Wildlife & Hunting

Small Game Season Offers Big Hunting Opportunities
Tuesday December 13, 2011
JACKSON – With squirrel and rabbit hunting seasons opening, there are many opportunities to enjoy some time in the fall woods. For many hunters in Mississippi, small game hunting was their first hunting experience and it remains a popular pastime.

Light Goose Conservation Order Resumes
Tuesday January 24, 2012
JACKSON- Waterfowl hunters are reminded that even though the regular waterfowl season ends on January 29, additional light goose hunting opportunity will be available for late winter and early spring.

WMA Turkey Hunting Applications Available January 15
Friday January 13, 2012
Beginning January 15th the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks will begin accepting applications for turkey hunting on select Wildlife Management Areas.

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend: February 4th- February 5th
Tuesday January 24, 2012
JACKSON- Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) would like to remind everyone of the youth waterfowl hunting weekend on February 4th - 5th, 2012.

Big Bucks for Mississippi in 2011
Tuesday January 24, 2012
JACKSON - The early spring that occurred in 2011 was kind to many Mississippi deer hunters. William T. McKinley, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) Deer Program Biologist said, “Recent research has shown that an early spring green-up allows deer more time to recover from the stress of the rut and cold winter, which helps deer devote more energy to body and antler growth.”

Abundant Acorn Crop Contributes to Reduced Deer Sightings in 2011
Tuesday January 24, 2012
JACKSON – Mississippi’s 2011-2012 deer season has been interesting to say the least. Prior to the season, MDWFP Deer Program Biologists were concerned with meeting hunters’ expectations due to an abundant statewide acorn crop.

MDWFP To Hold Wildlife Management Area Public Meetings
Monday January 30, 2012
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) is holding a series of six public meetings to discuss Wildlife Management Area (WMA) activities. The meetings will showcase regional WMA harvest data, habitat work, infrastructure improvements, and information about MDWFP. All WMA users, adjacent landowners, hunting clubs, and concerned citizens are invited to attend.

Crappie Tracking at Enid Lake
Monday January 30, 2012
The location of the four-year cooperative crappie tracking project conducted by the University of Mississippi and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) has moved from Sardis to Enid Lake. The goal is to learn more about the spawning areas of crappie in our local reservoirs.

Turkey Season Changes on South Delta WMAs
Wednesday February 01, 2012
JACKSON - Flood events along the Mississippi River have had significant consequences for wild turkey populations within the Delta. Although most adult birds survived flood waters by moving to higher ground or treetops for extended periods; flood events during 2008, 2009, and 2011 all occurred during the spring nesting season. Wild turkeys nest on the ground; therefore, very little reproduction occurred in the Delta during these years. Conversely, reproduction was above average across the region during 2010.

Howard Miller WMA Closed During Light Goose Conservation Order
Thursday February 02, 2012
JACKSON – The Light Goose Conservation Goose Order hunt will be closed on Howard Miller Wildlife Management Area (WMA) according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP). Howard Miller WMA regulations state that the area will be open during this special opportunity in accordance with Federal regulations However, due to pending farming practices that will improve waterfowl habitat, this area will be closed to hunting beginning February 6th.

Wildlife Management Area Public Meetings – South Delta and Southwest MS
Thursday February 09, 2012
JACKSON – The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) Wildlife Management Area (WMA) public has two meetings scheduled for next week. These meetings will showcase regional WMA harvest data, habitat work, infrastructure improvements, and information about MDWFP. All WMA users, adjacent landowners, hunting clubs, and interested citizens are encouraged to attend.

Wildlife Management Area Public Meetings – North Delta and Southeast MS
Tuesday February 14, 2012
JACKSON – The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) Wildlife Management Area (WMA) has two public meetings scheduled for next week. These meetings will showcase regional WMA harvest data, habitat work, infrastructure improvements, and information about MDWFP. All WMA users, adjacent landowners, hunting clubs, and interested citizens are encouraged to attend.

Youth Turkey Season Offers Excitement for Young Hunters
Monday February 27, 2012
JACKSON – The 2012 youth spring turkey season will begin on private lands and authorized state and federal lands on Thursday, March 8th. This special season, which is available to hunters ages 15 and under, coincides with spring break for many of Mississippi’s school systems. This opportunity is an excellent chance to introduce young hunters to the thrill of pursuing springtime gobblers.

