2011 - Page 27 of 39 - Mississippi Sportsman

Cover: June 2011

May 31, 2011 Mississippi Sportsman

High rivers mean catfish action will be second to none this year. […]

Hundreds of pros and co-anglers will descend on Iuka June 4 for a BFL tournament on Lake Wheeler.

BFL tournament scheduled for Pickwick Lake

May 26, 2011 From News Reports

The Bass Fishing League will stop at Pickwick Lake out of Iuka on June 4 for the third of five stops in the circuit’s Mississippi Division. The lake will be flooded with as many as 400 boaters and co-anglers for the event.

“Lower Pickwick is typically all off-shore ledge fishing,” FLW pro Jonathan Newton of Alabama said. “The spawn was pretty late this year so the fish are just starting to move out, and they have been pretty slow moving to deeper water.

“There are still a few bass that will be shallow, but I would target schooling fish in about 12-14 feet of water.” […]

Hunters will now have to go fulfill a series of permitting requirements to use dogs within the confines of the Homochitto National Forest.

New dog-hunting regulations for Homochitto National Forest approved

May 25, 2011 Cliff Covington

The Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks on yesterday (May 24) adopted four 2011-12 deer-hunting regulations changes, including a provision that places new restrictions on dog hunters in the Homochitto National Forest.

What surprised many in attendance was the fact that there was no one present to speak either for or against any of the proposals, included the much-debated Homochitto National Forest dog-hunting proposal that will require hunters within the national forest to take a series of new steps to legally use dogs.

“We had met previously with groups representing both sides of the issue, and had already had multiple public comment sessions,” MDWFP’s Director of Technical Programs Larry Castle said. “And since neither side requested to speak at the Commission meeting, we can only assume that they were satisfied with the answers provided to their concerns about this proposal.” […]

Mississippi River flooding causing fish kills in Delta, MDWFP says

May 25, 2011 MDWFP news release

Several fish kills have been reported on lakes inundated by the rising Mississippi River and its tributaries, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks reported today (May 25).

“We have received reports from several conservation officers that fish kills have started in some of the flooded areas.” MDWFP’s Director of Fisheries Programs Ron Garavelli said.

The rising Mississippi River has redistributed debris, soils, chemicals, fuel, and other materials into lakes and rivers, to which state officials attribute the kills. […]

The 5,000-acre Washington County island of which Greg Hackney is a part owner has been covered with Mississippi River water. To enter the main lodge meant water rose more than 17 feet above the level of the bluff on which the camp sits.

Flood waters take over Washington County club

May 24, 2011 Andy Crawford

Greg Hackney spends most of his year chasing bass on the Bassmaster Elite Series trail, but when it’s time to relax he usually can be found at his Washington County hunting club. But he was stunned by what he found when he stopped to check things out on his way home from a recent tournament.

“There was 4 feet of water over the floor of the lodge,” Hackney said. “And the camp is on a 13-foot mound and is probably another 4 feet above that mound, so the water had to be 17 feet over the ground to get to the floor.”

What was so shocking was that the camp is on the second-highest point on the 5,000-acre island. […]

Dog hunting for deer has a long history in the Homochitto National Forest, but conflicts with landowners who don't want dogs running deer on their property has resulted in a proposal to place more regulations on dog hunters.

Homochitto National Forest dog-hunting proposal sparks emotions

May 24, 2011 Cliff Covington

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks officials are meeting tomorrow (May 24) to decide if new, more-restrictive regulations should be placed on deer hunters using dog hunters within the Homochitto National Forest.

And the proposal has stoked up passion within the deer-hunting community.

“Good. (S)top dog hunting all together,” Randall Orman posted on Mississippi Sportsman’s Facebook page. “(It) wouldn’t bother me; no sportsmanship in letting dogs do the huntin(g).” […]

Ole Miss students Brock Mosely (left) and Andy Halford will be fishing in the Collegiate B.A.S.S. National Championship in July after taking the super regional event this weekend on the Alabama River.

Ole Miss beats Auburn in B.A.S.S. regional collegiate tournament

May 23, 2011 Special report from www.Bassmaster.com

The University of Mississippi’s Ole Miss Fishing Team edged local favorites Auburn University-Montgomery Saturday (May 21) to win the College B.A.S.S. East Super Regional on the Alabama River with a winning weight of 28 pounds, 5 ounces.

AUM staged a strong runner-up effort in the two-day event, coming from sixth place yesterday to post a final weight of 27-8.

Both teams are one step closer to the ultimate win in this collegiate bass fishing league, which is a history-making slot for one angler at the 2012 Bassmaster Classic. […]

Among deer-season changes being discussed at a May 24 Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks meeting would be the expansion of youth deer hunting in two zones and the opening of National Forest Service land to youth hunting.

Commission to consider changes to deer season May 24

May 20, 2011 Cliff Covington

When the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks meets on May 24, they will decide whether to adopt four amendments to the regulations concerning the 2011-12 deer seasons and bag limits. Three of the amendments are expected to pass without much debate. However, the fourth change, which would implement new restrictions on dog hunters, has garnered some controversy.

The first change is a no-brainer. This amendment is directed solely toward the youth deer hunts, and helps clear up some confusion that exists about the season dates for these hunts. […]

June issue heads to printer

May 19, 2011 Mississippi Sportsman

The June issue of Mississippi Sportsman heads to the printer today (May 19), and it’s a great one. The issue is jam-packed with information directing you to the hot places and techniques to load your boat in June. It also gives hunters details on a major step they can take today to greatly benefit their deer herds. […]

The opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway doesn't just affect Louisiana waters. Department of Marine Fisheries officials believe it also will push saltwater species from Hancock County's coastal waters and potentially introduce invasive species to coastal rivers.

Opening of Louisiana’s Bonnet Carre Spillway will impact Mississippi coastal fishing

May 19, 2011 Mississippi Sportsman

The Bonnet Carre Spillway and the Mississippi Sound.

This year’s spring rains and thaws from a hard winter have created the largest flood to come down the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys in a century. That led to the opening of the 5.7-mile long Bonnet Carre Spillway, which is located 32.8 river miles north of New Orleans. […]

Snakes are among the wildlife being displaced by Mississippi River flooding.

Alligators and snakes among wildlife displaced by Mississippi River flooding

May 18, 2011 MDWFP news release

The rising levels of the Mississippi River and its tributaries will disperse alligators, snakes and other wildlife to new locations, and residents should be prepared for encounters, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks said today (May 18).

“If snakes are encountered, it is always best to keep your distance, since most snake bites occur when people try to handle or kill them,” MDWFP’s Alligator Program Leader Ricky Flynt said. […]

Boating in floodwaters prohibited, MDWFP announces

May 17, 2011 MDWFP news release

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks closed all boating activity in counties affected by the recent flooding to protect levees and residents’ property, the agency reported.

Effected counties include Adams, Bolivar, Claiborne, Coahoma, DeSoto, Jefferson, Humphreys, Issaquena, Sharkey, Tunica, Warren, Washington, Wilkinson, and Yazoo. However, the area can be expanded if needed, MDWFP officials said. […]