|
|
SPOTLIGHT ONHunting Season Dates
| |
Delta, Northeast, East Central, Southwest, Southeast, and South Delta zones
Primitive Weapon: Dec. 2 - 15
Gun (without dogs): Dec. 16 - 23
Gun (with dogs): Dec. 24 - Jan. 20
| |
Rabbit and Squirrel: Open through Feb. 28
Bobwhite Quail Season: Open through March 6
Opossum, Raccoon, and Bobcat: Open through Feb. 28 (food, sport, and pelt)
Trapping: Open through March 15
| |
Dove
North Zone: Dec. 23 - Jan. 8
South Zone: Dec. 19 - Jan. 31
Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise - sunset
Snipe: Through Feb. 28
Gallinules (Common and Purple): Through Dec. 31
Rails: Clapper and King: Through Dec. 31
Rails: Sora and Virginia: Through Dec. 31
Crows: Through Feb. 28
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots: Dec. 3 - Dec. 6, Dec. 9 - Jan. 31
Woodcock: Dec. 18 - Jan. 31
| |
Migratory bird hunters need to be sure their hunting license is current along with their Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification. Also, waterfowl hunters need to have a current state and federal waterfowl stamp. If you are an auto-renew license holder, you should have received an email from MDWFP that includes a link directing you to take the annual HIP survey for HIP certification. Lifetime license and exempt license holders are still required to have HIP certification. You can get HIP certified by logging into our online license portal, contacting MDWFP at (601) 432-2055 during normal business hours, or calling 1-800-5GO-HUNT after hours.
| |
|
Mixed bag of winter: Tis the season for a bounty of game
In Mississippi, we are fortunate to have great public lands that are rich with wildlife. Whether anticipating a quail covey rise, listening to the howl of beagles chasing a rabbit, or tipping through the hardwoods for a limit of squirrels, MDWFP's Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) offer it all. This winter, we hope you will explore the opportunities.
Read the full MS Outdoors article
| |
Mandatory CWD sampling days
Hunters need to be aware that there are mandatory CWD sampling weekends for three separate regions of the state on three separate weekends during deer season. The first mandatory sampling weekend has already taken place, but the second will take place Jan. 2 and 3 for the Southwest deer hunting zone. During these weekends, temporary freezer sites and physical check stations will be made available in addition to permanent freezer locations.
For more information on CWD in Mississippi and submitting CWD samples, visit www.mdwfp.com/cwd.
| |
|
Diving into the Sound: hunters head offshore for migratory bird hunts
There is no question that the Delta is considered the hottest spot for duck hunting in Mississippi. An abundance of slow-moving rivers, still bayous and brakes, oxbows, impoundments, managed wetlands, and low cover create an oasis for ducks using the Mississippi Flyway to escape harsh northern winters.
But hunters who only hunt those far-inland waterways are missing the action along the Mississippi Sound, a 90-mile stretch of water between the mainland and barrier islands running from the western Louisiana marshes to Dauphin Island, Alabama.
Read the full MS Outdoors article
| |
Necessary Potholes: A successful Mississippi duck season depends on each step of the annual cycle
Ducks and geese have begun arriving to spend another winter in Mississippi, and duck hunters are looking to the skies with high expectations. For many Mississippi duck hunters, preparations for this hunting season began back in the spring with wetland habitat planning and management, with the ultimate goal of attracting waterfowl during their southern migration this fall and winter.
| |
|
Be aware of regulations pertaining to CWD management zones
Supplemental feeding is banned in any CWD management zone (salt licks, mineral licks, and feeders). Direct contact with prions is the most effective means of transmitting CWD. Research indicates saliva may have the highest concentration of prions. Thus, to minimize the concentration of deer and the potential spread of CWD, supplemental feeding is banned within any CWD management zone.
Carcasses cannot be transported outside of any CWD Management Zone. Research has shown that decomposed carcasses of infected animals can also contribute to the transmission when prions bind to soil and plant material. Thus, the movement of carcasses may introduce CWD into previously uninfected areas. Only the below products may leave the CWD Management Zone:
- Cut/wrapped meat (commercially or privately)
- Deboned meat
- Hides with no head attached
- Finished taxidermy
- Antlers with no tissue attached
- Cleaned skulls or skull plates (no brain tissue)
All information pertaining to CWD management in Mississippi, including sample drop-off locations, management zones, supplemental feeding bans, and other rules and regulations can be found at www.mdwfp.com/cwd.
| |
First Deer Certificate
Harvesting your first deer is a special moment in the life of a young hunter. Make that moment even more memorable with a First Deer Certificate. You can receive your own certificate by going to the First Deer Certificate page on www.mdwfp.com by entering in your harvest information and submitting a photo.
