2013 Mississippi Alligator Hunting Season

Alligator hunting applications will be accepted from June 3 – 17 for persons interested in hunting during the 2013 alligator season on public waterways. Applications are only available only on the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks (MDWFP) website, www.mdwfp.com. Applicants must be residents of Mississippi and at least 16 years of age.  For 2013, there are 7 public waterway zones with 920 total available alligator hunting permits; individuals may apply for any or all zones. All applicants must provide a valid email address. All drawn applicants will be notified via email within 5 working days of the June 17 deadline.

Applications will be accepted from June 1 – July 1 for private lands alligator hunting vouchers in the following counties; Adams, Attala, Bolivar, Carroll, Claiborne, Copiah, Hancock, Harrison, Hinds, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Leake, Leflore, Madison, Marion, Pearl River, Rankin, Simpson, Sharkey, Sunflower, Washington, Warren, Wilkinson, and Yazoo. Private lands within the open counties must contain at least 20 acres of privately owned surface water to qualify for an alligator harvest voucher. Each property is limited to one application.  Each application requires special documentation and landowner permission. Private land applications may be downloaded and printed at www.mdwfp.com/alligator. The deadline for submitting private lands applications is July 1.

On the recommendation of staff, the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, at its May meeting reviewed alligator draw hunt procedures; changes for the 2014 season are under consideration. Until such time, administrative fees required to apply for permits will be waived.

The MDWFP requires that all persons selected for alligator hunting permits attend an alligator hunting training course to participate in the hunt.  The training courses will be held at Jones Junior College on August 3, Roosevelt State Park on August 10, and Delta State University on August 17.

For more information regarding alligator hunting rules and regulations, visit our website at www.mdwfp.com/alligator or call us at (601) 432-2199.

Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries and Parks

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP), formerly known as the Mississippi Game & Fish Commission, is an agency of the government of the U.S. state ofMississippi responsible for programs protecting Mississippi fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, as well as administering all state parks; it has its headquarters in Jackson. The agency issues hunting and fishing licenses, advises on habitat protection, and sponsors public education programs. It is also responsible for enforcement of Mississippi's fish and game laws. It is separate from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, which is the governing body for the state's natural salt-water resources and law enforcement thereof (i.e. Gulf of Mexico, ocean-going vessels, etc.).