In Louisiana, the wild alligator hunting season is separated into 2 zones. The east zone begins the last Wednesday of August and the west zone starts the first Wednesday of September. The season is open for 60 days from the start date in both zones.
Hunters receive alligator hunting tags through the lottery, property ownership, bidding and being part of a family or business that has had alligator hunting tags passed down through generations.
The wild alligator hunting season helps keep the population down and keep a balanced ecosystem. According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website, the wild alligator hunting program has harvested an average of about 24,000 alligators per year in Louisiana.
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A dead alligator is placed on the front of a boat during the first day of alligator hunting season near Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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First light appears over Bayou Verret as the first day of alligator season begins near Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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Lights on a boat illuminate water hyacinths in Lake Cataouatche during the first day of alligator hunting season near Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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Boats travel in the swamp near Lake Cataouatche to check alligator lines during the first day of alligator hunting season near Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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Troy Schouest, with the help of family and friends, checks alligator lines near Lake Cataouatche as the sun rises on the first day of alligator hunting season near Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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A water hyacinth in bloom floats by Lake Cataouatche near Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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An alligator is shot and tagged on the first day of alligator hunting season near Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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An egret fishes by Lake Cataouatche near Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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An alligator swims across a bayou on the first day of alligator hunting season near Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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Putrid chicken on a large hook hovers over a bayou for alligators during the first day of alligator hunting season in Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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A line is pulled in to see if an alligator is on the other end during the first day of alligator hunting season near Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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An alligator is shot and tagged on the first day of alligator hunting season near Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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A dead alligator is tagged during the first day of alligator hunting season in Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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Alligators are carried to land to be measured and sold to Louisiana Bayou Bites and Pitres Fur Company at Pier 90 Marina in Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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An alligator is placed on land to be measured and sold during the first day of alligator hunting season at Pier 90 Marina in Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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Troy Schouest measures double checks the measurement of alligators he tagged before he sells them to Louisiana Bayou Bites and Pitres Fur Company at Pier 90 Marina in Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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Alligators are placed in a refrigerated truck at Pier 90 in Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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An alligator is placed in a refrigerated truck at Pier 90 Marina in Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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An alligator lies on a dock before it is placed in a refrigerated truck at the Westwego public boat launch in Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
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An alligator is lifted to be placed in a refrigerated truck at the Westwego public boat launch in Westwego, La., Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune)
