JACKSON –The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks approved proposed rule changes to the General Regulation for the Taking of Nuisance Animals on June 22.
At the request of the U.S. Forest Service, to address safety, resource concerns, and reduce confusion by the public, proposed changes to regulations for hunting of nuisance animals on open national forest land are as follows: On U.S. Forest Service lands, nuisance animals may be killed during daylight hours only during any open hunting season with weapons and ammunition legal for that season. No bait or feed is allowed at any time.
Trapping (including snaring) of hogs is prohibited. Transporting or releasing into the wild, or capture and removal of any live animal or plant is prohibited without Forest Service approval.
Nuisance animal hunting with dogs is allowed during any deer hunting with dogs season during daylight hours only.
Additionally, nuisance animal hunting with dogs is allowed following the close of the last primitive weapon deer season until last day of February with weapons and ammunition legal for small game during daylight hours only. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36, will be enforced.  
Chad Dacus, Director of Wildlife Bureau for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks stated, “These proposed changes are promulgated under the authority of MISS. CODE ANN. §49-7-31.5 which states the hunting, trapping, and taking of nuisance animals shall be regulated by the Commission.”
To view a copy of these proposed rules, visit www.mdwfp.com <http://www.mdwfp.com> . The proposed changes for these rules have been filed with the Secretary of State’s Office and will begin a 30-day period of public comment by interested parties.
Sportsmen and women’s opinions are encouraged during this evaluation period. Please email or write your comments for Commission consideration to: Sharonp@mdwfp.state.ms.us or Nuisance Animal Rule Comment, 1505 Eastover Drive; Jackson, MS 39211, no later than July 24, 2016.