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CONSERVATION CORNER
(For the week of March 10, 2008)
A Comprehensive Deer Management Program
by James L. Cummins

One out of every two Mississippi residents hunts, fishes or views wildlife.

Mississippi has a rich history of benefiting economically from hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing activities. During the year 2007, hunters and anglers in Mississippi spent $863 million on hunting and fishing. This is more than the cash receipts for cotton and soybeans in Mississippi ($844 million).

Sportsmen in Mississippi annually pay $93 million in state sales, fuel and income taxes, directly support 17,000 jobs, which puts $363 million worth of paychecks into the pockets of working residents around the state.

A lot about deer management boils down to soil productivity. Cotton doesn't grow as well in Stone County as it does in Yazoo County. The same is true for deer. I am pleased that the baiting bill passed last year by the Mississippi Legislature allows the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to set up deer management zones to reflect the different deer management capabilities of our state. This may include different antler management techniques for each zone. It may also include research on these techniques.

The law also allows the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to set regulations on the supplemental feeding of game. If done properly, like many of us that like to feed birds can attest, this could have a positive impact on game. If done incorrectly, it could have no effect, or even harm wildlife.

I believe most Mississippians are true sportsmen. They care about our wildlife resources and support the concept of "fair chase." They also want a chance for themselves, their kids and future generations to enjoy the land as they do. Many of these fathers and grandfathers want to leave the land in better shape than they found it.

Current law gives the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks the authority to truly set up a quality deer management program for our state. It is important that we all do a better job of deer management. This includes better habitat management, better deer population management, supplemental feeding and deer research.

I hope the Commission will consult with the experts in the field – to include our state conservation organizations, our universities, the Quality Deer Management Association and the Boone and Crockett Club, as well as the sportsmen of our state – as they continue to develop a comprehensive deer management program.

The opportunity to hunt or take a quality deer is something many of us only dream about. We all need to make sure our state has healthy populations of all wildlife, but especially healthy deer, with large bodies and antlers. You know – the kind that can put smiles on a lot of kid's, and adult's faces!

Developing a comprehensive program in the correct manner is the right thing to do for our economy and our environment. This year, let's don't follow the Legislature's path. It is wrong.