Georgia Department of Natural Resources officials say the deadline to apply for an alligator hunting license is approaching.

Department spokeswoman Melissa Cumming says 850 applicants will be selected for the 2013 alligator hunting season, which runs from Sept. 7 to Oct. 6. The deadline to apply for a license is July 31.

Cummings says 850 hunters harvested 247 alligators last year. They alligators were an average of about 8 feet long, and the longest was more than 13 feet long.

Cummings says most alligators in the state live south of Columbus, Macon and Augusta in natural wetland habitats — such as marshes, swamps, rivers, ponds and lakes.

Hunters are asked to visit the department's website to apply for a license.

Tags: hunting, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, alligator, alligator hunt