Got Gator?

The 2011 alligator hunting season is just around the corner and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will allow lottery hunts on 22 public lakes, including several in northwest Louisiana, this fall.

The Louisiana alligator season is expected to run from Aug. 31 through Oct. 6, although dates may vary by Wildlife Management Area and/or public lake. The successful lottery hunters will be notified of the actual date when they are officially selected.

Hunts will be allowed on four Coastal & Nongame Resources Division Wildlife Management Areas and 13 Wildlife Division WMAs in addition to the public lakes.

Among the area lakes are Lake Bistineau in Webster, Bossier and Bienville parishes; Wallace Lake in Caddo Parish; Black/Cypress Lake in Bossier Parish; Cross Lake in Caddo Parish; Kepler Lake in Bienville Parish; Caddo Lake in Caddo Parish; and Black Lake in Natchitoches Parish.

Interested hunters can print an application from LDWF’s website atwww.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/lottery-hunts or request an application by phone for CNR Division WMAs at (337) 373-0032 or Wildlife Division WMAs and public lakes at (225) 765-2346.

To assist applicants in selecting specific WMAs/public lakes, LDWF has posted the percentage of lottery alligator harvest applicants selected in 2010 by WMA or public lake on its website at wlf.louisiana.gov/lottery-alligator-harvest-program.

Applications and non-refundable application fees ($5) must be submitted to the address indicated on corresponding applications and be postmarked by July 8.

Applicants must be a legal Louisiana resident and 16 years of age or older. All successful applicants will be required to purchase an alligator hunting license ($25). Successful applicants for WMAs will be required to submit payments ($40) for each alligator tag allocated. All applicants meeting the application requirements will be entered into a randomized computer drawing, which will take place in August 2011. Selected hunters will be notified by mail.

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