The Louisiana
Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved two separate notices
of intent concerning alligator regulations at their Dec. 7
meeting.
The first
notice of intent dealt with the return rate and release length
for farm-raised alligators. The notice of intent changes the
minimum return rate of farm-raised alligators to the wild
from at least 14 percent to 12 percent at 48 inches total
length. Each alligator shall be returned to the original egg
collection area within a maximum time of two years from the
date of hatching.
The notice
of intent also changes the release length of farm-raised alligators
from a maximum of 60 inches to 54 inches and keeps the 36-inch
minimum. Credit will not be given for inches above 54; however,
each farmer will be allowed to return a maximum of 5 percent
of their total release due in any given year in the size range
of 55 to 60 inches total length. No alligator over 60 inches
will be accepted for release. Female alligators should make
up at least 50 percent of the returned sex ratio.
The second
notice of intent included firearm usage for the take of wild
alligators, application requirements for wild alligator harvest
tags and extra time allowed for alligator farmers for tagging
farm raised alligator skins. It additionally would establish
East and West Alligator Hunting Zones, set up wild season
opening dates and require alligator farmers and dealers to
provide belly width measurements on farm raised alligator
skins. Details on this proposal include:
- Prohibiting
the use of shotguns while hunting or taking wild alligators,
except as authorized by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries for the taking of nuisance alligators by nuisance
alligator hunters.
- Requiring
land managers and hunters to carry a signed document from
the landowner verifying their selection to represent the
landowner and the total acreage represented to obtain alligator
hide tags. Currently a notarized documentation is required.
- Allowing
alligator farmers to have seven days to process farm raised
alligators before applying the Convention of International
Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) harvest tags to the
farm alligator skins. However, during the time frame of
the open wild season, farmers would still be required to
tag their farm raised alligator skins within 48 hours of
harvest. This same time frame would apply to farm raised
alligator that die unexpectedly on an alligator farm.
- Establishing
East and West Alligator Hunting Zones to be divided by the
following boundary: beginning at the southwestern most part
of Point Au Fer Island thence north along the western boundary
of Terrebonne Parish to the Atchfalaya River, thence north
along the Atchafalaya River to the East Atchafalaya Protection
Levee, thence north along the East Atchafalaya Protection
Levee to Interstate 10, thence east along I-10 to Interstate
12, thence east along I-12 to Interstate 55, thence north
along I-55 to the Mississippi state line. The season for
taking wild alligators shall open on the last Wednesday
of August In the East Zone and the first Wednesday of September
in the West Zone. Each zone will remain open for 30 days
after the start.
- Requiring
Farm-raised alligator skins report requirements to include
the total belly width in centimeters.
Public
comment on these notices of intent can be submitted to Philip
Bowman, Fur and Refuge Division, Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries, Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000, prior
to Feb. 1, 2007.
