Deer Enclosures Debate

A legislative committee and the state wildlife agency are renewing a long-standing debate over the regulation of high-fence enclosures for whitetail deer.

The Legislature's Performance Evaluations and Expenditure Review Committee in a report renewed the argument from many lawmakers that the wildlife agency has no authority under law to regulate the enclosures.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has regulated private enclosures since 2008, sparking a debate that has raged off and on ever since.

Sam Polles, MDWFP executive director, said in response to the PEER committee that state law recognizes that such enclosures exist and legitimatizing their existence and hands regulatory responsibility over the the MDWFP.

Whitetail Deer Enclosure