Gator hunting is allowed in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina–and now Georgia’s getting in on the action with its first-ever recreational season starting Sept. 13. The state has a meager alligator population of about 200,000, so only 180 lucky hunters got a permit–more than 2,000 people applied–which allows them to catch one reptile during the two-week open season. Laws vary by state, but you can’t shoot a free-swimming gator–you have to catch it before killing it. “You don’t want zinging bullets around,” says Walt Rhodes, South Carolina alligator-project supervisor. “They tend to skip.”
The rationale behind permitting the practice doesn’t stem solely from the desire to keep gators at bay. They can mean big business. In Louisiana, the state economic impact from hide trading, meat and swamp tours totals about $54 million a year. The Department of Natural Resources’ budget is based on the number of licenses sold. Hate to say it, but later, gators.
