If you want to get a chance at a Georgia gator, quota applications must be in by July 31. According to the state Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division, 1,000 applicants will be selected for the 2015 alligator hunting season which begins Aug. 14 at sunset and ends Oct. 5 at sunrise.

In 2014, 238 alligators were harvested with an average length of 8 feet, 4 inches and the longest gator measuring 13-3.

To apply, go to www.gohuntgeorgia.com/hunting/quota. The new quota hunt system, which debuted in June, allows applicants to use their existing license purchase account, so there is no separate quota application system requiring customers to remember a different user name or password.

“In keeping with years past, I expect that we will have well over 10,000 applicants for alligator hunt permits,” said John Bowers, chief of the Game Management Section. “If you have not yet started applying for this unique chance, you need to consider putting in an application this year.”

In Georgia, alligators typically live south of the fall line (which roughly traverses the cities of Columbus, Macon and Augusta), occupying a variety of natural wetland habitats including marshes, swamps, rivers, farm ponds and lakes. Opportunistic carnivores, they eat small mammals, aquatic insects, crayfish, frogs, fish, turtles, water birds and more.

Applicants can check their application status through their account after the July 31 deadline. Selected hunters will receive a temporary harvest tag and information packet by mail in early August.

For more information, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/Hunting/Alligator .