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CONSERVATION CORNER
For the week of January 15, 2007
Wildlife Mississippi Launches Adopt A Decoy Deer
by James L. Cummins

It's shortly after 2:00 a.m. Two men with 3-day old beards climb into their truck and drive to the eastern part of the county. They swing the front end of the 4 X 4 into a field, spilling the fifth of whiskey that is riding shotgun. The darkness of night is interrupted by a 200,000 candlepower beam which emanates from the passenger’s side.

In the field is a small buck deer. The driver slips his rifle out the window. The eerie sound of the crack of the rifle breaks the silence of the night. But the buck does not move. In disbelief the man chambers another round and fires again. The deer remains motionless. Only then do the poachers notice the blue lights and sirens at both entrances of the field.

Two conservation officers with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks were on the scene. These game thieves now realize why the deer did not move. What they thought was a real deer, was instead, a decoy. This scenario is played out all too often in Mississippi. The success on this particular night lies in the hands of the conservation officers as they have caught these violators in the act. If found guilty in a court of law, these men will face substantial fines and jail time.

The fine for shooting from a public right of way is $100 to $500 plus court costs. Shooting from a motor vehicle may draw an additional fine of $25 to $100 plus court costs. Spotlighting deer is much more serious, carrying a penalty of $2,000 to $5,000 plus court costs, mandatory confiscation of all equipment except the motor vehicle, up to 5 days imprisonment in a county jail and loss of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for 3 years.

The use of decoy deer has had a huge impact on deer poaching in Mississippi. The decoy gives officers the ability to set-up in a safe area and the opportunity to witness any illegal acts.

In an effort to assist conservation officers throughout Mississippi, Wildlife Mississippi has started an "Adopt A Decoy Deer Program." Through this program, decoy deer will be constructed and then donated to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. For a tax-deductible donation of $750 to Wildlife Mississippi, one can have a decoy constructed and provided to the county desired in the name of the donor.

Since the inception of Wildlife Mississippi's decoy deer program, 64 decoys have been donated to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. This new program will continue to replace the ones which are worn out and provide ones to counties that have not received a decoy.

For more information on participating in the "Adopt A Decoy Deer Program," call Wildlife Mississippi at (662) 686-3375.

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of Wildlife Mississippi, a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi. Their web site is www.wildlifemiss.org.