RANKIN COUNTY, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Instead of spreading alligator season over two weekends this year, it is one continuous season as we learned from Alligator Coordinator of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Ricky Flynt.
"I think for the people out and trying, having 10 days, consecutive to go out and try to get a gator, we should see harvest success rates go up this year. We estimate in the Hinds, Rankin, Madison County areas, associated with the Pearl River Basin, probably about 8,000 alligators, this year out there," said Flynt.
There is also a much larger area where you can hunt alligators, including the Barnett Reservoir and upriver area.
"It starts at a line that basically goes from the Natchez Trace overlook, to marker a and over to the Fannin Landing boat ramp, everything north of there, going up the river to low head dam," added Flynt.
There were lots of people getting ready to go out and enjoy the expanded season, like Mark McKenzie of Florence.
"The bigger one are in the big water. The bigger the water the bigger they are," said Mark McKenzie, alligator hunter from Florence.
Another hunter, Marcus Buffington of learned, told us why he feels safe from alligators.
"I've got my wife with me," Buffington said.
And Chad Odom of Bay Springs is glad to see the greater opportunity to get a gator.
"It gives gator hunters, an opportunity to go out and control nuisance gators. If you have ever had an alligator in the boat with you, as I have you know how scary it can be.
"Be sure to secure the alligator safely, when you bring him into the boat," added Buffington.
Officials from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks expect this to be the biggest alligator season ever.
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