Louisiana is synonymous with alligators. It's one of the stereotypes about our state which is for the most part true. And here lately we are seeing more and more alligators showing up in places we wouldn't expect them to be. You've probably heard stories of alligators being found in apartment complexes and near casinos in recent weeks.

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It's true that warmer weather does have the animals moving a lot more than they tend to move when the temperatures are cooler. And since mankind has been slowly but surely encroaching on the alligator's natural habitat it's not really a surprise that more and more alligator/human encounters are being reported.

One way the state of Louisiana manages the alligator population across the state is through a very strictly controlled hunting season and hunting process. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has recently announced the details of this year's alligator harvest lottery and alligator harvest dates. 

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The lottery harvests will take place on 21 LDWF Wildlife Management Areas and 28 public lakes. The alligator harvest will also take place on one United States Army Corps of Engineers property. The harvest season in these areas will open on August 30th and run through November 4th of 2023.

Those hunters who are interested in participating in the alligator harvest season will need to apply for the lottery. Applications are being accepted through the end of June. You may apply online using this link from LDWF.

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Applicants must be at least 16 years old or older and legal residents of the state of Louisiana. If you are selected in the lottery, which by the way has a $5 application fee and a $5 transaction fee, you will then be required to purchase an alligator hunter's license for $25 and submit a payment of $40 for each alligator tag allocated.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has created a map and legend that goes into more detail about which parts of the state offered the most success for hunters last season. This might help you determine the areas you want to "fish" when the 2023 season opens later this year.

Of course, if you have more questions or concerns you can contact your local LDWF office or email LAalligatorprogram@wlf.la.gov. They can provide answers to your questions as well.

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