The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks established the 2008-09 small game hunting dates at its monthly meeting Tuesday in Iuka. Dates and bag limits are little changed from previous seasons. Migratory bird season dates and limits will be adapted later following guidelines and recommendations from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Commission also set the 2008-09 seasons for wild turkey; modified Wildlife Management Area Regulations; and set the dates for alligator season. Season dates and bag limits are listed below. Hunters are advised to check WMA regulations before hunting since some area specific changes may have occurred.

RACCOON:

• July 1, 2008 - September 30, 2008
• BAG LIMIT: 1 per party per night

OPOSSUM, RACCOON, AND BOBCAT:

• October 1, 2008 - October 31, 2008 (sport hunting with dogs and guns for food & sport)
• BAG LIMIT: 5 per day; 8 per party
• November 1, 2008 - February 28, 2009 (sport hunting with dogs and guns for food, sport, and pelt)
• BAG LIMIT: No limit

SQUIRREL:

• Zone 1: Areas north of Hwy. 82 plus those portions of Sunflower County and Washington County south of Hwy. 82.
• October 4, 2008 - February 28, 2009
• BAG LIMIT: 8 per day
• Zone 2: Areas between Hwy. 82 and Hwy. 84 plus portions of the state south of Hwy. 84 and west of I-55.
• October 18, 2008 - February 28, 2009
• BAG LIMIT: 8 per day
• Zone 3: Areas south of Hwy. 84 and east of I-55.
• October 25, 2008 - February 28, 2009
• BAG LIMIT: 8 per day

Youth Squirrel Hunts** (Private Lands Only)

• Zone 1 - September 27 - October 3, 2008
• BAG LIMIT: 8 per day
• Zone 2 - October 11 - October 17, 2008
• BAG LIMIT: 8 per day
• Zone 3 - October 18 - October 24, 2008
• BAG LIMIT: 8 per day

** Persons eligible to participate in this special hunt are those who are fifteen (15) years of age or younger. A child at least twelve (12) years of age and under sixteen (16) years of age must have a certificate of satisfactory completion of a hunter education course approved by the department before hunting in this state or be in the presence and under the direct supervision of a licensed or exempt hunter at least twenty-one (21) years of age when hunting. A child under the age of twelve (12) must be in the presence and under the direct supervision of a licensed or exempt hunter at least twenty-one (21) years of age when the child is hunting. A licensed hunter supervising a child as provided in this section must hold a valid Mississippi license for the species being hunted.

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U. S. Army Corps of Engineers managed lands:

These lands are authorized to provide youth squirrel hunting opportunities on days designated by Federal Regulations. Contact local National Wildlife Refuge or Corps of Engineers managers for details.

RABBIT:

• October 18, 2008 - February 28, 2009
• BAG LIMIT: 8 per day

TRAPPING SEASON:

• November 1, 2008 - February 28, 2009
• BAG LIMIT: No Limit

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Predator Hunting on the Manitoba Prairie
As a young lad growing up in any rural area can tell you, predators are a part of life, whether you like it or not. I was introduced to a form of predator control at an early age, my father always used to run a small trap line, nothing special, just a bunch of snares and a few foot traps set out on only the most popularly used predator trails. My old man was always on the lookout for a new spot to set up traps and was usually right on the money when he returned to see if his hunch was correct. His personal best was 8 coyotes and one red fox, which he managed to collect during a 2 - day period about 20 years ago, it seems the tradition is bred into our heritage. This is the story of how my brothers and I tied my dad's personal best.