At a public meeting on April 19, 2017, the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks approved rule changes for the 2017 alligator hunting season on public waters and private lands in Mississippi. The statewide public waters season will include opportunities in specific public waterways. There are no changes to public water zones nor the number of permits available, compared to the last three years. A total of 920 permits will be available within 7 hunting zones across the state for the 10-day season, August 25 – September 4, 2017. The process for issuing permits will change to an electronic application process followed by a random drawing of applicants. Applications will be accepted from June 1 – 7, 2017. The first drawing will take place on or about June 14. Drawn applicants will be notified by email with a link to purchase their permit with a 48-hour deadline to complete. Upon the purchase deadline, any unpurchased permits from the first drawing will be entered into a second drawing of available applicants. Drawn applicants from the second drawing will also be notified by email with a link to purchase their permit with a 48-hour deadline to complete. A credit or debit card is required to complete the online permit purchase.
To be eligible to apply for an alligator hunting permit you must be a resident of Mississippi, at least 16 years of age at the time of application. Applications will be free, but electronic processing fees will be applied. Applicants may only apply in one alligator hunting zone of their choice. Applications will be accepted on-line or at any point of sale location where Mississippi hunting and fishing licenses are sold. Applicants must have one of the following licenses to be eligible to apply: a valid Mississippi Sportsman License, All-Game Hunting/Fishing License, Small Game Hunting/Fishing License, Apprentice Sportsman License, Apprentice All Game License, Apprentice Small Game License, Senior Exempt License, Disabled Exempt License, or Lifetime License. A voluntary Alligator Hunting Training Course will be offered for permit holders on July 15th.
A private lands alligator hunting season is available to landowners whose properties meet specific qualifications within 33 open counties. Two additional counties, Coahoma and Tallahatchie, were included in the private lands season for 2017, Applications and instructions for private lands permits are available online. Applications are accepted in May and June and must be submitted by July 1.
