Press Release

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

1505 Eastover Drive, Jackson, MS, 39211 – 601-432-2400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 2, 2009

Squirrel Season Openings

Jackson - Fall is in the air and that signals the beginning of Squirrel Hunting Season in Mississippi. "The 2009-2010 Squirrel Season should be excellent in all regions of Mississippi," says MDWFP Small Game Program Coordinator Dave Godwin. "We have seen excellent food resources during the past few years, with two very good hard mast crop years in a row throughout most of Mississippi," noted Godwin. "These conditions are very favorable for squirrels, and we expect to see high squirrel populations in most areas of our state this fall and winter."

There are three Squirrel Hunting Zones within the state. Youth hunts in all zones are limited to private lands and designated public areas. The bag limit for squirrels is 8 per day statewide.

Zone I includes areas north of U.S. Highway 82 and the portions of Sunflower and Washington Counties south of U.S. Highway 82. Zone I Squirrel Season begins Oct. 3, 2009 and ends Feb. 28, 2010. Zone I Youth Squirrel Hunts begin Sept. 26, 2009 and end Oct. 2, 2009.

Zone 2 includes areas between U.S. Highway 82 and U.S. Highway 84 and the portions of the state south of U.S. Highway 84 and west of I-55. Zone 2 Squirrel Season begins Oct. 17, 2009 and ends Feb. 28, 2010. Zone 2 Youth Squirrel Hunts begin Oct. 10, 2009 and end Oct. 16, 2009.

Zone 3 includes areas south of U.S. Highway 84 and east of I-55. Zone 3 Squirrel Season begins Oct. 31, 2009 and ends Feb.28, 2010. Zone 3 Youth Squirrel Hunts begin Oct. 24, 2009 and end Oct. 30, 2009.

Steve Adcock, MDWFP Chief of Law Enforcement encourages hunters to enjoy the season and practice gun safety. "Never point a gun at anything you don't want to shoot and be sure of your target before you pull the trigger," Adcock said.

For more information on hunting seasons and license requirements visit www.mdwfp.com.