LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Hunters in Arkansas nearly reached a record harvest of alligators this year, hauling more than 180 this hunting season.
Officials with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said 181 alligators were harvested, falling short of last year’s record of 202.
More than 1,000 deer harvested during the first Arkansas early buck hunt
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission herpetologist Amanda Bryant said this year had a higher-than-normal success rate. She also noted that Hurricane Helene may have encouraged hunters to check an alligator earlier during the season.
“Most unfilled alligator tags are because people hold out for a larger alligator than what they’re seeing, but maybe some of the forecasted rain had people more willing to take a little smaller alligator,” Bryant said. “Then the last weekend turned out pretty nice after all, and we continued to see decent numbers taken throughout the end of the season.”
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Chris Ryall shared this image of his 10-foot, 9-inch alligator taken in Alligator Management Zone 3. Photo courtesy Chris Ryall. -
Cody Gourley and his uncle, Jason Mitchell, took the largest alligator of the 2024 hunting season, this 12-foot, 6-inch Millwood Lake monster. Photo courtesy Cody Gourley.
