|
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
|
|
|
|
WATER FEATURES OPEN AT STATE PARKS
|
Memorial Day Weekend
Mississippi's State Parks conjure up thoughts of nature trails, campgrounds, and maybe even disc golf - but do not overlook the fun to be had on the water! From boating and water skiing to splash pads and slides, get ready to get wet at the parks' many attractions.
Saturday, May 27 all water features will be open at Mississippi State Parks. This includes pools, water slides, wave pools, and splash pads. Please check with your local state park for more information.
We encourage you to spend your memorial day with friends and family at one of Mississippi's 25 State Parks! You can book your stay online here.
|
FALLEN CONSERVATION OFFICERS MEMORIAL CEREMONY
|
May 17 at MDWFP Headquarters
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) will host its annual memorial ceremony on May 17 at 10 a.m. to honor and remember Conservation Officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The annual Memorial Ceremony is open to the public and will be held at MDWFP headquarters located at 1505 Eastover Drive in Jackson.
|
|
|
|
NEW WILDLIFE BUREAU LEADERSHIP
|
New Wildlife Executive Staff Officer and Director of Wildlife Resources
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks (MWDFP) Wildlife Bureau welcomes new leadership with the hiring Russ Walsh as the new Wildlife Executive Staff Officer and Amy Blaylock as the Director of Wildlife Resources.
Walsh previously served with the MDWFP as a district biologist in South Mississippi and coordinated the Landowner Incentive Program. In 2007, he assisted with establishing the Private Lands Habitat Program and served as a private lands biologist until he was hired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Blaylock has served as the East Central Region WMA biologist where she was responsible for all management activities on 11 WMA. She has also served as the Wildlife Restoration Coordinator where she was responsible for writing and managing grants that assist in funding the Wildlife Bureau.
|
| | Russ Walsh, Wildlife Executive Staff Officer |
|
|
| | Amy Blaylock, Director of Wildlife Resources |
|
|
|
TRACE STATE PARK LAKE CLOSED FOR DAM REPAIRS
|
Old Natchez Trace Lake at Trace State Park has been drained for dam repairs. The original slide on the downstream slope has significantly worsened, and slides on the upstream slope have reached a point that the dam core may be impacted. MDWFP was directed by MDEQ to immediately open the valve and drain the lake in preparation for dam repairs in summer 2017.
After repairs are complete, the lake will be allowed to fill and stocked with bass, bream, crappie, and catfish.
|
| | Trace State Park Lake Drained for Dam Repairs |
|
|
PROPOSED WHITE-TAILED DEER SEASON AND BAG LIMITS
|
For 2017-2018
At a public meeting on April 19, 2017, the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks approved proposed rule changes for the 2017 - 2018 white-tailed deer hunting season.
Deer Hunting Zones
Delta Zone: Areas west of 1-55 and north of 1-20 plus areas south of 1-20 and west of U.S. Highway 61.
Northeast Zone: Areas east of 1-55 and north of U.S. Highway 82.
East Central Zone: Areas east of 1-55, 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 1-20, 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
Delta, Northeast, East Central, and Southwest Zones: 3 antlerless deer per annual season.
Southeast Zone: 1 antlerless deer per day, not to exceed 2 per annual season.
Open Public Land
Suspend antlerless opportunity except during Archery Only and Youth Gun Seasons. (Open Public Lands include U.S. National Forests, Corps of Engineers lands, etc., that have statewide season without special regulations. MDWFP Wildlife Management Areas are not considered Open Public land.)
To view a copy of these proposed rules, visit www.mdwfp.com. The proposed changes have been filed with the Secretary of State's Office and will begin a 30-day period for public comment. Sportsmen and women's opinions are encouraged during this evaluation period. Please email or mail your comments for Commission consideration to: Sharonp@mdwfp.state.ms.us or Hunting Seasons Rule Comment, 1505 Eastover Drive, Jackson, MS 39211.
|
|
DEER HUNTER SURVEY RESULTS
|
For the 2016-2017 Season
Proposed White-tailed Deer Season and Bag Limits
Mississippi continues to have a vibrant, healthy deer herd. The past 2016-2017 deer season potentially produced a greater number of trophy-classed bucks than have been harvested in possibly the past five decades. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) deer management objectives remain unchanged:
- To continue to manage deer populations so that they remain in balance with their habitat.
