Hunters ages 15 and younger are eligible to take advantage of this year’s annual Mississippi youth waterfowl hunting weekend on Feb. 6-7. To participate, youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult, who will be prohibited from harvesting any birds during the hunt.

 “Now, more than ever, recruiting new hunters is vital to continue managing and enjoying our natural resources,” said Ed Penny, MDWFP Migratory Game Bird Program Coordinator.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks encourages participants in the youth hunt to utilize state Wildlife Management Areas with waterfowl hunting opportunities, which will be open for the weekend.

The WMA nearest Vicksburg is Mahannah, which is located in Warren and Issaquena Counties near Redwood. Others in the area include Twin Oaks and Sunflower in Sharkey County and Lake George in Yazoo County.  Hunters younger than 16 are not required to purchase hunting licenses, duck stamps or user permits for the WMAs when hunting during the weekend. However, other waterfowl regulations, including bag limits, will be the same for the youth hunting weekend as they are during the regular waterfowl season. Toxic shot and shotguns holding more than three shells are not allowed.

For more information, visit mdwfp.com/waterfowl.

Contact Everett Bexley at ebexley@vicksburgpost.com