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2026-27 WRD guide
Georgia American Alligator Hunting
Alligators are hunted by quota permit only; applications run June 1-July 15 and the 2026 season ran from sunset Aug 14 to sunrise Oct 5, 2026. From the first opener to the last day, the 2026-27 alligator rules in one place.
Photo: NPS Photo (Public domain)
Each permit is good for one alligator of at least 48 inches, or 96 inches in Zone 1A on Lake Walter F. George. In 2024, WRD issued 1,030 permits and hunters took 408 alligators averaging 104 inches; the longest was 164 inches. Georgia files the alligator under small game for regulatory purposes, and it may be hunted day or night.
American Alligator in brief
- How: Hand-held ropes or snares, snatch hooks, harpoons, gigs or arrows with restraining line; dispatch with handgun, bangstick or by severing spinal cord. Day or night.
- Notes: Quota permit only (apply June 1-July 15). 2026 season Aug. 14 (sunset)-Oct. 5 (sunrise). Georgia classes alligator as small game for regulatory purposes.
American Alligator limits for 2026-27
Quick figures first, then the limit text as the guide prints it.
American alligator
1 alligator per quota permit holder; 48 in.+ total length in Zones 1-9; 96 in.+ in Zone 1A (Lake Walter F. George).
Georgia alligator seasons, 2026-27
WRD’s 2026-27 dates for alligators, 1 line in all; zone names link to their own pages.
| Season | Where | Opens | Closes | Days | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quota hunt (2026 season) | Alligator zones 1-9, 1A, 8A (quota permit holders only) | Aug 14, 2026 | Oct 5, 2026 | 53 |
American Alligator season fine print
- Opens at sunset Aug. 14, 2026 and closes at sunrise Oct. 5, 2026; day or night hunting. 1 alligator per permit, 48 in.+ (96 in.+ in Zone 1A, Lake Walter F. George). Application June 1-July 15.
From the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division 2026-27 season page and the 2026-27 guide (PDF), checked October 13, 2026.
Alligator hunt zones
Each zone row lists its counties, map quota and the 2024 take.
These quotas date from the July 2023 zone map and may not match 2026.
WRD alligator page, zone and quota map (rev. July 2023), 2024 season report, checked October 13, 2026.
American Alligator harvest trend in Georgia
Permits, harvest and lengths from WRD’s alligator season reports.
| Year | Permits | Harvested | Avg length, in. | Longest, in. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,030 | 408 | 104 | 164 |
| 2023 | 1,030 | 471 | 104 | 162 |
| 2022 | 1,030 | 390 | 99 | 142 |
| 2021 | 1,030 | 391 | 98 | see note |
| 2020 | 1,030 | 372 | 102 | 164 |
| 2019 | 1,000 | 326 | 104 | 169.75 |
| 2018 | 1,000 | 278 | 103 | 162 |
| 2017 | 1,000 | 194 | 104 | 161 |
| 2016 | 1,000 | 248 | 101 | 162 |
| 2015 | 1,121 | 326 | 102 | 169 |
2024: 1,030 permits, 408 harvested, successful hunters averaged 3.3 days and 2.2 assistants. 2021 report is preliminary (Nov. 8, 2021).
Harvest data: WRD harvest summaries, 2024 report. As published by WRD, checked October 13, 2026.
American Alligator public hunting areas
Alligators are on the game list of 8 areas, sorted here by size.
| Area | Kind | Counties | Region | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altamaha WMA | Wildlife Management Area | McIntosh | Brunswick | 31,569 |
| Savannah National Wildlife Refuge | National Wildlife Refuge | Effingham, Chatham | Fitzgerald | 30,715 |
| Ocmulgee WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Bleckley, Pulaski, Twiggs | Fitzgerald | 15,475 |
| Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge | National Wildlife Refuge | Lanier | Brunswick | 4,049 |
| Flat Creek PFA | Public Fishing Area | Houston | Thomson | 850 |
| Dodge County PFA | Public Fishing Area | Dodge | Fitzgerald | 444 |
| Evans County PFA | Public Fishing Area | Evans | Fitzgerald | 400 |
| Walter F. George Lake | Corps of Engineers Lake | Clay, Quitman | Albany | – |
Areas and species lists from WRD’s 2026-27 area listings, the WRD WMA layers and federal managers, retrieved 2026-10-13. Harvest by area from WRD Game Check.
American Alligator regulations beyond the limit
Rules for alligators, with license prices as listed on October 13, 2026.
License list
| License | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator harvest permit | $75.00 | $250.00 |
| Hunting License | $15.00 | $100.00 |
| Harvest Record | Free | Free |
Hours
Alligators may be taken at night as well as by day during the quota season.
Wearing orange
The guide’s orange rule does not list alligators.
