonus Management Harvest Permit [$500.00]. This permit is required for non-residents to hunt and take a bonus alligator in a designated Alligator Management Area. Holders of a Non-resident Alligator Harvest Permit are eligible to purchase one (1) Non-resident Alligator Bonus Management Harvest Permit. A valid all game or small game Non-resident Alabama Hunting License is required in addition to the Non-resident Alligator Harvest Permit to harvest and possess alligators.

(b)Possession Tag - All harvested alligators must have a Temporary Alligator Possession Tag attached to the alligator immediately after being dispatched and prior to moving. Hunters must bring alligator carcass or alligator hides, their attached Temporary Alligator Possession Tag, and information regarding length, weight, girth, and sex to a Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries District check station or office as specified by the designated AMAs harvest reporting requirements to receive their permanent Federal CITES Alligator Possession Tag. Temporary Alligator Possession Tag will be mailed to the Alligator Harvest Permittee prior to their selected AMA season.

(c) If a person is selected for an Alligator Harvest Permit and Possession Tag at two or more Management Areas, they will be allowed to select which Management Area they would like to hunt. The other spot(s) not selected will be filled from the Alternates list.

(d) Harvest Permit and Possession Tag. Harvest Permits and Bonus Management Harvest Permits (Resident and Non-resident) and Possession Tags are non-transferable.

(7)Bag Limit and Size:

(a) Bag Limit- Each person receiving an Alligator Harvest Permit (Resident and Non-Resident) or an Alligator Bonus Management Harvest Permit (Resident or Non-resident) will be allowed to harvest one (1) alligator per permit.

(b) Size- Alligators harvested in the Lake Eufaula Management Area must be a minimum of eight (8) feet in length. The remaining Management Areas have no length requirement on alligators harvested with an Alligator Harvest Permit (Resident or Non-resident). All Alligators harvested with an Alligator Bonus Management Harvest Permit (Resident or Nonresident) shall be no larger than six (6) feet in length.

(8)Applications:

Applications for Alligator Harvest Permits will be accepted only at the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Website at www.outdooralabama.com beginning at 8:00 AM on the first Tuesday in June. There is no charge for each Management Area application submitted. Registration will end at 8:00 AM on the second Tuesday of July. The drawings for each Management Area will be held on the second Wednesday of July. All applicants will be able to check for their results on the same website that they registered. Selected applicants must complete the Mandatory Training Course and purchase the Alligator Harvest Permit prior to accepting their hunter status. Selected applicant's acceptance is required by 8:00 AM on the third Wednesday of July. If a Permit is not accepted, the next applicant on the list will be notified and given 24 hours to respond. These notifications will continue until all Permit vacancies have been obligated. Only one (1) application shall be allowed per person per Management Area. Applications shall be in accordance with the procedure set out at www.outdooralabama.com.

(9)Preference Points:

The random selection process will utilize a preference point system. The system increases the likelihood of repeat applicants being selected for an Alligator Harvest Permit as long as the applicant continues to apply. The more years an applicant participates in the registration, the higher the likelihood of being selected. If an applicant ceases to register for the Alligator Harvest Permit in a given year or is selected and accepts a tag for an AMA hunt, the preference point status is forfeited.

(10)Mandatory Training Course:

All successful applicants will be required to complete the online Alligator Training Course prior to accepting their hunter/ alternate status. The video will be available for viewing at www.outdooralabama.com. The official course will be available on the applicant's status page upon login.

(11)Capture and Dispatch Methods:

(a)For All Management Areas

1. Alligators must be captured and brought adjacent to the boat, bank or dock prior to shooting or otherwise dispatching the animal. It is unlawful to shoot at or kill an unrestrained alligator. Restrained is defined as an alligator that has a noose or snare secured around the neck or leg in a manner that the alligator is controlled. Capture methods are restricted to hand-held snares, snatch hooks (hand-held or rod/reel), harpoons (with attached line), and bowfishing equipment (with line attached from arrow to bow or crossbow). No use of bait is allowed.

2. All alligators must be captured and dispatched from the Alligator Permit holder's boat. No capture or dispatch equipment is allowed in assisting boats.

