MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES & PARKS

P.O. BOX 451

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39205

 

PUBLIC NOTICE OF INTENT NUMBER W4-3758(I)

 

TO:      The Honorable Eric Clark

            Secretary of State

            P.O. Box 136

            Jackson, MS 39205

                        AND   

            ALL INTERESTED PERSONS

 

The Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, at a meeting in Jackson, Mississippi on April 21, 2009, under authority of Section 25-43-3.103, Mississippi Code of 1972, made known its intent to adopt the following 2009 Alligator Hunting Seasons (Public Waters).  This was done under authority of Sections 49-1-29 and 49-7-47, Mississippi Code of 1972.

 

Be it ordered Public Notice W3-3758 is hereby amended as follows:

 

 

An American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) hunting season will be opened in the State of Mississippi and is hereby referred to as the following with described restrictions:

 

The “Pearl River/Ross Barnett Reservoir - Alligator Hunting Season (Pearl Zone)” will be opened in Rankin, Madison, and Scott Counties in the public waters of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District.  The hunting zone boundaries are described as only within the area north of a line from Fannin Landing to Channel Marker “A” to the Natchez Trace Overlook on the main lake of Ross Barnett Reservoir, and south of Lowhead Dam on the Pearl River (excluding all areas of the main lake that are west of the Natchez Trace, ie. North Bay and Twin Harbors), according to restrictions below (see BASIC REGULATIONS pp.2-3 and Pearl River/Ross Barnett Reservoir Alligator Hunting Season, pp. 3-4).

 

In addition, an alligator hunting season, hereby referred to as the “Pascagoula River - Alligator Hunting Season (Pascagoula Zone)” will be opened in Jackson County.  The hunting zone is restricted to the public waters of the Pascagoula River and its tributaries only within Jackson County, excluding areas south of Hwy 90 according to restrictions below (see BASIC REGULATIONS pp. 2-3 and Pascagoula River Alligator Hunting Season, pp. 5-6).

 

 

BASIC REGULATIONS: (All Zones)

 

            Persons eligible:      Only residents of the State of Mississippi who are sixteen (16) years of age or older may apply for an Alligator Possession Permit (see License Requirements).

Non-residents may participate as alligator hunting assistants (see License Requirements).

 

            Bag limit:        Each person receiving an Alligator Possession Permit will be allowed to harvest two (2) alligators four (4) feet in length or longer, only one (1) may exceed seven (7) feet in length.  Hunters must first harvest and properly attach a temporary possession tag on an alligator under seven (7) feet prior to harvesting any alligator that exceeds seven (7) feet in length.

 

Capture and Dispatch Methods:      Alligators must be captured alive prior to shooting or otherwise dispatching the animal.  It is unlawful to kill an unrestrained alligator.  Restrained is defined as an alligator that has a noose or snare secured around the neck or leg in a manner that the alligator is controlled.  Capture methods are restricted to hand-held snares, snatch hooks (hand-held or rod/reel), harpoons (with attached line/bouy), and bowfishing equipment (w/ line attached from bow to arrow or line/bouy) (no broadheads).  The use of fishing lures or other devices for the purpose of catching alligators in the mouth is prohibited.  Use of bait is prohibited.

 

All alligators must be dispatched or released immediately after capture. Any alligator that is captured with a harpoon or bowfishing equipment must be reduced to the bag and may not be released.  Firearms used for dispatching an alligator are restricted to shotguns with shot size no larger than #6 and bangsticks chambered in .38 caliber or larger.  All shotguns and bangsticks must be cased and unloaded at all times until a restraining line has been attached to the alligator.  No other firearm or ammunition may be in possession of the permittee or hunting party.  No firearm or bangstick may be discharged within 100 yards of any residence, building, boat ramp, or occupied campsite.  Any person or vessel that possesses equipment used to capture or harvest an alligator must be in the immediate vicinity of a person who possesses a valid Alligator Possession Permit at any time while located in the hunting area.  

