Alligator-hunting permits available

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks has begun accepting applications for the 2009 alligator hunting season. There are hunting opportunities on both public waters and private lands.

There are two public waters zones open to limited alligator hunting opportunities. One encompasses Pearl River/Ross Barnett Zone near Jackson and the other the Pascagoula River Zone in Jackson County. Applications are limited to Mississippi residents 16 years of age or older. The public waters season application deadline is June 15.

A private lands alligator hunting season will be open Sept. 18-Oct. 4 in the counties of Wilkinson, Adams, Jefferson, Claiborne, Warren, Issaquena, Washington, Humphreys, Holmes, Yazoo, Hinds, Rankin and Madison. The deadline for private lands applications is July 1.

There are additional requirements that all applicants should consider before applying for alligator hunting. For more information and instructions, visit www.mdwfp.com/alligator.