February 2013 Archives - Page 2 of 3

Joshua Bruce was elated to learn he had shot the highly sought-after buck known as “The Rock.”

2013 Deer of the Year

February 1, 2013 Andy Crawford

Hunters across the state complained of poor deer sightings during the 2012-13 season. Even the keeper of the Magnolia Records had a down season. […]

Anglers looking to catch one of Mississippi’s home-grown crappie can skip the big lakes and look to state lakes and Community Assisted Ponds to catch a Magnolia crappie.

Lake Claude Bennett: Your best shot at a Magnolia crappie

February 1, 2013 Phillip Gentry

All of Mississippi’s state lakes are designed to provide ample bank-fishing access. But one of the better locations for bank fishing is Lake Claude Bennett in Jasper County. […]

Wadeable streams are often overlooked fishing opportunities.

Fish, farms and forests

February 1, 2013 Hal Schramm

Mississippi anglers know that healthy, productive fisheries depend on good habitat. In turn, they rely on their finned quarry’s habitat preferences to help locate and catch fish. […]

Magnolia crappie share similar traits with both white and black crappie, but only about 60% retain the easily identified black stripe.

How to distinguish a Magnolia crappie

February 1, 2013 Phillip Gentry

Many novice crappie anglers have a hard time distinguishing between a black crappie and a white crappie, so adding a third species to the mix can be a bit confusing. […]

MCC Tournament Director Terry Stewart and his 80-something father Don won the December “fisherman’s choice” event.

Since my last report here, the Magnolia Crappie Club has held two tournaments at Chotard and Eagle lakes. These unusual “fisherman’s choice” crappie tournaments were held in early December and early January.

In fact, last month’s “As Big As They Grow” crappie column was based on what I expected to happen in that early December tournament. As I recall, I predicted that the tournament would be won pulling crankbaits at Chotard. […]

Working with dogs can provide hunters extra enjoyment when small game hunting.

Hare Trigger – Extend your hunting season by chasing rabbits

February 1, 2013 David Hawkins

Hunting dogs have a ritual prior to getting down to business. Perhaps it comes from days in a pen and hours in a dog box, but they must complete this ritualistic activity before they can get down to business. […]

Rabbit pills on a stump are a sure sign bunnies are in the area. Rabbits excrete on logs and stumps, then return later to consume the dried, previously undigested portion.

Bunny basics

February 1, 2013 David Hawkins

According to Mississippi State University biologists, Mississippi has two types of rabbits: cottontails (or “hillbillies,” as they are known in hunting circles) and the swamp rabbit (aka the “cane cutter”). […]

om Fletcher Wimberly III, or “Fletch” to his family and friends, hoists a huge Okhissa bass. Fletch is 6-years-old and likes to fish with his granddad, Michael Suggs.

Spring Kiss — Best tips for spring bass-fishing success on Okhissa Lake

February 1, 2013 David Hawkins

Angling for Florida strain largemouth bass has always been something of a challenge. When the big sows get on the bed that challenge is multiplied in spades by the fickleness of the female.

Many bass anglers have watched as the their baits are carried away by females, but hook-sets only result in baits flying back toward the anglers with the ferocity of an angry bird.

The United States Forest Service has only a few fishing lakes in Mississippi. Of those, Okhissa Lake near Bude has to be considered the crown jewel. […]