Firearm-related incidents in two neighboring counties have put hunters on a  list compiled by state wildlife officials, but so far Panola hunters have managed to refrain from becoming a statistic.

Statistics that began July 1 with the state’s fiscal year show a squirrel-hunting accident in Lafayette County in October, and a “low bird” incident in Tate County during a dove hunt in September.

Jerry Carter, a law enforcement administrator for the Miss. Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, maintains the statistics for the state agency.

A hunter shot his toe off during a squirrel hunt, and a dove hunter was peppered with bird shot from another hunter, Carter said.

Statewide statistics show four accidents caused by a firearm and five tree stand-related incidents this year, Carter said.

Carter said his office recorded a tenth incident unrelated to the others, when an alligator hunter in South Mississippi ended the hunt with nine fingers.

Mississippi has recorded two fatalities from tree stand falls, in Jasper and Simpson County, he said.

The Panolian was unsuccessful to learn the number of tickets written during the current deer hunting season.

Steve Adcock, head of law enforcement for MDWFP, said it takes several months for tickets written during hunting season to be recorded with the Wildlife office.

Justice Court clerk Carrie Ann Davis said she was unable to provide hunting-related tickets because of privacy laws.

The jail log in today’s Panolian shows an arrest Sunday of a Sardis man, Joseph Michael Hollifield, on five charges.

Hollifield, 49, was charged with no hunter orange, no hunting license, possession of an illegal firearm, and possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle.

MDWFP conservation officer Marion Pearson made the arrest according to the jail log.
The jail log also shows a “hold” on Hollifield, which suggests he is being held for investigation.

Pearson said he could not comment about the arrest, citing an ongoing investigation.

The Panolian has learned the arrest was made in the Belmont area near Sardis Lake.
Hollifield’s address is listed as 2587 Belmont Road.