It’s officially gator season in South Carolina—or at least, it’s almost time to apply for a chance to participate in one of the state’s wildest outdoor adventures: the public alligator hunt. Applications for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Alligator Lottery opened June 1 and will close at 11:59 p.m. on July 15. The hunt itself won’t kick off until September 13, but if you want in, you’ll need to get your name in the system early.
ANCIENT REPTILES IN THE MODERN WORLD
The American alligator has remained relatively unchanged for over 80 million years. Males can grow up to 16 feet and weigh more than 800 pounds, though most range between 6 and 13 feet. Females top out around 9 to 10 feet. These apex predators live up to 50 years in the wild and play a vital ecological role by managing prey populations and creating “gator holes” that provide water during droughts.
In South Carolina, they’re typically found south of the Fall Line in lakes, rivers, swamps, and occasionally backyards and golf courses. Their presence in suburban or urban areas often triggers concern—and sometimes confusion—about whether they’re a danger or just passing through.
THE SLOT TAG SHUFFLE: SMALLER GATORS, MORE OPPORTUNITIES
In an effort to better manage pressure on South Carolina’s largest alligators, SCDNR has introduced size-restricted “Slot Tags” for the 2025 season. These tags allow selected hunters to harvest one alligator between four and eight feet in length and come with a few important restrictions.
Unlike traditional “any size” tags (which remain unchanged), Slot Tag holders are limited in the gear they can use. Harpoons, bows, and other devices that embed into the alligator are prohibited. Only snatch hooks, handheld snares, and ropes are permitted, since hunters may need to release an alligator that exceeds the 8-foot limit.
Slot Tags are optional and offered alongside traditional tags in the application process. If you’re willing to go after a smaller gator, your chances of being drawn may be better. SCDNR is offering 400 of these Slot Tags across the state’s four hunt units—Southern Coastal, Middle Coastal, Midlands, and Pee Dee—with 100 available per unit.
Each selected applicant—regardless of tag type—may harvest one gator from their assigned unit. And yes, all preference points are reset to zero whether you’re drawn for a traditional tag or a Slot Tag.
HOW TO ENTER THE HUNT
To apply for the public alligator lottery, visit GoOutdoorsSC.com or download the Go Outdoors South Carolina app. The application fee is $10, and if selected, hunters must pay an additional $100 permit fee.
Applicants can rank their preferred hunt units (including Slot Tag units), but you can only be selected for one tag. If your plans change after being drawn, the tag is non-transferrable and non-refundable.
Successful hunters can target public navigable waters within their assigned units, or private lands with written landowner permission. Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), national wildlife refuges, and parks are off-limits.
NUISANCE GATORS: KNOW THE SIGNS
Not every alligator needs to be removed, even if it shows up in an unexpected place. SCDNR classifies a nuisance alligator as one that has lost its natural fear of humans (often from being fed), poses a threat to people or pets, or is trapped in a location it cannot escape.
Feeding alligators—or even tossing fish scraps or feeding ducks in gator territory—is illegal and can unintentionally train these animals to associate humans with food. Once habituated, nuisance gators must be euthanized; relocation is not allowed due to their strong homing instincts.
If you live within an HOA or under property management, report nuisance gators to them first. If you don’t, contact your regional nuisance coordinator. For emergencies, Operation Game Thief is available 24/7 at 1-800-922-5431.
GATOR ETIQUETTE AND SAFETY
A few things to keep in mind:
Don’t shoot unrestrained gators. Capture must occur first.
Use a bangstick or handgun to dispatch the gator—no rifles or shotguns allowed.
Immediately tag the gator and complete your harvest report within 24 hours.
Cool the carcass within four hours to preserve meat and hide quality.
Never assume a gator is dead until it’s secured, taped, and confirmed.
Hunters are encouraged to prepare thoroughly. SCDNR recommends at least one backup capture device, life jackets for all boat passengers, and a well-organized float plan. Guides and helpers are welcome, but everyone 16 and older must be a licensed South Carolina hunter—and nonresidents will also need to pay a $200 fee.
A HUNT ROOTED IN CONSERVATION
From the prehistoric swamp-dweller sunning on a pond bank to the grizzled gator of your hunting dreams, the American alligator remains a fascinating—if formidable—part of South Carolina’s natural heritage. Whether you’re eyeing a Slot Tag to up your odds or tracking a trophy, make sure you know the rules, hunt safely, and respect the wildlife.
For more details on alligator safety, hunting rules, or nuisance reports, visit www.dnr.sc.gov.
