Applications increasing for gator lotto

W&F accepting apps for 10 slots for Salvador/Timpkin area

It was only a few years ago when anyone that applied for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries annual “alligator lottery” was a virtual lock to be chosen.

But, “it’s gotten more popular,” said Shane Granier, biologist manager of the management areas in southeastern St. Charles Parish. “Have we hit the ceiling? I don’t know.”

Ten applicants per year are chosen for the lottery locally for the Salvador/Timpkin area, which are aimed at addressing the public’s desire to hunt and harvest a few alligators without impacting the commercial harvest.

The program, which began in 2010, has typically averaged between 40 to 80 applicants in recent years, a change from its initial days.

“More people know about it now,” Granier said. “(Interest has) steadily crept up. The department was getting a good bit of public interest in gator hunting, so the lottery was instituted in an attempt to accommodate that.”

Granier said that all applicants meeting requirements will be entered into a randomized computer drawing.

Selected hunters will be notified by mail.

For Salvador/Timpkin applicants, 30 tags will be distributed among 10 people (each of the 10 people are allowed to harvest up to three alligators).

With the lottery, LDWF will select eligible alligator hunters that will be allowed to target five coastal and nongame resources division management areas, 15 wildlife division WMAs, one U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property and 25 public lakes for the 2015 alligator harvest season.

The number of tags allotted is calculated, Granier said, according to what percentage of alligators it is determined can be eliminated from the commercial harvest without causing a problem.

Granier said he expects more people will apply than last year.

“The more accessible areas get more interest,” he added.As far as where each hunter is allowed to roam, Granier said it varies by the area.

“The areas I manage, we let them hunt anywhere on the WMA,” Granier said. “Some managers issue specific areas to people. The first guy gets this (area), and the next one gets this.

We let them have free reign … most of the time, they spread out on their own and that negates any kind of distance problem.”

Interested participants may print out an application from LDWF’s website at www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/lottery-hunts or request an application by phone for CNR Division WMAs at (337) 373-0032 or Wildlife Division WMAs and public lakes at (225) 765-2346.Applications must be completed and returned to Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, WMA Lottery Alligator Harvest, 2415 Darnall Road, New Iberia, LA 70560. The random drawing will be completed by August. Applicants must be a legal Louisiana resident, at least 16 years of age. A non-refundable fee of $5 will be charged to all applicants.

 

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