Arkansas hunters bring in 181 alligators during hunting season

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Hunters in Arkansas nearly reached a record harvest of alligators this year, hauling more than 180 this hunting season.

Officials with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said 181 alligators were harvested, falling short of last year’s record of 202.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission herpetologist Amanda Bryant said this year had a higher-than-normal success rate. She also noted that Hurricane Helene may have encouraged hunters to check an alligator earlier during the season.

“Most unfilled alligator tags are because people hold out for a larger alligator than what they’re seeing, but maybe some of the forecasted rain had people more willing to take a little smaller alligator,” Bryant said. “Then the last weekend turned out pretty nice after all, and we continued to see decent numbers taken throughout the end of the season.”

AGFC said Alligator Management Zone 1 in southwest Arkansas and AMZ 3 in southeast Arkansas tied for the most alligators harvested.

Alligator hunting season is during the last two weekends in September. Hunting is by permit only and hunters are permitted from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise during the season.

For more information on alligator hunting in the Natural State, visit AGFC.com.