By Heather Ruppe
The number of tags issued is 1,000. That’s from 9,152 applicants
The tags were issued randomly through a computerized public alligator lottery, which was held in early July through the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (S.C. DNR).
Hopeful hunters paid a $10 application fee to get their name into the lottery. Those who won can now take to the state’s many public waterways in search of their big one: alligator hunting season starts statewide this year at noon on Sept. 10th and runs through noon on Oct. 8th.
During this time, hunters with the approved gator tags can harvest alligators from public waters. Alligator hunting is highly regulated in the Palmetto State, especially as SCDNR is monitoring the state’s alligator population.
“The SCDNR will closely monitor these hunts, and the harvest and regulations may be modified for future seasons,” according to information provided by S.C. DNR spokespeople. For information on alligator hunting, visit the S.C. DNR Web site at www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/alligator/index.html.
Alligator Hunting Regulations
All hunters must have a hunting license and an alligator tag
A big game permit is not required for alligator hunts.
Gator hunting is allowed any of the time of the day or night, after the start of the season.
Harvested gators must be at least 4-foot-long
Hunters cannot shoot unsecured alligators on public or private land
The gator must first be attached to a line or snare before being brought to shore or alongside a boat.
Bait or set hooks are not allowed in alligator hunts
