American alligators cannot be possessed as personal pets. In very limited circumstances permits are issued to possess alligators for educational or scientific purposes.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has three programs that provide for harvesting alligators from the wild.
- Statewide Alligator Harvest Program,
- Private Lands Alligator Management Program, and
- Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program
Each of these programs provides unique opportunities for participation.
Licenses are also required for alligator processing and farming.
Statewide Alligator Harvest Program (Limited Entry Hunts)
To participate in the statewide public alligator hunt in Florida, you must have an Alligator Trapping License, an alligator trapping permit, and CITES tags. Specifics on the seasons, methods, and fees can found by visiting our Statewide Alligator Hunt webpage.
Private Lands Alligator Management Program
The Private Lands Alligator Management Program allows the harvest of non-hatchling alligators and collection of alligator eggs and/or hatchlings on specified private lands. The private land owner (or his designee) would be required to be licensed (an Alligator Trapping License for adult harvest, and an Alligator Farming License for eggs and hatchlings) and permitted (with appropriate tags for adults and hatchlings) to take alligators or alligator eggs on that property. To download an information package, go to the Private Lands Alligator Program webpage.
Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program
The FWC contracts with a limited number of private individuals, "Nuisance Alligator Trappers," to remove specific nuisance alligators. Nuisance alligators may only be handled by contracted Nuisance Alligator Trappers. To learn more, please visit our Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program webpage.
Persons helping Alligator trappers in any of these programs can become licensed as their agents ($51.50 fee) online, using the toll-free phone number, 1-888-HUNT-FLORIDA (1-888-486-8356), or by going to a tax collector's office or license agent (retail outlet that sells hunting and fishing licenses).
Alligator Farming
Because the alligator hide and meat market is extremely volatile, alligator farming is a very tenuous business. For a primer on what alligator farming involves, visit our Alligator Framing webpage.
Alligator Processing
A license is also required to buy and process lawfully acquired alligators and to sell the alligator meat, hides and other parts. To find an application, visit the Alligator Framing webpage.
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