JACKSON - Over 1,100 permitted hunters and their guests recently attended MDWFP's mandatory alligator training courses to prepare for the permitted alligator hunts on public waterways and private lands in 2012.  These mandatory courses, held at Jones County Junior College, Delta State University, and Roosevelt State Park were led by MDWFP biologists and conservation officers.  Course topics included alligator ecology, research projects, legal capture and dispatching methods, skinning and processing, proper documentation, and boating safety.

There are 6 public water hunting zones in 2012; for detailed descriptions of these zones, please visit our website referenced below.

The public water alligator hunting season will open at 12:00 p.m. on September 7 and conclude at 6:00 a.m. on September 17.  The private land alligator hunting season will open at 12:00 noon on September 7 and conclude at 6:00 a.m. on October 1. There are 100 private properties among 28 open counties that qualified for private lands alligator hunting permits.  Hunters are required to tag all harvested alligators and conduct a mandatory harvest report.