Alligator Dates, Rules & Regulations
2024 Alligator Zone Map
Alligator Management Zone 1 and 3 Public Land Hunts (By Drawn Permit Only)
- Sept. 20-23, 2024
- Sept. 27-30, 2024
Alligator Management Zone 1, 2 and 3 Private Land Hunt (By Private Land Alligator Permit Only)
- Sept. 20-23, 2024
- Sept. 27-30, 2024
- Arkansas residents must possess a valid resident big game license to hunt alligators on public or private areas.
- Non-residents are permitted to hunt alligators on private land ONLY and must possess a non-
resident big game license as well as the Private Land Alligator permit. Non-residents are not
eligible to participate in the public land tag permit application draw. - Non-residents assisting must possess a minimum of a 3-day non-resident big-game license.
- You must be 16 years of age to obtain a permit or participate as an assistant.
- The Private Land Alligator (PLA) permit is nonrefundable and nontransferable.
- The PLA are assigned to specific harvest areas based on Alligator population data. Desired harvest areas are selected by hunters at the time of application. Harvest area boundaries have been determined by the AGFC. Holders of a PLA must make sure they understand what the
boundaries of their selected harvest areas are prior to initiating the hunt. Individuals hunting on private property other than their own must obtain written documented permission to hunt prior to the hunt. This permission must kept on their person and available upon Enforcements potential request. - Public tags may only be used on their respective designated body(s) of public water.
- Each permit authorizes the harvest of one (1) alligator, four (4) feet or greater in total length, as measured from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail.
- Only night time hunting is allowed. The season will be the last two weekends in September from: ½ hour past sunset on Friday, through ½ hour before sunrise Monday.
- You are not allowed to search for alligators prior to legal hunting hours if you have harvest equipment in your possession. Legal night time hunting hours are from ½ hour after sunset through ½ hour before sunrise.
- You must be in possession of your PLA while engaging in hunting activities. All alligator hunting assistants must have their hunt assistance letter (issued by the PLA holder) in their possession while engaged in any alligator hunting activities.
- A maximum of three assistants (licensed) will be allowed in the same boat as the holder of the PLA. Assistants may not be in another boat assisting the permit holder. Only the holder of the PLA is permitted to snare or harpoon an alligator. Only the holder of the PLA is permitted to dispatch a restrained alligator. Alligator Hunt Assistants are permitted to operate the boat/motor, shine/hold spotlights and to help hold a restrained alligator while the holder of the PLA dispatches the alligator. No one else can participate in any portion of the hunt, capture or harvesting process.
- Alligators may be taken only with the use of hand-held snares or harpoons attached to a hand-held restraining line. The use or possession of any other equipment or firearms for taking alligators is prohibited.
- Only shotguns or shotgun load bangsticks are permitted for dispatching alligators once a restraining line has been affixed. Only shot size no larger than #4 common shot may be used to dispatch a restrained alligator.
Night Hunting
30 minutes after sunset on the first day until 30 minutes before sunrise on the last day
Private Land Quota | Alligator Management Zone Map
The Alligator Management Zone Private Land Hunt only takes place in AMZ 1, 2 and 3 with a combined quota of 173 (AMZ 1 = 71, AMZ 2 = 7 and AMZ 3 = 95). Hunters must call the AGFC Wildlife Hotline (833-345-0398) and select option 1 (Alligator Management Zone Quota Status) to determine if the season zone quota has been met.
The season ends Sept. 30, or the night the quota is reached, whichever comes first.
Statewide Alligator Management Zone
All other Alligator Management Zones are closed to alligator hunting.
Season Limit
One alligator, 4 feet or longer.
- Immediately upon dispatching the alligator, a temporary tag (AGFC guidebook or homemade) must be affixed to the harvested alligator. This tag must contain the hunters name, phone number, address, date and AMZ. No person shall possess any untagged alligator carcass or hide. Recommendation: Place the tag in a Ziploc bag and zip tie to a leg.
- As soon as possible, successful hunter must call the AGFC radio dispatch office at 833-356-0824. The hunter must provide their name, AMZ and a telephone number where they can be reached. The dispatcher will pass this information on to the State Alligator Coordinator for compliance.
- Successful hunters then must check their alligator online within twelve (12) hours of harvest via the AGFC website. Alligators cannot be tele-checked or checked with the AGFC app. Once completed at that point the alligator is legally checked.
A USFWS CITES tag will be mailed to successful hunters once online checking has been verified. Failure to check the alligator online will result in putting the hunter out of compliance and in violation of permit requirements. Non-compliance issues will be turned over to the Wildlife Enforcement Division for violation assessment. CITES tags must be affixed six inches from the tip of the tail. Once the CITES tag is in place the alligator is legally tagged.
