Louisiana Lawmakers Hoping to Expand Alligator Hunting Season Due to Population Boom

Louisiana lawmakers are hoping to extend the 2025 alligator season due to overpopulation in the state.

The Louisiana Wildlife Commission approved a notice of intent last week to set the East Zone season from the last Wednesday in August until December 31 and the West Zone season from the first Wednesday in September until December 31.

The extension would increase harvest opportunities beyond the current 60-day season.

What's the reason for expanding the alligator hunting season in Louisiana?

The answer is really simple -- overpopulation.

Louisiana's alligator population has reportedly exploded in the past 50 years from fewer than 100,000 to more than 3 million today.

That equates to about 2 million in the wild with another 1 million farmed.

For reference, that's nearly three times the population of Florida, which is the state with the second most number of alligators.

This is not the first time an expanded alligator hunting season has been discussed.

In 2023, Louisiana lawmakers floated the idea of expanding the alligator hunting season. Plaquemine Rep. Chad Brown (D) filed a resolution to explore increasing opportunities.

"We're being overrun by alligators," Brown said during a 2023 hearing. "Two Sundays ago my neighbor called and told me to be careful because there's an alligator under your wife's car."

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Other lawmakers are noticing the abundance of alligators too.

"They're everywhere," said Republican Columbia Rep. Neil Riser. "I think we're going to have to get to the point to (expand hunting)."

Ville Platte Rep. Rhonda Butler (R) said she's spotted gators larger than her kayak while on the water.

Public comment is being sought on this matter.

Public comment will be accepted on the notice of intent through 4:30 p.m. May 1, 2025. Comments should be submitted to Jeb Linscombe at jlinscombe@wlf.la.gov, by phone at 337-735-8671, or by mail to Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), 200 Dulles Drive, Lafayette, La. 70506.