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Alligator hunting season set for fall

If you are one of 500 fortunate hunters you will have a chance to bring home a close relative of the dinosaur: the American alligator.

Alligators currently have a population in Georgia of more than 200,000 thanks to sound wildlife management. Last fall, 300 permitted hunters harvested 99 alligators.

The popularity of this type of hunt has increased since it was introduced in 2002, and in response the number of quota permits and areas to hunt have grown. Last year, over 3,100 applications were submitted for the 300 permits awarded (including applications from as far away as Alaska and Maine).

This year, hunters will have a chance at one of 500 permits and will be allowed to choose a hunt location from a larger choice of areas. The 2005 alligator hunting season is Sept. 10-Oct. 2 but the deadline to submit a quota hunt application is July 31.

"The alligator is not endangered and Georgia is fortunate to have a healthy population of this animal," said WRD Chief of Game Management Bill Fletcher. "This hunting experience is truly unique and provides for the conservation of wildlife through funds received from the purchase of the required alligator hunting license and associated hunting equipment."

Hunters selected for the 2005 alligator hunting season will be notified in early August and will have the opportunity to attend one of four voluntary training sessions. During these sessions, experts will provide information on safety, capture and handling techniques, processing and more. Quota hunt applications are available at WRD offices and at www.gohuntgeorgia.com.

In Georgia, alligators typically are found south of the fall line (which roughly connects the cities of Columbus, Macon and Augusta). They occupy a variety of wetland habitats in the wild, including marshes, swamps, rivers, farm ponds and lakes, but also have been found in ditches, drainage canals, roadways, golf course ponds and sometimes in swimming pools.

Male alligators can grow up to 16 feet in length and female alligators can grow up to 10 feet with large alligators reaching weights of over 800 pounds. Alligators are carnivores and will eat almost anything they can catch including, crayfish, frogs, fish, turtles, waterfowl, otters and more. WRD biologists conduct annual alligator surveys that enable the agency to determine current population numbers and make management decisions.

For more information on the alligator hunting season, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com, contact a WRD Game Management Office or call (229) 426-5267.