TALLAHASSEE Alligator hunts could be made a 24/7 effort under a proposal before Florida wildlife commissioners.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be reviewing a staff proposal on March 2. It would expand the hours of alligator hunting at most locations to 24 from the current 17:05 p.m. and 10 a.m.
George Warthen, the commissioners director of hunting, and game management, stated in a memo that proposed rule modifications would allow for greater flexibility and more opportunity for participants in alligator harvest programs across the state.
Since 1988, when harvest permits and alligator trapping licenses were issued, the hours of hunting have been gradually extended.
A presentation by staff to the Tampa Convention Center for the upcoming commission meeting said that the extra hours would eliminate concerns over being unable or unable bring in hooked alligators after the 10 a.m. cutoff. According to the commission staff, the extra hours would give hunters more flexibility when scheduling trips and make it easier for seniors and young hunters to hunt during the day.
According to the commission, more than 7,000 people gave feedback through webinars, workshops, and surveys. The majority of them were supportive. However, concerns were raised that the 24-hour proposal could conflict with other outdoor activities like duck hunting and bass fishing.
The staff presentation stated that they have evaluated these concerns and believe that they can be mitigated by additional planning and outreach. Alligator hunters are reminded to be kind to one another and to share space. We also remind them to minimize negative impacts on other users or residents.
Staff members also request that hunters can use pre-charged pneumatic airbows with attached lines.
One common misconception about the proposed rule change is that it could kill an alligator. Instead, the alligator hunter would be using the airbow to secure a line to the animal in order to gain control.
The state allows crossbows, bows and snatch hooks to be used with tethered lines. According to the presentation, airbows were not available commercially when the state updated its alligator harvesting methods.
The commission will not be able to finalize the proposals until May.
The commissions approach to managing Florida’s estimated 1.5 million alligators is to include the hunting season. This runs from Aug. 15 through Nov. 1.
Jim Turner, News Service of Florida