Mississippi Wildlife Commission Adopts New Deer Regulations Due to Deer Disease

The operating plans for the Phil Bryant Wildlife Management Area were also approved. Here is what you need to know.

Why increase the limit of bags without wood from 3 to 5?

"It will be the limit of five bags without wood everywhere except in the southeast area," said Russ Walsh, director of the Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Bureau. "At our public meetings, we explained that when the prevalence (of chronic debilitating disease) reaches a certain point, we begin to see a decrease (in the population) .The annual survival rates can be halved."

Walsh said that in states where deer density has been reduced, the prevalence of the disease has been somewhat managed.

"They kept it (CWD) at a lower level," said Walsh. "The data has proven it – our goal is to keep prevalence at a low level."

Why increase antlerless hunting on public lands?

Two years ago, unsheltered harvests on open public lands were limited to the shooting season at the bow. Now, hunters on open public lands and some wildlife management areas may also harvest deer during the primitive weapons season.

Walsh explained that spotlights were used to count deer at night and estimate population densities. These data indicate that populations can withstand a limited increase in deer harvests.

"We do not want to open it until the end," Walsh said. "We want to do it gradually."

Why harvest yearlings?

The new regulations also change the structure of the minimum sizes of timber harvested on private land. Hunters on private land in all areas, except for the southeastern area, can now include a dollar in their catch limit that does not meet the minimum wood size restriction.

Walsh explained that young males disperse and establish a home range away from their place of birth. These yearlings can also be infected with MDC. Thus, to help reduce the introduction of CWD into new areas, hunters are entitled to a dollar of choice.

Exceptions from public lands to regulation of "choice of choice" and harvesting possibilities at harvest:

• High Sardes WMA.
• Holly Springs National Forest.

Hunters can harvest deer throughout the deer season.

"This is in the wheelhouse of CWD, so we're opening this opportunity pretty widely," said Walsh.

What happens if I harvest a deer with MDC?

Hunters wishing to abandon the meat will receive a bonus label from the MDWFP to collect additional deer.

Phil Bryant WMA: different from others

The plans for the operation of Phil Bryant WMA were also adopted by the commission. Acquired in 2018 and originally named Steele Bayou WMA, the 18,000-acre Issaquena and Warren counties will be different from all other public lands in the state.

The WMA will be divided into four units bearing the name of hunting camps that once existed on the territory. Backwoods, Buck Bayou, Ten Point and Goose Lake. Each unit will offer a unique experience and hunters will be allowed to hunt through drawings.

Backwoods Unit:

• Designed to simulate the experience of hunting camps long associated with the region.

• Hunters and up to three guests will be allocated sub-units of about 1,000 acres for five-day hunts.

• Parties may hunt any game in season and camp for the duration of the hunt.

Buck Bayou Unit:

• Basically, an extension of the neighboring Mahannah WMA.

• Offers opportunities for deer, small game and ducks according to Mahannah WMA regulations.

• Unit in ten points:

• Archery shooting only in October and November.

• Rifle hunting is allowed in December.

• 26 December-January 12 reserved for the disabled and young hunters, allowing them to hunt during the routine.

• Hunting for small game and ducks is permitted from Monday to Wednesday.

• Goose Lake Unit:

• Access on foot or by boat only.

• Only archery equipment is allowed for the deer.

• Hunting for small game and ducks is permitted from Monday to Wednesday.

More outside: Scary fish. Wild pigs. Ugly birds. What did their invasion do in Mississippi?

More outside: "In what did I embark? Mississippi's alligator trappers tell stories of humor and horror

More outside: "It was amazing." Harvest record of harvesters alligator gar