Baiting law
Hunting alligators within 200 yards of bait, or for 10 days after the bait is gone, is not allowed.
Game Check
Alligators must be logged on the free Harvest Record before you move the animal, then reported through Georgia Game Check within 24 hours.
Hunting on Sunday
Statewide alligator dates include Sundays.
CITES tag and reporting
CITES tag mailed with permit; lock through the skin within 6 in. of the tail tip; stays on until hide is tanned, mounted or exported. Report via Game Check within 24 hours.
Permit fee
$75.00 resident, $250.00 nonresident; only hunters drawn in the quota. Only for hunters selected in the alligator quota draw.
Quota application fraud
False information or more than one alligator application: disqualification and possible exclusion from future hunts for 2 years.
From the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division 2026-27 guide, licenses and fees and hunting information, checked October 13, 2026. Georgia hunting laws · License guide.
Legal weapons for alligators in Georgia
Legal and prohibited equipment for alligators, season by season.
| Season or group | Legal | Not legal |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator | Hand-held ropes or snares, snatch hooks, harpoons, gigs or arrows with restraining line attached; restrained alligators dispatched with any caliber handgun or bangstick, or by severing the spinal cord. | Taking an unrestrained alligator with a firearm (not listed). |
Method rules for alligator hunters
Night hunting
Alligators, raccoons, opossums, foxes, coyotes, bobcats and feral hogs may be hunted at night; lights for raccoon/opossum/fox/bobcat carried on body, hat/helmet or belt. No night hunting of hogs or coyotes on WMAs/National Forests.
Harvest Record and Georgia Game Check
Alligator, bear, deer and turkey hunters need a current free Harvest Record; record date and county before moving the animal; report through Georgia Game Check within 24 hours (app, online, 1-800-366-2661). Bears must also be presented for tagging by zone; alligators carry a CITES tag.
Sale of game
Unlawful to sell or buy game or parts, except antlers, hides and tails of legal deer, squirrel tails, hides of legally trapped furbearers and legal alligator products.
Vehicles, boats and aircraft
Unlawful to hunt from a vehicle, plane, or boat under power; unlawful to hunt or shoot from or across a public road or discharge a firearm within 50 yards of a public road.
2026-27 guide (PDF) and the hunting information page, checked October 13, 2026.
American Alligator country hunting kit
Matched to the species on this page.
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Asked about alligators in Georgia
How do I get an alligator tag in Georgia?
Apply for the quota hunt at Go Outdoors Georgia, June 1-July 15, in groups of up to 3. Drawn hunters buy the harvest permit ($75.00 resident, $250.00 nonresident).
How long must a Georgia alligator be?
1 alligator per quota permit holder; 48 in.+ total length in Zones 1-9; 96 in.+ in Zone 1A (Lake Walter F. George).
Can I shoot an alligator with a rifle?
Hand-held ropes or snares, snatch hooks, harpoons, gigs or arrows with restraining line attached; restrained alligators dispatched with any caliber handgun or bangstick, or by severing the spinal cord.
How many alligators are taken in Georgia each year?
Between 2003 and 2024, the yearly harvest ranged from 72 to 471.
What guns are legal for alligators in Georgia?
Alligator: Hand-held ropes or snares, snatch hooks, harpoons, gigs or arrows with restraining line attached; restrained alligators dispatched with any caliber handgun or bangstick, or by severing the spinal cord.
What are the 2026-27 Georgia dates for alligators?
For alligators: quota hunt (2026 season) Aug 14 to Oct 5, 2026 (Alligator zones 1-9, 1A, 8A (quota permit holders only)).
What is the alligator limit in Georgia?
1 alligator per quota permit holder; 48 in.+ total length in Zones 1-9; 96 in.+ in Zone 1A (Lake Walter F. George).
What does it cost to hunt alligators in Georgia?
Buy, as it applies to alligators: Alligator harvest permit ($75.00); Hunting License ($15.00); Harvest Record (Free).
Is there public land for alligators in Georgia?
Altamaha WMA, Savannah National Wildlife Refuge and Ocmulgee WMA lead a list of 8.
How late can I hunt alligators?
Alligators may be taken at night as well as by day during the quota season.
Must I wear orange for alligators?
The guide’s orange rule does not list alligators.
Can I use feed or corn for alligators?
Hunting alligators within 200 yards of bait, or for 10 days after the bait is gone, is not allowed.
Are Sundays open for alligators?
Statewide alligator dates include Sundays.
Heading out after alligators
Dates and limits here match the 2026-27 guide as of October 13, 2026; WRD can change them, so check the season page before a alligator hunt.
Other photos on this page: gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K (CC BY 2.0); vanhookc (CC BY-SA 2.0); Flappy Pigeon (CC BY-SA 4.0); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain); Charles Patrick Ewing (CC BY 2.0); USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0).