3.All alligators of legal length must be dispatched immediately once boatside and restrained, as defined above. Culling is prohibited. No alligators should be captured for photographic or any other purposes and released. Firearms used for dispatching an alligator are restricted to shotguns with shot size no larger than #4 and bangsticks chambered in .38 caliber or larger or shotgun (using #4 shot or smaller). All shotguns and bangsticks must be cased and unloaded at all times until a restraining line has been attached to the alligator. Except as otherwise provided herein, no other firearm or ammunition may be in possession of the permittee or hunting party. No firearm or bangstick may be discharged within 100 yards of any residence, building, boat ramp, or occupied campsite in Mobile/Baldwin Counties and on the Alabama River, Claiborne Lake, William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir and Lake Walter F. George (Lake Eufaula). The Temporary Alligator Possession Tag supplied by Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries must be attached to the alligator's tail, as demonstrated in the training video, immediately after being dispatched and prior to moving or transporting.

(12)Mandatory Check Station:

(a)SOUTHWEST, COASTAL, WEST CENTRAL, AND LAKE EUFAULA MANAGEMENT AREAS - All successful permittees must bring their harvested alligators from these Management Areas to a designated mandatory check station on scheduled dates of the designated AMA season. Check station locations and scheduled dates will be posted to the website https://www.outdooralabama.com/seasons-and-bag-limits/alligator-season. All harvested alligators must have a Temporary Alligator Possession Tag attached to the alligator immediately after being dispatched and prior to moving. The permanent Federal CITES Alligator Possession Tag will be affixed to the harvested alligator by Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries personnel at the check station.

(b)SOUTHEAST MANAGEMENT AREA - All successful permittees must bring their harvested alligator hides, their Temporary Alligator Possession Tag, and information regarding length, weight, girth, and sex to a Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries district office within 10 business days of their harvest. Alligator harvest record sheets detailing the required information will be mailed with the Temporary Alligator Possession Tag to the Permittee. Upon validation of the alligator harvest data by WFF personnel, a permanent Federal CITES Alligator Possession Tag will be attached to the alligator.

(13)Harvest Reporting and Tagging:

(a)SOUTHWEST, COASTAL, WEST CENTRAL, and LAKE EUFAULA MANAGEMENT AREAS - All successful permittees must bring their harvested alligators from these Management Areas to a designated mandatory check station on scheduled dates of the designated AMA season. All harvested alligators must have a Temporary Alligator Possession Tag attached to the alligator immediately after being dispatched and prior to moving. The permanent Federal CITES Alligator Possession Tag will be affixed to the harvested alligator by Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries personnel at the check station.

(b)SOUTHEAST MANAGEMENT AREA- All successful permittees from these management areas must bring their harvested alligator hides, their Temporary Alligator Possession Tag, and Alligator harvest record sheet regarding length, weight, girth, and sex to a Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries district office within 10 business days of their harvest. Alligator harvest record sheets detailing the required information will be mailed with the Temporary Alligator Possession Tag to the Permittee. Upon validation of the alligator harvest data by WFF personnel, a permanent Federal CITES Alligator Possession Tag will be attached to the alligator by Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries personnel.

(14)License Requirements:

(a)Alligator Harvest Permittee: Holders of an Alligator Harvest Permit (Resident or Non-Resident) must be in possession of a government issued picture identification and a valid Alabama Resident or Non-Resident all game or small game Hunting License as required by Alabama law. The aforementioned permits and valid hunting license must be in possession during the season while hunting and possessing alligator.

(b)Alligator Hunting Assistant: All assistants, either resident or non-resident, in the hunting party sixteen (16) years of age or older are required to purchase and be in possession of a valid Alabama all game or small game Hunting License as required by Alabama law. All persons in the boat or assisting boats that are not the Alligator Harvest Permittee are considered Hunting Assistants.

(15)General:

(a) Nothing in this regulation prohibits the possession of handguns by lawfully authorized persons for personal protection, provided the handguns are not used to hunt or take or to attempt to take wildlife in violation of law.

(b)ALL ALABAMA BOATING AND HUNTING REGULATIONS MUST BE FOLLOWED.

(c) For the purposes of this regulation the term "animal protected by the laws of this state" as used in Section 9-11-235 of the Code of Alabama, 1975, shall mean game animals as designated by the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 220-2-.143

New Rule: Filed August 10, 2006; effective September 14, 2006. Repealed and New Rule: Filed September 9, 2009; effective October 14, 2009. Amended: Filed August 26, 2011; effective September 30, 2011. Amended: Filed August 20, 2012; effective September 24, 2012. Amended: Filed September 9, 2013; effective October 14, 2013.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXII, Issue No. 10, July 31, 2014, eff. 8/20/2014.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIII, Issue No. 10, July 31, 2015, eff. 8/14/2015.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XLII, Issue No. 09, June 28, 2024, eff. 6/28/2024.

Author: Christopher M. Blankenship

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12, 9-11-300, and 9-11-301.

Penalty: As provided by law.