It’s a third-degree felony under Florida law to kill or injure an alligator. Unless you purchase a special alligator trapping or farming license, it’s a felony to capture and keep an alligator or its eggs.
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Do you need a license to kill an alligator in Florida?
A statewide alligator hunt permit is a type of limited entry permit required to participate in the statewide alligator harvest program. More than 15,000 people apply for a permit each year to participate in the Statewide Alligator Hunt. Hunters must be at least 18 years of age to hunt alligators and must possess a valid hunting license issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS).
All hunters must complete a hunter safety course prior to the hunt. Applicants must also be able to read and write in English and have a high school diploma or GED. All applicants must submit to a background check and a fingerprint-based criminal history record check. If the applicant has been convicted of a felony, he or she will not be eligible for the permit.
Can you kill a Florida alligator?
Alligators are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, which prohibits the killing of any species of wild or domestic animal without the express written consent of Congress.
Is hunting alligators legal in Florida?
Alligator hunting is legal, but its not a free-for-all. The alligator hunting season is between August 15 and November 1 each year. The need for population control over the 1.3 million alligators that live in Florida led to the establishment of alligator hunting in 1988.
(FWC) is responsible for the management of the state’s wildlife resources. FWC regulates the hunting and trapping of Florida’s wild and exotic animals, as well as the possession, sale, and transportation of these animals.
Can an AR 15 kill an alligator?
“My presence failed to scare the alligator away, and it began encroaching on my area at which time I fired one single 223 round from my Bushmaster AR15 killing the alligator,” Blackmon wrote in his report. The alligator went under the water after being hit.
Blackmon said he didn’t know if he would be charged with a crime for shooting the animal, but the incident was a “wake-up call” for him to be more aware of his surroundings.
How much is a gator license in Florida?
The alligator trapping license, permit, and two cites tags cost $272 for florida residents. The cost of an alligator trapping license, permit, and two CITES tags for non-Florida residents is more than $300. Florida trap is designed to catch alligators, while an ALLIGATORS IN THE WATER trap catches only gators.
Both types of traps can be used in Florida, but only one type is required to be registered with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the other type must be purchased from a licensed Florida dealer. In addition to the cost of the trap, you will also need to pay a fee for the tag and tag holder.
This fee varies depending on the type of trap you purchase, as well as the number of tags and tags holder you choose to purchase. For example, if you are purchasing a trap that only has one tag, the fee will be $10.00. If you want to buy a tag that has two tags, it will cost you an additional $20 for each additional tag.
