AUSTIN, Texas (RFD-TV) — Texas wildlife officials are considering expanding alligator hunting opportunities as populations increase and fewer hunters participate in the annual harvest.
According to Chron, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is proposing to extend the hunting season in 22 Southeast Texas counties from 20 to 61 days, running from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31.
The proposal would also allow nighttime hunting on private property and expand the equipment hunters can use. State officials say annual alligator harvests have fallen from more than 10,000 in the late 1980s and early 1990s to roughly 2,000 to 3,000 today, largely because of changes in the commercial meat and hide markets.
The changes could give landowners more flexibility in managing alligators, particularly around rice and crawfish farms where the animals can interfere with operations.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission is considering opening the proposal for public comment. The changes have not received final approval.
