The American alligator is a major predator in the swamps of the United States. The predator exists in large number in the southeastern states. At some point in time, the predator had decreased a lot in population due to over-exploitation and a lack of conservation laws and regulations. Today, with conservation laws and regulations in place, the population has risen to very high levels. Here are facts regarding Hunting for alligators.
Wildlife Service in the US in 1967 listed alligators as endangered species and banned any kind of exploitation of these animals. By mid-1970s, population of the gators had rebounded successfully in the various habitats in the country thus the protection proved to be very efficient. Gator population was so high that federal government passed management to individual states.
Due to this, various states began to permit the public to hunt these predators. But so as to ensure there is no over exploitation, the hunters ho ware licensed have to stick to strict quota requirements during the hunting season. All gators that have been hunted had to have the CITES tag. CITES is the abbreviation for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
People hunt gators for their skins and other body parts. The skins are harvested and used to make a wide range of leather products. Some gators are made into taxidermies and used as decoration in offices and homes. The skin and other products of American alligators have very close similarity with those of Chinese alligators and American crocodile that it is impossible to differentiate them.
Alligators occupy a wide variety of places. They are found in reservoirs, swamps, major river drainage and coastal fresh water marshes in various states in the US. Canals, ditches, lagoons, farm ponds, and creek drainage are also other areas they are commonly found. Generally, any pool of water can be inhabited by these predators as long as it can provide a sufficient supply of prey and food items.
In areas that both the predator and humans exist, human-alligator incidences are very common. The predators get used to human routines and become a problem and danger to human life. Most of the time, they attack and kill pets in homes. They may also enter homes and put people at risk, with an encounter being potentially lethal.
Regulated hunting is allowed to curb such incidences. Members of the general public are required to apply for licenses that allow them to legally harvest and dispose alligators through permitted methods. This activity happens each year across several states. The open season may vary from state to state, but it typically lasts for one to two months. The activity is strictly regulated through federal and state laws.
After people harvest gators, they are taken to businesses that are specialized in harvesting and processing them. Skinning and harvesting useful parts are usually the processes that are involved. The skin can be sold for some thousands because it is the most valuable. Skin from juvenile gators costs less than those from adult gators. The size, weight, and age of the animal are some of the determining factors of cost.
Wildlife Service in the US in 1967 listed alligators as endangered species and banned any kind of exploitation of these animals. By mid-1970s, population of the gators had rebounded successfully in the various habitats in the country thus the protection proved to be very efficient. Gator population was so high that federal government passed management to individual states.
Due to this, various states began to permit the public to hunt these predators. But so as to ensure there is no over exploitation, the hunters ho ware licensed have to stick to strict quota requirements during the hunting season. All gators that have been hunted had to have the CITES tag. CITES is the abbreviation for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
People hunt gators for their skins and other body parts. The skins are harvested and used to make a wide range of leather products. Some gators are made into taxidermies and used as decoration in offices and homes. The skin and other products of American alligators have very close similarity with those of Chinese alligators and American crocodile that it is impossible to differentiate them.
Alligators occupy a wide variety of places. They are found in reservoirs, swamps, major river drainage and coastal fresh water marshes in various states in the US. Canals, ditches, lagoons, farm ponds, and creek drainage are also other areas they are commonly found. Generally, any pool of water can be inhabited by these predators as long as it can provide a sufficient supply of prey and food items.
In areas that both the predator and humans exist, human-alligator incidences are very common. The predators get used to human routines and become a problem and danger to human life. Most of the time, they attack and kill pets in homes. They may also enter homes and put people at risk, with an encounter being potentially lethal.
Regulated hunting is allowed to curb such incidences. Members of the general public are required to apply for licenses that allow them to legally harvest and dispose alligators through permitted methods. This activity happens each year across several states. The open season may vary from state to state, but it typically lasts for one to two months. The activity is strictly regulated through federal and state laws.
After people harvest gators, they are taken to businesses that are specialized in harvesting and processing them. Skinning and harvesting useful parts are usually the processes that are involved. The skin can be sold for some thousands because it is the most valuable. Skin from juvenile gators costs less than those from adult gators. The size, weight, and age of the animal are some of the determining factors of cost.
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