An Arkansas Game and Fish Commission drawing has awarded 38 permits for the 2020-2021 public land alligator season.

If you weren’t one of the few to receive a public land permit this year, there are still plenty of opportunities to bag a gator in Arkansas. Thanks to a new quota-hunt system, anyone with access to private land in the southern half of the state has an opportunity to go on an alligator hunt.

Hunters who own or have permission to hunt on private land will be able to hunt through a system similar to quota-based bear hunting and private land elk hunting in the state.

Mark Barbee, wildlife biologist for the AGFC’s Monticello Regional Office, said the quota system has worked well for elk during the past few years and has been in place for bear hunting in Arkansas for decades.

“Anyone can obtain the private land alligator permit through the AGFC’s online licensing system for $5 in addition to their hunting license,” Barbee said. “They will be able to participate in the alligator hunt on private land they have permission to hunt until the quota has been met in that zone.

“It will be up to each hunter to call in before their hunt every night to the wildlife hotline ( (800-440-1477) to see if the quota has been met and if they can continue their hunt.”

Barbee said the change will allow more people who face possible nuisance alligator issues to have a chance to remove those alligators or allow another hunter to do so. He hopes the change also will encourage more hunters who have permits to follow through with their hunt.

For information on the 2020 alligator season visit AGFC.com/alligator.