Latest news with #MississippiDepartmentofWildlife
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Bear was suspiciously familiar, Mississippi man says. Turns out they had history
Black bears may look alike to most of us, but Anthony Ballard swore he encountered one in the Mississippi wilderness that seemed familiar. Turns out he was right, only the bear weighed less than 5 pounds at their previous encounter. That was in 2023 when Ballard, a state biologist, found two adorable cubs in a den and implanted them with microchips as part of the Mississippi's bear tracking program. That microchip confirmed Ballard wasn't imagining things. 'When it is scanned, the scanner will display a unique number (like a serial number). I had my suspicions about who she was before, but when the reader picked up the tag I knew for sure,' he told McClatchy News in an email. 'Her litter mate (a male) was killed by a car in winter 2024, so I was glad to confirm she was still alive.' The reunion happened this month in Warren County, just over a mile and a half from where the two originally met, he says. The bear is now known as F60 in record books, and she roams turf near Eagle Lake, about a 65-mile drive northwest from Jackson. A July 21 Facebook post highlighting the bear's reappearance had more than 3,700 reactions and comments as of July 23, including from some who wondered if she was eating enough. 'To many, she may appear skinny but don't worry, this is normal!' the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks said in its Facebook post. 'Young bears often appear this way as their bones grow faster than their muscle and fat. She's still growing — similar to the human pre-puberty stage — so her frame looks lean and leggy for now. As she matures, she'll bulk up and grow into that build.' Mississippi's black bears were nearly wiped out a century ago due to overhunting and habitat destruction, the state says. In 1974, bears were added to the state's 'list of rare and threatened vertebrates of Mississippi.' 'Biologists currently estimate the Mississippi bear population to be about 150 bears in the state, which is a major improvement over the estimated 40 individuals in 2002,' the wildlife department says.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mississippi invites artists for Wild Turkey Stamp artwork
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) announced the creation of the first-ever Mississippi Wild Turkey Stamp, aimed at enhancing management, habitat, and research for wild turkeys. The Wild Turkey Stamp, which is expected to launch for the 2025 spring turkey season, is the result of a multi-year legislative effort by hunters, conservation partners, and land managers and marks a major step forward for conservation. According to MDWFP, the initiative will provide a dedicated funding stream to support wild turkey populations and the habitats they depend on. When will applications open for 2025 Public Waters alligator season in Mississippi? 'Our state is a special place for turkey hunting,' said MDWFP Executive Director Lynn Posey. 'The Wild Turkey Stamp ensures Mississippi will remain at the forefront of turkey conservation for future generations. We appreciate our legislature, conservation partners, and the public who helped make this happen.' As part of its inaugural kickoff campaign, the MDWFP would like to invite Mississippi-based artists, ages 15 and up, to submit original artwork to be featured as the first-ever state Wild Turkey Stamp. Submissions should depict the Eastern wild turkey (Meleagris silvestris gallopavo) in a natural, Mississippi setting. The winning artist will receive a monetary gift, publicity and media recognition throughout MDWFP's social media channels, email blasts, and a spotlight in the Mississippi Outdoors Magazine. To learn more, click here. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
MDWFP stresses life jacket safety after boating citations over Memorial Day weekend
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) concluded its enforcement effort during the Memorial Day weekend. MDWFP Conservation Officers encountered more than 3,600 boaters statewide, ensuring safety and compliance of those enjoying Mississippi's beautiful waterways. Mississippi residents in 11 counties eligible for disaster unemployment aid During this period, officers issued 315 total citations. Of these, 32 were related to personal flotation devices (PFDs), 33 were drug and alcohol related, and 28 involved reckless operation of a vessel. Officers also made seven arrests for boating under the influence. Compared to Memorial Day weekend in previous years, officials said total citations were down, with the most significant decrease being in personal flotation devices. As summer recreational activities on Mississippi's waters increase, MDWFP reminds all boaters of critical safety requirements: Every vessel must carry one wearable USCG-approved PFD, also known as a life jacket, for each person on board. Ensure PFDs are in good and serviceable condition. Have appropriately sized PFDs for everyone aboard the vessel. Keep PFDs readily accessible in case of an emergency. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
When will applications open for 2025 Public Waters alligator season in Mississippi?
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Alligator hunters, mark your calendars! The draw application period for the 2025 Public Waters alligator season in Mississippi will open on June 2 and close on June 11. According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP), the Public Water Season will run from noon on August 29 until noon on September 8. Mississippi opens applications for Private Lands alligator hunt There is a new application process this year. Applications for the 2025 Public Water Season will now go through the MDWFP Hunt Fish License System. If you do not yet have an account in the new license system, your are encouraged to do so before the draw period opens. MDWFP officials said permits are limited to a specific hunting zone. Only 'public waterways' within each zone, as defined by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), will be open to hunting. No other public water will be open to alligator hunting, except the lakes within the Northeast, Northwest, West Central, and Southwest Zone. There is no fee to apply for the public water draw. If drawn, you have seven days to purchase your Alligator possession permits. If you are choosing to opt out of your draw this year, then simply do not purchase your Alligator possession permits within the seven day window. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Mississippi opens applications for Private Lands alligator hunt
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Officials with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) said applications are open for the Private Lands alligator season. Beginning this year, the application process is online only. Mail in hard copy applications will not be accepted. These applications will remain open until July 1, 2025. Rabid bat in Mississippi leads to quarantine for two puppies The draw application period for Public Waters alligator season will open on June 2 and will conclude on June 11. Private Lands season is from noon on August 29, 2025, until 6:00 a.m. on September 22, 2025. For information on how to complete online application, click here. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
