Homochitto National Forest Hunting with Dogs

[richard b evers]

I was told that this is a trail run this year and will be rolled out to all WMA’s in the future, and will apply to Duck Dogs.

Has anyone heard anything about this?

FROM the MDWFP web site

Homochitto National Forest Hunting with Dogs on the Homochitto National Forest

JACKSON – The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) adopted new regulations (Rule Number W16 3434) concerning hunting with dogs on the Homochitto National Forest. From November 1, 2011 – January 31, 2012, all dog hunting groups or individuals hunting with dogs must obtain a permit to use dogs to hunt any animal or to train dogs on areas open to deer hunting with dogs on Homochitto National Forest. A copy of this public notice of rule can be obtained at www.mdwfp.com.

“This is a pilot project intended to help provide order and improve safety for hunters, landowners and all forest visitors,” said Homochitto District Ranger Bruce Prud’homme. “We hope this initial step will help all visitors to have a safe and enjoyable experience on the National Forest. At the same time, we want to be a ‘good neighbor’ to nearby landowners and community residents.”

To apply and receive a permit the following steps should be taken:

1) Beginning October 1st, go to www.mdwfp.com to submit an application for a permit. There is no cost for the permit. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to the MDWFP at 601-432-2199.
2) Starting October 11, 2011, the Forest Service will begin issuing permits through the mail. If applicants prefer, permits may be picked up in person from the Meadville Office by calling 601-384-5876 to set up an appointment. Permits will be issued in the order which they were received.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and the Homochitto National Forest want to make the permit process as simple and quick as possible. “This is the first year of this regulation,” said Chad Dacus, MDWFP Wildlife Bureau Assistant Director. “Information sharing is essential. Our organizations want to make sure hunters are aware of the new regulation.”

[LODI QUACKER]

What a crock!!!!!!!!!

I dont believe the labs comment and if they do I will not apply for a stinking permit and WIll continue to do what I have always done.

The cornbeadin people have way too much time on their hands, half these folks need to be fired and maybe some of these stupid ash rules and beurocratic BS would go away!!!!!!!!!

[deltadukman]

I'm not a fan of deer dogs or hunting behind them, and I have heard that it has gotten pretty out of hand at HNF

But what in the hail is this going to do? Just mail you name in and get a free permit to run dogs.....dont make any sense to me. Seems like its just a way to cost the department more money and not curtail any of the dog running.

[ScottyLee]

delta duck man, hit the nail on the head. it's crazy down there with dog hunters. they have toyed around with the idea of banning it all together.

it's sad how many dogs are stolen, lost and eventually left down there. and the dog hunting itself is insane from the numbers of people and dogs etc...

it will eventually get banned on the homochitto, mark my word.

they've also planned to increase law enforcement for the upcoming year, oosers and dog hunters have ran that place in the ground. If'n you hunt the area be sure and get permits for your pups.

[deltadukman]

What does mailing your name in to get a free permit do to help anything? Thats my question. I see a fee coming and then spreading to every piece of public land in the future. $XX to get a hunting permit, $XX to have and ATV/bike permit, $XX to hunt deer on said property permit, $XX to hunt Skurrls, $XX to hunt ducks, $XX to hunt with a dog, $XX to have a chance to hunt a special season, $XX to hunt with a firearm instead of a bow..........then the whole time your out there, you're worried if you have all the correct permits to not get a ticket. Just like the draw system...............MOMO and Cali here we come

[randywallace]

They have a heck of a problem down there with dog hunters that dont respect private property rights. Not sure where you heard it was going to expand to WMAs. Most of the WMAs dont allow dog hunting for deer at all and I have never heard of a runaway lab from a duck hunter causing any problems.

There is more to the rule than is posted. Specifically, the rule requires that deer dogs be equiped with a tracking collar and contain the permit holders number and contact info. After 2 violations, they can revoke the permit for up to 20 days of the season. For a 3 violation, they can revoke the permit for a year. Since everyone has to have either a permit or guest pass, they will write tickets to people that dont have permits.

Now whether or not they will have enough manpower to enforce the rules is another story.

[ScottyLee]

What does mailing your name in to get a free permit do to help anything? Thats my question. I see a fee coming and then spreading to every piece of public land in the future. $XX to get a hunting permit, $XX to have and ATV/bike permit, $XX to hunt deer on said property permit, $XX to hunt Skurrls, $XX to hunt ducks, $XX to hunt with a dog, $XX to have a chance to hunt a special season, $XX to hunt with a firearm instead of a bow..........then the whole time your out there, you're worried if you have all the correct permits to not get a ticket. Just like the draw system...............MOMO and Cali here we come

it's so they can have accountability with people leaving dogs; drive through the homochitto during dog season and it's unreal how many dogs you see that never get found. it's either this or require everyone who runs dogs to have high dollar tracking collars (which i would definitely have if i were running dogs) but hardly no one has them.. living there all of my life and see the problems first hand, i wish they would ban it all together... it's that bad. but major thumbs up to the higher ups for giving the dog hunters another chance to help take care of their mess; the hunters spoke and they listened..

[camlock]

I work in Centreville and I work with some guys that's been hunting around here and running dogs for generations and hunt mostly HNF and public lands around SW Mississippi...I was told by one of these co-workers that he felt some of this was to help them better manage dog hunting in general and that one of the biggest issues was people turning dogs out from the blacktop and into private land while their crew went into the public forest around the borders...??? I think there is more to it than just mailing off info and getting a permit, I dont' know all the stipulations but I think somehow the dog is tagged to your permit or something?? I don't know.

[ScottyLee]

over 300 dog hunters have gotten permits to dog hunt the dog use area in the homochitto national forest.... we're still a month away from deer season...

thought that was intresting to say the least

[charlesj]

I have land in Caseville that borders the HNF and its getting bad. They dont just turn out 6 or 7 dogs. They will have them in cattel trailer and turn out 40 or 50 at a time. And like the person sais they will turn the out on the black top and push them through ur property and kill anything in front of the dogs.

[BIG TIMBER]

Hell yea! Turn them hounds loose an kill em all!!!! Nothing better than a good race sounding off on a cold morning to get the blood pumping. Can't wait for Nov. 19

[GILREATH]

Does this apply to squirrel and coon dogs too?
Already can't hunt behind sq dogs through the majority of the season in fear of offending someone a mile away that hears a dog bark treed....Looks like this policy will probably effect the other WMA's soon enough. Guess i should find another hobby since it isn't still hunting for deer.