Alligator Hunting in Louisiana

Louisiana is at the heart of alligator country! In fact, Louisiana’s wild alligator population is estimated to be approximately 1.5 million gators! In addition to their wild population, it is esimated that another 500,000 alligators are found on commerical alligator farms within the state. For those interested in heading alligator hunting in Louisiana, the wild alligator season starts annually on the first Wednesday of September and continues for 30 days.

In Louisiana, an alligator hunter must either own land or lease land that is classified as wetland habitat in order to qualify for alligator harvest tags. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries issues harvest tags for property containing sufficient alligator habitat capable of sustaining an alligator harvest.

Successful Alligator Hunt in Louisiana

Hunters must apply for alligator tags prior to the season. An alligator hunter license applicant must submit the following:

  • A completed alligator hunter license application form including the hunter’s information (name, dob, drivers license #, etc.),
  • Proof of property ownership (tax receipts or bill of sale) containing Parish, Township, Range, Section and acreage information,
  • A map outlining the property to be hunted, and
  • A landowner’s signature indicating permission for the hunter to harvest alligators on the property.
  • If applicable a legal alligator hunting lease may be submitted.
  • Alligator hunting licenses cost $25 and there is no cost for alligator tags.

Non-residents and persons not possessing or having permission to hunt alligators on private property can harvest alligators as an alligator sport hunter while accompanied by a guide. A guide must be an alligator hunter possessing valid alligator tags. An alligator Sport Hunter License cost $25 for Louisiana residents and $150 for non- residents.

When it comes to alligator harvest, Louisiana is king! Louisiana alligator hunters harvest over 30,000 wild alligators annually and farmers harvest over 280,000 farm-raised alligators annually. Raw meat and hide values are estimated at over $10 million for the wild harvest and over $33 million for the farm harvest in 2005.

So that’s an overview of alligator hunting in Louisiana. This state produced hoards of good alligators each year, and it’s a testament to their alligator management program. Hopefully this article has given you enough information to get you moving on a hunting trip down the the marshes and swamps of the Sportsman’s Paradise. Just watch out for Boudreaux and Thibodeaux!

42 thoughts on “Alligator Hunting in Louisiana”

  1. How long is the hunting season? And what is the average amount a gator hunter would make?

  2. Is there a program where I can work for someone over the summer and learn how to do this?

  3. How much do tags cost in Louisiana and how much does the hide sell for? Do they sell by the foot or do they go by more than just length?

  4. Why do the alligator hunters say that if they are left with tags it costs them money if the permits are free? How much would a 10 foot 500 pound alligator net to the hunter? What is the purpose of the tag system if they do not cost?

  5. I am going to work in Oregon for a while to learn how to build and operate a commercial tannery. I am looking for a couple of alligator hides to take with me. When I come back, I will be opening a commercial tannery in Beauregard Parish. I want to offer that service to all alligator farmers, hunters, etc. Do you know where I can come up with a couple good frozen or salted hides to take with me. Thanks.

  6. I live in North Carolina and I was wondering if have to be drawn or what do you have to do to be able to go alligator hunting on your own?

  7. If you’re a non resident can you still hunt with rifles, set baited hooks and take the gators home. Do you need to have tags to hunt?

  8. I live in Charleston, South Carolina. I’ve been hunting gators ever since I was lil boy, who should I talk to if I want to move to Louisiana and and get a job?

  9. Me and a friend are interested in hunting Alligators the problem is that we are from South Carolina and know no one in Louisiana. So my question is how could we come hunt Alligators?

  10. I WAS WONDERING HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST FOR ME TO COME AND HUNT A GATOR. ALL I WOULD WANT IS THE MEAT.

  11. Hello there, I use to hunt gator with my uncle a long time ago. I would like to get back in it again real bad to see if I would still love it,which I always did. I know things have changed over 30 years. I would like to know where to get a license, know if the state has property to hunt on, because I will travel. I live in Plaucheville, Louisiana. Hope to know something soon. Thanks a bunch.

