Hunters Wrangle 162 Alligators in Arkansas’s Opening Weekend

This past weekend was Arkansas's first weekend of the 2025 Alligator Season, and hunters were busy, with 162 hunters tagging a gator and bringing it home.

One Weekend Left of Alligator Hunting in Arkansas

The season isn’t over yet. All public and private alligator zones will be open for the second and final weekend. Hunters received their permits for public land hunts back in July. Hunting times are from 30 minutes after sunset on Friday, September 26, through 30 minutes before sunrise on Sunday, September 29.

Hunters need to check the quota before going out to hunt. According to an AGFC press release, AGFC Herpetologist Amanda Bryant said she updates the hotline (833) 345-0398 and the website agfc.com/alligator every day. Private land hunts and hunts at Millwood Lake can reach their quota fast.

Each quota hunt could close as early as the first night, so hunters may want to think twice about passing up a chance.

Balancing Risk and Reward, Don't Wait for "The Big One"

Some hunters hold out for the big one and that can mean they come home with nothing.

Bryant said,

It happened so much on the Millwood Lake hunt that we moved that hunt from being a set drawn permit to being a drawn permit plus a quota.  We could allow an additional hunter or two to draw, but we need those who draw to harvest an alligator if they can.

 

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READ MORE: Keep Arkansas Beautiful: Join the Great Arkansas Cleanup

Biggest Gators Caught in Arkansas So Far?

So far, the largest gator of the season is big. It measured 13 feet, 1 inch. That one was found on private land. A 13-footer was also harvested from Zone 3 in the Lower Arkansas Wetland Complex. The biggest gator ever checked in Arkansas was 13 feet and 11½ inches. That one was taken down in 2020 by Travis Bearden.

You can find out more information at the AGFC website.