Homeowners to alligator hunters: Be quiet!

ST. CLOUD, Fla. (AP) -- Some lakefront homeowners in Osceola County want a quieter alligator hunt, and that could mean more restrictions on gator hunters next year.

Alligator-hunting season began August 15th and ends Thursday. Osceola County commissioners lifted an overnight ban for airboats on Lake Tohopekaliga and East Lake Toho for licensed trappers during the season -- and that has some residents tossing and turning.

Homeowners on the lakes say the airboats wake them up between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the gator hunt. They want commissioners to ban the boats for hunters next season.

Hunters say the homeowners aren't respecting the gator hunt tradition, and more restrictions on hunters might mean more gators in the lakes.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)