Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
December 2018
In This Issue

Quick Links
Purchase a License
Boat Registration
Find a Park Near You
Report a Violation
MDWFP News
Supplemental Feeding Regulations
MDWFP awarded for website and MDWFP Hunting & Fishing app

Photo: Mississippi Chief Information Officer and Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Dr. Craig Orgeron with Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Executive Director Dr. Sam Polles 

We are excited to announce MDWFP has earned several awards for our new mobile app,  MDWFP Hunting & Fishing, and our website  www.mdwfp.com. We would like to thank our partner, Mississippi Interactive, as well as our employees who are involved in the creation and curation of our online experience. 

Center for Digital Government 2018 Experience Award: State Government-to-Citizen Experience
Communicator Award of Distinction, Best Mobile Experience: MDWFP Hunting & Fishing
Communicator Award of Distinction, Mobile Sports App:  MDWFP Hunting & Fishing
Communicator Award of Distinction, Features - Integrated Mobile Experience:  MDWFP Hunting & Fishing
Communicator Award of Distinction, Features - Best Visual Design:  MDWFP Hunting & Fishing
Communicator Award of Distinction, Websites - Government: mdwfp.com
Communicator Award of Distinction, Features - Structure and Navigation: mdwfp.com
Hermes Honorable Mention: mdwfp.com
Davey Awards - Mobile Features; Best User Experience:  MDWFP Hunting & Fishing
Davey Awards - Mobile Features; Sports and Recreation:  MDWFP Hunting & Fishing

MDWFP Awards for MDWFP.com and Mobile App

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Recognized with National Awards
 
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks hunting and fishing mobile application continues to receive national recognition, garnering ten aw ards in recent months. Most notably the MDWFP mobile app was honored with a State Government Experience Award by the Center for Digital Government. This prestigious award recognizes the achievements and best practices of states, cities, and counties that radically improve the experience of government and push the boundaries of how citizen services are delivered.
 
Dr. Craig Orgeron, Mississippi Chief Information Officer and Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology, presented the award to Dr. Sam Polles, Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, and the MDWFP Commissioners during the November Commission meeting. During his presentation, Dr. Orgeron noted that "it is services like the Department's  mobile application that are a testament to how Mississippi State Government is delivering best-in-class services to citizens by leveraging cutting edge technology." He continued, saying "Executive Director Dr. Sam Polles, and the team at the Department of Wildlife really focused on creating a dynamic mobile app to ensure that Mississippi's wildlife supporters can enjoy the outdoors with access to MDWFP's digital services."
 
Dr. Polles echoed Dr. Orgeron's comments stating, "it is an honor to not only be nationally recognized for the innovation our mobile app delivers to our citizens, but also for the enhanced service experience we are able to offer Mississippi outdoor enthusiasts."
 
The MDWFP Hunting/Fishing mobile app, available for free download on iOS and Android platforms, provides hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts a convenient and quick avenue to access the features they need the most, when they need it most, on the go. These features include: real-time interactive digital hunting licenses , push notifications, on-the-go license purchases, sunrise/sunset timer, hunting/fishing reports, mapping, and feeding times. " The technology that MDWFP used to deliver the application's cornerstone feature, real-time digital licensing, is a first of its kind for the State of Mississippi" said Orgeron. "It eliminates the hassle of carrying around multiple hard copy licenses and is a prime example of how technology is being used at the state level to enhance government-to-citizen interactions."

MDWFP is proud to partner with Mississippi Interactive in developing web and mobile applications that continue to enhance the Mississippi outdoor experience. It is the dedication by MDWFP in coordination with MSI that continues to make MDWFP a technology leader in the state's conservation efforts.
 
Commission passes wild turkey harvest reporting
Starting spring 2019

On November 14, the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks passed as final Rule 3.4, which establishes mandatory harvest reporting for spring turkey season. Mississippi will now join many states in requiring hunters to report their turkey harvests to the state wildlife agency. This step forward in turkey conservation and management will allow for a more detailed look at our turkey populations throughout the state.

There will be three ways to report your turkey: the MDWFP Hunting & Fishing app, www.mdwfp.com, and a phone number. Of these, we strongly encourage hunters to take advantage of the app because it will be the quickest and easiest. Once you have a profile setup in the app, you will be able to complete the reporting process in under a minute. 

When you report your harvest, you will be asked simple questions including the county the bird was harvested in, whether you were on public or private land, and descriptions about the bird's beard and spur measurements.   

Please look forward to more information about turkey harvest reporting as we approach the spring turkey season.

