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Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
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Now Accepting Alligator Permit Applications
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June 1 - 7
The statewide public waters alligator season will offer 930 permits within 7 hunting zones across the state for the 10-day season, August 31 - September 10, 2018. The process for issuing permits will remain the same as in 2017: an electronic application process followed by a random drawing of applicants. Applications will be accepted from June 1-7, 2018, via the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) website. The first drawing will take place around June 13.
A private lands alligator hunting season is available to landowners whose properties meet specific qualifications within 34 open counties. Grenada County has been added for the private lands season for 2018. Applications and instructions for private lands permits are available online. Applications with all required documents are accepted by mail to the Jackson Central Office and must be submitted by July 1.
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Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) June Update
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More than 1,500 white-tailed deer samples have been collected in Mississippi since October 1, 2017; 697 of those deer samples were collected from Mississippi's 25-mile Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Zone, which encompasses
Claiborne, Hinds, Issaquena, Sharkey, Warren, and Yazoo counties.
Only one deer has tested positive for CWD, which was
collected on January 25, 2018, in Issaquena County. The deer was a 4.5-year-old male that died of natural causes and was reported to Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP).
In addition, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has sampled deer within the portion of the 25-mile CWD Management Zone, which lies across the Mississippi River. All tests submitted by LDWF were returned as not detected for CWD.
MDWFP is currently drafting hunting season recommendations relative to CWD management and mitigation that will be
available
within the coming months.
Pursuant to the Order of the Executive Director on behalf of the Commission, supplemental feeding remains banned in the following counties: Claiborne, Hinds, Issaquena, Sharkey, Warren, and Yazoo. Also, all hog traps within the six-county containment zone must be permitted with MDWFP.
For more information on CWD or to report a sick deer, visit www.mdwfp.com/cwd or call 1-800- BE-SMART.
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Celebrate Great Outdoors Month
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At MDWFP's Parks, State Lakes, and WMAs
Celebrate Great Outdoors Month by camping, hiking, fishing, paddling, boating, or just enjoying nature by being outdoors! Mississippi state parks, state lakes, and wildlife management areas provide fun, affordable opportunities for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
In Mississippi June 2 and 3 are designated as "Free Fishing Days," when any person may sport fish without a license. In addition, daily permits to fish at
state fishing lakes and state parks are not required.
National Fishing and Boating Week
This national celebration highlights the importance of boating and fishing in enhancing our quality of life and preserving our state's natural beauty. Take the family out on the water at one of the many
state fishing lakes and state park lakes managed by MDWFP.
National Get Outdoors Day
June 9 is National Get Outdoors Day! Pack a picnic and head to your local park or one of
Mississippi's 25 state parks for a day of outdoor recreation.
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First Public Boat Ramp Open on Deer Creek
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MDWFP opened the first public boat ramp on Deer Creek with help from the Deer Creek Watershed Association and the town of Arcola.
MDWFP's
Ramp and Pier Program is charged with building, renovating, and providing grants for public access boat ramps and courtesy piers. Funding for this project comes from a combination of state funds generated by license sales and federal dollars.
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New Canoe Landing Open on Bear Creek
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At Tishomingo State Park
MDWFP had a ribbon cutting on May 29 for a new canoe landing at Tishomingo State Park. Funding for the canoe landing was provided through a grant from Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) with matching funds from MDWFP.
The new landing provides easy access to the creek with a drive through drop off point for vehicles and trailers. The new construction also keeps the creek bank's stabilization in place, limiting the amount of sediment into Bear Creek.
The MDWFP would like to thank all those who assisted in this project including: TVA, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), and Friends of Tishomgino State Park.
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Need Guidance Managing Habitat on Private Lands?
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Our biologists are here to help
MDWFP
offers a variety of services to help private landowners achieve their wildlife management objectives. Whether it is cultivating food plots for deer, managing woodland density, or determining the amount of coverage you need for proper habitat, our biologists will provide you with technical guidance.
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MDWFP Youth Fishing Rodeos
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Coming to a lake or pond near you
We have several Youth Fishing Rodeos scheduled at lakes and ponds across Mississippi. MDWFP Youth Fishing Rodeos are held Saturday mornings and are great opportunities for families to spend quality time together in the great outdoors.
Each of these rodeos will have MDWFP fisheries biologists and technical staff present to provide fishing education, guidance, and technical information.
June Fishing Rodeos
June 2
- Canton, Turcotte Education Center, 6:30 a.m.
- Clarksdale, Coahoma County Fairgrounds Pond, 10:30 a.m.
June 9
- Grenada, Grenada Lake Rodeo Ponds, 8 a.m.
- Philadelphia, Neshoba County Lake, 7 a.m.
June 16
- Houston, American Legion Lake, 7:30 a.m.
- Oxford, Lake Puskus, 7 a.m.
June 23
- Beaumont, Lake Perry, 8 a.m.
