PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. -- Hunters are gearing up for the annual statewide recreational alligator harvest.
- Florida Fish and Wildlife hosts training sessions
- More hunting permits available this year
- Hunting season runs Aug. 15 through Nov. 1
Alligator hunting season begins Aug. 15 and lasts until Nov. 1.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is hosting training sessions across the state so hunters can learn the rules before they go hunting.
The FWC’s website says every year 10,000 people compete for the 5,000 permits available to hunt alligators.
Jeffrey Cornell, of Clearwater, said he was denied the past four years. But he kept applying and got a permit this year.
''I’ve got an airboat and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do,'' said Cornell.
Each harvest permit provides two tags to the person with an alligator trapping license, allowing them to take two alligators.
Steve Stiegler told hunters during Sunday’s training session more county-wide harvest permits are available this year.
''Normally it’s unusual for someone to get multiple permits,'' said Stiegler. "We usually sell out before that becomes available. This year, we had some additional permits and people were able to obtain multiple permits, so they have multiple sets of tags they can use to take alligators."
It’s to help the FWC control the alligator population near places where the public congregates.
''Our county permits allow the take of alligators in places where they're more likely to come into contact with people. Hopefully it will help us control the negative interactions of people and alligators," Stiegler said.
He said permits are still available.
''They're primarily in the panhandle and north Florida counties. The permits for Central and South Florida are all gone,'' Stiegler said.
While the alligator harvest training sessions aren't mandatory, the FWC recommends them so those with a trapping license and their helpers or agents are informed of all of the rules.
Stiegler told the crowd of hunters that people on the boat helping with the hunt must have a alligator trapping agent license if they are 16 years old or older and do not have a trapping license.
The next training session will be held in Gainesville on Aug. 1 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, located at 2900 SW 13th Street.
A session will also be held in Sanford on Aug. 5 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sanford Civic Center, located at 401 E. Seminole Boulevard.
More information can be found here.