Submit your harvested deer for CWD testing
At 21 locations across Mississippi

MDWFP needs your help collecting harvested deer for CWD testing. You can do so at 21 different drop-off locations across the state. Test results will be available online at www.mdwfp.com/cwd roughly two weeks after samples are submitted. MDWFP encourages hunters to continue to put venison on the dinner table as well as share new experiences with family, friends, and new hunters this hunting season. 

At CWD drop-off locations, instructions and materials to submit harvested deer will be on-site. 
Hunters may submit deer heads with at least six inches of neck attached with the antlers removed. 
Harvested animals should remain cool until testing to reduce decomposition and provide accurate results.  All hunters who submit a sample will complete a uniquely numbered biological sample card that will assist them in accessing test results online. 

In addition, MDWFP will operate the below check stations from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for hunters to bring their harvested deer for CWD sampling.

Locations and dates of operation:
  • Onward Store AND the intersection of Highways 465 and 61 (boat ramp)
    • Saturday/Sunday, December 29/30, January 5/6 
  • Ecru Volunteer Fire Department AND Pontotoc County Compound (across from Prater's Grocery on Highway 41)
    • Saturday, December 29, and January 5

For information on drop-off locations or to check the results of your submitted CWD sample, visit  www.mdwfp.com/cwd.
December hunting seasons

Deer Seasons

Primitive Weapon Season for deer opened statewide December 2 and will conclude December 15. Weapons legal for use during the primitive weapon season are all archery equipment and primitive firearms. For further details on primitive firearm rules and regulations, view the 2018-2019 Hunting Season Guide. Weapon of choice can be used on private land with an appropriate license.
 
Deer Gun Season (without dogs) opens statewide December 16 and will conclude December 23. 
 
The second Deer Gun Season (with dogs) opens statewide December 24 and will conclude January 16.

Delta Zone: Areas west of I-55 and north of I-20 plus areas south of I-20 and west of U.S. Highway 61.
Northeast Zone: Areas east of I-55 and north of U.S. Highway 82. 
East Central Zone: Areas east of I-55, east of U.S. Highway 49, south of U.S. Highway 82, and north of U.S. Highway 84.
Southwest Zone: Areas east of U.S. Highway 61, south of I-20, west of U.S. Highway 49, and west of MS Highway 35.
Southeast Zone: Areas south of U.S. Highway 84 and east of MS Highway 35.

Bag limits:

Antlered buck deer
The bag limit on antlered buck deer is one buck per day, not to exceed three per annual season. Legal bucks must meet the antler criteria within the appropriate deer management zone. For youth hunters 15 years of age and younger, hunting on private land and authorized state and federal lands, all three of the three buck bag limit may be any antlered deer.

Antlerless deer
Private Lands: The bag limit on Northeast, Delta, East Central, and Southwest zones antlerless deer is three (3) per annual season. The bag limit on Southeast Zone antlerless deer is one (1) per day, two (2) per annual season. U.S. Forest Service National Forests: The bag limit is one (1) per day, not to exceed three (3) per annual season except in the Southeast Zone, which is two (2) per annual season.

Small Game Seasons

Rabbit,  Squirrel, Bobwhite Quail, and Trapping Seasons are all open throughout December.

Migratory Game Bird Seasons

Duck, Mergansers, and Coots Season  opened December 5 - January 27.

Geese Season: Canada, White-fronted, Snow, Blue, Ross', and Brant opened December 5 - January 27.


This hunting season's final Dove Season opens December 15 in the north zone and December 22 in the hunting zone.  

Woodcock Season opens December 18.

Rail Season: Clapper and King is open through throughout December.

Rail Season: Sora and Virginia is open through throughout December.

Crow Season is open through throughout December.

Waterfowl draw hunts at WMAs


Throughout the state, ideal habitats for game animals are being prepared on MDWFP's Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) for upcoming hunting seasons. While many WMAs offer great hunting opportunities that are open to the public, several of these areas offer hunting through draw permit only. 
 
You will be able to submit applications for waterfowl draw hunts throughout December . Participating WMAs include Charlie Capps, Howard Miller, William C. "Billy" Deviney, Mahannah, Muscadine Farms, Trim Cane, and Tuscumbia. There will also be a youth only waterfowl draw hunt at Pearl River WMA.  
 
