Yes, alligator hunting is happening in Banks Lake NWR.

Well, actually, already happened. According to GA-DNR, “The 2024 season opens at SUNSET on Friday, August 16, 2024, and closes at SUNRISE on Monday, October 7, 2024.”
https://georgiawildlife.com/Hunting/Alligator

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: “Alligator: All State of Georgia Regulations will apply and the season will be limited to two three-day units within the state season. Hunters will access the lake using the refuge boat ramp…. Alligator hunting on the Refuge will be the first two weekends in accordance with the state season.”

So that was August 16-18 and 23-25, 2024.

Alligator Hunting in Banks Lake NWR 2024, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Excerpts from Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge Hunt Plan, July 2020, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/DownloadFile/221089

Avg total nightly count = 56 Avg known legal nightly count = 24

Due to increased information from alligator surveys and monitoring from Georgia DNR, the process to allow alligator hunting on Banks Lake NWR was initiated in 2019. The alligator population in Georgia is one of many renewable natural resources that can sustain limited harvest in concert with biological monitoring and periodic evaluations. Allowing an alligator hunt on Banks Lake NWR will provide hunters additional opportunities where other public lands hunting opportunities are limited. Opening this hunt also supports the refuge’s compliance with Secretarial Order 3356, “to support and expand hunting and fishing, enhance conservation stewardship, improve wildlife management, and increase outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans”.

II. Statement of Objectives

The objectives of an alligator hunting program on Banks Lake NWR are to provide:

• The public with a high quality recreational experience on more refuge lands and increase opportunities for hunters.
• Wildlife-dependent public recreation as mandated by and according to Service policy and supported by the Improvement Act of 1997.

Although the refuge’s Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) does not currently allow hunting, it does state that an alligator hunt will be evaluated depending on the population status (USFWS 2009). The CCP’s larger goal is to provide opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation while still providing for optimum habitat and protection for endangered and threatened species. Fish and wildlife conservation will receive first priority in refuge management; wildlife- dependent recreation will be allowed and encouraged as long as it is compatible with, and does not detract from, the mission of the refuge or the purposes for which it was established.

III. Description of Hunting Program

A. Areas to be Opened to Hunting

Acreage of Banks Lake NWR designated on the following map will be open to alligator hunting.

Figure 1. Map of Hunt Area
PDF

B. Species to be Taken, Hunting periods, Hunting Access

Alligator: All State of Georgia Regulations will apply and the season will be limited to two three-day units within the state season. Hunters will access the lake using the refuge boat ramp.

C. Hunter Permit Requirements (if applicable)

Georgia’s alligator hunting season has been designated as a quota hunt where a limited number of unters are allowed to harvest one alligator (of 48 inches or greater length) each from a specified hunt zone. This allows the Georgia DNR to closely monitor the number of animals harvested. See “Hunter Permit Application and/or Registration Procedures” below.

Anyone hunting or assisting a Georgia DNR alligator permit holder must possess a valid Hunting License. Hunters age 15 and younger need not have a Hunting License. In order to hunt unsupervised, they must have a valid Hunter Education Certificate. An Alligator Harvest Permit must be in possession of a person in the hunting party.

D. Consultation and Coordination with the State

This hunt will only be operated and conducted in coordination with Georgia DNR, pending a Memorandum of Understanding between agencies. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will not dedicate any resources or employees towards the management of the hunt.

Georgia DNR has conducted alligator population surveys on Banks Lake NWR from 2013-2017. They will continue to provide alligator survey information to the Service to ensure a viable population of alligators.

Georgia DNR agrees that a refuge hunt plan will help meet State objectives. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Georgia DNR will continue to work together to ensure safe and enjoyable recreational hunting opportunities. Hunter participation and harvest data will be shared annually.

E. Law Enforcement

Enforcement of Refuge violations normally associated with management of a National Wildlife Refuge is the responsibility of commissioned Federal Wildlife Officers. Other refuge officers, Special Agents, State Rangers, and the local Sheriff’s Department often assist the Okefenokee NWR full time Federal Wildlife Officer. Due to the location of Banks Lake NWR and the lack of resources at Okefenokee NWR, Georgia DNR will be the main law enforcement agency to safeguard hunters, visitors, and both game and nongame species.

The following methods are used to control and enforce hunting regulations:

• Refuge boundaries will be clearly posted;
• Georgia DNR Rangers will randomly check hunters for compliance with State Laws.

F. Funding and Staffing Requirements

Currently, Banks Lake NWR is an unfunded refuge. The staff at Okefenokee NWR manages Banks Lake NWR. All costs for the operation of Banks Lake NWR are derived from the Okefenokee NWR budget. However, as Georgia DNR is conducting all aspects of the hunt, there are minimal costs anticipated with this hunting opportunity.

IV. Conduct of the Hunting Program

A. Hunter Permit Application, Selection, and/or Registration Procedures

Hunters will apply online at www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com. Hunters must be selected through the quota hunt application process. Only hunters selected for Zone 4 will be allowed to hunt at Banks Lake NWR. Application period is June |—July 15. To be eligible for the drawing, alligator applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on July 15.

B. Refuge-Specific Hunting Regulations

Alligator hunting on the Refuge will be the first two weekends in accordance with the state season.

C. Relevant State Regulations

Anyone hunting or assisting an alligator permit holder must possess a valid Hunting License. Hunters age 15 and younger need not have a Hunting License. In order to hunt unsupervised, they must have a valid Hunter Education Certificate. An Alligator Harvest Permit must be in possession of a person in the hunting party.

One alligator limit. Legal alligators must be greater than or equal to 48 inches in length as measured from end of the snout to tip of the tail.

Hunters may use hand-held ropes or snares, snatch hooks, harpoons, gigs or arrows with a restraining line attached. Legal alligators must be dispatched immediately upon capture by using a handgun or bangstick, or by severing the spinal cord with a sharp implement.

Legal hours are from sunset Friday and end at sunrise on Monday.

Dispatched alligators must be tagged with a Georgia DNR supplied temporary harvest tag before transporting. Temporary tags shall be locked through the skin of the carcass. The temporary tag shall remain attached to the alligator hide until the carcass is validated by Georgia DNR Game Management Section personnel and a CITES tag is issued.

All alligator carcasses or hides must be validated by taking it to a Georgia DNR Game Management office during normal business hours (Monday-Friday; 8:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m.) prior to October 15.

D. Other Refuge Rules and Regulations for Hunting

• Marking path or navigational routes is prohibited.
• Use of airboats and jetskis is prohibited.
• Overnight camping and fires are prohibited.
• Feeding or harassing wildlife is prohibited.
• Taking of any plants or other wildlife is prohibited.

V. Public Engagement

A. Outreach for Announcing and Publicizing the Hunting Program

The Refuge maintains a mailing list for a public informational bulletin to local newspapers, radio, and websites. Special announcements and articles may be released in conjunction with hunting seasons. In addition, information about the hunt will be available at the Banks Lake NWR website and the Georgia DNR website.

B. Anticipated Public Reaction to the Hunting Program

Public comments are expected since hunting has not been previously allowed on Banks Lake NWR. In addition, due to the location of homes on the water and private docks being in the water, it is expected that homeowners may be concerned with hunting activities. Georgia DNR and Lanier County Commissioners support this hunting opportunity; however, all public output and comments will be taken into account by USFWS.

C. How Hunters Would Be Informed of Relevant Rules and Regulations

All hunting information will be available on Banks Lake NWR website, Georgia DNR website and published in the Georgia hunting regulations.

VI. Compatibility Determination

…

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

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