Avoyelles hunters take note:

Gator Lottery open, bigger season may be coming

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is now accepting applications for the 2026 Lottery Alligator Harvest Program, giving hunters across the state — including those in Avoyelles Parish — a chance to participate in this year’s controlled alligator harvest.

Applications are open through June 15, with local hunting opportunities available at Grassy Lake, Spring Bayou, and Pomme de Terre Wildlife Management Areas.

To apply, individuals must use the state’s online lottery system. A $5 non-refundable application fee and a $3.50 transaction fee are required.

Applicants must be Louisiana residents and at least 16 years old. Only one application is allowed per person, though hunters may select up to three preferred locations.

Those selected through the drawing must purchase a $25 resident alligator hunting license and pay $40 per alligator tag issued. State regulations require harvested alligators to be tagged immediately, with hunters responsible for checking lines daily and removing all bait and equipment at the end of the season.

New bill could expand hunting opportunities

At the same time, Louisiana lawmakers are moving toward expanding alligator hunting opportunities beyond the current lottery system.

Legislation authored by Robert L. Allain III, Senate Bill 244, has passed unanimously through both the House and Senate and is awaiting the governor’s signature. If signed into law, the measure would establish the state’s first official recreational alligator hunting season.

Supporters say the effort is aimed at addressing Louisiana’s growing alligator population, which is estimated to exceed 3 million.

“We have a population problem with over 3 million alligators today,” Allain said during discussion of the bill. “If you drive down Highway 70, you can see how many dead alligators are on the side of the road.”

The proposal would allow the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to set final rules for the new season, including selecting approximately 5,000 hunters each year through a lottery system. Each hunter would be limited to harvesting two alligators using hook-and-line methods from land.

Advocacy group Hunter Nation praised the bill’s passage, calling it a major step toward responsible wildlife management and expanded outdoor opportunities.

What’s the Difference?

While both involve lotteries, officials note the current LDWF program and the proposed recreational season are not the same.

The existing Lottery Alligator Harvest Program is a controlled, location-specific system tied to designated Wildlife Management Areas, with strict quotas and site-based regulations already in place.

The proposed recreational season under SB244 would create a broader, statewide opportunity, still regulated, but designed to allow more public participation each year under a structured system.

For now, the 2026 lottery currently open to applicants remains unchanged, and hunters must apply before the June deadline.