Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks

The meeting included public comments where representatives discussed matters concerning senior hunting opportunities on state WMAs, specifically addressing the reduction in the number of drawn hunters for the Mahana field complex and requesting an increase in participation by adding hunts or increasing hunter quotas. A representative from the Private Land Owners Mississippi Organization discussed improving communication with the Department of Wildlife, efforts to strengthen enforcement regulations for high fence enclosures, and requested consideration for lifting the moratorium on whitetail deer transport permits between enclosures for better management. The executive director provided a license sales report indicating a slight overall decrease of 2.36%, noting 2,737 new turkey stamps sold, and mentioned the impact of a recent ice storm on the state park system.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2025 outlines the agency's dedicated efforts to conserve and enhance Mississippi's natural resources and engage the public in outdoor recreation. The main strategic pillars encompass maintaining and improving wildlife management areas and state parks, ensuring quality fishing and boating access, providing technical support for habitat management, and promoting safe outdoor recreation. Additionally, the agency focuses on conservation education for students, fostering citizen participation and transparency in regulations, and enforcing natural resource protection to guarantee thriving wildlife and accessible adventure for all Mississippians.

The meeting commenced with the welcome of new guests, including the executive director of the foundation. Discussions involved a motion to amend the minutes regarding the introduction of the new turkey stamp program, clarifying that it provides dedicated funds for turkey conservation rather than offsetting general budget decreases. License sales reports indicated a 2% decrease in revenue year-over-year as of the end of December, although small game licenses, WMA permits, and senior exempt licenses saw increases. The new turkey stamp sales were noted, and auto renewal licenses were slated for availability soon. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to an update on park projects, including renovations at Clark Campground, Buccaneer East, Paul B. Johnson cabins, and Waldocks cabins, with special mention of significant funding received for the Buccaneer East project to expand campsites and include a hiking trail. An update on Percy Quinn State Park renovations was also provided. Financial discussions highlighted strong performance from July through December, yielding $5.2 million in revenue, and a major capital improvement funding request of $18.8 million for various state parks, focusing on projects at Waldoxy and Lake Lincoln. The law enforcement report detailed ongoing enforcement efforts for the hunting season, noting the charging of subjects for headlighting deer, and providing statistics for December 2025 citations, with 'no residence license' being the top violation. The success of recently graduated cadets was also mentioned. Finally, requests for licensing exemptions for hunts hosted by Hope Outdoors and Hearts of Hope for hunters with disabilities were approved.

The meeting included recognition of employees for years of service and retirees. A Lifetime Achievement Award for fisheries was presented posthumously to Keith Mills, acknowledging his extensive career and contributions to crappie management. The Parks Department reported on visitation and revenue through November, noting strong performance attributed to marketing efforts, and provided updates on upcoming cabin and campground renovations, including a $1 million grant for Buccaneer State Park. The Law Enforcement division reported 934 citations issued in November, with top violations including non-residence, no federal duck stamp, and trespassing. Two cases involving illegal spotlighting resulted in one successful reinstatement request after the subject admitted to the offense and one case where the individual was caught before shooting, leading to reinstatement as well. Updates were also given on shooting range usage and future capital projects at JP Coleman and Percy Quin parks.

The meeting included discussions on the use of thermal drones for deer recovery, with a presentation given on the topic. The commission also reviewed license sales, noting a decrease in revenue compared to the previous year, particularly in non-resident license sales, and discussed strategies to encourage license purchases to boost federal funding.