Here’s How to Apply For Permit to Hunt Alligators in Louisiana

You might have read late last week that the Field of Dreams Park in Bossier City has been temporarily closed due to an alligator sighting on the property.

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Wishing to err on the side of caution, Bossier Parks and Recreation closed the park until the alligator has been removed and the park can be declared safe to the public once again.

It's nuisance gators like this one that make alligator hunting in the Bayou State such an important aspect of the ecosystem.  But in Louisiana, hunting gators is also big business.  It's not just about jumping in a johnboat like Troy Landry of Swamp People and just "Choot 'Em".

Though Landry does make harvesting alligators look like the perfect adventure for the daredevil outdoorsman, the work begins long before the first lines are ever hung.

Before The Hunt Begins, You Must Get Your Paperwork In Order

That work comes in the form of paperwork and licensing and if harvesting alligators is on your agenda in 2023, the time is upon us to begin that paperwork.

On Friday, May 19, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced they will conduct alligator lottery harvests on 21 LDWF Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), 28 public lakes and one U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) property August 30 through Nov. 4, 2023.

Applications For Lottery Harvests Are Now Available

Hunters wishing to participate in these lottery harvests must submit applications, which are now available, and are due by June 30, 2023.

Alligator lottery applications are only available on the LDWF website at https://louisianaoutdoors.com/lottery-applications. To apply click on the Lottery Applications tab, update or create customer details similar to purchasing a license and then submit an application. There is a $5 application fee and a $5 transaction fee.

Only one alligator lottery application may be submitted per customer. Applicants must be legal Louisiana residents and 16 years of age or older. If selected, you will be required to purchase an alligator hunter license ($25) and to submit payment of $40 for each alligator tag allocated. Do not purchase the alligator sport hunter license available online as this license type is not applicable to these lottery hunts..

To assist applicants in selecting specific WMAs/public lakes, LDWF has posted the percentage of lottery alligator harvest applicants selected in 2022 by WMA or public lake as well as a map showing the general location of each area and the appropriate area manager’s contact information on its website at https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/assets/Hunting/Alligator/Files/lottery_choices.pdf.

For more information concerning lottery alligator harvests on LDWF WMAs or public lakes, contact the appropriate LDWF Field Office or email LAalligatorprogram@wlf.la.gov.