Last nights WMA Meeting notes.

[MSDuckmen]

I was pleasantly surprised to see a few of the members from the MSDucks group on hand last night. Thanks for caring enough to try and make a difference.

A few items brought up last night at the WMA meeting 2-13-08

Request to shorten deer season in the Leaf River WMA
Do away with the late Zone 1 closing and make the entire state close deer season at the same time.

Coon hunters want field trial permits reduced from 50.00 to 25.00.

WMA permit fees brought in 665.000 last year people want to know where that money is being used.

Coon hunters want to train from June 1st to Oct 1st in WMA areas that are now closed during that time.

Request for Gator season to be expanded to full state, Coon hunters are afraid they will lose dogs in areas they are seeing large numbers of large Alligators.

Coon hunters want to see more of the WMA money used to clean walking/horse trails to make access to WMA better.

Coon hunters want to see more game wardens day and night. Complained that they never see law enforcement.

Request was made to have a state wide antler restriction that far exceeds present restrictions. Stop the killing of Doe’s in zone one. Transplant deer and Squirrel into those areas to bring the population back up. Requested that the MDWFP develop a deer tagging system that will be enforced.

Squirrel hunters want to use Mules/horses on WMA’s after end of deer season.
Keep all gates that were open for deer hunting open till the end of small game seasons close.

Duck Hunters want Malmason WMA reverted back to 3:00am entry time from 5:00
Request shell Limits for all waterfowl hunting on WMA’s

another wanted shell limits but do not want any major changes such as Draws or access limits.

Request for possible lottery to earn money for support of Pearl River WMA and possible open part of the restricted area for winners of the lottery.



Lastly I requested that they do not use a paint brush affect and set one antler restriction for the state when we already have more deer than we can take in zone 2 each year. I asked that they look at the geographic area and make changes that are right for those areas instead of setting one antler restriction that blankets the state when all areas are not the same. I also asked for a tagging system but only if it can be managed and enforced.
I also supported shell limits.



It was good to see you boys from MSDucks again. I hope all stays well for you and yours.

[Duckdawg10]

looks like there was a bunch of coon hunters there

[tombstone]

thanks for the debriefing, and thank you for your efforts

always seem the coon hunters come out in force. We should all take lessons from them

[timberjack]

Coon hunters are an organized bunch for sure........seems as if they've gained some confidence from last year's victory concerning coonhunting during turkey season.

[GulfCoast]

Thank you Dan for the info.

IF the duck hunters would get organized like the coon hunters, we could really make a difference. The coon hunters helped us retriever guys out last year when our ox was in the ditch over permits, and vice versa.

[4dawgma]

Request for Gator season to be expanded to full state, Coon hunters are afraid they will lose dogs in areas they are seeing large numbers of large Alligators.

I wouldn't mind hunting a gator but with all the rules it doesn't seem much like hunting and I know i'm not going to get close enough to "restrain" him and then shoot him.

[TWR]

The coon hunters have an exceptional leader, Mark Morrison, who knows the system, how to mobilize, and get things done.

[Drakeshead]

I do not get off from work until 7pm so I was unable to attend, but I would like to see the WMA fee be increased if only for out-of-state hunters. I am not picking on out-of-staters as this year I hunted in Arkansas and Arkansas' WMA fee is $100.

[Wingman]

Coon hunters want to see more game wardens day and night. Complained that they never see law enforcement.

That's what they all say until they get a ticket.

[DUCKAHOLIC]

Coon hunters want to see more game wardens day and night. Complained that they never see law enforcement.

That's what they all say until they get a ticket.

[duckbuster330]

you mean gator season isnt open state wide!!

[duckkiller]

no its just on Barnett and another spot in S. Mississippi