- And, that hunters may have safe, quality hunting experiences.
Proposed Rules
The proposed rules for the 2017- 2018 Deer Season were based on negative hunter reports during the 2016- 2017 season and results from over 13,000 hunters who participated in our 2016-2017 Deer Hunter Survey. Following are bulleted points summarizing changes in the 2017-2018 proposed deer hunting rule.
- Discontinue antlerless opportunity on Open Public lands (Open Public Lands include U.S. National Forests, Corps of Engineers lands, etc., that have statewide season without special regulations. MDWFP Wildlife Management Areas are not considered Open Public land.)
- o Exceptions: Early Archery Season and Youth Gun Season
- Create Northeast, East Central, and Southwest Zones
- Decrease bag limit from 5 antlerless deer to 3 antlerless deer per season in the Delta, Northeast, East Central, and Southwest Zones
- Decrease bag limit from 3 antlerless deer to 2 antlerless deer per season in the Southeast Zone
Moving Forward
Our challenge was to formulate recommendations that are in the best sustained interest of the resource while providing maximum recreational opportunity.
To achieve these results, we recommend transition from Liberal deer hunting seasons and bag limits to a Moderate regime on private lands and a Restrictive regime on open public lands.
Results of these proposed changes will not be apparent overnight. A period of 2-3 years will be necessary to achieve desired results.
Open Public Lands
- Adult hunters on these properties would follow the same deer season regulations as last year except, antlerless harvest will be limited to hunters in archery-only seasons and youth hunters during youth-only seasons.
- The yearly bag limit per hunter will be the same as the zone you are hunting within.
Private Lands
- It is not the intention of the MDWFP to prevent private landowners from managing deer populations with these regulation changes buy hindering the ability to harvest adequate numbers of antlerless deer.
- Hunters on these properties would follow the same deer season regulations as last year except the yearly bag limit per hunter will be the same as the zone you are hunting within.
- Private landowners on DMAP will continue to be issued permits/tags which will allow increased antlerless harvest
- Private landowners may apply for FMAP permits/tags for their acreage if they desire to harvest additional antlerless deer.
- Private landowners are encouraged to invite guests to assist in the reduction of antlerless deer on their property or lease.
Wildlife Management Areas
- Hunters on MWDFP Wildlife Management Areas will follow the WMA rule specific for the WMA on which they are hunting. The yearly bag limit per hunter will be the same as the zone you are hunting within, unless otherwise specified in the WMA Regulation.
|
Opens May 15
The 2017 Mississippi spring squirrel season opens on May 15 and closes June 1. Many of Mississippi's open public lands and wildlife management areas across the state offer squirrel hunting opportunities. Hunters should generally look for areas with mature, hardwood forest cover for the best squirrel hunting.
Anyone planning to hunt public land should read the regulations before they hunt. Some areas may have season dates and rules that differ from general statewide regulations.
|
TURKEY HABITAT RESEARCH PROJECT
|
Tracking Turkey Movements
Over the past year the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks has been conducting a research project with Mississippi State University to study turkey habitat use. At four different sites across Mississippi, our research team has tied transmitters turkeys in order to understand how turkeys utilize different landscapes and how they make decisions on selecting habitat. The implications, we hope, will be very useful to those who are managing land for turkeys.
|
| | MDWFP Turkey Tracking Research Project |
|
|
POND MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS
|
In Conjunction with Mississippi State University Extension Service
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) Fisheries Bureau, in conjunction with the Mississippi State University County Extension Service, will hold four Pond Management Workshops in May. Workshop attendees will learn about pond design, fish stocking, harvest, vegetation control, liming, and fertilization. A question-and-answer period will follow.
May 4
Meridian - East MS Electric Power Association Auditorium
6 p.m., (601) 482-9764
May 11
Eupora - Webster County Career and Technology Center
6 p.m., (662) 258-3971
May 16
Hattiesburg - Paul B. Johnson State Park
6:30 p.m., (601) 545-6083
May 18
Columbia - Marion County Extension Service Office
6:30 p.m., (601) 736-8251
|
Apply Now!
