Alligator Hunting Applications Deadline is July 15

    JACKSON – The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks will began accepting applications July 1 for the 2008 Mississippi Alligator Hunting Season. July 15 is the deadline for applications. There are two zones open to limited alligator hunting opportunities: the Pearl River/Ross Barnett Reservoir Zone near Jackson, and the Pascagoula River Zone in Jackson County.  Each zone has 2, 2-day hunting seasons.  The Pearl River/Ross Barnett Zone‚s season dates are September 12-13 and Sept. 19-20.  The Pascagoula River Zone‚s season dates are September 26-27 and October 3-4.  Hunting hours are restricted to 6 PM until 4 AM each day.

    There are a total of 240 permits available, 120 permits for each zone.  Only Mississippi residents 16 years of age or older may apply.  There is a $7.29 fee for each application.  Applicants must select their weekend of preference and may only apply once for each zone.  Applicants will be selected by random computer drawing.  Selected applicants will be notified by mail.  All selected applicants must attend a mandatory Mississippi Alligator Hunting Training Course, or have previously attended, to participate in any alligator hunts.  There are 2 scheduled training courses: Jackson, MS (Hinds County) ˆ August 9 and Wade, MS (Jackson County) ˆ August 16.

    Interested persons may only apply electronically by 3 sources; (1) in person at any POS license terminal (any location that sells MS hunting/fishing licenses), (2) on-line at www.mdwfp.com, or (3) by calling 1-800-5GO-HUNT.

    For more information on alligator hunting opportunities in Mississippi go to www.mdwfp.com/alligator.