Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
August 2018
In This Issue

Quick Links
Purchase a License
Boat Registration
Find a Park Near You
Report a Violation
MDWFP News
Supplemental Feeding Regulations
MDWFP Prepares for Deer Season
August CWD Update
Since October 1, 2017 Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) has sampled more than 1,800 white-tailed deer across Mississippi to test for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Since, all samples sent off for testing have come back not detected for CWD except for one positive buck that  was  collected on January 25, 2018, in Issaquena County.
 
For now, MDWFP has ceased targeted sampling operations, but continues to collect samples from road-killed or diseased deer that are reported to MDWFP by the public. MDWFP hopes to collect 5,000 deer samples from hunter-harvested deer during the 2018-2019 deer seasons statewide.
 
As MDWFP prepares for the 2018-2019 hunting season, we will be issuing further information regarding how test samples will be collected from hunter-harvested deer, a revised CWD management zone and how that will pertain to supplemental feeding and carcass transportation, and best management practices for carcass disposal and processing meat.

Deer, Rabbit, and Early Teal Draw Hunts
Applications Available August 1
Beginning August 1, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) will accept draw permit applications for deer, rabbit, and early season teal hunts on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). Applications for rabbit and early season teal hunts will be accepted though August 15. Applications for deer draw hunts will be accepted through August 30. Applicants must apply online at  www.mdwfp.com/draws and have a valid Mississippi hunting license before applying for a WMA draw hunt. 
 
For more information regarding WMAs in Mississippi, visit  www.mdwfp.com/wma
MDWFP Leadership Earns Patriot Award

Congratulations to MDWFP Executive Director Dr. Sam Polles and MDWFP Executive Deputy Director Robert Cook for receiving the Patriot Award by the Department of Defense's Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Dr. Sam Polles and Mr. Robert Cook were nominated by Major Brian Ferguson of the MS National Guard for their support of his various military assignments throughout his career in the MS National Guard and the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
Come to the 32nd Wildlife Extravaganza
Aug. 3 - 5 at the Mississippi Trademart

Gear up and have fun at the 32nd edition of the Mississippi Wildlife Federation's (MWF) Wildlife Extravaganza August 3-5 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. 

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 also will be able to purchase or renew your hunting or fishing license and have the opportunity to  receive  a duplicate hunter education card at no extra cost

MDWFP biologists will be present to take measurements of white-tailed deer taken legally within Mississippi during any prior hunting season for the Magnolia Records Program. All deer taken during the 2017-2018 hunting season will be eligible to participate in the Extravaganza's Big Buck Contest.

As the MWF's largest fundraiser, you will 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, August 3, 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Kids Day, free admission for children 12 and under
  • Saturday, August 4, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, August 5, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Download the Official MDWFP App

The official MDWFP app is a powerful tool for hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts in Mississippi, providing easy access to information and services provided by MDWFP. This application features a digital license display, rules and regulations, season dates, bag limits, feeding times, and much more.

Alligator Season
Season Beings for Permit Holders August 31
Hunters participating in the 2018 Alligator Hunting Season (or those interested in learning more about alligators in Mississippi and regulations regarding alligator hunting) can download the 2018 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 August 31 - Noon Sept. 10
Private Lands Season: Noon August 31 - 6 a.m. Sept. 24

Hunter Education Courses
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 Janurary 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. 
Consider Night Fishing

Summer crowds and the sweltering heat on Mississippi's open waters can be a turnoff to anglers. For those looking to find new fishing opportunities, the question may be more of when than where. Consider these tips for night fishing this summer:
  • Fishing lures in solid color, generally black or white, to help fish pick out the silhouette
  • Around lighted structure, try a white spinner bait with a nickel or silver bade, rather than gold, for maximum reflection
  • Keep white light to a minimum when landing a fish, and use a black light for stealthy re-tying and line illumination
  • Put safety first, drive carefully and following a map on your electronics, using spotlights while underway, and employing navigation lights at all times
  • Let someone at home know where you are going and when you expect to return.
  • Bring plenty of insect repellent or a ThermaCELL
  • Have at least two flashlights on hand.
Get the Reel Facts
From MDWFP's Fisheries  Bureau

Did you know MDWFP fisheries biologists use various sampling methods to assess the fish populations in the state's waters? The sampling results for selected water bodies are summarized in the Reel Facts sheets that you can view on www.mdwfp.com.
 
One the ways MDWFP biologists analyze fish populations is by collecting otoliths or fin spines from fish. Otoliths or, "ear stones," are hard, bony structures located directly behind the brain, that are used to age fish, such as Largemouth Bass or crappie. Pectoral fin spines are used to age catfish. Annual rings are formed on both hard parts, and biologists count the rings to determine the fish's age. The age samples are used to determine age structure, mortality, and growth rates of the population.
 
Tombigbee State Park Turns 80

Tombigbee State Park turns 80 years old this month. Located just six miles south of Tupelo, Tombigbee State Park is among the first state parks built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The CCC began work on June 1, 1934; the park was opened to the public in August 1938. The Tombigbee State Park Historic District was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

Learn more
Subscribe to Mississippi Outdoors Magazine

Mississippi Outdoors magazine is MDWFP's bi-monthly publication featuring a range of informative articles, agency news, trends, topics, and photos.
 
Have Mississippi Outdoors magazine delivered to your door by calling 1-888-874-5785. If you have a hunting or fishing license you can also subscribe online though our license and permit purchasing page.
Join Us for First Tuesday Lectures
At MDWFP's Mississippi Museum of Natural  Science
Join us for First Tuesday Lectures at MDWFP's Mississippi Museum of Natural Science on the first Tuesday of every month. Throughout the year, First Tuesday Lectures will feature a variety of outdoor-related research and discoveries presented you by some of the best educators in their respective fields.

Our speaker for August is Audrey Harrison, Research Biologist for the US Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center, Environmental Lab, Vicksburg. She will be discussing the relationship between Mississippi milkweeds and monarch butterflies.
The Science of Ripley's Believe It or Not 
The Newest Exhibit at MDWFP's Museum of Natural Science
Ripley's at MMNS
What's even more amazing than explorer and adventurer Robert Ripley's legendary compendium of oddities, anomalies, and fantastic feats? The science that underlies them. Visitors to MDWFP's Mississippi Museum of Natural Science are invited to explore the unbelievable at the Science of Ripley's Believe It or Not!® exhibit through September 9.
 
The exhibit is included with the regular price of museum admission: $6 for adults, $4 for youth ages 3-18, and $5 for senior citizens, ages 60 and up. Museum Members are free with current membership.

July Overview
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