The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is accepting bids for alligator hunting on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), Wetland Conservation Areas (WCAs), and state wildlife refuges for the 2024 alligator harvest season through July 16.
Eligible alligator hunters are chosen through a bid system on selected WMAs/WCAs/refuges.
Bids for alligator hunting will be solicited for the following WMAs/WCAs/refuge: Manchac WMA (St. John Parish), Pearl River WMA - North of Interstate 10 (St. Tammany Parish), Joyce WMA (Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes), Maurepas Swamp WMA (St. John, St. James, Ascension, and Livingston parishes), Atchafalaya Delta WMA (St. Mary Parish), Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA (Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes), Salvador WMA (St. Charles Parish), Pass-a-Loutre WMA (Plaquemines Parish), White Lake WCA (Vermilion Parish), and Rockefeller Refuge (Cameron and Vermilion parishes).
A total of 26 alligator hunting opportunities are available for bid on one refuge, eight WMAs and one WCA. The number of alligator tags that will be issued to successful bidders in 2024 will range from 25-250 tags depending on the area awarded. For specific details on the number of alligator hunter opportunities and tags available by area, please see the bid application notifications (see link below).
Interested participants may review and print out bid application notifications and forms from LDWF’s website at https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/alligator-hunting or request by phone at the phone numbers below or request in writing from Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Attn: Kelly Stanford, 2024 WMA Alligator Harvest Bids, 200 Dulles Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506.
NO guiding/outfitting activities for sport alligator hunting will be allowed while conducting alligator harvest activities on WMAs/WCAs/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 and area manager.
An individual can apply and bid on more than one WMA/WCA/refuge but will only be selected for one WMA/WCA/refuge. Bidders applying for more than one area must indicate by preference (rank) their WMA/WCA/refuge choices (as per directed in bid application notifications). 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. For specific information about required experience on a certain area, please review specific alligator hunting bid notifications or contact the appropriate office by phone number below.
3) Must be able to provide essential equipment for alligator hunting on the WMA/WCA/refuge on which they are bidding.
4) Must be able to report to the WMA/WCA/refuge property 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 wildlife violation background check. All applicants will be screened for past wildlife violations. Applicants that have pled guilty to, paid a fine for, negotiated/agreed to a pretrial intervention (PTI)/diversion for or been convicted of Class Two or above wildlife, WMA/WCA/refuge violations within the last five years, as determined by the LDWF enforcement division, shall be disqualified.
Completed bid application forms must be received in Room 1007 of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Office at 200 Dulles Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506 by 10 a.m. on July 16, 2024.
Bid opening will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the LDWF Lafayette Office Building, 1st Floor Conference Room #1002, 200 Dulles Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506. 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, please call the appropriate LDWF office: Hammond WMAs 985-543-4777, Lafayette Coastal WMAs 337-735-8720, Rockefeller Refuge 337-538-2311, White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area 337-536-6061, or send e-mail to LAalligatorprogram@wlf.la.gov.