Hunting Halted In Flooded River Areas

With flooding along the Mississippi River, it has brought an early end to the 2018-19 hunting season in parts of (my hometown) the Vicksburg (Warren County) area. 

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) announced that all hunting except for waterfowl closed at the end of legal shooting hours last Thursday in several zones along the river.

The decision was based on parameters set out by MDWFP policy to suspend hunting seasons when the MS River reaches flood stage at Greenville and Vicksburg.

Areas closed to hunting include the western edge of Warren County, all but the northeast corner of Issaquena Issaquena County, and the southern two-thirds of Sharkey County.

Areas in Warren County east of U.S. 61, as well as all of Claiborne, Jefferson, and Hinds counties remain open to hunting.  The gun deer season is scheduled to run through January 16, and final archery and primitive weapon season from January 16-31. 

The ruling applies specifically to the following areas: 

Lands in Issaquena, Sharkey and Warren counties which lie south of Highway 14, west of Highway 61 and north of the Big Black River.

Lands in Sharkey, Humphreys, Yazoo, Issaquena and Warren counties which lie south of Highway 14, west of Highway 149, south of Highway 16/149, west of Highway 3, and east of Highway61.

Lands in Washington and Issaquena Counties south of Highway 82, west of Highway 1and North of Highway 14.

In addition, the Lake George, Twin Oaks and Sunflower Wildlife Management Areas have been closed to all hunting except waterfowl.  Mahannah and Shipland WMAs have been closed to all activity since December.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service closed Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge consistent with state regulations.  Brown Tract on the northeast side of Delta National Forest is closed to all hunting, including waterfowl, until flood waters recede. 

Sunday, as I was coming home from hunting at the famous Christmas Place Plantation and Hunting Club near Eden, MS, I could see the flooding from the MS River.  It should crest mid-week near 44.0 feet.  

The Flood Warning continues for
The Mississippi River At Vicksburg
* until Saturday morning.
* At 11:00 AM Monday the stage was 43.7 feet.
* Minor flooding is occurring and Minor flooding is forecast.
* Flood stage is 43.0 feet.
* Forecast...The river will continue rising to near 44.0 feet
Wednesday January 16.
* Flood history...This crest compares to a previous crest of 43.3 feet
on Mar 18 2016.
* Impact...At 44.0 feet...Ford and Kings Subdivision at Pittman Road
and Mary's Alley begins to flood.