JACKSON — Two alleged illegal alligator hunters are scheduled to appear in Rankin County Justice Court on May 1, after being arrested for attempting to take an alligator without a permit on March 23.
“If convicted, the hunters also face fines up to $5,000 and mandatory jail time of five days,” said arresting officer, Lt. Randy Newell of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP).
On the night of March 23, the alleged suspects were seen by witnesses firing high-powered weapons from a boat on Kennedy Lake in Brandon (off Shiloh Road). They also utilized set line hooks, baited with chicken – just as they admitted to watching on television. Newell, now in his 21st year as a conservation officer stated that, “Mississippi has laws that are set not only to protect citizens, but also to protect the future of alligators and alligator hunting opportunities for our sportsmen and sportswomen,”
“Most methods and activities depicted in many alligator reality television shows are not only illegal in Mississippi, but also overly dramatic and un- safe. Unfortunately,some people are influenced by these false depictions, regardless of the law,” said Ricky Flynt, who serves as alligator program coordinator for MDWFP.
“While alligators are potentially dangerous,” Flynt added, “no serious injuries have been reported to the more than 1,500 permitted Mississippi alligator hunters, dating back to the start of hunting opportunities in the state (2005).” Alligator hunting in Mississippi is by special permit only, and typically takes place during the month of September via a lottery drawing process. A mandatory alligator hunting training course is required of all persons receiving alligator hunting permits in Mississippi.
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