See How to Legally Hunt Alligators on Public Water in Louisiana

Alligator hunting in Louisiana is serious business.

Get our free mobile app

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.

That work comes in the form of paperwork and licensing and if harvesting alligators is on your agenda in 2022, the time is upon us to begin that paperwork.

This week, 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, between August 31 and November 5, 2022.

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, 2022.

Alligator lottery applications are only available on the LDWF website at https://louisianaoutdoors.com/lottery-applications.Those wanting to apply should click on the Lottery Applications tab, update or create their customer record 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 hunting license ($25) and to submit payment of $40 for each alligator tag allocated to the chosen location.

To assist applicants in selecting specific WMAs/public lakes, LDWF has posted the percentage of lottery alligator harvest applicants selected in 2021 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.