Mississippi Youth Waterfowl Hunting and Education Camp

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) has joined together once again with Mississippi State University, Delta Waterfowl, Delta Wildlife, and Ducks Unlimited to host the MDWFP Youth Waterfowl Hunting and Education Camp.  The camp’s mission is to recruit and retain waterfowl hunters and increase support for wetland conservation and waterfowl hunting in Mississippi. The camp is much more than a youth waterfowl hunting trip.  During the camp, youth ages 13-16 will increase their knowledge of waterfowl, wetland biology, and management.  Classroom discussions and hands-on exercises will be led by MDWFP biologists and staff from Mississippi State University to help students gain a better understanding of wetlands, waterfowl, and ethical hunting practices.  In addition, local field trips to public and privately managed wetlands will expose youth to the diversity of habitats that waterfowl use in Mississippi.  The camp will conclude with an optional adult-supervised waterfowl hunt for youth aged 13-15 years old.

The camp will be held in the Mississippi Delta on a private hunting club in Quitman County from January 31-February 3, 2013.  Youth ages 13-16 are encouraged to apply, however, only those youth less than 16 years old will be eligible for the hunt at the camp’s conclusion.  Because of limited space, only 15 youth will be selected for the camp.  To apply for the camp, the youth should complete an application at www.mdwfp.com/waterfowl.  Deadline for applications will be January 11, 2013.  All applications will be ranked by the quality and content of the essays and youth will be notified if they were selected for the camp by January 15, 2013.

Prior hunting experience is not required to attend, however, a desire to learn about waterfowl, wetlands, and hunting is needed.  Meals and lodging will be provided for campers, and parents will be reimbursed for some travel expenses.  For more information about the Youth Waterfowl Hunting and Education Camp, contact James Callicutt at 601-432-2079 or jamesca@mdwfp.state.ms.us.

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.).