Alligator Season
NEW: Recreational Alligator Hunting Season Proposal
On May 7, 2026, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission adopted a Notice of Intent to establish rules for a recreational alligator hunting season. See the links below for details about this proposed season.
Alligator Zone Map (PDF)
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 through December 31.
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.
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 and lines are suspended above the water by some type of structure. In most cases, alligator hunters will use poles, branches, or trees to suspend baits and provide a stationary object for securing the end of the line. The most commonly used baits are chicken quarters and beef melt.
Approximately 30 feet of line is tied off to the bottom of the structure while the baited hook end is suspended about 1 to 2 inches above the water surface. Line must be a minimum of 300-pound test. The baited end is suspended in a way that allows for easy line removal by an alligator. Hunters sometimes use clothespins to hold lines to facilitate easy line removal. Excess line is rolled up near the base of the structure.
Once alligator lines are set and baited, alligator hunters must inspect their hooks and lines and remove captured alligators daily. Alligators should be dispatched immediately upon checking lines. Shot placement should be centered directly behind the skull.
No person shall release any alligator from any harvest device for any purpose without first dispatching the alligator, except in the event that an alligator is hooked and the hunter's quota has been reached. In this case, the hunter must immediately release the alligator in the most humane method possible. All hooks and lines must be removed from the water when an alligator hunter's quota is reached.
Bow and arrow
Alligator hunters may use bow and arrow to capture alligators or dispatch alligators while on hook and line (see above). Hunters must use barbed arrows to capture alligators. A minimum of 300-pound test line must be securely attached to the head of the arrow in a way that prevents separation from the arrow head. The other end of the line must be attached to a stationary or floating object capable of maintaining the line above water when an alligator is attached. Bow and arrow use may be prohibited on public lands/lakes.
Firearms
Alligator hunters may use firearms (except shotguns) to harvest free swimming alligators or dispatch alligators while on hook and line (see above). Hunters should use extreme caution when harvesting free swimming alligators to ensure that alligators can be retrieved once shot. Hunters should practice firearm safety at all times and pay close attention to ricochet hazards. Harvesting free swimming alligators may be prohibited on public lands/lakes.