Legislation continues to move through the state capitol that would allow for the Louisiana Wildlife Commission to establish rules and regulations for a recreational alligator hunting season. The Louisiana Senate unanimously approved the bill by Franklin Senator Robert Allain, who says the alligator population has become too large.
“If you want more proof, you can drive down Highway 70 through Pierre Part and Belle River, down to Morgan City, and count how many dead alligators are on the side of the road,” Allain said.
Allain, who is also a commercial alligator hunter, says the alligator population now exceeds three million and it’s now a safety issue.
“We had a fatal alligator attack just last year, where a 12-year-old lost his life. As the population grows, so does their geographical footprint,” Allain said.
A nonverbal autistic, 12-year-old boy died near his New Orleans home after he was attacked by an alligator last August. Allain is concerned about more alligator-human interactions as the gator population explodes.
“One life lost is too many already. So let’s be proactive for our state. Please join me in voting and co-authoring this bill,” Allain urged.
The measure now heads to the House for its approval. There’s already a commercial hunting season, made famous by the popular TV reality show “Swamp People.” Allain’s bill would authorize the Louisiana Wildlife Commission to establish a recreational hunting alligator season that would be open to 5,000 hunters each year, with a two-gator limit.
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