SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Two-hour guided boat tours into the byways of the Mobile-Tensaw River aboard Blakeley Park’s Delta Explorer are scheduled in early summer before sportsmen are permitted to make kills in August.

Permits to be issued by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will allow the killing of 125 alligators more than 6 feet in length over the weekends of Aug. 14-17 and Aug. 21-24. A department lottery will determine which sportsmen receive permits.

Saturday morning walk-on educational tours are scheduled for June 13, June 27, July 11, July 25 and Aug. 8 before the permitted killing of alligators begins.

The walk-on tours leave the Blakeley dock at 9:30 a.m. and return at 11: 30 a.m. The 47-foot long, covered Delta Explorer features bench seating and a restroom. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis but passengers can reserve spaces by paying in advance by major credit card. Rain checks, but no refunds, are issued if weather conditions force the postponement of any scheduled trip.

Private groups of a minimum size may charter tours at a date and time chosen by them. Tickets for both walk-ons and charters cost $22 for adults, $12 for children 6-12 and children 4-6 get in free. To reserve tickets for walk-ons, call 626-5581. For charter information call 626-0798.