See Ya’ Later: More SC Gators Taken In ‘08

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The final figures are in and they show more alligators than expected were taken during last year’s South Carolina gator hunting season.

Numbers from the Department of Natural Resources show 362 alligators were taken in 13 counties. Initial figures shortly after the season ended last fall indicated about 190 gators were taken.

About 1,000 hunters received permits for last year’s gator hunt. Wildlife officials had expected between 20 and 30 percent of them to snare a gator.

Most of the alligators were taken along the middle and south coasts, but the biggest alligators were found in the Midlands where 45 gators of at least 10 feet were taken in the hunt.