It’s Alligator Hunting Season
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When I lived in the DC suburbs, deer hunting season was a pretty popular time of year. Once I went to college out in West Virginia, I became aware of the various hunting seasons: deer, turkey, quail, squirrel, rabbit, and so on.
But, it was not until I moved to Florida that I became aware of Alligator Hunting Season, which runs from August 15 through November 1.
Yes, beginning tomorrow, June 3, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will start selling alligator hunting permits. Hurry though, there are only about 4,500, they will be sold on a first come, first served basis – and sales end on June 9.
Each permit allows you two kills and only one permit will be issued per person. The permits can be pricey, especially if you live out of state – Florida residents pay $271.50 per permit and nonresidents pay $1,021.50.
I’m not in a position where I can actually imagine a good reason to purchase a permit. I know that if you have a pesky alligator on your property, there are trappers who can come take it away for you, and state officials can destroy them if they are a threat. Since you can only kill two gators per license, it is not like you can use your license to hunt enough alligators to stock a restaurant.
Perhaps it is a trophy issue.
Of course, die hard trophy hunters will find a way around the law. I just found a website that says they will guide you on an alligator trophy hunt where you’ll take home the hide and 10 pounds of meet – all for up to $6,000.00 in fees to their company. They ask their customers, “Why hunt in over hunted private lands?” Instead, they are selling the excitement of hunting year-round in open waterways. Apparently, they can do so, because the guy is a licensed Nuisance Alligator trapper with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
I had no idea.
I’m not a bleeding heart liberal, animal activist type. Nonetheless, I am uncomfortable with the concept of trophy hunting. When I think about the people who live in rural areas and hunt for food, I feel OK with it, though.
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