Last weekend, for the first time ever, hunters were allowed to kill alligaors in the state of Arkansas.

Twelve permit holders had successful hunts - and managed to keep all their fingers and toes.

The largest alligator taken during the opening weekend was a 12-foot, 8-inch male that weighed 550 pounds. It was taken by John McClendon of Monticello on the private McClendon Wetland Complex in Drew County.

Other gators taken were as follows:

Nick Britt, Cypress Bayou, Hempstead County, 10 foot 1 inch, male

Aaron Carver, Millwood Lake, Little River County, 8 foot 5 inch, male

Jim Keene, Lake Erling, Lafayette County, 8 foot 5 inch, female

Mike Cottingham, Cypress Bayou, Hempstead County, 12 foot 6 inch, male

Gregg Moore, Holly Mound, Lafayette County, 10 foot 9 inch, male

Clay Berry, Lost Lakes, Hempstead County, 8 foot, female

Chris West, Millwood Lake, Little River County, 10 foot, male

Clay Carter, Arkansas River, Arkansas/Desha County, 10 foot 3 inch, male

Jeremiah Rice, Arkansas River, Arkansas/Desha County, 6 foot 4 ½ inch, female

Benjamin Bradbury, Arkansas River, Arkansas/Desha County, 7 foot 5 inch, male

Holly Smith, Arkansas River, Arkansas/Desha County, 6 foot 7 5/8 inch, female