WHAT DO HUNTERS DO FOR CONSERVATION?
I. FUNDING
The license fee system is the primary method of funding wildlife conservation efforts in Mississippi. In addition, federal excise taxes are collected from the sale of hunting and archery equipment, firearms, and ammo and divided among the 50 state wildlife agencies. Each state's share is based on the size of its land area and number of licensed hunters. The license fees and excise taxes pay for activities such as:
- Management and conservation of wildlife
- Habitat restoration
- Land acquisition for public hunting access
- Construction and development of shooting ranges
- Hunter education
- Wildlife management area operations and maintenance
- Research and monitoring of wildlife populations
- Economic Impacts of Wildlife and Fisheries Associated Recreation on the Mississippi Economy
II. MANAGEMENT
Wildlife Management
Hunters help manage Mississippi's wildlife by hunting. Hunting is a necessary tool to maintain healthy and diverse wildlife populations and helps to reduce crop damage and disease outbreaks.
Habitat Management
Hunters improve wildlife habitat on private lands with proper forest management, prescribed burning, disking, and supplemental food and cover plantings. In addition, hunters pay for habitat management efforts performed by the MDWFP through their purchase of hunting licenses and equipment.
III. PASSING IT ON
By introducing new people to the tradition of hunting, today's hunters keep alive a passion for hunting, introduce people to the skills needed for hunting, and, in the process, pass along the ethics of a sportsman and a deep appreciation for wildlife conservation.
