Earlier this month, the Wilcox Area Chamber of Commerce put on display the state record alligator that was shot and killed during last summer’s state alligator season. There’s a chance that record might be challenged.

The Fancher Alligator, as it’s called, honoring the hunting group led by Shelby County resident Keith Fancher, measured 14-feet, 2-inches and weighed 838 pounds. It was killed last August in Dallas County, and was the highlight of a rare alligator season that saw large alligators claimed nearly every weekend.

One local team, the weekend before, held the season’s top prize, when they were able to bring in an alligator that stretched the measuring tape at 13-feet, one-inch and tipped the scales at 604 pounds.

The team of Jamie Thomas, Tad Lightfood, Brad Utsey and David Cothran needed two nights to claim their big prize, having spotted their alligator on one Friday night and then were finally able to bring it in on Saturday.

In an interview with the Times-Journal just days after the kill, Cothran said the group was already looking ahead to another season.

“I’ve hunted deer and fished, and there is nothing like this. It’s something I’d definitely want to do again,” Utsey said.

Cothran called the event “a once in a lifetime experience.”

“I’m still stunned by it. It was exciting,” Cothran said. “We are already making plans to pony up for next year so we can get more tags.”

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced Monday the start date of another season will begin Aug 16, and Dallas County is once again among the counties open for hunting.

Registration for the season begins June 5 online at www.outdooralabama.com and the random tag drawing will end July 13 at 8 a.m. The cost is $6 to apply and individuals may register multiple times.

For local hunters, only 50 tags will be issued in the hunt area, which includes Dallas, Wilcox and Monroe counties. Hunters who qualify will be randomly chosen by computer to receive one tag each, and the tags are non-transferable. The random selection will be held July 13.

The hunts will be held on Aug. 16-18 and Aug. 23-25.

According the Department of Conversation, selected hunters and their assistants are required to have in their possession a valid 2011-12 hunting license. Each hunter is required to complete the alligator-training course provided by Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division personnel. Hunters are exempt from the mandatory training class if they were drawn for the same area as they hunted in previous years. If chosen this year, hunters, who were chosen and participated in previous alligator hunts, are encouraged to contact their local WFF district wildlife office to determine if they are exempt from the mandatory training class.