Lafayette, LA – At its monthly meeting held on February 6 in New Orleans, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) approved a Notice of Intent (NOI) to extend the wild alligator hunting season through December 31. The proposed extension would affect both the East and West zones of the state, offering hunters an increased opportunity for harvest.
Currently, the alligator hunting season in Louisiana lasts for 60 days. Under the new proposal, the season would be extended to run from the last Wednesday in August until December 31 in the East Zone, and from the first Wednesday in September until December 31 in the West Zone. The extension aims to increase the harvest period for wild alligators, providing hunters with more flexibility and time to participate in the hunt.
The LWFC’s decision was met with interest from both wildlife enthusiasts and alligator hunters. The extension would offer a longer window for harvesting alligators, which could have economic and ecological impacts on the state’s alligator industry and local ecosystems.
As part of the approval process, the public will be able to submit comments on the proposed changes. Public comment on the NOI will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on May 1, 2025. Those wishing to share their opinions can submit their comments by email to Jeb Linscombe at [email protected], by phone at 337-735-8671, or by mail to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), 200 Dulles Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506.
For further details on the full Notice of Intent, the public can visit the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website, where the document is available under the “Commission Action Items” section.
The final decision on the season extension will be made following the review of public comments and any necessary adjustments based on feedback.