Anticipation Builds for the Opening of Spring Turkey Season
Monday February 27, 2012
JACKSON – Excitement among turkey hunters in many parts of the state is building as the 2012 spring turkey season gets closer. The 2012 spring turkey season will open on March 15th and will run through May 1st. Two years ago, MDWFP biologists reported that the 2010 hatch was well above average, which should translate into an abundance of 2-year-old gobblers to greet hunters this year. “Two-year-olds are the age group that generally account for the highest percentage of the harvest, so when that age group is up, so too are harvest rates,” stated Dave Godwin, the MDWFP Wild Turkey Program Coordinator. Adam Butler, MDWFP Turkey Program biologist, indicated that this increase in reproduction yielded a spike in jake observations last season, and these birds have been carried over for the 2012 season. “This should be one of the better seasons we’ve had in awhile,” said Butler.

MDWFP Continues Assistance Program for Wetland Habitat on Private Lands in Mississippi
Monday March 19, 2012
JACKSON- Mississippi Partners for Fish and Wildlife (MPFW), a partnership which includes Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) federal agencies, conservation organizations, and private companies, is working to improve wetland habitat on privately-owned lands for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife. MPFW is now seeking applications for new private land wetland projects until May 1, 2012.

Wild Turkey Report Available Thanks to Volunteer Hunters
Monday March 19, 2012
JACKSON – MDWFP, in partnership with the Mississippi Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, is pleased to announce the release of its annual report on the status of Mississippi’s wild turkey population. This full-color publication, entitled “Spittin’ & Drummin’,” is available for download at http://www.mdwfp.com/turkey. The Wild Turkey Report contains a wealth of information regarding trends in turkey numbers from around the state, habitat management advice for hunters and landowners, and other accounts of conservation efforts relating to wild turkeys.

New Sportsman’s License/Prints are Available
Tuesday April 03, 2012
Jackson – With turkeys gobbling and fish biting, now is a great time to be outdoors in Mississippi. If you plan to go hunting or fishing this spring make sure you have a valid license, such as the 2012-13 Sportsman License.

MDWFP Announces Longleaf Pine Field Day
Monday April 09, 2012
JACKSON – The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) and its partners will host a field day for private landowners interested in learning more about the benefits of longleaf pine. The event will be held at a private property in Lawrence County nearSilver Creek, Mississippi on May 10th, 2012. Topics will include management of longleaf pine, economic and wildlife benefits, cost-share programs, and more. The workshop will run from 9am to 3pm, with lunch provided for field day participants.

Delay Mowing to Avoid Disturbing Wild Turkey Nests
Thursday April 19, 2012
JACKSON – Late April through early June is the peak nesting season for wild turkeys and several other ground-nesting birds. These species prefer to nest in overgrown pastures, hay fields, road edges, and ditch banks, which can make them vulnerable to mowing and haying. In order to avoid impacting these species, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) recommends delaying mowing of these areas until after July 1st. For land enrolled in certain federal conservation cost-share programs, contracts may require that mowing be delayed until August 15th.

Governor Ensures MDWFP’s Continued Participation in Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs
Thursday April 19, 2012
Jackson – Gov. Phil Bryant yesterday signed into law legislation that will protect Mississippi sportsmen’s investment in conservation. The assent legislation in H. B. 848 meets the most basic requirement for participation in Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) programs. These essential programs, administered by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, currently provide around $10 million in federal assistance annually to support MDWFP operations. WSFR funding comes from manufacturers’ excise taxes on sporting arms and ammunition, fishing equipment, and boats and motors.

Minimize Deer Damage to Gardens and Landscaping
Tuesday April 24, 2012
JACKSON- With spring upon us, many Mississippians are planting gardens and working hard to beautify their property. However, white-tailed deer find many garden and landscape plants very appealing and can often force gardeners to battle deer for their prized plants. To manage the problem, MDWFP suggests a few tips that may save your plants this spring and summer.