  12. hello my name is terry i live in north carloina i love to hunt and fish i was very interested in gator hunntin for a living. i am about to take a trip to louisiana i was trying to see if is worth it or not before i drive out there. i was wording if someone could give me some tips on how to get started. what do i need. i have a boat and a truck.

  13. LOOKS LIKE IT WOULD BE FUN TO DO.THERE ARE SOMETHINGS I LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT ALL THIS. WHY WOULD A NON-RESIDENT HAVE TO HAVE A GUIDE TO START WITH? AND IF THE GUIDE HAS THE TAGS THEN THE THING I’M WONDERING IS HOW IS A NON-RESIDENT ALLOWED TO HUNT WITH A GUIDE?

    IF THERE’S A GUIDE OUT THERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO FILL SOME TAGS, GEESH I’D BE MORE THAN INTERESTED IN TRYING THIS OUT,BUT WHATS THE CATCH IN THE COST OF DOING THIS??

  14. Please give me info on how I could get a job working for someone in Louisiana as a helper.

  15. The tags are free and there is some kind of program that does teaches you how to do this. An alligator hunter makes about $200 dollars a day but remember there is only a 30 day season so don’t get your hopes up for a lot of money.

  16. I live in Louisiana and I hunt gators for a living. I filled my 213 tags this season and got about $300 a day when I bought my license, which was about $25. I had my own land to hunt on which is good because if you hunt on land that has been hunted there are not as many gators.

  17. How could I become a guide for alligator hunting in Louisiana? Thanks, Mitch

  18. I do know one thing. I live in Tennessee and I watch “Swamp People” every time it comes on. I would love to go gator hunting. I know I could do it. I am the ultamate country boy.

  19. I have always wanted to go on an alligator hunt. My oldest son is 40 and he wants to go too. We want to go to Louisiana because we live in nearby Mississippi. What do I do next to arrange for a hunt? Thanks.

  20. hey how much does it cost to gator hunt and how much are the tags. how much is a trappers license? thanks

  21. Mikeon, for this season (2011) the permit fee may be $25, but the tags cost $40 a pop.

  22. I watch Swamp People, and I was wondering what happens if you’ve filled all of your tags but you have another gator on one of your lines. I know they usually swallow the hook so how do they let them go?

  23. I am a regular game hunter but I am looking to see if gator hunting is for me. I am looking to give it a shot I hope one of you hunters wouldn’t mind having a greenhorn on your boat. I’m hard worker with a hunting dream if any hunter sees this my number is 937-602-9761. That’s how bad I want this… I am willing to put my number on here. Hope to here from one of you. Thanks, Dan.

  24. I am wanting to become a green horn on a boat… Could you tell me how to do that or if it is possible?

  25. hi i live in australia
    i am wanting to visit louisiana in 2012 aligator season is it always in JUNE 1st to 31st?
    would love a chance to go out on a hunt

    would love to meet anyone from SWAMP PEOPLE
    if you can help me out in getting in contact with any of them please send me am email
    seether_man@yahoo.com.au

  26. I went in the Florida everglades and caught a baby alligator when I was younger. I watched swamp people and it got me wanting to do some real gator hunting.

  27. i want to go gator hunting in louisaia this year when is the season and how much would it cost i live i NY

  28. I would like to meet you and your family Troy Landry to go alligator hunting sometime when I get down that way. I’m in Ohio right now, but here in a few months I’m coming your way because I want to be a deck hand for you or one of your sons.

  29. I’ve been watching Swamp People ever since the show aired and I noticed on tonight’s show that one of the hunters had said he had 36 tags left and over 100 lines left. If a Hunter fills all their tags and still has gators on other lines, do they set them free or go ahead and get them too?

  30. What’s the big secret regarding alligator tags. Just spent an hour on internet trying to find out how they are issued and how many to each trapper.

  31. If I lease a small lot from the state on state owned land can I harvest alligators in canal in front of property?

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