How Much Do Alligator Hunters Make?

Alligator hunting is a dangerous yet lucrative profession in the southern United States. If you’ve ever wondered how much gator hunters get paid to wrangle these massive reptiles, you’re not alone. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about alligator hunting salaries and how hunters earn their living.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Experienced gator hunters can make between $30,000 and $50,000 annually during alligator hunting season.

Alligator Hunting Seasons and Quotas

When is alligator hunting season?

The alligator hunting season in most states with healthy alligator populations typically runs from early August through early October. For example, in Florida the statewide alligator harvest runs for 7 weeks from August 15th to November 1st.

In Louisiana, the season is 30 days long and occurs in September. And in Georgia, gator hunting is allowed for 20 days from the third Saturday in August to the second Saturday in October.

These annual alligator hunting seasons are carefully set by wildlife agencies to coincide with the late summer months when alligators are more active and visible. This makes them easier to hunt while minimizing impacts on nesting or reproduction.

The length of the season also provides enough opportunity for hunters to harvest an allowable quota without threatening overall alligator populations.

How are alligator hunting quotas set?

Alligator hunting quotas are determined annually by state wildlife biologists based on surveys of alligator populations, nesting Activity, habitat conditions, and other factors. Most states use a combination of:

• Nightlight surveys – counting alligators along set routes by eyeshine at night
• Aerial helicopter surveys – flying over areas and counting visible alligators
• Nest counts – surveying known nesting habitat for number of active alligator nests

By conducting these population surveys every year, wildlife agencies can estimate the total statewide alligator numbers and allow a sustainable harvest. Quotas are set conservatively – for example, Florida’s annual gator harvest represents just 6-7% of the estimated total population.

This prevents overhunting and allows the alligator population to remain stable or even grow over time. Quotas may increase or decrease each year based on the latest survey findings.

How Alligator Hunters Get Paid

Earning money from alligator hides and meat

The primary way alligator hunters make money is by legally harvesting alligators during hunting season and then selling the hides, meat, and other body parts.Hides and meat are the most valuable parts. Quality hides can fetch over $100 per linear foot from buyers.

The price varies based on size, condition and markings. Alligator meat sells for $8-15 per pound retail. Other body parts like heads, teeth, feet and organs can also be sold.

Guided alligator hunts

Experienced alligator hunters can earn money by taking clients on guided trophy hunts during alligator season. Guides charge a daily rate, typically $500-800 per person, to lead hunting trips. They use their expertise to locate large alligators and assist clients in legally harvesting them.

For an extra fee, they’ll also skin, quarter and package the alligator meat for transport home.

Alligator nest harvesting

Permitted alligator farmers and ranchers can collect alligator eggs from wild nests during a special harvesting season in June and July. The eggs are transported to farms and hatcheries where the babies are raised prior to being processed for hides and meat.

Nest harvesters are paid per viable egg collected, typically earning $10-15 each. Top earners may gather over 10,000 eggs per season, making upwards of $100k.

Nuisance alligator removal

When large alligators wander into residential areas posing a threat to people and pets, permitted hunters are called in to remove them. These “nuisance gators” become property of the hunters once caught.

While not a reliable primary income stream, these rogue alligators can provide bonus earnings for hunters through hide and meat sales.

Expenses and Costs for Alligator Hunters

Equipment and supplies

Alligator hunting requires a variety of equipment and supplies that can add up quickly. Here are some of the main expenses:

• Boats – Alligator hunters need flat-bottomed boats like airboats or jon boats to navigate the swamps and marshes where gators live. These can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 or more.
• Outboard motors – Reliable motors like Yamaha or Mercury can run $5,000 or more. They need to be powerful enough to propel heavy boats through vegetation.
• Fuel – Airboats and outboard motors guzzle a lot of gas, especially under heavy use. Fuel costs can run $3,000+ per season.
• Bait – Using bait like fish, nutria, or roadkill to lure gators can cost $1,000 or more per season.
• Hunting equipment – Harpoons, crossbows, snatch hooks, bang sticks, and hunting gear are required. These can total $1,500 or more.
• Safety gear – Items like first aid kits, flashlights, two-way radios, and other safety equipment are essential in the swamp. This can cost several hundred dollars.
• Clothing – Hunters need camo hunting apparel, Snake boots or waders, and rain gear suited for swamp conditions. Several hundred dollars minimum.
• Coolers & supplies – For storing and transporting harvested gators. $500 or more.
• Other gear – Ropes, batteries, fuel tanks, spare parts, etc. can all add up.

In total, the required gear and supplies can easily cost $10,000-$15,000 or more per season for a single hunter.

Boats and vehicles

In addition to the normal costs of boat and vehicle ownership like insurance and maintenance, alligator hunters also have some unique expenses.

• Trucks & trailers – For transporting boats. Custom trailers can cost $5,000 or more.
• ATVs – All-terrain vehicles are often needed to access remote areas. These can cost $5,000-$10,000 each.
• Boat repairs – The challenging swamp conditions take a toll on boats, resulting in frequent maintenance and repairs. Several thousand dollars or more per year is common.
• Vehicle repairs – Like boats, trucks and ATVs require frequent repairs when operated in the swamp. Expect $2,000 or more in annual repairs.
• Modifications – Hunters often customize their boats and trucks with special camo painting, winches, lighting, extra fuel capacity, and more. These mods can total thousands of dollars.

Combined with normal ownership costs, hunters can spend $15,000 or more annually on boats, trucks, trailers and other hunting vehicles.

Licenses and tags

The required licenses and tags represent one of the biggest fixed costs for an alligator hunter.

• Alligator hunting license – Required in most states, costing $250-$500 annually.
• Alligator hide tags – Hunters must purchase individual tags from the state for each gator harvested, typically costing $5-$10 per tag.
• Other licenses – Additional fishing and hunting licenses, boat registrations, etc. can total several hundred dollars more per year.

Most full-time alligator hunters harvest 30 gators or more each season. With license and tag costs, most pay $1,000 or more annually to meet state licensing requirements.

Factors That Affect Alligator Hunter Income

Experience level

An alligator hunter’s experience level can greatly impact how much they earn. Veteran hunters with 10+ years under their belt generally have the best spots secured during lottery drawings and have built relationships with buyers willing to pay top dollar for large hides and meat.

According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the average take for experienced hunters exceeds $2,500 annually. Rookie hunters with less than 3 years experience average closer to $1,200 as they learn the ropes.

Region and competition

The density of alligators in hunting zones and the number of licensed hunters vying for them also affects income potential. Louisiana is the most lucrative state by far, with over 1 million gators harvested since 1972.

Top alligator hunters working the most populous coastal marshes in Louisiana can gross $50,000+ annually. However, increased participation has intensified competition. States like Florida and Texas have much lower gator populations and far fewer available tags, resulting in significantly lower earnings potential.

Quota limits

State-regulated annual harvest quotas limit the number of gators each licensed hunter may take legally. Louisiana’s annual quota is an enormous 39,000 across licensed hunters. Florida, by contrast, permits just 7,500 annually for its hunters.

The table below compares sample yearly quotas and average hunter earnings by state:

As the data shows, Louisiana’s massive yearly allotment allows its hunters to harvest more gators and generate higher incomes. Meanwhile, the strict caps enforced in Florida and Texas significantly limit earning capability.

Conclusion

In summary, experienced full-time alligator hunters can make a decent annual income ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 during hunting season. However, startup costs, expenses, and regional factors cause incomes to vary.

Through a combination of selling hides, meat, and services, the top alligator hunters find ways to maximize their earning potential each season.