Alligator Hunt Permits 

< Back to Special Hunt Permits



Apply for an Alligator Hunt Permit

Spotlight surveys have been conducted and AGFC senior biologists are tabulating the data to determine the final number of permits available for each alligator hunting zone for the fall 2012 alligator season, the preliminary permit numbers are as follows:

Alligator Management Zone 1

Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois d'Arc WMA -- 1 permit available

Lake Erling -- 1 permit available

Little River (from Millwood dam to Allen’s Ferry) -- 1 permit available

Millwood Lake (from Hwy. 71 Bridge to dam) -- 3 permits available

Private Land At-Large -- 10 permits available


Alligator Management Zone 3

Lower Arkansas River Wetland Complex -- 9 permits available

Private Land At-Large -- 8 permits available



Alligator Permit Application Requirements

  • Alligator Hunt Permit Applications may be submitted online June 11-25. No paper applications are accepted. Applicants may call an AGFC regional office or 501-223-6300 for assistance.
  • Hunters must be 16 or older (as of Sept. 14) to apply.
  • Applicants with 12 AGFC violation points are ineligible to apply.
  • Only Arkansas residents or holders of a Lifetime Sportsman's Permit may apply.
  • Duplicate or incomplete applications will not be processed.

Alligator Hunt Details

  • Each permit authorizes the harvest of one alligator, which must be at least 4 feet long.
  • Alligator hunting is allowed from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise during the approved alligator seasons:
    1. 30 minutes after sunset, Friday, Sept. 14 through 30 minutes before sunrise, Monday, Sept. 17.
    2. 30 minutes after sunset, Friday, Sept. 21 through 30 minutes before sunrise, Monday, Sept. 24.
  • Successful applicants must attend a mandatory hunter orientation class at one of the following locations:
    • AGFC Hope Regional Office, August 4
    • AGFC Monticello Regional Office, August 4
    • AGFC Little Rock Headquarters, August 11
  • Up to three assistants are allowed in the same boat as the permit holder. Only the permit holder is allowed to snare, harpoon and dispatch an alligator.
  • Alligator hunters and assistants must have a valid Arkansas hunting license.
  • Alligators must be snared or harpooned and subdued using a hand-held snare or harpoon and hand-held restraining line before dispatching. The use of any other equipment is prohibited.
  • Once subdued, an alligator may be dispatched using only a shotgun or shotgun shell-loaded bangstick using shot no larger than no. 4 common shot.
  • Alligators must be tagged with a Temporary Alligator Possession Tag immediately and transported to an official check station within 12 hours of harvest.