Alligator hunters snap up permits

In less than four hours, all of the state's 4,406 alligator hunt permits were issued to 2,155 hunters wanting to experience alligator hunting.

Despite a computer glitch that blocked permit sales for about an hour, permits sold out between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., June 15.

"This marks one of the few times hunters have gobbled up all available permits since the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) began offering statewide alligator hunts in 1988," said FWC representative Tony Young.

The FWC issues permits on a first-come, first-served basis. Last year, the FWC issued only about 2,800 of the 4,300 available permits because of a shortage of applicants.

During its February meeting, the FWC decided to give hunters more flexibility in scheduling their hunts and it voted to extend the length of the alligator hunting season. Also, unlike alligator hunts in previous years when hunters could purchase only one permit, the FWC offered 2006 hunters the option of buying multiple permits.

This year's season will include 41 additional hunt days and will run Aug. 15 through Nov. 1.

For more information on alligator hunting, visit MyFWC.com/gators and click on "Statewide Hunts."