Mississippi DWFP Announces Scaup Bag Limit Change

Each year, scaup bag limits are set based on breeding population numbers and predicted harvest estimates.  From this information, one of three packages (Restricted, Moderate, or Liberal) is selected for the season’s scaup regulations.  For the 2013-14 hunting season, harvest management considerations recommended a moderate scaup package, which historically would mean a 60-day season with a 2-bird bag.  Biologists from the Mississippi Flyway held their annual meeting in late July to discuss regulatory issues, and the recommendation to increase the moderate scaup package to a 3-bird bag limit was presented.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed with the recommendation from the Mississippi Flyway Council to change the “moderate” regulatory package governing scaup bag limits for Mississippi Flyway states.  MDWFP participation in the Mississippi Flyway Council is important to ensure that Mississippi has a voice in setting waterfowl hunting regulations.

This hunting season, Mississippi will enjoy a 60-day season and 3-bird bag limit for scaup as a result of this change.  Houston Havens, MDWFP Waterfowl Program Leader said, “We were excited to hear that our recommendation for this change was approved.  Last season there was a 4-bird bag limit for scaup, and we’re glad to be offered a similar opportunity this year”.

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.).