Weekly Waterfowl Reports


MDWFP's Waterfowl Program provides Weekly Waterfowl Reports to keep waterfowl hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts updated on waterfowl happenings throughout the winter. Information on the previous week's waterfowl movements and distributions, migration weather, and hunting reports from public and private lands are just some of the topics addressed in the reports. Weekly Waterfowl Reports are posted online at  www.mdwfp.com/waterfowl  and can also be found via MDWFP's Facebook and Twitter accounts.
MDWFP tracks Asian carp movement
An ongoing management effort

Many boaters and anglers are concerned about the growing population and expansion of Asian carp (black carp, bighead carp, and silver carp) in the Tennessee River and Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. For several years, a joint state, federal, and university effort has been underway to try and stop the expansion of Asian carp in two of the most important waterways in the Southeast. As part of that effort, collecting data on Asian carp movement has been a focus for MDWFP fisheries personnel in the northeast region of Mississippi. 

In order to track carp movement, sonic tags have been implanted in silver carp captured in Pickwick Lake. Acoustic receivers have been placed throughout the Tennessee River and Tenn-Tom Waterway.  As tagged carp swim past these receivers, a detection is recorded. The data is downloaded from the receivers allowing biologists to track movement of the carp. To date, MDWFP biologists, with assistance from Tennessee Tech University, have tagged 20 silver carp. Surprisingly, nine of these carp moved downstream to Kentucky and Barkley lakes. Two of those carp then returned to Pickwick. Current data analysis shows that silver carp can swim over 60 miles per day. The data MDWFP is collecting will be vital in determining the effectiveness of fish passage barriers at locks and dams, as well as securing funding for such structures from Congress.
Wild hog removal during deer season


As you sit in the deer stand this year, there is a chance you could have your hunt interrupted by a sounder of wild hogs marching through the woods. For the average outdoorsman, deer season is probably a time you will encounter evidence of these nuisance animals on your property. Trapping is the most effective method of wild hog removal, but the incidental harvest of wild hogs while deer hunting is legal in Mississippi.  Although it may be tempting to target a "trophy" boar, adult sows contribute more to explosive population growth than boars and should always be targeted first.  

Shooting should only be used to target hogs that cannot be trapped. Trapping should always be the primary means of population control. Late winter trapping efforts can prove to be particularly effective because of the diminished natural food availability at that time of year. 
Hunter's Special cabin rates
Plan your hunting trip today

Select Mississippi State Parks offer discounted lodging rates to sportsmen during the hunting season. Many of our parks are conveniently located near WMAs and National Wildlife Refuges, providing an affordable "hunting camp" experience.

Discounted lodging rates will be offered to hunters October 2018 through February 2019.
Special Rates:
  • Cabin that sleeps four or less - $50.00 / night
  • Standard RV sites - $18.00 / night
  • Full RV sites - $20.00 / night
 
Participating State Parks:
  • Clarkco State Park
  • George P. Cossar State Park
  • Hugh White State Park
  • J. P. Coleman State Park
  • John W. Kyle State Park
  • Lake Lincoln State Park
  • Lake Lowndes State Park
  • Legion State Park
  • Leroy Percy State Park
  • Natchez State Park
  • Roosevelt State Park
  • Tombigbee State Park
  • Trace State Park
  • Wall Doxey State Park
Discounted rates will be applied for reservations made at qualifying Mississippi State Parks. Hunters must show a valid Mississippi hunting license to qualify for the discounted rate. For reservations made via 1-800-GO-PARKS or www.mdwfp.com/parks, a refund for the discounted amount will be issued upon arrival (with proof of a valid Mississippi hunting license).
Take a hunter education class
Register today


The fall hunting season is here and MDWFP has hunter education courses scheduled across the state. There is no cost to attend a course, but pre-registration is required. Participants can find available courses in their area and pre-register at education.mdwfp.com  Hunter education courses include 10 hours of instruction. To obtain hunter education certification, students must be at least 10 years old and must attend all classroom hours and pass a written exam. 

All persons born after January 1, 1972, are required to complete a hunter education course before purchasing a Mississippi hunting license. Also effective July 1, 2000, individuals between 12 and 16 years old must have a certificate of satisfactory completion of a hunter education course approved by MDWFP before hunting alone in this state. A child at least 12 years old and under 16 years old may hunt without having the certificate of hunter education if the child is in the presence and under the direct supervision of a licensed or exempt hunter at least 21 years old when hunting.

An alternative to taking the standard hunter education class is taking a  Mississippi hunter education online course . Online courses allow students to complete part of the course from a desktop or mobile device. Upon completing a pre-certification exam, students must attend  a scheduled classroom setting for final testing. 
Support conservation with these holiday gift ideas

Lifetime Hunting & Fishing License
 
Did you know Mississippi offers a Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License? Connect your child or grandchild to the outdoors early by making this one-time investment and save on a lifetime of annual license fees. 

A Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License is $500 for youth 12 years and under and $1,000 for anyone 13 years and over.
 
 
Subscription to Mississippi Outdoors Magazine
 
A subscription to Mississippi Outdoors is the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone who loves the outdoors. Enjoy beautiful wildlife and nature photography, read how-to articles, and learn more about Mississippi's abundant recreational opportunities.
 
 
Annual Park Entrance Permit
 
For an annual fee of $42, you can have access to all of Mississippi's 25 state parks from the Tennessee line to the Gulf Coast. You can purchase these at a state park near you. 
Donate to MDWFP's "Stuff the Truck" toy drive

MDWFP Conservation Officers are asking all Mississippians to give back this holiday season by helping us "Stuff the Truck" to benefit the children of Batson Children's Hospital. The toy drive began on November 15 and will run through December 7.

Learn more
Start off the new year with a First Day Hike
At a State Park near you

Mississippi State Parks will sponsor guided hikes on New Year's Day. First Day Hikes offer an opportunity to begin the new year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike at a state park close to home. It is also a great way to welcome the new year with friends and family. The distance and rigor vary from park to park. Participating parks include Natchez, George P. Cossar, Clark Creek Natural Area, Lake Lowndes, Clarkco, and Tishomingo state parks. 

Cold-weather camping tips
Don't let the weather hinder your outdoor experience 


Wear appropriate clothing: Avoid clothing made of cotton, such as corduroy, denim, flannel, duck, or cotton-polyester blends. Cotton clothing touching your skin will absorb your sweat and other moisture like a sponge and will cease to insulate.

Know how to layer clothing:
Remember the three W's of layering: Wicking (inside layer), Warmth (middle layer), and Wind/Water resistance (outer layer).

Start shedding layers the second you start sweating: If you are overheated, the moisture you produce will chill you to the bone once you stop moving, so it is crucial to start shedding layers once you notice yourself being overheated.

Do not sleep with your face buried under the sleeping bag: The moisture from your breath will cancel out the insulating properties of your sleeping gear. Wear a knit hat or beanie when you sleep.

Keep the next day's clothes in your sleeping bag with you: You can avoid having big pockets of air between you and the sleeping bag. Also, you will not have to put on cold clothes in the morning.

Do not sleep directly on the ground : Get a closed cell foam pad to  provide insulation between you and the ground. A foam pad cushions and insulates.

Choose the right campsite: The morning sun can be a welcome companion. Take note of where the sun will first appear at sunrise, and angle your tent to take advantage of the early rays while shielding the door of your tent from the wind.

Bring firewood: Storms can make wood too wet to burn. An evening campfire will keep you warm at night and make cooking outside more enjoyable in cold weather.

Bring plenty of water: It is still easy to get dehydrated during the winter. Although you are not visibly sweating, you still lose a lot of water through breathing.
Celebrate the Season at the Science Museum

Make merry memories this holiday season at the award-winning MDWFP Mississippi Museum of Natural Science! "We're excited to announce a few new events along with some of our traditional holiday favorites for you to enjoy with your family and friends," says Charles Knight, Museum Director. Click here for ticketing details.

December 4 - 23: Santa SCUBA Dives. Watch Santa feed the fish every Tuesday and Friday at 10 a.m. and every Sunday at 2 p.m.

December 7 & December 8, 2018 (6 p. m. - 8:30 p.m.): Snow Much Fun! Snow in Mississippi? Absolutely! Play in scheduled "snowfalls," take a frosty selfie with Santa, create winter woodland crafts, and dance at the "Snow-Ball."

December 14, 2018 (10 a.m. - Noon): STEM with Snowflakes. Experiment with instant snow and dry ice. Make paper snowflakes. Hear the fascinating story of photographer "Snowflake Bentley"!

December 31, 2018 (6 p.m. - 8 p.m.): New Year's Eve Glow Party. Enjoy a family-friendly party including the "In the Dark" exhibit, glow costume contest, nocturnal animal show, glow-stick trail hike, glow-in-the-dark dancing, and glow cupcakes! Win prizes as we ring in 2019 at 8 p.m. with a balloon drop.

Now - December 31, 2018: "In the Dark" Exhibit. Crawl inside a giant bat head, experience life as a termite, learn how bats use echo-location and how some species have adapted to life in the dark.
November Overview
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