| |
Submit deer for CWD testing
MDWFP has established collection sites across the state for the public to deposit deer heads for CWD testing. Freezers will be at each collection site. Hunters should preserve the head with at least six inches of neck attached and antlers should be removed before depositing. You can view drop off locations and your sample results at www.mdwfp.com/cwd.
| |
Subscribe to the CWD Dispatch
Stay updated with the latest news and information about Chronic Wasting Disease by subscribing to the CWD Dispatch and receive email notifications.
| |
Holiday Gift Ideas
Annual Park Entrance Permit
For an annual fee of $50, you can have access to all of Mississippi's 25 state parks from the Tennessee border to the Gulf Coast.
Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Annual Pass
An annual pass to MDWFP's Mississippi Museum of Natural Science will get you access to unlimited, regular admission to the Museum & LeFleur’s Bluff State Park.
Subscription to MS Outdoors Magazine
Mississippi Outdoors magazine is MDWFP's bi-monthly publication featuring a range of informative articles, agency news, trends, topics, and photos.
| |
New episodes of Mississippi Outdoors
Season 31 of Mississippi Outdoors TV continues with new episodes premiering every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on Mississippi Public Broadcasting. You can also watch episodes on MDWFP's YouTube page at www.youtube.com/c/mdwfponline.
December episode guide
| |
Dec. 17 - Jugfishing catfish on the Mississippi River and falcon duck hunting
Dec. 24 - Super Hunt disabled youth deer hunt and SYL Charters red snapper fishing
| |
State Parks license plate
For just $30 you can be one of the first 300 outdoor enthusiasts to pre-order the Mississippi State Parks Specialty Tag. Once 300 tags have been pre-ordered, you will be notified to pick up your tag at the tax collector in your county of residence.
$20 from each tag goes directly to improving and maintaining your Mississippi State Parks which offers fishing, boating, and various nature trail opportunities, such as hiking, mountain biking, ATV, and equestrian. This continued support helps us ensure the preservation of our natural resources for generations to come.
| |
Report your deer harvest through Game Check
This season MDWFP encourages you to report your white-tailed deer harvest though Game Check on the MDWFP Hunting and Fishing App, or on our website at www.mdwfp.com/gamecheck. With help of participating hunters, Game Check allows MDWFP biologists to see harvest information on a county-by-county basis, providing a better understanding of Mississippi's white-tailed deer herd.
| |
Streamline your hunt with the WMA Check-In App
Skip the check-in station on Wildlife Management Areas by using our WMA Check-In app. The app can be downloaded on Android and iOS. WMA users will be able to check-in and check-out of WMAs using the app. WMA users who prefer to check-in from their home computer can do so by visiting apps.mdwfp.com/wma.
| |
Find your next outdoor adventure with the brand new MS State Park App
Download the official Mississippi State Parks’ mobile app to reserve your future camping site or last-minute getaway. Search for available camp and RV sites, cabins, and more. View campground details, reviews, and photos of each park in one place.
| |
|
Hunter's Special Cabin Rates
| |
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 through February 2021.
| |
December 7-11S.T.E.M. with SnowflakesMississippi Museum of Natural Science
See “ice fishing” demonstrations, experiment with instant snow, and learn about Snowflake Bentley - the naturalist and photographer who first successfully captured snowflakes on film. These winter S.T.E.M. science demos will educate and amuse. Social distancing measures, such as timed-arrival reservations, and face mask requirements are in place to help you have a safe visit. For more information, call: 601-576-6000 or visit https://www.mdwfp.com/museum/ to make your timed reservation.
| |
December 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18'Sippin' with SantaMississippi Museum of Natural Science
Join us as we enjoy cookies, hot cocoa, a letters-to-Santa writing station, holiday music, and Santa, as he dives in the Mississippi Sound Aquarium Tank. Winter costume characters will visit with guests throughout the evening.
Social distancing and mask requirements are in place to help you have a safe visit. SPACE IS LIMITED. Registration required by noon the day you are intending to attend. Email nicole.smith@mmns.ms.gov with your name, phone number, and the date you are interested in attending.
Event Schedule:
5:30 p.m. Check-in
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Hot cocoa, cookies; time to explore the museum, write a letter to Santa, and meet winter costumed characters.
6:30 p.m. Santa Dives
7:00 p.m. And to all, a good-night!
| |
January 1First Day HikesMississippi State Parks
MDWFP invites you to begin the new year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy First Day Hike while social distancing at a state park. It is also a great way to welcome the new year with friends and family. Distance and rigor vary from park to park.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