 

            License Requirements:        

 

Alligator Hunting Permittee:      All alligator hunting permittees must purchase and have on their person an Alligator Hunting License and Alligator Possession Permit.  These licenses are required for each permittee prior to being issued a Temporary Alligator Possession Tag.  In addition, a

combination resident hunting/fishing license is required to purchase the Alligator Possession Permit and Alligator Hunting License. The cost of the

Alligator Hunting License is twenty-five dollars ($25). The cost of the Alligator Possession Permit is one hundred dollars ($100).  A “WMA User Permit” is required for all persons, unless otherwise exempt, who are hunting or accessing any MDWFP operated Wildlife Management Area within a hunting zone.  All licenses are non-refundable.

 

Alligator Hunting Assistant:      All residents in the hunting party who are sixteen (16) years of age or older are required to purchase and have on their person a combination hunting/fishing license and an Alligator Hunting License.  Any non-residents in the hunting party who are sixteen (16) years of age or older are required to purchase and have on their person a NR-All Game License and an Alligator Hunting License.  A “WMA User Permit” is required for all persons, unless otherwise exempt, who are hunting or accessing any MDWFP operated Wildlife Management Area within a hunting zone.  All licenses are non-refundable.    

 

            Applications:                                     (See specific information for each Zone).      

 

            Training Course:                              (See specific information for each Zone).

 

            Mandatory Check Station:              (See specific information for each Zone).

 

            Harvest Reporting:                          (See specific information for each Zone).

 

 

Go to http://mdwfp.com/Level2/Wildlife/Game/Alligator/default.asp for more information on alligators and alligator hunting in Mississippi.

 

 

SPECIFIC REGULATIONS:

 

Pearl River/Ross Barnett Reservoir-Alligator Hunting Season (Pearl Zone)

 

Location:        The hunting zone includes the public waters of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District in Rankin, Madison, and Scott Counties only within the area north of a line from Fannin Landing to Channel Marker “A” to the Natchez Trace Overlook on the main lake of Ross Barnett Reservoir and south of the Lowhead Dam on the Pearl River (excluding all areas of the main lake that are west of the Natchez Trace, ie. North Bay and Twin Harbor).

 

Dates:              September 11-12, 2009

                        September 18-19, 2009

 

Hunting Hours:           6:00 PM till 4:00 AM CST  

 

 

Permits:          One hundred twenty (120) persons will be randomly drawn by computer to be eligible for an Alligator Possession Permit.  Possession permits are not transferrable.

 

Applications:  Applications for permits will be accepted from June 1-15, 2009.  Application must be submitted electronically through a POS license terminal (anywhere that hunting/fishing licenses are sold).  A non-refundable application fee of $5 will be charged.  Only applications received on or before June 15 will be eligible.  Only one application may be submitted per person per zone.  Any person submitting multiple applications will be withdrawn from the drawing process.  All drawn applicants will be notified by mail. 

 

Training course:         All persons drawn for an alligator hunting permit must attend or have previously attended a Mississippi Alligator Hunting Training Course.  The Pearl River/Ross Barnett Alligator Training Course(s) will be held August 8th at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science in Jackson, MS.  Seating is limited and drawn applicants must make reservation to attend by calling (601) 432-2199, M-F, 8am till 5 pm.

 

Mandatory Check Station:      All participating permittees must check-in prior to hunting, in person, at the check station on the first day of hunt participation, to receive temporary possession tags. If available, permittees who possess temporary possession tags may be allowed to check-in by phone prior to hunting on the second day of the permittee’s hunt.  Permittees must check-out upon completion of the hunt each day at the checking station or other approved location.  All permittees must purchase an Alligator Possession Permit and Alligator Hunting License prior to registering at the check station.  Each permittee in possession of an Alligator Possession Permit will be issued a Temporary Alligator Possession Tag(s) upon checking in.  The check station will be open from 4:30 pm till 6:00 am.   

 

Harvest Reporting and Tagging:      The Temporary Alligator Possession Tag must be attached to the alligator immediately after being dispatched and prior to moving or transporting. All harvested alligators must be validated at the designated check station on the day of harvest.  Upon validation at the check station, a federal CITES tag will be attached to the alligator.