JACKSON – The 2016 – 2017 Mississippi fall squirrel season opens on October 1, 2016 and closes February 28, 2017. The special youth squirrel season is September 24 – September 30 on private lands and authorized state and federal lands only. The bag limit is eight squirrels per day.
Squirrel population numbers may be variable this hunting season in some parts of Mississippi. Hardwood mast crops ranged regionally from very good to poor last year. A poor mast crop can sometimes mean fewer squirrels the next hunting season. However, fall populations can be boosted by young squirrels produced during late summer. Mast crop abundance will vary somewhat again this year, but it appears that acorn crops are shaping up to be relatively good around much of the state.
“It is hard to predict exactly what kind of season it will be until we get a little way into it. Hunting success last season turned out better overall than expected at this time last year,” said Rick Hamrick, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Small Game Biologist. “Portions of Central and Southeast Mississippi seemed to slump a little last season, so some of those areas may still show a lag in squirrel numbers this season.”
Many of Mississippi’s open public lands and wildlife management areas across the state offer squirrel hunting opportunities. Hunters should generally look for areas with mature, hardwood forest cover for the best squirrel hunting. Many public areas also allow small game hunters to hunt with dogs. Anyone planning to hunt public land should read the regulations before they hunt. Some areas may have season dates and rules that differ from general statewide regulations.
For more information regarding squirrel hunting in Mississippi, visit our website at www.mdwfp.com/squirrel or call us at (601) 432-2199. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mdwfp or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWFPonline.
