The American alligator must be hunted according to specific guidelines. Guidelines are essential to protect the species, its habitat and the economic value it brings to a given area, such as Texas. Texas has established a hunting season and regulations pertaining to hunting alligators. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department oversees compliance with alligator hunting in Texas.
Alligator hunting has not always been legal in Texas. Gators were considered an endangered species from 1967 until 1987, so Texas prohibited all alligator hunting from 1969 until 1984. In 1984, alligator hunting was allowed again under strict regulations. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service continues to list the American alligator as a threatened species. This listing is due to the resemblance of the American alligator and the American crocodile.
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, lawful alligator hunting time frames vary by county. As of 2010, Sept. 10 through Sept. 30 is open season on properties for which the owner has received hide tags and the following counties (core counties): Angelina, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Galveston, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Refugio, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler and Victoria. April 1 through June 30 is open season for all non-listed counties (non-core counties).
Until 2005, an alligator-specific hunting license existed in Texas. As of 2010, hunting alligator in Texas requires a valid general Texas hunting license. Any type of hunting license is sufficient except the non-resident spring turkey license and the non-resident banded bird hunting license.
Limitations exist regarding the number of alligators that can be hunted during each season. One alligator per hide tag may be killed in a core county. Unused hide tags must be returned to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at the end of open season. One alligator per person may be killed in a non-core county.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department collects reports on all alligators killed in Texas. A hide tag or Wildlife Resource Document must be attached to each alligator. An alligator hide tag report must be mailed to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Killing an alligator as an act of self-defense or to defend other people, livestock, or pets is permissible. The person or animal being protected must be in a direct line of danger at the time the alligator is killed. Alligators killed as an act of defense must be reported to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
