Hunting Alligators in MS

Recently, The Vicksburg Post had an article about Mississippi's first hunting season on private land for alligator hunting. It said at least 16 alligators were harvested in four of the seven counties that were eligible. The numbers could increase as nearly one-quarter of those who participated have missed the deadline to report kills. Ricky Flynt, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Alligator Program coordinator, said that he hesitated to say if the hunt was a success or not until they have the final results, but he can say those who participated have all said they were very satisfied with the opportunity to participate in the hunt and how it was conducted.

Of the 49 permits made available for the one-week season that ended October 4, 43 were sold in Warren (Vicksburg), Issaquena, Yazoo (Christmas Place), Hinds, Holmes, Madison and Rankin counties. Participants were required to submit their reports by October 11. All but nine permit holders had not submitted their reports.

"The information is very important to us, and we need it to evaluate the hunt so we can decide how we're going to expand it," he said, noting even those hunters who did not harvest any alligators are required to submit a report.

Those who have not met the deadline to submit their hunting report may face penalties, Flynt added. Alligators harvested in Warren, Issaquena, Hinds and Rankin counties ranged in length from 5-feet, 6-inches to 12-feet, 10-inches.

"I feel certain there were more alligators harvested that haven't been reported yet," he said. "Some of those who did not harvest any alligators did catch some and release the. They wanted to kill the BIG one."

The first alligator hunting season on public waters in MS took place in 2005, and it has been expanded each year since to award more permits and include more eligible waters. Alligator hunting on public land is legal only in two parts of MS, defined as the Pearl River/Ross Barnett and Pascagoula River zones. Of 214 permits sold for the public land hunt this year, 120 alligators were harvested.

State records for both length and weight were broken during this year's private land hunt. Jack Hamilton of Moss Point bagged a 13-foot, 6.5-inch alligator, while Justin Vandevender of Diamondhead caught an alligator measuring more than 13 feet and weighing 636 lbs.

Eligibility for the private hunt is controlled by requiring applicants to have rights on minimum land and water parcels and to attend pre-hunt training sessions. Alligators remain a protected species.

It's been reported that an alligator was sited over at the famous Christmas Place Plantation and Hunting Club's lake. You can vote as to what you would do to catch this problem alligator on their private land in the great wild outdoors! No permits required!!!