July 31 Deadline for Alligator Quota Hunt Applications in Georgia
Interested in applying for an alligator hunt this year? If you want a chance to try a truly hands-on hunting experience, you need to get your online quota application in before midnight July 31. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division, 850 applicants will be selected for the 2013 alligator hunting season which runs Sept. 7-Oct. 6.
In 2012, 850 hunters harvested 247 alligators at an average length of 99 inches with the longest gator measuring 161 inches.
“Georgia’s alligator quota hunt is one of the most popular quota hunts we offer attracting more than 10,000 applicants annually who compete for 850 permits,” said John Bowers, assistant chief of the Game Management Section. “We anticipate applicant rates to continue increasing for this unique hunting opportunity.”
In Georgia, alligators typically live south of the fall line (which roughly traverses the cities of Columbus, Macon and Augusta), occupying a variety of natural wetland habitats including marshes, swamps, rivers, farm ponds and lakes. Opportunistic carnivores, they eat small mammals, aquatic insects, crayfish, frogs, fish, turtles, water birds and more.
How to apply
Visit the website www.georgiawildlife.com/hunting/quota. Create a quota hunt account if you do not currently have one. Make sure that you enter your Social Security Number correctly when creating an account. This ensures the transfer of any priority points from previous seasons to the new account. Keep your email address current and correct to receive quota updates, application submission confirmations and notices about quota hunts.
Applicants can check their application status through their account after the July 31 deadline. Selected hunters will receive a temporary harvest tag and information packet by mail in early August.
For more information, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/Hunting/Alligator.
