BLAZE Magazine Special Edition 2006-2016 | Page 48

Outdoors & Education L to R: Pam Swanner, Director of Alabama Black Belt Adventures, Kevin, Savannah, and Parker Jenkins, Stokes Gator team members, Mandy Stokes, SCI World Record Gator title holder, John D. Stokes, husband and Gator team member, Chuck Sykes, Director, Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Commissioner Gunter Guy, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, James Lawler, Gettin’ Outdoors Radio with Big Daddy New World Record Alligator Courtesy of Alabama Hunting/Fishing Digest M andy Stokes, her husband John Stokes, brother-in-law Kevin Jenkins and his children, Savannah and Parker, accomplished the incredible feat of harvesting a Safari Club International world record animal on the morning of August 16, 2014, when they harvested an American alligator that weighed an amazing 1,011.5 pounds and measured 15 feet 9 inches in length. The removal of the American alligator from the endangered species list is a shining example of how hunters, not animal rights activists, brought an animal back from the brink of extinction to the abundant population of today. Without the dollars provided by hunters who purchase hunting license, Alabama would not have such a hugely popular and successful alligator hunting season. That hunt took place in the West-Central Zone in Mill Creek, a tributary off the Alabama River about 2 miles above the William Dannelly/ Millers Ferry Lock and Dam during the 2014 Alabama alligator hunting season. Alabama conducted the first alligator hunt in 2006. Fifty alligator possession tags were issued and 40 alligators were harvested in the Mobile-Tensas Delta. Since that time, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries biologists have surveyed alligator populations throughout the state and opened three additional alligator hunting zones (West Central Alabama, Southeast Alabama, and Lake Eufaula) in order to provide more hunting opportunities. During the 2015 season, 260 tags were issued to successful applicants. Since the inception of the alligator season, hunters have harvested more than 100 alligators each season. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is the largest reptile in North America. Known for its prized meat and leather, the species was threatened with extinction due to unregulated harvest during the 1920s, 30s and 40s. No regulations existed in those days to limit the number of alligators harvested. In 1938, it is believed that Alabama was the first state to protect alligators by outlawing these unlimited harvests. Other states soon followed and in 1967, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service placed the American alligator on the Endangered Species list. By 1987, the species was removed from the Endangered Species list and the alligator population has continued to grow. 48 | | SPECIAL EDITION 2006-2016 Only Alabama residents and Alabama lifetime license holders ages 16 years or older may apply for tags. Alabama lifetime license holders may apply for an alligator possession tag even if they have moved out of the state. While the tag is free, selected hunters and their assistants are required to have a valid hunting license in their possession while hunting. Hunters are randomly selected by computer to receive one alligator possession tag each, and the tags are non-transferable. If selected for an alligator possession tag at two or more locations, hunters must choose which location they would like to hunt. The slot for locations not chosen will be filled from a list of randomly selected alternates. A preference point system was implemented to increase the likelihood of unsuccessful repeat registrants being selected for a hunt. For the 2015 hunt, preference points were given to hunters who applied in 2014 but were not selected. The system increases the likelihood of a repeat applicant being selected for an alligator hunt, as long as they continue to apply. The more years an applicant participates in the registration, the higher the likelihood of being selected. If an applicant ceases to register for the hunt in a given year or is selected for a hunt, the preference point status is forfeited. Each person receiving an Alligator Possession Tag will be allowed to harvest one alligator. For more information about the Alabama alligator hunting season visit www. outdooralabama.com. Accept No Limits | outdoorwomenunlimited.org