Reality shows correlate with increase in La. gator violations

Published Aug 23, 2012 at 10:00 am (Updated Aug 23, 2012)

Louisiana wildlife officials say alligator hunting violations are rising, and one reason appears to be the popularity of outdoor reality television shows. The number of alligator violations has risen steadily since 2009, and some people arrested in recent years told wildlife agents they were copying what they saw on reality TV, says Col. Winton Vidrine, head of the enforcement division for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. "While these shows offer a high level of entertainment, they do not offer a lot of information on how to legally harvest an alligator," he says. The History Channel's show Swamp People, which features alligator hunting, started in August 2010. There were 60 gator hunting violations in 2007 and in 2008, 69 in 2009 and in 2010, 80 last year, and 98 so far this year. Most are for possessing an alligator out of season, hunting alligators without a license, and possessing an alligator without a license. First-offense illegal possession can mean 120 days in jail and a $950 fine. Read the full story here.