Alabama's First Alligator Season a Big Success

Wrap-Up Report

• Forty alligators were harvested during Alabama's first-ever regulated alligator hunting season held August 18-24, 2006 in the Mobile Delta.
• The 40 harvested alligators ranged in size and weight from 7'7"to 12'4" in length and from 77 to 461 pounds at weigh-in.
• David Lee Lenoir of Hope Hull harvested the largest alligator. The male alligator weighed in at 461 pounds and measured 12'4" in length. Lenoir used archery as the method of capture.
• A total of 30 male and 10 female alligators were harvested.
• The five largest alligators harvested, ranging in weight between 461 and 404 pounds, were all males.
• Forty-six hunters, randomly chosen by computer from nearly 1,000 online registrants, participated in the weeklong regulated hunt hosted by the Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.
• Of the 46 participating hunters, five were women.
• Each hunter was required to complete the Alligator Training Course provided by Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division personnel.
• Each hunter was allowed to harvest one alligator six feet in length or longer.
• Hunters traveled from all over the state to participate in the first-ever regulated alligator hunt. Hunters came from as far away as Northport, Homewood and Birmingham.
• Wildlife biologists are analyzing harvest data to determine when and where future Alabama hunts may take place.