To learn more about becoming a contracted nuisance alligator trapper and to apply online, visit MyFWC.com/Alligator and click on the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program. To put your alligator trapping skills to the test, apply by April 14. He visits local schools, homeowners associations, and even attends local fundraisers with his little buddy Spike the alligator! Shizuka Matsuki, 47, was killed in 2018 when she was attacked by an alligator while walking her dogs in Davies Silver Lakes Rotary Nature Park. The estimated additional pay is $53,933 per year. I was medically retired in 2014, so I moved back . People with concerns about an alligator should call FWC's toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392 . Make the right impression on employers and get better job offers. Most recently, Ray has joined the lineup on the A&E hit show Live Rescue! So . There is a rule according to The Louisiana Alligator Advisory Council that you have to tag an alligator after catching it. all specialties and locations. And that's where we take the shot. By Timothy Fadek and Jeff Costello. So we created Salary Rank. History docuseries Swamp People captures the reality of an alligator hunters job, and it doesnt come easy. What are the main expenses for alligator trappers? You know youre from Florida when the sight of an alligator swimming in your pool on a Friday morning is what you call a great start to your weekend.. Despite the dangers alligator trappers can make a very good living. Of that number, 8,036 were killed . We compared the salary of all careers then we gave them a rank of A, B, C, or D depending on where their average salary sit in comparison to other careers. Just as its tail contacts the truckbed, the alligator snaps its head back, apparently . Part of the blame for the tanking wild gator hide market is the fashion appeal of pristine skins that come from gator farms. Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. BRANDON, Fla. (WFLA) An alligator that's been living in the Lumsden Reserve neighborhood with its mouth taped shut since December has finally been captured and relocated. The estimated base pay is $182,087 per year. Occasionally, the hunters catch alligators as big as 12 foot, which proves to be quite the struggle to get into the boat. To put your alligator trapping skills to the test, apply by April 14. Usually, the hunting season lasts for 30 days in total. Since the shows success, Swamp People has expanded to include hunters from other parts of Louisiana. Upthegrove recently sold five alligators for $233. careers. Engage in conversations about Shareholder pay with other professionals in the community. Now, $10K per episode doesnt sound like too little, but compared to a few of the other cast members its not much. However moving to a higher paying state like HI doesnt guarantee that you will make more because the expenses at HI might be much higher than where you are currently living at right now. With no market for gator skins, Mazzotti said Florida may need to start a salaried-type program for alligator trappers as it has for python hunters. Applicants must pass a criminal history check, have no fish or wildlife law violations and have a working email address. Another simple way to increase your salary as a Hunter and Trapper is to move to a higher paying state. To be considered,. Ray enjoys educating the public about animal safety, the consequences of feeding wildlife, and how to comfortably coexist with nature in our area. have the best average compensation in Alaska, where they can get average pay scales of just about $50,560. So, how much do they make? Ray holds a Class IICaptive Wildlife License, which allows him to transfer larger alligators live to a facility that is licensed to accept live alligators. How much a hunter makes can vary greatly. Answer 4: An alligator skin can sell for around $100. Answer 3: The average alligator trapper in the United States catches around 30 alligators a year. Now, he said he makes $10 to $25 depending on length. How many alligator skins does the average alligator trapper sell in a year? They can make around $100000 a year sometimes more. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. A seven-foot alligator sent a Florida woman to the hospital Tuesday after biting her in the leg, according to a local report. News4JAX rides along with trapper during alligator mating season Aaron Farrar , News4Jax reporter Published: May 12, 2022, 6:00 AM Updated: May 12, 2022, 12:32 PM Hunters and Trappers tend to make the most in the following How many alligators does the average alligator trapper sell for meat in a year? The market really started to decline three years ago and its progressively getting worse, said Wood, who no longer buys the nuisance gators. They typically charge by the alligator with prices depending on the size of the animal. We've identified nine states where the typical salary for a Trapper job is above the national average. >>RELATED: Gators, like sharks, make for good Florida news, but little menace. I was born and raised here in Florida. With