Arkansas Expands Alligator Hunting Opportunities for 2024 Season
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) has announced the opening of applications for the 2024 alligator hunting season. This year’s season brings exciting new opportunities for hunters as the AGFC introduces two additional hunting areas in Alligator Management Zone 3: Yellow Lake at the Pine Bluff Arsenal and the Delta Wetland Complex, which includes Lake Grampus, Lake Wallace, Lake Enterprise, Lake Chicot, and Grand Lake.
These additions bring the total number of hunting locations across south Arkansas to ten. Hunters can choose their preferred hunt site from the expanded list of areas, including Millwood Lake, Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois D’Arc WMA, Little River, Sulphur River WMA, Bragg Lake, Lake Columbia, the Lower Arkansas River Wetland Complex, and the newly added ones mentioned above.
To ensure a safe and successful hunt, applicants must meet specific requirements. They must be at least 16 years old, and only Arkansas residents are eligible to apply. Additionally, those with 18 or more AGFC violation points are not allowed to apply. Each permit holder can have up to three assistants accompany them during the hunt, but only the permit holder is authorized to snare, harpoon, and dispatch the alligator.
The permit application period begins at 8 a.m. on June 15 and is open until 11:59 p.m. on June 30. All applicants must complete an online alligator hunt orientation before they embark on their hunting expedition. This orientation covers essential guidelines and frequently asked questions about the hunt.
Key Dates and Information for the 2024 Season
- Application Period: 8 a.m. June 15 – 11:59 p.m. June 30
- Hunting Season Dates: September 20-23 and September 27-30
- Hunt Times: 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise
- Minimum Alligator Length: 4 feet
- Background Check: Required for Yellow Lake permit at Pine Bluff Arsenal
- Private Land Hunting: Available in Alligator Zones 1, 2, and 3 until the quota is met
