MS alligator hunting season begins. Here’s what to know, how it works
The much anticipated alligator hunting season begins Friday, Aug. 29 in Mississippi.
There are more than 30,000 gators in the Magnolia state and the average length is typically larger than gators found in other states, according to WorldAtlas.
The hunting season goes through noon Sept. 8 for public waters and 6 a.m. Sept. 22 for private lands, according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
Here’s what you need to know about hunting alligators this season in Mississippi.
Who needs a MS hunting license?
Alligator hunting licenses are mandatory for each person above 15 years of age, according to the MDWF.
The licenses cost $25 and can be purchased at any location that sells Mississippi hunting and fishing licenses, online or at 1-900-5GO-HUNT.
Hunters who were drawn for a public water permit or hunters with a private lands harvest voucher are also required to get an alligator possession permit which ranges between $100 and $200.
To get an alligator license, a person has to already have a hunting/fishing type license, according to MDWF.
How to legally capture a gator
Use bait and baited hooks to capture alligators in Mississippi, according to MDWF. Here’s a list of legal methods of capture:
- Snatch hooks
- Harpoon
- Snare
- Bowfishing equipment
Firearm use is also allowed but limited to specific capture rules which can be found in the MDWF’s 2025 Alligator Hunting Guide.
Other gator hunting rules
- Hunters must submit a harvest report and survey to the MDWF’s website within 24 hours of harvest.
- Even if a permitted hunter did not harvest or participate in the hunting season, they are still required to fill out the report which is due 24 hours after the season closes.
- Tagging is required immediately when a gator is harvested.
- Hunters must know zone boundaries and private land restrictions.
Public waters alligator hunting records for 2024
- Longest male: 14 ft. 3 in.
- Heaviest male: 822 pounds
- Longest female: 11 ft. ¾ in.
- Heaviest female: 324 pounds
Private lands alligator hunting records for 2024
- Longest male: 14 ft. ¼ in.
- Heaviest male: 826 pounds
- Longest female: 10 ft. ½ in.
- Heaviest female: 283 pounds
