Alligator Season
Louisiana is divided into east and west alligator hunting zones.
- The east zone opens the last Wednesday of August
- The west zone opens the first Wednesday in September.
- Each zone remains open for 60 days from the opening date.
Baited hooks and lines may be set no more than 24 hours prior to open season and shall be removed no later than sunset of the last day of the open season.
- For more information on alligator hunting zone boundaries, please view the Alligator Zone Map below or visit our Outdoor Explorer interactive map and select the Alligator Hunting Zones layer located in the Go Hunting Layer List.
Alligator Zone Map
Hunting Hours
Alligators may be harvested between official sunrise and sunset only. Nighttime harvest is prohibited.
Harvest and Size Limits
The daily and season quota is equal to the number of alligator harvest tags that a licensed alligator hunter possesses. There are no size restrictions on wild alligators taken during the open season.
Harvest Methods
Alligator hunters may use hook and line, bow and arrow, and firearms (except shotguns) to harvest alligators. Possession of shotguns is prohibited while hunting or taking wild alligators. The fishing (hook and line) method is the most common and is the only method allowed on public areas.
Hook and line
Baited hooks are suspended above water using poles, branches, or trees. Hunters typically use chicken quarters or beef melt as bait. About 30 feet of 300-pound test line is tied to the structure, with the baited hook 1 to 2 inches above the water. Clothespins may hold lines for easy removal, and excess line is coiled at the base. Hunters must check lines daily, dispatch alligators immediately with a shot behind the skull, and remove all hooks and lines once their quota is met. Releasing hooked alligators is only allowed if the quota is reached, and must be done humanely after dispatching.
Bow and arrow
Alligator hunters may use bow and barbed arrows to capture or dispatch alligators on hook and line. A 300-pound test line must be securely attached to the arrowhead and connected to a stationary or floating object to keep the line above water. Bow and arrow use may be banned on public lands or lakes.
Firearms
Alligator hunters may use firearms (except shotguns) to harvest free-swimming alligators or dispatch those caught on hook and line. Exercise extreme caution to ensure retrieval after shooting and always follow firearm safety, watching for ricochet risks. Harvesting free-swimming alligators may be banned on public lands and lakes.