November 16 is Mississippi Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) reminds everyone that all Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) with waterfowl hunting opportunity will be open for the first youth waterfowl hunting day on November 16, 2013.  Adults are encouraged to participate by taking a youth under the age of 16 hunting.  An additional youth waterfowl hunting day will be February 1, 2014.

“It’s extremely important that Mississippi hunters take the time to pass along the hunting tradition to our younger generations,” says James Callicutt, MDWFP Waterfowl Program Biologist.

Houston Havens, MDWFP Waterfowl Program Leader adds, “The early-season youth day allows an opportunity for youth to experience waterfowl hunting when weather conditions are milder and birds are typically concentrated on a limited amount of managed habitat.”

Waterfowl regulations, including bag limits, for the youth hunting days will be the same as during the regular waterfowl season; however, youth hunters are exempt from purchasing a hunting license, WMA user permit, and duck stamps.  Non-toxic shot and shotguns holding no more than three shells must still be used.  Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult with a valid Mississippi hunting license, state and federal duck stamps, and Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification for Mississippi.  If hunting on a WMA, adults will also need a WMA User Permit.   Adults are not allowed to duck hunt during the youth hunt.

For more information regarding waterfowl in Mississippi, visit our website at www.mdwfp.com/waterfowl or call us at 601-432-2199. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mdwfp or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWFPonline.

Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries and Parks

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP), formerly known as the Mississippi Game & Fish Commission, is an agency of the government of the U.S. state ofMississippi responsible for programs protecting Mississippi fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, as well as administering all state parks; it has its headquarters in Jackson. The agency issues hunting and fishing licenses, advises on habitat protection, and sponsors public education programs. It is also responsible for enforcement of Mississippi's fish and game laws. It is separate from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, which is the governing body for the state's natural salt-water resources and law enforcement thereof (i.e. Gulf of Mexico, ocean-going vessels, etc.).