Arkansas 2025 Alligator Hunt Sets Record With 205 Harvested

Arkansas hunters set a new record in the 2025 two-weekend alligator season with 205 alligators checked, narrowly surpassing the 2023 record of 202 and exceeding the AGFC quota of 204. AGFC herpetologist Amanda Bryant said officials are pleased and noted quotas are often set a few animals short and can be exceeded when multiple hunters take animals the same night. Public-land hunters filled 26 of 38 drawn tags for a 68% success rate, up from 58% in 2023; Millwood Lake’s inaugural quota hunt produced seven checks with two tags unfilled. Private-land hunts drove the totals: Alligator Management Zone 3 led with 106 checked, Zone 1 had 69, and Zone 2 had four. High harvest pressure prompted early closures in some areas—Zone 3 closed two days early and Zone 1 closed with one night remaining—while Zone 2 remained open through the final night.