|
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
|
|
|
|
31st WILDLIFE EXTRAVAGANZA
|
Aug. 4 - 6 at the Mississippi Trademart
Come gear up and have fun at the 31st edition of the Mississippi Wildlife Federation's (MWF) Wildlife Extravaganza Aug. 4-6 at the Mississippi Trade Mart in Jackson. More than 200 exhibitors from all over North America will be at the 'Ganza to kick off the hunting season with demonstrations, events, and more.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) will be present at the 'Ganza. At the MDWFP booth you will be able consult with wildlife and fisheries biologists, conservation officers, and staff from the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. You will also be able to purchase or renew your hunting or fishing license.
As the MWF's largest fundraiser you'll also be supporting efforts to preserve Mississippi's Wildlife Legacy.
Admission
Adults $10; Children 6 - 12 $5; Children 5 and under Free; Weekend Pass $20;
Schedule
- Friday, Aug. 4, 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Kids Day, free admission for children 12 and under
- Saturday, Aug. 5, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 6, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
|
|
|
|
DEER AND EARLY TEAL DRAW HUNTS
|
Applications accepted through Aug. 31
MDWFP will be accepting draw permit applications for deer Aug. 1-31 and for early teal Aug. 1-15. Applicants must go online at www.mdwfp.com/draws and have a valid WMA User Permit or a lifetime license before applying for a WMA draw hunt.
|
What you need to know
When heading to a dove field, hunters should examine how the field was prepared before hunting. Hunting migratory birds with the aid of bait is illegal, and it is the hunter's responsibility to know if the field is baited or not. A brochure on dove field preparation and hunting regulations can be found online at www.mdwfp.com/dove.
Before hunting migratory game birds, hunters need to be sure their hunting license is current for the 2017-18 hunting seasons, complete with Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification. HIP certification is required for hunting all migratory game birds and is required for each state hunted. HIP certification is completed when, upon purchasing a license, hunters are asked questions about their migratory game bird harvest from the previous hunting season. Hunters should also be sure shotguns are not capable of holding more than three shells and should be aware of how their hunting field was prepared
Bag Limit
The total bag limit for mourning and white-winged doves is 15 per day with no more than 45 in possession. On opening day, the possession limit is the same as the daily bag limit.
Season Dates
North Zone: Sept. 2 - Oct. 8, Oct. 21 - Nov. 4, and Dec. 9 - Jan. 15
South Zone: Sept. 2 - Sept. 10, Oct. 7 - Nov. 11, and Dec. 2 - Jan. 15
|
|
Season Starts for Permit Holders Aug. 25
Hunters participating in the 2017 Alligator Hunting Season (or those interested in learning more about alligators in Mississippi and regulations regarding alligator hunting) may download the 2017 Alligator Hunting Guide. Information in the guide includes the history and biology of alligators in Mississippi, harvesting techniques, equipment, regulations, processing, and taxidermy resources.
Season Dates
Public Waterways Season: Noon Aug. 25 - Noon Sept. 4
Private Lands Season: Noon Aug. 25 - 6 a.m. Sept. 18
|
|
Available Now
The 2017 - 2018 Mississippi Outdoor Digest is now available! You can find hard copies at hunting and fishing license retailers as well as MDWFP regional offices, lakes, and parks, or you can download a digital copy. The digest includes hunting season dates and regulations as well as information about hunter and boater education, the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, and State Parks, Lakes, and Wildlife Management Areas.
Download Here
|
HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS
|
|
For 2017-2018
Details for the 2017-2018 Hunting Seasons in Mississippi are now available. In the download link below you will find information on bag limits, season dates, hunting zone locations, and firearms regulations.
Download Here
|
MDWFP SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM AIDS MARINES NEAR GREENWOOD
|
On July 11 the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) Special Response Team (SRT) was dispatched to aid the U.S. Marine Corps and other local agencies in search and recovery efforts after a Marine aircraft crashed near Greenwood, MS.
The MDWFP SRT and Marines were successful in locating the remains of the 16 victims who died in the crash. They were also able locate and recover the majority of weapons, technology, and other sensitive military items across the 6-mile debris field.
"The game changer offered by the MDWFP's SRT was our search capabilities and our mapping capabilities offered by our GIS (Geographic Information Systems) trailer. Our SRT members were able to call in and pinpoint the location of sensitive items on a map in real time for the Marines to document and recover afterwards," said Capt. Dale Bell MDWFP SRT Commander. "The agency's drone program has also been a huge help in this search. From day one we were able to use it to locate several missing items, saving time and manpower."
|
Register today!
The fall hunting season is around the corner 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 ten hours of instruction. To obtain hunter education certification, students must be at least ten years old and must attend all classroom hours, and pass a written exam.
All persons born after Jan. 1, 1972, are required to complete a Hunter Education course before purchasing a Mississippi hunting license. Also effective July 1, 2000, anyone 12 years old and under 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 are not intended to replace the traditional classroom course, but are designed to work within the established course curriculum and allow the Hunter Education certification to be obtained whenever most convenient. Online courses allow students to complete part of the course from a desktop or mobile device. Upon completing a pre-certification exam, the student then goes to a scheduled classroom setting to complete the final three hours. This allows students time for interaction with an instructor and completion of final testing.
|
RENOVATIONS AT LAKE MARY CRAWFORD
|
|
Lake Mary Crawford, located near Monticello, will be getting a facelift. On July 18, 2017, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) started the process of draining the lake in preparation for planned renovations. Lake Mary Crawford was built in 1955, making it one of the oldest State Fishing Lakes managed by MDWFP. "Draining Lake Mary Crawford will allow us to make needed repairs to the water level control structure, fishing piers, and boat ramp," said MDWFP State Fishing Lake Coordinator Jerry Brown. "After repairs are completed, we will restock the lake with bass, bream, crappie and catfish."
Fishing will be allowed while the lake is draining and all creel and length limits will be removed. Fishing licenses and lake permits will be required, but anglers can only fish with gear that is legal at State Fishing Lakes. No other fishing gear is allowed. After Lake Mary Crawford is drained, the facility will be closed to public use during the renovation and repair period.
|
|
Anglers 15 years and younger are invited to Youth Fishing Rodeo at Golden Memorial State Park and at Mississippi Valley State University. These events are free, and provide a good opportunity for young anglers to fish a lake that is well stocked with catfish, which are typically easy to catch. Participants are encouraged to bring their own fishing gear, catfish bait, and stringers. Families are invited to come enjoy quality time together in a safe environment.
Aug. 26
Golden Memorial State Park, Walnut Grove
8:30 a.m. (601) 253-2237
Sept. 2
Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena
7 a.m. (662) 704-0457
|
VISIT BUCCANEER BAY WATER PARK
|
|
Open until Labor Day Weekend
Need one last trip before the summer ends? Head to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and enjoy all Buccaneer State Park has to offer! Wake up to a beautiful ocean view, and take your pick of fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, relaxing on the beach, or hitting the waves in Mississippi's largest wave pool at the Buccaneer Bay Waterpark.
|
PRESCRIBED BURNING PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
|
|
"Fire on the Forty" cost share program
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) is now accepting applications for our "Fire on the Forty" prescribed burning program. "Fire on the Forty" has provided cost-share funding for prescribed burning on more than 55,000 acres of private lands in North and South Mississippi.
Landowners must submit an application for entry into the program before Oct. 6, 2017 to be considered for this year's funding. All applications will be competitively ranked based on potential habitat benefits for wildlife. Funding for the "Fire on the Forty" initiative is provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Mississippi Forestry Commission, and the National Wild Turkey Federation.
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