Spring Turkey Season Continues Until May 1
Wednesday April 25, 2012
JACKSON –Mississippi turkey hunters still have time remaining in the 2012 spring season, which closes on May 1, 2012. Hunters throughout most regions of the Magnolia State are reporting great success during the 2012 turkey season. A good statewide hatch in 2010 resulted in an increase in the great number of 2-year old gobblers hunters have encountered this spring. “Two-year old gobblers are usually the most vocal and tend to be more susceptible to harvest” says MDWFP Wild Turkey Program Leader Adam Butler. In addition to increased number of birds, generally favorable weather conditions have also helped make the 2012 season one to remember.

Learn More About Deer Management at Copiah County WMA
Friday April 27, 2012
JACKSON – MDWFP, in partnership with the Southwest Mississippi Quality Deer Management Association branch, is hosting a Deer Management Field Day on May 19th at Copiah County WMA near Hazlehurst. The half-day event will feature presentations and field tours by MDWFP biologists on a range of topics including deer harvest strategies and habitat management practices.

MDWFP Recognizes Dove and Wood Duck Banders of the Year
Tuesday May 01, 2012
The Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks recently recognized the 2010 and 2011 Mourning Dove and Wood Duck Bander of the Year at their April meeting in Jackson. “The MDWFP and our partners work hard to band wood ducks and mourning doves each year” stated MDWFP Wildlife Bureau Director Ed Penny, “and these awards recognize the individuals that band the most birds each year. Ducks and doves are captured, then fitted with aluminum leg bands and released.” Important information about migration and survival is obtained when these birds are harvested and reported by hunters.

MDWFP and MSU to Host Deer Management Workshops
Tuesday May 01, 2012
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and Mississippi State University are planning four workshops throughout the state to teach participants how to better manage their land for white-tailed deer. The workshops are in two-day sets, and participants may register for one or both days. Workshops will be held June 1 in Vicksburg at Hinds Community College and June 2 at Mahannah Wildlife Management Area north of Vicksburg. The workshops on the MSU campus will be July 13 and 14 at the College of Forest Resources’ Thompson Hall.

Dove Fields Being Prepared at Black Prairie WMA
Tuesday May 01, 2012
Spring turkey season is now a memory, so that means it is time for the MDWFP to begin preparing dove fields at Black Prairie WMA. While it may seem like a long time until early fall and the beginning of dove season, now is the time to begin planting sunflowers to prepare for the opening day of dove season. The opening day of dove season is a special tradition in Mississippi, and MDWFP seeks to provide a unique hunting opportunity for youth at Black Prairie. The opening day at Black Prairie is open only to youth hunters 15 years of age and younger. Youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult when hunting and all hunters must possess a WMA User Permit unless they are exempt from purchasing an annual hunting or fishing license.

Using the Axe, Match, and Plow at Charles Ray Nix Wildlife Management Area
Monday May 14, 2012
MDWFP wildlife biologists are using the modern versions of an axe, match, and plow to create and maintain quality wildlife habitat at Charles Ray Nix Wildlife Management Area (CRNWMA). These tools, which were identified so long ago by famous conservationist Aldo Leopold, and used by farmers throughout Mississippi’s history, have been replaced by modern forest management methods, drip torch, and tractor. Located west of Sardis in Panola County, nearly all of its 4,000 acres are intensively managed for a host of game and non-game species of wildlife. Since the WMA was acquired by MDWFP, its upland forests have been thinned, controlled seasonal fire has been reintroduced across the WMA, and native grasses are now reestablished in former agricultural fields.

Mississippi Alligator Travels 30 Miles to Louisiana
Monday May 14, 2012
JACKSON – The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) was recently notified by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) about a nuisance alligator near Lake Providence, Louisiana. While there was nothing illegal or unusual about the nuisance alligator complaint, the LDWF agent alligator trapper noticed some tags located in the alligator tail and on its hind feet. The tags were identified as those attached to alligators in Mississippi as part of a monitoring project being conducted by MDWFP. The alligator, identified as White 4, was originally captured and tagged by MDWFP in Warren County, approximately 1 mile south of Eagle Lake on March 18, 2009. At the time of capture, it was 7 feet 7 inches long. When this alligator was captured near Lake Providence, LA on April 11, 2012, it was 9 feet 2 inches long. Since the time of original capture in Mississippi, White 4 had traveled at least 30.6 miles and had grown 6.3 inches per year.