* Private lands and authorized state and federal lands including Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U. S. Corps of Engineers managed lands which designate the squirrel youth season in their regulations and open U. S. Forest Service National Forest lands. Persons eligible to participate in this special hunt are those who are 15 years of age or younger. A child at least 12 years of age and under 16 years of age must have a certificate of satisfactory completion of a hunter education course approved by the department before hunting alone in this state; otherwise they must be in the presence and under the direct supervision of a licensed or exempt hunter at least 21 years of age when hunting. A child under the age of 12 must be in the presence and under the direct supervision of a licensed or exempt hunter at least 21 years of age when the child is hunting. A licensed hunter supervising a child as provided in this section must hold a valid Mississippi license for the species being hunted.

 

Squirrel populations are expected to be abundant again throughout most of the state. Hardwood mast crops have been mostly excellent for the past several years. Coupled with a mild winter, squirrels should have entered the late winter and early spring breeding season in good physical condition. It is anticipated that hunters should see good numbers of squirrels this season.