more online . states, The following states have the lowest average wages for this career, SALARIES FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROFESSIONALS. Answer 10: Yes alligator trappers in the United States need a license. Contact Ray the Trapper to learn more about his work. Alligator trapping is a dangerous job. How long is an alligator trapper license valid for? However, in 2017 and 2018 there was increased competition coming from overseas and this caused gator sales to drop to an all-time low. This listing provides federal protection for alligators but allows the state to manage alligator populations. During the luxury heyday - when we all watched Dynasty, wore big shoulderpads and carried alligator handbags, hides of wild alligators soared as high as $60 per foot, according to the Louisiana. He can be also seen on local tv channels, hoping to raise awareness regarding his job as a trapper. As major designers and retailers including Chanel, Diane von Furstenberg, H&M, Victoria Beckham, and others are banning exotic skins, the writing is on the wall: It's 2020 and time to find a line of work that doesn't involve killing of wildlife and trying to peddle their unwanted skins, said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. When I went back in the service, it never left my mind that there's a job out there to catch alligators. Join our hunter or trapper Career Community today! People with concerns about an alligator should call FWC's toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). Featured Schools Salary rank Salary rank D How much do alligator trappers make per hour? This occupation has now been updated to Fishing and Hunting Workers. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Alligator trappers make a very good living. Animal Outreach. Topping the list is Hawaii, with Nevada and Massachusetts close behind in second and third. Top 5 paying states. With the support of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the trappers are asking this year for an increase in their per-animal stipend from $30 to $50. When trappers are needed, applications submitted within the last 12 months for the specific area of need are considered. Have something to tell us about this article? The laws and policies that allow gator skins and parts to be sold is an exception to how most game species are treated under the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, which forbids sales of most wild-animal . The estimated total pay for a Shareholder at Littler Mendelson is $236,020 per year. The state of Florida pays 'alligator trappers' to deal with rogue gators at $30 a pop here's what it's like to be one. Curtis Robinson, Alligator Trapper, Morriston, Florida. Also available for privately contracted work (other nuisance wildlife) and wildlife education programs. Get a free, personalized salary estimate based on today's job market. She's a grandmother, schoolteacher and alligator trapper! Instead, the FWC operates the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program, where people call to report a suspicious gator. But are they also raking in some dough from the show? As a result, Swamp People can make lots of money by selling the alligators after catching them. The Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program occasionally needs new or additional contracted nuisance alligator trappers. But, remember, not every alligator hunter stars on a famous reality show like Swamp People. So, how much does the average (non-celebrity) alligator hunter make? The Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) is administered by FWC's Division of Hunting and Game Management, Alligator Management Program. Have a record of adherence to fish and wildlife regulations and have no criminal history. Estimated $28.7K - $36.4K a year. Harter, a 57-year-old retired teacher who also works full time helping special needs adults, said she catches about 200 alligators per year. , Learn How to State Your Case and Earn Your Raise, Climb the Ladder With These Proven Promotion Tips, A Guide to Negotiating the Salary You Deserve, How to Prepare for Your Interview and Land the Job. The American alligator is listed by the U.S. Most nuisance alligator trappers have other sources of income. Answer 5: The average alligator trapper in the United States sells around 300 alligator skins a year. If you live in Central Florida, alligators can show up anytime, anywhere. Now, he said he makes $10 to $25 depending on length. Ty :). Of the 6,020 fish and game wardens working in the United . The alligator was. People with concerns about an alligator should call FWC's toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286) and a contracted nuisance alligator trapper will get dispatched to . Top headlines: 11-year-old Winter Park boy dies from flesh-eating bacteria after . Required fields are marked *. (Christy Kroboth) Kroboth received a phone call at 6 . In 2020, the Louisiana alligator hunting season was extended to 60 days, and ended in late October in both east and west zones. >>RELATED: Shes an avid surfer aware of shark danger, then she got bit by a gator. Of course this depends on a number of factors such as experience the size of the operation the number of alligators and the price of alligator skins. Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its2022 Agency Regulatory Plan. The commercialization of these animals has been the single largest factor responsible for conserving them over the past two decades, he said. Are you an aspiring hunter or trapper? The season begins on the first Wednesday of September and lasts for 30 days. My dad started with the program as one of the first trappers, said Kramer, 50. Sign up in our career community today! According to BLS, the highest paid Hunters and Trappers are in the states of HI, NC, AZ, CA and IL. Bradley Weidenhamer, 10, who died after he was attacked by a 400-pound alligator on the Loxahatchee River in 1993. Massachusetts beats the national average by 10.0%, and Hawaii furthers that trend with another $3,587 (12.6%) above the $28,486. (239) 410-2408. Mazzotti fears the nuisance alligator program could collapse without better pay for trappers. Want a new opportunity where you can earn a higher salary? For the past eightyears, Ray has been on call day and night, trapping alligators, crocodiles, and black bears as requested by FWC. However some trappers also work during the fall and spring. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Louisiana alligator hunters used to make between $20 and $40 per foot of alligator. Under the South Florida Water Management Districts python program, hunters earn $8.46 to $15 per hour to hunt the invasive snake, plus bonuses based on length. The show also features the swamplands ofTexas. Yes, there's what's called a kill spot right behind the edge of their skull, where nature has left a spot where they're not covered by their scutes. Entry-level Hunters and Trappers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $19,170 to $24,930 per year or $9 to $12 per hour. Ray the Trapper Ray Simonsen, Sr. raythetrapper@gmail.com (239) 410-2408. $17 per hour. For 40 years, state-contracted nuisance alligator hunters have answered the call to wrangle the iconic reptiles when one gets too close for comfort. BAREFOOT ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS LLC. Between 2009 and 2018, the average number of alligators taken per year was 7,324. Privately Licensed as a nuisance trapper, Ray also responds to calls for other wildlife situations. How accurate is this most likely Total Pay range (base + additional) of $177K-$329K/yr? Copyright 2023 Recruiter.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Here we go again! Most often, this allows to alligators to enjoy a live release at a farm where they breed and live their lives in a natural habitat. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. Get started with your Free Employer Profile, average salary for a Shareholder is $142,130 per year in United States, The Ultimate Job Interview Preparation Guide. Its a whole lot of leg work and sometimes you go out and there isnt even an alligator, its a frog.. Done correctly, it brings benefits to ecosystems and makes people safe.. Media; Nuisance Wildlife Removal. Hunters and Trappers hunt and trap wild animals for human consumption, fur, feed, bait, or other purposes. Copyright 1999 - 2023 State of Florida. However, his son, Jacob Landry makes on $40 per episode of Swamp People. Some sources say that cast members make around $10,000 per episode. Get started with a free resume review. Salary. Answer 6: The average alligator trapper in the United States make around $20000 a year after expenses. Hunters and Trappers: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz, How Much Do Hunters and Trappers Make in 2021 (including Starting Salary). Fans watched as members of this fiercely independent community struggled to preserve their way of life in the Atchafalaya Basin. But to nab them, she has to make more than 1,000 house calls where someone has complained about a nuisance gator. With up front standardized pricing, our clients will always know what to expect before work ever begins. The peak season for alligator trapping is during the summer when the animals are most active. The show takes place during the most important time of year for swamp residents: alligator-hunting season. Each hunter is issued a set amount of tags that must be attached to the alligators they catch. His hobbies include shooting, archery, fishing, scuba, and working on projects around the home. That means Floridians can't just call up a local trapper to remove a troublemaker alligator like they can a raccoon or iguana. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals supported the ban. Similar to any other job, their salary will increase as they gain experience. Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees, Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network, See a full list of our Social Media accounts. Trappers began getting the $30 stipend in 2004. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is hiring a contracted nuisance alligator trapper for Sarasota County.