Hunting Closures During High Water Periods

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 20, 2005

Hunting Closures During High Water Periods

JACKSON – Certain areas along the Mississippi River have been closed to all hunting except waterfowl hunting, according to the Miss. Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. Regulations from the Department make it clear that no one will take, catch or kill, or attempt to do any of this to any animal except waterfowl between Oct. 1 and Feb. 1 when the Mississippi River is at or above certain levels. Hunting regulations remain normal in all other areas.

The closed areas include:

· lands in DeSoto, Tunica, and Coahoma counties which lie south of the Tennessee State line, west of U.S. 61, and north of U.S. 49 when the Mississippi River level reaches 34 feet on the Memphis, Tenn. gauge and shall remain so until the Mississippi River falls to or below 32 feet on the Memphis gauge.

· lands in Coahoma, Bolivar, and Washington counties which lie south of U.S. 49, west of U.S. 61 to the intersection of U.S. 61 and Miss. 444, west of Miss. 1, and north of U.S. 82 when the Mississippi River level reaches 41 feet on the Helena, Ark. gauge and shall remain so until the Mississippi River level falls to or below 39 feet on the Helena gauge.

· lands in Washington and Issaquena counties which lie south of U.S. 82, west of Miss. 1, and north of Miss. 14 when the Mississippi River level reaches 48 feet on the Greenville, Miss. gauge and shall remain so until the Mississippi River level falls to or below 46 feet on the Greenville gauge

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The areas expected to be closed by Jan. 22 include:

lands in Issaquena, Sharkey, and Warren counties which lie south of Miss. 14, west of U.S. 61, and north of the Big Black River when the Mississippi River level reaches 43 feet on the Vicksburg, Miss. gauge and shall remain so until the Mississippi River level falls to or below 41 feet on the Vicksburg gauge.

Department officials want to remind the public that flooding is not an everyday occurrence, and some people may not be aware of the Public Notice. There will be activity in these areas. Hunters may be moving equipment out and preparing their camps for high water. Please use extreme caution while in these locations.

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