Alligator

Louisiana Alligator Industry

Louisiana Fisheries Forward is putting together resources to help those in the wild alligator industry understand management and harvest regulations, licensing requirements, and best handling methods to produce a safe, select alligator meat product.

The Louisiana alligator is one of the greatest wildlife conservation success stories in the world!  Alligator populations are healthy and stable now after decades of increases due to scientific, highly regulated management. 

LDWF has a wealth of information on alligator hunting, research and management. We encourage landowners, farmers, and hunters to get involved in industry management through the Alligator Advisory Council; sign up for news and alerts from LDWF, LA Sea Grant and other agencies; and attend LFF workshops for the best information on quality handling. Your input is needed for us all to be successful.

As we continue to add information to this web site, visit the resource links below.

Fast Facts

Download pdf versions of Louisiana Fisheries Forward fact sheets below.  This is a work in progress, so check back often!

Additional Videos

two juvenile alligators amid water plants

In the 1960s, alligators were considered endangered, but through a conservation alliance between wildlife agencies, landowners, and alligator farmers and hunters, using science-based wildlife management, wild alligator populations in the U.S. have increased by over 10-fold and are now stable and healthy.

An estimated 5 million occur in the wild today in the U.S.