Jackson - MDWFP is continuing improvements to ATV trails and roads at Sky Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) located near Belzoni in Humphreys and Leflore Counties.  Sky Lake WMA is one of 10 WMAs owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and managed by the MDWFP.  The USACE acquired 3,569 acres at Sky Lake WMA to mitigate for terrestrial wildlife losses associated with the construction, operation and maintenance of the Upper Yazoo and Upper Steele Bayou Levee Projects.  Consisting of cleared agricultural land when it was originally acquired, the land has since been reforested by the USACE with native species of bottomland hardwoods.

 

Funds provided by the USACE are being used to improve parking areas and access for management activities and public use of the WMA.  "The MDWFP strives to provide reasonable public access on WMAs that balances the desires of the public with the best interests of the wildlife resources on these lands," said Jeff Mangrum, MDWFP WMA Infrastructure Coordinator.  Sky Lake WMA opened to public use in 2009 and provides small game, waterfowl, and deer hunting opportunities as well as excellent bird watching opportunities.