Mississippi Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) Draft Is Open For Public Review and Comment
July 21, 2008
Mississippi Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) Draft Is Open For Public Review and Comment
Download SCORP
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Send comments to jean [at] mdwfp [dot] state [dot] ms [dot] us
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Mississippi Private Lands Alligator Hunting Season Announced
July 18, 2008
JACKSON - The Commission on the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks has announced its intention to open a private lands alligator hunting season in the following counties; Hinds, Holmes, Issaquena, Madison, Rankin, Warren and Yazoo counties. The season dates are September 26 – October 4. Persons who own private land that contain a minimum of 20 acres of permanent surface water within these counties, may be eligible to receive a special harvest voucher to harvest an alligator from their property. Vouchers will be issued at the rate of one for the first 20 acres of surface water and an additional voucher for each additional 100 acres of surface water. No public water will be considered for eligibility. Landowners will be allowed to transfer any or all vouchers to residents or non-residents 16 years of age or older. The possessors of the vouchers are required to attend and complete the MDWFP Private Lands Alligator Hunting Training Course on September 6, from 9 a.m. until noon at the MDWFP Central Office in Jackson. Upon completion, the holder of the harvest voucher will be eligible to purchase a Private Lands Alligator Hunting Permit (PLAHP). The cost of the PLAHP is $100 for residents and $200 for non-residents. Other license requirements may apply.
An application and other proof of ownership are required. There is a $5 fee to apply. For more information, instructions, and applications visit www.mdwfp.com/alligator or you may call (601) 432-2199.
The deadline for application submission to the MDWFP is August 15, 2008.
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Mississippi Dove Hunters Have More Opportunity in 2008
June 30, 2008
Jackson- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has approved a more liberal season length and bag limit for dove hunting than what has been allowed in the past, according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. Past federal frameworks have only allowed a 60 day season and 15 dove bag limit or a 70 day season and a 12 dove bag limit. A state had to choose one of the two options. Hunters will now be able to enjoy the longer 70 day season with the larger 15 dove bag limit.
Through the work of the states that comprise the Eastern Management Unit (EMU) dove technical committee, in which Mississippi is a member, it was determined there was no significant difference in harvest numbers among those states that chose the 60 day 15 dove limit or the 70 day 12 dove limit season packages. It was determined that the majority of the dove harvest occurs on the opening weekend with very little harvest occurring after opening weekend.
“Mississippi dove hunters will finally be able to have their cake and eat it too,” said Scott Baker, MDWFP Wildlife Biologist. “This coupled with our private dove field program will make a lot of hunters happy.” Â
Dove hunters looking for a place to dove hunt in a safe, family like atmosphere need to look no further than the MDWFP’s Private Land Dove Field Program. The MDWFP has partnered with National Sports Shooting Foundation (NSSF) to offer dove hunting opportunities on private property prepared just for dove hunting. Interested hunters need to log on to the MDWFP web site, MDWFP.com, for regular updates on field location and permit availability. Permits will available beginning on August 4. For more information the MDWFP’s Private Lands Dove Field Program, please contact Scott Baker at (601) 432-2229.
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MDWFP Fisheries Bureau Releasing Florida Strain Bass Throughout the State
June 10, 2008
Jackson – In accordance to a detailed management plan, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks fisheries bureau recently released Florida strain bass at seven lakes statewide. Three additional stockings are set for later this summer.
Ross Barnett Reservoir, Eagle Lake, Oktibbeha County Lake, Geiger Lake, Columbus Lake, Aberdeen Lake and Lake Boga Homa have already been stocked with the Florida strain bass. Lake Mary, Kemper County Lake and the Pascagoula River are scheduled to be stocked by the MDWFP in upcoming months.
At Ross Barnett, approximately 150,000 Florida strain bass were released as a part of a management plan at popular fishing destination. MDWFP District 4 Fisheries Biologist Larry Bull said the recent stocking will help Ross Barnett maintain its reputation as a top bass fishing location.
“From our work in the 1990s we believe that stocking Florida bass produce trophy fish in Ross Barnett,” Bull said. “Last year, we met with local bass fishermen to discuss the stocking in the management plan. Their input greatly helped us get these fish.”
At Eagle Lake near Vicksburg, 240,000 Florida strain bass were released. MDWFP District 5 Fisheries Biologist John Skains said the recent stocking will be a big benefit to an already good lake.
“Bass recruitment at Eagle Lake is limited,” Skains said. “Fishing improves a year or two after we stock and based on past experience I expect these fish to be in the pound to pound and a half range by next year. The bass we stocked three years ago are now showing up as five pounders.”
Oktibbeha County Lake received 25,000 Florida bass while Lake Boga Homa got 53,000 and Geiger Lake was stocked with 8,000.
“Each lake has its own management plan,” said Ron Garavelli, MDWFP fisheries bureau chief. “These stockings are an important part of the plan.”
All the fish released during the stockings were hatched at the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery near Enid.
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Mississippi Parks Ranked Among Top 100 Family Campgrounds
May 21, 2008
Jackson – Five Mississippi State Parks were listed among ReserveAmerica’s Top 100 Family Campgrounds according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. Approximately 4,000 state parks, national parks, and campgrounds were reviewed encompassing all 50 states before the final 100 were selected. In Mississippi, John W. Kyle State Park near Sardis; Lake Lincoln State Park near Wesson; Paul B. Johnson State Park near Hattiesburg; Percy Quin State Park near McComb; and Trace State Park near Belden were chosen to be among the Top 100 Family Campgrounds.
Mississippi’s parks also fared well in other areas of recognition. Tishomingo State Park in northeastern corner of the state earned a spot among the nation’s Top 25 Canoeing Spots. Lake Lincoln, Percy Quin and Trace State Parks were touted as being among the Top 50 Fishing Spots in the ReserveAmercia report. Lake Lowndes State Park near Columbus and Percy Quin were named in the Top 50 for the quality of the hiking trails each offers visitors. Leroy Percy State Park, Mississippi’s first state park, located near Hollandale, was named in the Top 25 Romantic Spots. For scenic value, Clark Creek State Park got the recognition it deserves, being listed among the Top 50 Scenic areas. Tishmingo State Park joined LeFluer’s Bluff State Park in Jackson and Clarko State Park near Quitman in being recognized for their unique cabins.
“To be ranked as we were against tourist destination states such as Florida, Virginia, Colorado, and California speaks volumes for the fine job our parks personnel are doing in making people feel welcomed,” said Ramie Ford, MDWFP Director of Parks. “We have a great asset that the world is starting to discover.”
ReserveAmerica is North America’s leading camping reservation and campground management solutions provider. For specific information about each of Mississippi’s state parks visit parks, or call 601-432-2400.
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