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP), Mississippi Wildlife Federation (MWF), and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service will host a Youth Fish Camp at the Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery in Tupelo June 20 and 21. The purpose of the camp is to introduce Mississippi's youth to fisheries conservation, management, and sport fishing.
This camp is FREE and is open to youth ages 11-15. Due to limited space, only 20 campers will be accepted. Camp applications can be completed online at the Mississippi Wildlife Federation's website.
|
|
At the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery
Students across Mississippi are invited to get outdoors and participate in the 2017 North Mississippi Fish Hatchery Youth Art Contest. Each student must submit a portfolio including entry form and artwork to the Visitor Education Center (VEC) by May 10, 2017.
|
At the Mississippi Conservation Officers Training Academy
Twelve cadets have begun their 12 weeks training at the Mississippi Conservation Officers Training Academy (MCOTA) to become Mississippi's newest Conservation Officers. MDWFP Conservation Officers receive the highest specialized training available to state law enforcement and are charged with enforcing natural resource conservation laws in addition to other state and federal laws.
|
2017 AIMS STATE Championship
|
at the Kirk Fordice Equine Center in Jackson 
We are proud of all the students who participated in the 2017 Archery in Mississippi Schools (AIMS) State Championship last month at the Kirk Fordice Equine Center in Jackson. The program, which began in 2005 with 10 schools, is now in almost 500 schools and in 50 counties. The growth of AIMS has followed the national trend of Archery being the fastest growing sport nationwide and statewide. Over 5,000 students participated in this year's tournament.
|
|
PURCHASE AN EXEMPT LICENSE CARD
|
SUPPORT CONSERVATION
If you are eligible for a Senior Exempt License (Seniors 65 and over) or a Youth Exempt License (Youth 15 and under) you can still purchase voluntary $5.00 exempt license card. Your contribution will help support the conservation of wildlife in Mississippi.
These cards are only valid with proof of Mississippi residency.
|
May 20 at Turcotte Education Center
Join us for this year's Super Hunt Spring Fling featuring fishing, horseback riding, retriever demonstrations, and a .22 shooting range! The event is open to all disabled children from ages 6-17. Lunch, fishing equipment, bait, and ammo will be provided.
Sign up Today!
Already Registered Before?
|
|
CELEBRATE "KIDS TO PARKS DAY" AT A STATE PARK
|
May 20
Join thousands of children, families, teachers, cities, towns, and parks in a nationwide day of outdoor play during Kids to Parks Day on May 20. Kids to Parks Day is organized by the National Park Trust, an organization encouraging children across the country to explore their neighborhood parks and discover science, history, nature, and adventure right around the corner or just across town.
We invite you to enjoy a day of play with your family at a Mississippi State Park near you. Find a State Park near you or learn which parks will have special activities as part of the celebration by visiting www.mdwfp.com.
|
|
REGISTER FOR SUMMER CAMPS
|
At MDWFP's Museum of Natural Science
Remember those magical childhood summers spent exploring the outdoors? This June your children can experience similar adventures at one of the summer camps at MDWFP's Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. of Natural Science. Age-appropriate camps include: "Go Outdooors ... Camp!" for those entering kindergarten through sixth grade, "Jr. Naturalist Camp" for those entering seventh-ninth grade, and "Field Camp" for those entering 10th-12th grade.
Register Online Here
|
|
BE THE DINOSAUR: LIFE IN THE CRETACEOUS
|
Coming May 20 to MDWFP's Museum of Natural Science
Welcome to the most complex and far-reaching restoration of dinosaurs and their world ever created!
"Be the Dinosaur: Life in the Cretaceous" is a groundbreaking fusion of state-of-the-art video game technology and traditional exhibits, featuring full-size dinosaur bones, a paleontology field station, a Safari jeep, and more!
Explore some of the greatest mysteries of paleontology in a completely interactive way. What was a day in the life of a dinosaur like? How might they have lived? What can fossil evidence tell us about the way extinct animals lived their lives?
"Be the Dinosaur: Life in the Cretaceous" is produced by Eureka Exhibits.
The exhibit is sponsored locally by: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation, Regions Bank, Gertrude C. Ford Foundation, and other generous sponsors.
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
