Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
JUNE 2017
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MDWFP News
CELEBRATE GREAT OUTDOORS MONTH
At a Mississippi State Park


This month, celebrate Great Outdoors Month by camping, hiking, fishing, paddling, boating, or just enjoying nature by being outdoors! Mississippi state parks, lakes, and wildlife management areas provide fun, affordable opportunities for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
 
June 3

National Trails Day - Celebrate trails in their many forms. Every trail beckons adventure and has a story to share with any person willing to discover it. Find a trail near you here.
 
June 3-11

National Fishing and Boating Week - This national celebration highlights the importance of boating and fishing in enhancing our quality of life and preserving our state's natural beauty. In Mississippi June 3 and 4 are designated as "Free Fishing Days,"; and any person may sport fish without a license.  In addition, daily permits to fish at state fishing lakes and state parks are not required.
 
June 10

National Get Outdoors Day - Pack a picnic and head to your local park or one of Mississippi's 25 state parks for a day of outdoor recreation.
 
June 24 

Great American Backyard Campout - The best way to cap off your Great Outdoors Month is by participating in the National Wildlife Federation's annual Great American Backyard Campout, where you can trade screen time for green time and spend a night of outdoor family fun under the stars.
FALLEN CONSERVATION OFFICER MEMORIAL CEREMONY

On May 17 the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) held a memorial service in honor of MDWFP's fallen officers. The service began with the presentation of colors by the honor guard, a singing of the National Anthem, and prayer. Flowers and a wreath were lain at the Fallen Officers Monument in remembrance of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. The service concluded with a song of reflection, a twenty-one-gun salute, taps, and a rendition of Amazing Grace on bagpipes.

Watch the full ceremony here...
NEW DEER PROGRAM COORDINATOR 
William McKinley


The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) is pleased to announce William T. McKinley as the new Deer Program Coordinator. William started with the MDWFP in 2001 as a District Biologist and moved into the Deer Program in 2003. He has served as the Deer Program Leader and more recently as the Enclosure Program Coordinator. 
ALLIGATOR LICENSE APPLICATIONS
For the 2017 Season

2017 Alligator Hunting Season Application Process
A total of 920 permits will be available within 7 hunting zones across Mississippi for the 10-day season, August 25 - September 4, 2017. The process for issuing permits begins with an electronic application process followed by a random drawing of applicants. Applications will be accepted from June 1 - 7, 2017. The first drawing will take place on or about June 14. Drawn applicants will be notified by email with a link to purchase their permit with a 48-hour deadline to complete.

A private lands alligator hunting season is available to landowners whose properties meet specific qualifications within 33 open counties.  Two additional counties, Coahoma and Tallahatchie, were included in the private lands season for 2017, Applications and instructions for private lands permits are available online. Applications are accepted in May and June and must be submitted by July 1. 
TURKEY HUNTER SURVEY
For the 2017 Season
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) values the opinions of Mississippi's sportsmen and women. The following survey pertains to turkey hunting in Mississippi. Your response is extremely important to us. The accuracy of this survey depends on the responses from as many people as possible. This survey should only take a few minutes and your responses will be kept anonymous. We look forward to hearing from you.

Take survey here...
WATER FEATURES OPEN
At Mississippi State Parks
 
Mississippi State Parks are your destination for family fun this summer. In addition to summer camping opportunities, many state parks also offer water activities including boating, swimming pools, and splash pads.  
 
Roosevelt State Park offers visitors a 36 ft. water slide adjacent to Shadow Lake, and Buccaneer State Park is home to Buccaneer Bay Water Park, a 4.5 acre water park overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors to Buccaneer Bay can enjoy a wave pool, water slides, a kiddie pool, and more!
LAKE MONROE REOPENING
June 7
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) will host a youth fishing day at Lake Monroe, located near Aberdeen, on Saturday, June 3, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Fishing will be open to youth 15 years and under.  All youth must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 21 years old and has a valid Mississippi fishing license.  Lake Monroe will open to the general public on Wednesday, June 7, at 6 a.m.    
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 two Pond Management Workshops in June. Workshop attendees will learn about pond design, fish stocking, harvest, vegetation control, liming, and fertilization. A question-and-answer period will follow.
 
June 13

Tupelo - Elvis Presley State Fishing Lake
6 p.m., (601) 432-2212

June 15

Greenville - Washington County Extension Service Office
6 p.m., (662) 334-2670
YOUTH FISHING RODEOS
YOUTH FISH CAMP
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. 
CONSERVATION OFFICERS PROMOTED
Congratulations to these Conservation Officers. A pinning ceremony was held last month at MDWFP headquarters recognizing their newly assigned ranks and duties.

From left to right: Billy Deviney (MDWFP Commission Chair), Col. Steve Adcock, Capt. Byron Davis (North), Capt. Barry Delcambre (South), Lt. Marcus Christon (North), Capt. Kallum Herrington (South), Lt. Megan Fedrick (Hdqtr),Capt. Jason Young (North), Capt. Tracy Tullos (Central), Capt. Chris Reed (Hdqtr), Dr. Sam Polles (Executive Director)
2017 YOUTH ART CONTEST WINNERS
At the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery
The Visitor Education Center (VEC) received artwork from approximately 300 Mississippi students who participated in the 2017 North Mississippi Fish Hatchery Youth Art Contest. Congratulations to the first place winners, Christy Steen, Lisa Tran, Aubrey Holcomb, and Jordan Shoemaker! The contest was sponsored by the Foundation for Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
SUPER HUNT SPRING FLING RESCHEDULED
For kids with special needs
This year's Super Hunt Spring Fling will now take place July 15. at the Turcotte Education Center in Canton. The Super Hunt Spring Fling will feature 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!
Visit education.mdwfp.com/web/account/register in order to register for the Super Hunt Spring Fling.
 
Already Registered Before?
Visit education.mdwfp.com/web/account/login to login for the event.
SEE LIVE SNAKES AT "SNAKE DAY"
At MDWFP's Museum of Natural Science
See, touch and learn about live snakes with experts. Discover how to distinguish between venomous and non-venomous snakes in herpetologist Terry Vandeventer's presentations at 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and at 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Crafts and activities about our favorite reptiles will take place from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. This is a family and Scout-friendly event. Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi will earn the MMNS Snake Day Patch and Boy Scouts will meet several requirements for the Reptile and Amphibian merit badge. Don't let this one slither by!
 
EXPERIENCE "BE THE DINOSAUR: LIFE IN THE CRETACEOUS"
At MDWFP's Museum of Natural Science
 
Join us for interactive, hands-on stations spread throughout the museum themed around our "Be the Dinosaur" exhibit. There will be crafts and demonstrations suitable for families or groups with children ages 4 and up every Friday morning in June and July.
 
"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!
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. 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
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 wildlife conservation in Mississippi. 

These cards are only valid with proof of Mississippi residency.
MAY OVERVIEW

MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
1505 Eastover Dr. Jackson, MS 39211  |  (601) 432-2400  |  www.MDWFP.com
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