Deer Hunting

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.” […]

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. […]

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. […]