Mississippi is a state where a population of 1.75 million whitetail deer exist....................Hunters only kill about 15% of the population so once again we find a southern state where no amount of Coyotes or Black Bears are going to be able to mitigate a vegetation denuding hoofed browser species to the point where biological diversity in the form of plant and forest regeneration is possible................Another state ripe for Wolves and Pumas to return to "active duty"!!!!!!!!

Deer season will start Oct. 1

With deer season approaching next month, state officials are gearing for a 

harvest which over the past several years has been approximately 280,000

 deer annually. Mississippi has an estimated deer population of 1.75 million.

"It's been pretty steady over the past few years, and in some areas there may

 even be a slight increase," said Josh Moree a regional biologist for the state.

 "Of course these figures are just estimates."

Mississippi has three hunting zones. Delta along the western part of the state, Hill which makes up most of the state covering the entire length of the state and Southeast which includes the Gulf Coast area. Deer season begins for archers in the Delta and Hill zones on Oct. 1. The season starts in the Southeast zone on Oct. 15.

In addition to public lands, Mississippi also has a number of Managed Wildlife Areas (MWA) which are subject to stricter regulation and control. Hunting limits and areas vary for each MWA and Moree says hunters need to be familiar with all rules and regulations, whether hunting open public lands or on an MWA.

"It's not that complicated if you're familiar with it, but it is something you need to keep up with and be aware of," Moree said of the various regulationsHe said the DeSoto National Forest is a good example of public land that is open for hunting. But within the forest is the Red Creek MWA. Hunters who are hunting in the Red Creek Area, are subject to the regulations of that specific area, not just the open public rules of the rest of the DeSoto National Forest.

One of the most sought after areas to hunt is the Canemount MWA, in Claiborne County on the banks of the Mississippi River.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks allows a short hunting season in Canemount, and hunters have to apply for a lottery type draw, in order to qualify for the hunt. The application deadline for the Canemount draw is this Tuesday. Hunters can apply for the draw through the department's website www.mdwfp.com.

This is only the second year, Canemount has been a designated WMA.

"Canemount is a special area, so it's treated differently," Moree said. "We have a lot of people from the coast apply for our draw hunt there."

For those hunters whose applications are selected in the draw lottery, they have to buck up 300 dollars for the privilege of hunting Canemount.

Only 12 hunters are allowed in the area for each three day period. And each hunter will be allowed only in a specific designated hunt unit.

Moree's colleague, Justin Thayer, the southeast regional biologist, says the Canemount MWA does offer a splendid hunting experience.

"Even if the deer hunting isn't good on a particular day, you're still in for a treat, there," he said.

"There's a very high chance of seeing good bucks on that property," Moree said.

The gun seasons for hunting start in November. There are various dates, based on the type of weapon used. Complete start dates are available on the department's website.