More Fishing Rodeo Dates
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MDWFP and MSU to Host Pond Management Workshops
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The MDWFP
Fisheries Bureau, in conjunction with the Mississippi State University County Extension Service, will host pond management workshops in New Albany, Clarksdale, and Raymond during the month of June. Workshop attendees will learn about pond design, fish stocking, harvest, vegetation control, liming, and fertilization. A question-and-answer period will follow.
June 5
Union County County
Time:
6 p.m.
Location: New Albany, Union County Extension Office, 112 Fairground Circle
June 12
Coahoma County
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Clarksdale, Coahoma County Extension Office, 503 East 2nd St.
June 21
Hinds County
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Raymond MSU Central MS R&E Center, 1320 Seven Springs Rd.
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New Fishing Rule Changes Go Into Effect
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Fishing regulation changes on several MDWFP managed lakes have been finalized. At Tippah County Lake, and the lakes at Tombigbee State Park and Lake Lowndes State Park, the daily creel limit for black bass has been reduced from 30 per angler to 10 per angler. At Lake Lamar Bruce, the black bass slot limit will change from 16 - 22 inches to 18 - 24 inches, and the slot limit will move from 14 - 22 inches to 16 - 24 inches at Lake Monroe. The daily creel limit of 10 bass per angler, including one bass over the slot limit, will be the same.
Several rule changes were adopted at White's Creek Lake near Eupora. The slot limit on black bass will be replaced with a 15-inch minimum length limit, and the daily creel limit will be 5 bass per angler. A 10-inch minimum length limit will apply to crappie, and the daily creel limit will be reduced to 15 crappie per angler. In addition, the daily creel limit on bream will be 25 per angler.
Rule changes were also made at Lake Washington and Moon Lake. The changes for Lake Washington prohibit anglers from possessing crappie under the 11-inch minimum length limit and black bass under the 15-inch minimum length limit. The daily creel limit will remain 30 crappie per angler and 5 black bass per angler. The regulation change also prohibits anglers from possessing crappie under 11 inches and bass under 15 inches if they are in Paul Love Park or on the weir in the outlet channel. At Moon Lake, the change prohibits anglers from possessing crappie under the 10-inch minimum length limit. The daily creel limit will remain 30 crappie per angler.
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Fallen Officers Memorial Ceremony
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The MDWFP
held its Fallen Officer Memorial Service on May 17 to honor and remember the 12 Conservation Officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty since 1932. The MDWFP also recognized other law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty during the ceremony.
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Subscribe to Mississippi Outdoors Magazine
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Mississippi Outdoors magazine is MDWFP's bi-monthly publication featuring a range of informative articles, agency news, trends, topics, and photos.
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Make a Splash at a State Park
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Enjoy Water Features at Select State Parks this Summer
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Leave Young Wildlife Alone
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Many Mississippians will come across some type of newborn wildlife this summer that appears to be abandoned. Well-meaning people often pick these animals up in an attempt to care for them, but often do more harm than good.
Mississippi law prohibits the capture, possession, or caging of any wild animal, including white-tailed deer fawns, squirrels, and birds. In cases where young birds or squirrels are blown out of nests during summer storms, often adult animals will find young and continue to care for them. For white-tailed deer fawns, the doe takes great care to purposefully hide the fawn during its first few weeks of life. As a natural defense, the fawn lie still in a fashion that makes people think it is sick or injured. At a few weeks of age, the fawn will be on its feet, able to follow its mother, and can outrun most predators.
Does bred in December will begin to drop fawns in late June. Peak fawn drop is usually around the first two weeks of July. However, later breeding will result in fawns dropping at later dates. This means spotted fawns could be encountered as late as October in southeast Mississippi.
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Download the Official MDWFP App
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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.
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Parks Bureau Awards Manager of the Quarter
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Congratulations to Mississippi State Parks Manager Neil Hays of Natchez State Park for earning Manager of the Quarter.
He was awarded a certificate of accomplishment at the bi-annual managers' meeting held May 10, 2018.
During Neil's eight years with the agency he has demonstrated hard work and dedication to his job. He enjoys interacting with the park visitors and making sure they have a good camping experience.
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2018 Youth Art Contest Winners
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At the MDWFP's North Mississippi Fish Hatchery
MDWFP's Visitor Education Center (VEC) received artwork from approximately 300 Mississippi students who participated in the 2018 North Mississippi Fish Hatchery Youth Art Contest. Congratulations to first place winners, Diana Rodriguez (Category IV: Ages 16 - 19), Emma McCord (Category III: Ages 12 - 15), Hung Tran (Category II: Ages 8 - 11, and Bryan Buckley (Category I: Ages 5 - 7).
The contest was sponsored by the Foundation for Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
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The Science of Ripley's Believe It or Not
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The Newest Exhibit at MDWFP's Museum of Natural Science
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.
Visitors will go places they've never imagined and be encouraged to follow their natural curiosity as they explore the real science behind the unbelievable. Through experiments, challenges, touchable specimens, real artifacts, computer interactives, and multimedia experiences, visitors of all ages will delve into the astounding world of Ripley's Believe It or Not!®
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.
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