Before you do any outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, or trapping, we urge you to familiarize yourself with the hunting laws and violations in Mississippi. With Mississippi having one of the most diverse ecosystems in the southern part of the states, it is common for people to hunt the various choices of game it can offer.
Certain hunting laws are in place to ensure the safety of others and the conservation of certain species native to Mississippi. However, accusation of violating federal or state hunting laws or wildlife laws can lead to serious legal consequences. Pepper & Odom urges you to have a lawyer that knows these types of cases before you go into the wild.
To protect your rights and have proper legal representation, you will need a lawyer that will fight for you. No matter if it is in or out of the courtroom, you will need a wildlife lawyer.
Did you know?
According to the most recent survey of wildlife-associated activities by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, $915 million is spent annually on hunting trips and equipment in Mississippi.
Common hunting violations
In Mississippi, there are many laws for hunting and fishing for the annual season including regulations and requirements, shooting hours, legal game, weapons and rounds, decoys and bait, hunting dogs, hunting from roads and motor vehicles, transportation of game, selling animals native to the state, protected wildlife, safety equipment and more.
For example, in order to hunt, fish, or trap on another person’s land, you must first have permission to do so. Certain areas, however, are under the watch of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Wildlife Management.(MDWFP)
This means that only during special seasons with special regulations can a person hunt those specific areas. If you want to know more about those specific MDWFP protected areas, you can contact them via phone or online.
Some of the most common violations can land any outdoorsman, such as guides, tourists, hunters, and anglers, with much more than a warning from most authorities. Anyone in these criteria is liable for abiding by wildlife laws.
Unfortunately, most authorities will follow through with indictment to the fullest extent of the law. This means, depending on the hunting laws you violate, you can face jail time, suspension or loss of your hunting license or fishing license, extensive fines, and other penalties.
Below we have listed a few common violations of hunting laws to be aware of:
- Hunting Permits and License Violations
- Trespassing
- Illegal Game
- Federal Lacey Act Violations
- Illegal Shooting Hours
- Rehabilitation of Wildlife Without Proper Registration or License
Mississippi hunting laws & violations: licenses and permits
Hunting licenses and permits can be problematic, but they are necessary in order to hunt any land you do not personally own in Mississippi. In order to avoid hunting license suspension or hunting permits and license violations, any resident or non-resident must possess a Mississippi hunting license if they are anywhere from 16 to 64 years of age.
However, for any person 65 or older does not have to carry or maintain a valid hunting license. Without legitimate proof of passing the course, such as a certificate or other form of verification, the MDWFP cannot issue a license.
It is illegal to obtain a license illegitimately and can result in the cancelation of your license. For those that issue the license, it is illegal to produce a registry for someone who does not provide the proper certification or proof of course completion.
Did you know?
Additionally, before purchasing a Mississippi hunting license, any person born on or after January 1st, 1972 is subject to take the MDWFP approved hunter education course.
Mississippi hunting laws & violations: trespassing
Even with the right license, not having permission to hunt, fish, or trap on a certain spot of land can have some serious consequences, such as trespassing charges.
First-time offenders in Mississippi can expect to pay a fine that ranges anywhere from $150 up to $250 for trespassing. Although it is a misdemeanor, a second offense of trespassing may result in jail time and a larger fine costing up to $500.
Mississippi hunting laws & violations: legal shooting hours
Among the list of common hunting violations, illegal game or unlawful taking of the game can result in major consequences. Each state has its own laws and regulations for when, where, and what you can hunt, fish, or trap.
For example, there are only certain shooting hours that you can hunt for resident game or migratory birds. According to MDWFP, a half of an hour before sunrise to a half of an hour after sunset are legal shooting hours for resident game.
Individuals can only hunt migratory birds a half of an hour before sunrise to sunset. Although, if you are stepping out into the Mississippi wilderness, we urge you to be familiar with what game is legal and illegal to hunt.
Mississippi hunting laws & violations: legal game
Wildlife considered as game includes white-tailed deer, rabbits, and squirrels. However, some of this game is only legal to hunt during certain times of the year.
For more information on the seasons and regulations regarding hunting game such as white-tailed deer, rabbits, and squirrels, you can visit MDWFP’s website.
Wildlife that is legal to hunt any time of the year, at night with or without a light with dogs includes raccoon, fox, opossum, beaver, and bobcats. This excludes the use of dogs during wild turkey season.
Wild hogs, nutria, beaver, fox, skunks and coyote and opossums classify as nuisance animals. Thankfully, for most landowners, they can hunt, trap, take, chase, or pursue any nuisance animal on their property.
Mississippi hunting laws & violations: threatened & endangered species considered illegal game
In contrast, there are many protected animals that are illegal game which include:
- Birds of prey, such as eagles, osprey, owls, vultures, hawks, and kites
- Any other non-game bird
- Endangered species including black bear, Florida panther, any and all sea turtles, Indiana bat, gopher tortoise, gray bat, saw back turtles (yellow-blotched, ringed, black-knobbed), southern hognose snake, black pine snake, rainbow snake, and the eastern indigo snake
Mississippi hunting laws & violations: the Lacey Act
The federal Lacey Act fights against illegal trafficking of wildlife, fish, or plants. Originally, it was in 1900 when the enactment of the Lacey Act took place.
Even with the most recent amendments in 1981, this act is the oldest wildlife protection statute in the United States. The act creates both civil and criminal sentences for the many violations an individual can commit.
Mississippi hunting laws & violations: rehabilitation of wildlife without a license
MDWFP would rather those that see an animal with an injury to leave the animal alone. It is unfortunate, but the state does not have the capacity to rehabilitate the wide variety of species in Mississippi.
However, it is possible for someone to rehabilitate animals in the state personally or within their own non-profit organization, but there are stipulations. In order to rehabilitate any wildlife in Mississippi, you must possess the correct rehabilitation permit.
Without the correct permit, you could end up violating quite a few laws regarding wildlife. If you are interested in rehabilitating or transporting animals, you can apply for a license or permit doing so on MWDFP’s website.
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