Mississippi hunters just broke the state record for the largest alligator ever caught. These hunting programs help control alligator populations and fund state wildlife agencies. This has drawn attention to the state's alligator hunting program, which may provide more benefits for the reptiles than you might think. Because of this system, state officials were able to track the 776 alligators that were harvested in Mississippi in 2021. It's best for both the alligators and humans to keep their populations separate, at least from a public relations standpoint, Watkins said.

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Persons: Tate Watkins, Bruce Bennett, Watkins, Mike Heithaus, Maureen Donnelly, Phys.org, he's Organizations: Service, Environment Research Center, Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries, Endowment Fund, gator, Mississippi, gators Locations: Mississippi, Wall, Silicon, Texas , Arkansas , Louisiana , Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Parks, Yellowstone, Willow