East zone begins Aug. 28, West zone starts Sept. 4
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries plans to issue more than 38,000 alligator tags to licensed hunters through Sept. 4, according to a press release.
The department estimates more than 34,000 gators will be harvested in the 2013 season, which opens Aug. 28 in the East zone and on Sept. 4 in the West zone.
According to the release, harvested alligators will range from 4- to 12-feet in length, with an average size of 7 feet, 6 inches.
“There is good demand for alligator skins and meat, and we expect to see a good harvest season with prices at least equal to last year’s average of $23.50 per foot,” said LDWF Alligator Program Manager Noel Kinler. “We will issue an estimated 3,000 licenses to Louisiana residents and over 500 to non-resident sport hunters.”
