Spring/Summer 2000

Conservation News

MISSISSIPPI CONGRESSMEN LEAD NATION IN SUPPORT OF CONSERVATION - The Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus recently called on the House Leadership to support full funding for five federal habitat conservation programs. The bipartisan letter, sponsored by Caucus Chairman Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Collin Peterson (D-MN), and Caucus Vice-Chairmen Chip Pickering (R-MS) and Mike Thompson (D-CA), specifically supports the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), which was authored by Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The letter drew support from 58 members of the Caucus, including Congressmen Roger Wicker (R-MS), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Ronnie Shows (D-MS) and Gene Taylor (D-MS). According to Peyton Self, President of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation, "Mississippi was the only state that had 100% of its delegation support these valuable conservation programs. These programs benefit everyone - sportsmen and women, farmers, outdoor enthusiasts and fish and wildlife resources who desperately need these new critical habitats." The conservation programs allow cooperative efforts between agencies and private landowners to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat while maintaining productive use of farm and timber land. Hunters, anglers, conservationists and farmers throughout the country support these programs.

NETTLES NEW Game and Fish CHAIRMAN - State Representative Clem Nettles, 69, of Jayess has been named Chairman of the House Game and Fish Committee. Nettles has been a legislator for 13 years and has served on the Committee the entire time; he has served as Vice-Chairman for the past five years. Representative Joey Hudson of Monticello was appointed Vice-Chairman. Livingston replaced Chairman Dick Livingston, who died on March 28 from cancer. "We had worked real closely together," Nettles said of Livingston. Nettles said that he was real proud to be appointed, especially to the committee that oversees the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. "Our Department has done a real good job of protecting the state's wildlife resources. That's what I'm really proud of." According to James L. Cummins, Jr., Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation, "I have known Chairman Nettles for many years. He is extremely dedicated to the Department and has a genuine interest in advocating hunting in Mississippi. With that common interest, it will be a pleasure working with him to further the cause of managing the state's fish and wildlife resources."

THOMPSON INTRODUCES BILL TO AID COUNTIES WITH CONSERVATION - Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) recently introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to compensate local governments for a revenue loss if cropland is converted back to hardwoods. Thompson's bill would authorize the federal government to make up for loss of tax revenue from the conversion. Cropland is taxed at $5/acre and woodland is taxed at $2/acre. Congressman Thompson, an avid duck hunter, is a strong advocate of restoring habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife as well as trying to help county governments that could lose ad valorem tax as a result of a federal effort.

WOLF RIVER NAMED SCENIC STREAM - Wolf River in southern Mississippi was formally nominated by the Mississippi Legislature to the Scenic Streams Stewardship Program on March 20, according to the James L. Cummins, Jr., Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Chairman of the Funding Subcommittee of the Scenic Streams Stewardship Program. Plans now call for the development of a Stewardship Plan for the Wolf River that will help protect the river and adjacent habitat. "This is an opportunity for landowners to undertake voluntary conservation efforts along the river to protect it from its headwaters to the river's mouth at Bay St. Louis," Andrew Whitehurst, Scenic Streams Program Coordinator said. "The main feature of the Stewardship Plan is voluntary agreement by landowners along the river to leave a buffer zone, or Streamside Management Zone, when clearing or harvesting timber along the streams. Landowners are encouraged to take part in the plan, but are not required to participate. For more information about the Wolf Creek Stewardship Plan call (601) 432-2125 or e-mail the Scenic Streams Program at andreww@mdwfp.state.ms.us.

WHITE-TAILED DEER COURSE SET - A day-long short course on white-tail deer will be held on September 9 at the Hattiesburg Convention Center, according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The course is designed for landowners, managers, hunters and others interested in deer and their management. "Those who attend will learn deer management techniques and hunting methods that will help improve the quality and health of deer herds," Statewide Deer Coordinator Larry Castle said. "Participants can attend sessions on topics such as history and current status of deer in Mississippi, deer life history and behavior, antler development techniques and how to age and judge live deer prior to harvest." Biologists will discuss successful food planting for deer, the latest research on conducting infrared camera deer surveys and the impact of selected harvest strategies on deer herd quality. Registration will be limited to 400 participants. To register and for more information about the short course, contact Dean Stewart at the Mississippi Extension Service at (662) 325-3174.

DODGE GIVEAWAY SET - The Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and participating Mississippi Dodge dealers are proud to announce the lucky winner of the 1999 red quad cab 4 x 4 Dodge Ram truck with the Line-X spray-on bed liner. The happy winner is Virginia V. Wallace of Pearl, Mississippi. This statewide promotion was designed to attract more people to Mississippi State Parks, increase viewership of the Mississippi Outdoors television show, increase readership to Mississippi Outdoors magazine and increase awareness to the many services provided by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The Foundation is especially grateful for the opportunity the promotion provided to further inform the public of all of the incredible amenities offered by the agency in Mississippi. Another statewide promotion is scheduled for the fall of 2000.

CHARITABLE GIFT FUNDS OFFERED - With a charitable gift fund, you invest money for charity in a portfolio of mutual funds that matches your investing goals and dole out amounts to your favorite charities, such as the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation, whenever you choose. The gift fund sends quarterly statements, so you don't have to keep track of receipts or checks. Because the Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund and the Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program are public charities, you can deduct from your income tax the full fair market value of cash or securities whenever you make a contribution. You can also avoid paying capital gains taxes on any appreciated securities you contribute. Fidelity's fund (1-800-682-4438) has a $10,000 minimum initial contribution and minimum grant of $250. Vanguard's fund (1-888-383-4483) requires $25,000 initially and $500 minimum grant. Vanguard's fees, at 0.65% to 0.75%, are slightly lower than Fidelity's 1%. The growth investment pool recently returned 23% for Fidelity's fund and 20.6% for Vanguard's fund.

CHARITABLE TAX DEDUCTIONS CONSIDERED - Two members of Congress have introduced bills that would allow people who do not itemize on their federal income-tax returns to write off a portion of their charitable gifts. The legislation is called the Neighbor to Neighbor Act. Both measures would allow individuals who don't itemize to deduct up to $500 each year for charitable gifts. Such a change would open up the possibility of a charitable deduction to the 70 per cent of taxpayers who do not itemize their tax return. The House bill, H.R. 4379, and the Senate bill, S. 2475, may be found on Congress's Web site, which is http://thomas.loc.gov.