On May 7, 2026, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved rules to establish a recreational alligator hunting season. Through a lottery system, this harvest will allow as many as 5,000 alligator hunters to receive two recreational alligator harvest tags for a season that will run from October 1 to October 31.
A recreational alligator hunting season has been established in Louisiana to provide Louisiana sportsmen and women with greater opportunity to utilize and enjoy this iconic species. Louisiana’s wild alligator population has reached a point of full recovery following decades of joint conservation efforts between the LDWF, landowners, hunters, and farmers. As a result of those efforts, Louisiana now has a robust alligator resource capable of providing sustainable recreational harvest opportunities to Louisiana residents without negatively impacting a highly valuable commercial industry that provides more than $250 million dollars annually to Louisiana’s economy.
This new season creates a controlled recreational harvest opportunity for resident hunters, separate from the existing commercial alligator program.
As many as 5,000 hunters will be selected to recreationally harvest alligators.
Eligibility: applicants must be Louisiana residents, hunter education certified, and at least 16 years of age to apply.
Nonresidents may participate in the hunt, but only in the physical presence of the lottery-winning hunter.
Successful applicants receive 2 non-transferable hide tags for each zone they are awarded.
Licenses, Permits, and Fees
Lottery Application Fee: A $50 application fee will be charged to each applicant for each zone they apply for. Applicants may be successful for more than one zone.
A recreational hunter must possess a Basic Hunting License, the Resident Alligator Sports Hunter License, valid recreational hide tag(s), and written proof of land ownership or permission. Anyone assisting them must also possess the Alligator Sports Hunter License and a Basic Hunting License.
A Lifetime License, Senior License, or Sportsman's Paradise License does not cover the Resident Alligator Sports Hunter License.
Immediately: Upon harvest, attach the recreational hide tag to the bottom side of the tail, approximately 6 inches from the end, and lock it with the tag's locking device. Factory-defective tags must be reported to the department.
Within 72 hours: Report the recreational hide tag number, length of the alligator, date, and parish of harvest to LDWF.
How to Validate:Hunters can validate their harvest by reporting it at one of the following:
Failure to Validate = Future Lottery Ban: Hunters who fail to validate harvested alligators will be prohibited from future participation in the recreational alligator hunting lottery.
