The Mississippi Division of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has proposed an alligator hunting season in Pelahatchie Bay on the Ross Barnett Reservoir to scale back the inhabitants by leisure hunters.
“We’re making an attempt to regulate the grownup breeding inhabitants,” mentioned Ricky Flynt, MDWFP Alligator Program coordinator. “The grownup females are what we’re making an attempt to get out.
“It is a inhabitants discount effort. This isn’t a leisure hunt, however we wish to provide a possibility and permit leisure hunters to assist us.”
Flynt mentioned the issue is the variety of calls about nuisance alligators from space residents. Flynt mentioned greater than 300 alligators have been faraway from the realm by the division since 2006, however the calls hold coming.
“We get tons of alligator complaints,” Flynt mentioned. “It is continual through the months of June and July.”
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Flynt mentioned the complaints hold coming as a result of the realm is productive. He mentioned final 12 months he discovered a excessive variety of nests throughout a survey of the bay.
“It was eye-opening,” Flynt mentioned. “I discovered 18 nests.
“I do know there’s extra, I simply can’t discover them. At a minimal of 18 nests, my estimate is we’re producing about 350 to 450 hatchlings a 12 months.”
Whereas alligator looking has been allowed on a restricted foundation on the reservoir since 2005, it hasn’t been allowed in Pelahatchie Bay on account of issues concerning the residential areas round it.
Flynt mentioned the construction of the proposed hunts addresses that. Searching in or close to residential areas is prohibited and alligators can’t be dispatched inside 100 yards of any type of construction corresponding to piers, boat ramps or boathouses.
He additionally famous that alligators are secured and dispatched at point-blank vary with shotguns utilizing what is often known as chook shot, so the strategy is secure.
“We wish to stress the purpose that these individuals won’t be capturing alligators out throughout the water,” Flynt mentioned.
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The proposed hunts are scheduled for Might 5-7 and Might 12-14, 2023. A random drawing can be held for 12 possession permits for every weekend for a complete of 24 permits. Hunters apply in pairs and people drawn should hunt from the identical vessel which limits hunts to 6 events per weekend.
Every permit-holder could harvest two alligators over 6 toes in size.
Flynt mentioned the timing of the hunts gives hunters a greater probability at success as a result of vegetation will not be as thick as it’s through the conventional late summer time looking season, so hunters can entry extra water. It’s also through the alligator breeding season, which is able to make females extra accessible.
He mentioned the variety of vessels is restricted as a result of the looking space is small at about 400 acres. The variety of hunters per boat is restricted to the boat’s capability score.
“There’s simply not sufficient room for greater than six vessels to get on the market and transfer round,” Flynt mentioned.
The proposal is at the moment in a 30-day remark interval and a remaining vote is anticipated to be made by the Fee on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks in its April assembly.
Feedback could also be submitted at www.mdwfp.com.
Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com. Observe Clarion Ledger Outdoors on Facebook and @BrianBroom on Twitter.
