These Mississippi WMAs have great hunting and things for your whole family to enjoy nearby
Are you looking for public land to hunt where there's something for everyone in your family to enjoy?
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks' wildlife management areas offer more than 650,000 acres of land with opportunities such as wildlife watching, fishing, camping, and of course, hunting. But those might everyone's idea of fun.
Fortunately, there are a number of WMAs where there are other things to do and even more nearby. So, here are some WMAs with great hunting as well as excellent dining, shopping and entertainment within a few minutes drive that will make your hunting trip a fun getaway for everyone in your family.
Some of them are draw hunts and you can apply at www,mdwfp.com. Also, regulations can differ between WMAs, so be sure and check them before you go.
Calling Panther Wildlife Management Area
The name Calling Panther isn't generally associated with hunting because most people think of Calling Panther Lake, but the surrounding land was recently designated as a wildlife management area and that makes for a unique opportunity.
Hunting should be good at Calling Panther WMA as the property hasn't been open for the public to hunt in about 20 years. The lake has a campground with camping pads along with sewer, water and electrical hookups. So, everyone in the family can enjoy a comfortable getaway in the outdoors. It also features a bath house near the campground which makes tent camping much less primitive.
The lake is known for trophy bass with a lake record of 15.4 pounds. The lake also produces plenty of crappie with a record of 2.75 pounds.
The city of Crystal Springs is nearby where people can experience the small town atmosphere and have soft-serve ice cream, a steak, gourmet pizza or authentic Mexican food.
Deer hunting is archery-only and hunters must enter a drawing and be randomly selected to receive a permit. Turkey hunts are by special permit also and are youth-only. During the month of February the WMA is open for squirrel hunting.
Natchez State Park
Hunting at Natchez State Park truly has it all. The park offers an RV campground and primitive camping as well. It also has cabins, but they are currently closed for renovations.
Other amenities include laundry facilities, a disc golf course and playground.
Like Calling Panther Lake, the park is known for big bass. Its lake produced the state record bass in 1992 weighing 18.15 pounds, a record still stands today.
Then there's the city of Natchez. The oldest settlement on the Mississippi River, Natchez offers it all. Its historic sites, tours, spas and salons, food and entertainment should make great memories for just about anyone.
Deer hunting at the park is by permit only and hunters must apply and be randomly selected in a drawing. Other hunting opportunities are also offered.
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Leroy Percy State Park
Leroy Percy State Park is the oldest of the state parks and is one of the few that has a WMA. It has 16 developed camping sites, a scenic wooded tent camping area, eight cabins, and a group camp which can accommodate up to 44 people. Laundry facilities are also available.
According to MDWFP, it is characterized by artesian springs, cypress trees, and ancient oaks dripping with Spanish moss. There are fishing opportunities at a lake as well as Black Bayou.
Hunters can pursue deer, squirrels, turkeys, ducks, and doves. According to MDWFP, there is a relatively large population of black squirrels. Also, unlike Calling Panther WMA and Natchez State Park, hunters aren't required to enter a drawing to hunt here.
The park is only a short drive away from Greenville, so there's plenty for the non-hunting members of your family to do including dining, gaming and touring museums.
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Pascagoula River and Ward Bayou wildlife management areas
Located in the Pascagoula River watershed, the Pascagoula River and Ward Bayou WMAs offer unique outdoor experiences. The Pascagoula River is the largest unimpeded river in the contiguous United States, which makes it a Mississippi jewel.
Hunters and other WMA visitors can camp on sandbars, near creeks and other designated areas throughout the WMAs. Wildlife is abundant for both watching and hunting. Hunters can find game species ranging from deer to ducks and most everything in between. The river is also a popular place to fish.
The majority of hunting in these areas does not require a special permit through drawings.
And a short drive away there's a lot to do. Beaches are nearby to enjoy and so is the city of Ocean Springs. The picturesque downtown and surrounding area is well known for specialty shops and dining experiences.
Phil Bryant and Mahannah wildlife management areas
Located in the South Delta, Phil Bryant and Mahannah WMAs are two of the most ecologically intact and biologically diverse bottomland hardwood ecosystems in the Mississippi Delta.
Mahannah WMA is best known for quality duck hunting, but there are other opportunities available.
Phil Bryant WMA is best known for deer hunting and is broken into units with different opportunities including camping while hunting. Phil Bryant WMA was also the winter home of Buck No. 140, a deer involved in a Mississippi State University study that routinely crossed the Mississippi River while traveling between the WMA and his summer home in Louisiana.
The majority of hunting at these WMAs is by special permit, and hunters are selected through drawings.
The WMAs are only minutes away from historic Vicksburg. Vicksburg is home to the Vicksburg National Military Park. There are also several museums to visit including the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum. Shops line the downtown streets and there are dozens of restaurants to choose from.
Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: These Mississippi WMAs have great hunting, camping and more nearby
