JACKSON – The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks approved proposed rule changes for the 2016 alligator hunting season on public waters and private lands in Mississippi on March 16.  
The statewide public waters season will include opportunities in specific public waterways.
As proposed, a total of 920 permits will be available within 7 hunting zones across the state for the 10-day season, August 26 – September 5, 2016.  
All public water permits will be available for purchase on a first-come-first-serve basis.  
Permits will only be available for purchase electronically through the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks website beginning July 19, 2016.
To be eligible to purchase an alligator hunting permit you must be at least 16 years of age and possess one of the following valid resident licenses prior to July 19 to be eligible: Sportsman License, All-Game Hunting/Fishing License, Small Game Hunting/Fishing License, Apprentice Sportsman License, Apprentice All Game License, Apprentice Small Game License, Senior Exempt License, Disabled Exempt License, or a Lifetime License. An Alligator Hunting Training Course will be provided to permit holders, however the course is no longer mandatory.
The proposed private lands alligator hunting season will be available to landowners whose properties meet specific qualifications within 31 open counties.
Three new counties, Lowndes, Noxubee, and Oktibbeha, were proposed for the private lands season for 2016.
Applications and instructions for private lands permits will be available online in June and must be submitted by July 1.
There are no proposed changes from the 2015 season to the private land season or the permitting process.