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

Quick Links
Purchase a License
Boat Registration
Find a Park Near You
Report a Violation
MDWFP News
Supplemental Feeding Regulations
Hunting Season Dates 
For 2018 - 2019

Information for the 2018-2019 hunting seasons in Mississippi are now available. In the link below you will find detailed information on bag limits, season dates, hunting zone locations, and firearms regulations.

Deer, Rabbit, and Early Teal Draw Hunts
Applications Available August 1
Beginning August 1, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) will accept draw permit applications for deer, rabbit, and early season teal hunts on Wildlife ManagementAreas (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
Youth
Dove Hunts
Applications Available August 1

This year there will be two special youth dove hunts held on Black Prairie and Mahannah WMAs. The Black Prairie Youth Dove Hunt will be held on September 3, and the Mahannah Youth Dove Hunt will be held on September 8.  
 
These hunts are open to youth hunters 15 and younger. A parent or guardian over 21 must accompany each youth hunter during the entire hunt. Youth hunters must check in the day of the hunt at 11 a.m. The hunt will begin at 2 p.m. and conclude at sunset. Special events during the day of the hunt will include skeet shooting, safety discussions, and a provided lunch.
 
Participants must register online to attend these hunts. Applications will be accepted beginning August 1 and on a first come first serve basis. Each hunt will be limited to 50 youth.

For more information regarding WMAs in Mississippi, visit www.mdwfp.com/wma
Alligators Begin Nesting
During late June and early July
How Alligators Nes

Late June and early July  is the beginning of nesting season for alligators in Mississippi. During this time, female alligators will build their nests on dry ground near water utilizing dirt, sticks, vines, and other live and dead vegetation to build a heaping dome of debris about 5-6 feet in diameter. Then, they bury their eggs within the center of the heap. Since alligators are cold-blooded, they do not lay on their nests as a bird does to incubate the eggs. Instead, they will rely on the heat produced from the decomposition process within the heap of material. The incubation period is 60-65 days.

Alligators, on average, will lay about 35-40 eggs. However, nest success in alligator populations can be as low as 10 percent due to predation and environmental factors.

Report Your Black Bear Sightings Online
With our new online reporting system

Have you seen a black bear in your neck of the woods? You can now report your sightings in Mississippi online with our new black bear sighting reporting page. Look for the button on our black bear program page at   www.mdwfp.com/blackbear. Your information is valuable to our conservation efforts.

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.

MDWFP Conservation Officers Place No. 1 at National LawFit Challenge

MDWFP Conservation Officers claimed the title of "Fittest in the Nation" as they took the top spot at the 17 th annual National LawFit Challenge in Southaven. More than 150 law enforcement officers from around the country competed in this year's challenge, testing officers in six different events: bench press, 1.5-mile run, sit-ups, flexibility, pull-ups, and a suspect pursuit course.

The 2018 MDWFP LawFit team consisted of the following officers: Pvt. Derrick Scott, Corp. Justin Gates, Pvt. Cody Barber, Pvt. Cody Corso, Pvt. Tamarrius Good, Lt. Ricky Barry, Lt. Marcus Christon, Pvt. Karri Fulton.

The 2018 MDWFP LawFit team placed in the following events:
  • 1st place bench press - Corp. Justin Gates
  • 1st place 1.5-mile run - Pvt. Derrick Scott
  • 1st place pull-ups - Lt. Marcus Christon 
  • 1st place suspect pursuit course - Lt. Marcus Christon 
  • 1st overall male - Pvt. Derrick Scott 397
  • 2nd overall male - Lt. Marcus Christon 395
  • 3rd overall male - Corp. Justin Gates 390
  • 1st place Mixed pairs division - Pvt. Derrick Scott, Pvt. Karri Fulton 
  • 1st place overall 4 man team - Pvt. Derrick Scott, Lt. Marcus Christon, Corp. Justin Gates, and Pvt. Cody Barber
Celebrate Fourth of July
At Mississippi State Parks

Roosevelt State Park
 
Join us at Roosevelt State Park for our annual boat parade and fireworks display sponsored by Friends of Roosevelt on Wednesday, July 4. The boat parade will start at 6 p.m. and the firework display will start at 8 p.m. Entrance into the park for this event is $6 per vehicle.
 
Paul B. Johnson State Park
 
Paul B. Johnson State Park will have a fireworks display Wednesday, July 4, starting at 9 p.m. Entrance into the park for this event is $6 per vehicle.
Cleveland's Bear Pen Park Lake Opening Announced
Join us for opening celebrations on July 14

MDWFP is excited to announce the opening of a new 5-acre fishing lake in Cleveland. The lake, located at Bear Pen Park off of College Street, is part of MDWFP's Community Fishing Assistance Program and is jointly managed by MDWFP and the City of Cleveland Parks Commission.
 
To celebrate the lake opening, a fishing rodeo and will be held Saturday, July 14, from 7:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. for youth 15 and under. Many other activities will also be on-site including archery shooting, live animals from the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, a casting game, and arts and crafts activities. Educational tables will be set up to teach participants about native fish species, fishing knots, artificial lures, and tying flies for fly fishing. This event is free and open to the public.
 
Bear Pen Park Lake will be open daily to the general public on July 15 from sunrise to sunset. A valid Mississippi fishing license is required to fish the lake. The lake has been stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. The daily creel limits are five catfish per angler, 15 bluegill per angler, and zero bass per angler. All bass must be immediately released.
Anglers Assist with Bass Stocking
On Ross Barnett Reservoir  

MDWFP recently stocked Florida-strain largemouth bass into Ross Barnett Reservoir, with help from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District and local bass anglers. Anglers set out of Hwy 43 ramps near Tommy's Trading Post and assisted in the transportation and release of approximately 25,000 fingerling bass into backwater areas to improve survival. 
MDWFP and MSU to Host Pond Management Workshop

The MDWFP  Fisheries Bureau, in conjunction with the Mississippi State University County Extension Service, will host a pond management workshop in Bay Springs on July 19. Workshop attendees will learn about pond design, fish stocking, harvest, vegetation control, liming, and fertilization. A question-and-answer period will follow.  To register contact Kelby King at 601-764-2314 or by email at kjk120@msstate.edu.

July 19  
Union County County
Time:  6 p.m. 
Location: Jasper County Extension Office, 37 B West 8th Ave.
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. You can also subscribe online though our license and permit purchasing page.
Need a Duplicate Hunting/Boater Education Card?
If you have lost your hunter/boater education card, please go to www.mdwfp.com/education-outreach/hunter-education/   to purchase a new duplicate card and download a temporary card for a fee of $3.
Make a Splash at a State Park
Enjoy Water Features at Select State Parks this Summer
Water features are open until Labor Day weekend at  Buccaneer,   Roosevelt State Parks, Percy Quin, J.P. Coleman, Clarkco, and Paul B. Johnson.  These features include pools, water slides, wave pools, and splash pads. 
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.
 
Join us for fun Friday's this month  where we have special events planned every Friday from 10 a.m. - Noon.
  • July 6 - Wonders of Electricity
  • July 13 - Optical Illusions
  • July 20 - Freaky nature
  • July 27 Weird Wild Water Tricks
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.

June Overview
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