The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will continue to accept bids for alligator hunting on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) properties and state wildlife refuges for the 2016-2018 alligator harvest seasons through June 15. 

Eligible alligator hunters are chosen through a bid system every three years on selected WMAs/USACE/refuges properties. 

Bids for alligator hunting will be solicited for the following WMAs/USACE/refuge properties: Grassy Lake, Spring Bayou, and Pomme de Terre (Avoyelles Parish), Attakapas (Iberia, St. Martin and St. Mary parishes), Sherburne - USACE lands (Iberville, Pointe Coupee and St. Martin parishes), Dewey W. Wills (La Salle and Catahoula parishes), Manchac (St. John Parish), Pearl River - North of Interstate 10,  Pearl River - Between Interstate 10 and U.S. Hwy 90 and Pearl River - South of U.S. Hwy 90 (St. Tammany Parish), Joyce (Tangipahoa Parish), Maurepas Swamp (St. John, St. James, Ascension, Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes), Indian Bayou - USACE property (St. Landry and St. Martin parishes), Atchafalaya Delta (St. Mary Parish), Pointe-aux-Chenes (Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes), Salvador (St. Charles Parish), Pass-a-Loutre (Plaquemines Parish) and St. Tammany Refuge (St. Tammany Parish). 

A total of 30 alligator hunting opportunities are available for bid on one refuge, 13 WMAs and two USACE properties. The number of alligator tags that will be issued to successful bidders in 2016 will range from 10-90 tags depending on the area awarded.  For specific details on the number of alligator hunter opportunities and tags available by area, please see the public notice or bid application notification.  

Interested participants may review and print out the public notice and bid application notifications and forms from LDWF’s website at www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife/alligator-hunting or request by phone at the phone numbers below or request in writing from Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 2016-2018 WMA Alligator Harvest Bids, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, La. 70898-9000. 

For more information, please call the appropriate LDWF office (Hammond 985-543-4777, Opelousas 337-948-0255, New Iberia 337-373-0032, New Orleans 504-284-5264) or send e-mail to LAalligatorprogram@wlf.la.gov. 

NO guiding/outfitting activities for sport alligator hunting will be allowed while conducting alligator harvest activities on WMAs/USACE/refuge properties.  Selected hunters will not be allowed to participate in any television or reality show production.  Any video activity must be specifically approved by the alligator program manager. 

An individual can apply and bid on more than one WMA/USACE/refuge property but will only be selected for one WMA/USACE/refuge property.  Bidders applying for more than one area must fill out individual applications for each WMA/USACE/refuge property. Only one winner allowed per household. 

Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to submit a bid:
1)    Must be a Louisiana resident at least 18 years of age.
2)    Must have previous alligator hunting experience in Louisiana.
3)    Must be able to provide essential equipment for alligator hunting on the WMA/USACE property/refuge on which they are bidding.
4)    Must be able to report to the WMA/USACE property/refuge each morning until alligator tag quota is completed.
5)    Must follow specific instructions issued by LDWF personnel.
6)    Must maintain required records.
7)    Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check. All applicants will be screened for past wildlife and criminal violations. Applicants with felony convictions or with Class Two or above wildlife convictions, WMA/USACE/refuge violations or littering within the last five years, as determined by the LDWF enforcement division, shall be disqualified. 

Completed bid application forms must be received by 10 a.m. on June 15, 2016 in Room 241 of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Headquarters Building at 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, La. 70898. 

Bid opening will be held at the LDWF headquarters building, second floor conference room, 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70898.  Winning bidders will be notified of selection by phone and are required to come in and sign a contract at a later date. LDWF reserves the right to reject any and all bids. 

For more information, contact Jeb Linscombe at 337-373-0032 or jlinscombe@wlf.la.gov.