Hunting season in Mississippi is underway with dove season just getting started.  Hunters can also get their first chance to hunt waterfowl in Mississippi with the Canada goose and teal seasons opening in early September. The early Canada goose season opens September 1 and will close on September 15. The early teal season opens September 10 and will close on September 25. Teal season is growing in popularity as hunters are learning how fun it can be to break out their decoys and calls and watch blue-winged teal rocket through the air. Hunters need to be sure their hunting license is current for the 2011 hunting season, complete with Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification, as well as possess state and federal waterfowl stamps. Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks offer early-season teal hunting opportunities at several WMAs including Muscadine Farms and Howard Miller WMAs. Go to www.home.mdwfp.com/waterfowl or call 601.432.2199 to receive more information on waterfowl hunting opportunities throughout the state.

Deer season will get kicked off October 1 with the opening of archery season and gun season opening November 19.  The Wildlife Management Areas around the state offer excellent hunting opportunities.  The Mississippi Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system is expansive and diverse. It includes 50 areas encompassing over 665,000 acres. That is over 1,000 square miles!  You can get more information on the WMAs at http://home.mdwfp.com/WMA/WMADefault.aspx.  Opportunities also exist with our outfitters and guides around the state.   These operations offer excellent hunting and acccomadations. You can find more information on outfitters like Tara Wildlife, Lifetime Hunts, or Giles Island at http://www.visitmississippi.org/hunting.aspx.  

Don’t forget about the fishing around Mississippi and the Gulf Coast. The fall in Mississippi is a great time to visit one of our many state parks. Get more information at http://home.mdwfp.com/Parks/Default.aspx  MDWFP or http://www.waterparkin.com/ PHWD.

Don’t forget about the fishing around Mississippi and the Gulf Coast. The fall in Mississippi is a great time to visit one of our many state parks. Get more information at http://home.mdwfp.com/Parks/Default.aspx  MDWFP or http://www.waterparkin.com/%20PHWD.