Our Community
Welcome Home
You’re going to love it here!
Welcome to Lincoln County and the City of Brookhaven. You’ve chosen one of the best places in the world to live – southwest Mississippi, the state’s heartland.
Brookhaven is known as the “Homeseeker’s Paradise”, a name adopted in the early 1900’s as a result of a local contest to find a nickname or motto that best described the community.
We hope the information on our site will be helpful as you look for a place to relocate or you settle into your new home. Included are plenty of facts, figures and important information about the area, plus many in-depth articles about things we are especially proud of – our schools, industries, entertainment and recreation opportunities and our medical and extended-care facilities.
Location
Lincoln County is located in the Piney Woods area of southwest Mississippi. Brookhaven is 55 miles south of the state capital, Jackson, and 130 miles north of New Orleans, La. Running east and west through Lincoln County is U. S. Highway 84. Other roads you are likely to travel are U. S. Highway 51, which runs north and south through the county; Mississippi Highway 550, which runs east and west and Mississippi Highway 583, which runs north and south.
Other interstate highways in the area are Interstate 20, which runs east and west through central Mississippi, Interstate 10, which spans the Mississippi Gulf Coast from east to west and Interstate 12, which runs east and west through southern Louisiana.
Population
According to 2000 census figures, this is how we stand:
Brookhaven – 9,861
Lincoln County – 33,166
Climate
One thing to remember about the weather in southwest Mississippi is that almost anything is possible – even snow. Although only rarely does the area get blanketed by white flurries, several light snows have fallen in Lincoln County in recent years.
The following are 30 year normal maximum high and low temperatures and normal rainfall amounts recorded in the city.
Month Maximum Maximum Average
High Low Rainfall (")
January 57.3 34.7 6.58
February 61.8 37.6 5.75
March 69.5 45.0 6.27
April 76.0 51.0 6.33
May 82.7 59.8 5.47
June 88.8 66.9 4.08
July 91.2 69.7 4.58
August 91.4 68.7 4.37
September 87.0 66.3 3.81
October 78.1 51.5 3.30
November 68.0 43.3 4.78
December 60.3 37.0 5.99
Transportation
Lincoln County’s location makes it easily accessible to all modes of transportation. The mainline Canadian National Railroad runs north and south through Brookhaven, offering freight and passenger service. Amtrak’s City of New Orleans runs southbound each morning and northbound each afternoon to provide direct rail transportation for Chicago, New Orleans and all points between.
The general aviation facility in Brookhaven will handle most company-type airplanes and small business jets. International airports are located in Jackson and New Orleans. Greyhound offers bus transportation in and out of Brookhaven on a daily basis.
County Government
Lincoln County is governed by a five member board of supervisors. They are:
District 1 – Rev. Jerry Wilson
District 2 – Bobby J. Watts
District 3 – Nolan Earl Williamson
District 4 – W. D. “Doug” Moak
District 5 – Gary Walker
Other elected officials in the county include:
Sheriff – Steve Rushing
Coroner – Clay McMorris
Chancery Clerk – Tillmon Bishop
Circuit Clerk – Terry Lynn Watkins
Tax Assessor/Collector – Nancy Jordan
Justice Judge Post 1 – Judy Case Martin
Justice Judge Post 2 – B. J. Price
Constable Post 1 – Charles Ralph Smith
Constable Post 2 – William Lavon Boyd
City Government
The City of Brookhaven is governed by a mayor and aldermen. These city officials are:
Mayor – Bob Massengill
Alderman at Large – Les Bumgarner
Alderman Ward 1 – Dorsey Cameron
Alderman Ward 2 – Terry Bates
Alderman Ward 3 – Mrs. Jerry Wilson
Alderman Ward 4 – Shirley Estes
Alderman Ward 5 – D. W. Maxwell
Alderman Ward 6 – Buddy Allen
Other city officials include:
Chief of Police – Pap Henderson
City Clerk – Michael Jinks
Fire Chief – Bob Watts
Library
Lincoln County Public Library
100 S. Jackson St.
Brookhaven, MS 39601
601-833-3369
Hours
Mon., Wed. – 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tues., Thurs. – 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Fri., Sat. – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Services:
Catalog: contains an automated listing of books stored in each of the libraries located throughout the region in Lincoln, Lawrence and Franklin counties.
Books: In the system, approximately 100,000.
Newspapers: Carries all area newspapers, as well as national papers, such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and more.
Audiotapes: Recorded books and foreign languages are available.
Children’s services: Programs included in the new children’s wing are story hour time, Summer Reading Program, tours and special programs.
Genealogy: An expanding collection of books and manuscripts – local, regional and national – are available.
Microfilm: All available census records for Mississippi, Lincoln County marriage records, land deed abstracts and Lincoln County newspapers.
Videos: A wide selection of educational, cultural and how-to tapes are available, as well as children’s videos.
Computers: Public access computers are available at all system libraries.
Web site: The library web site features book reviews as well as many indexes and resources, including the Magnolia Databases. Visit the site at http://www.llf.lib.ms.us/.
Kids & Families
Recreation, parks, more cater to kids of all ages
An abundance of activities lies within reach for those interested in family fun or a leisurely stroll through the park.
Brookhaven Recreation Department Director Terry Reid said his department strives to offer a well rounded slate of activities to appeal to family members of all ages. “Just about everything we have for children we also have for adults,” he said.
The Brookhaven Parks and Recreation program, which is available at the department’s main office, lists a variety of activities, including adult and youth art, gymnastics, karate, bridge and adult computer classes. It also offers an exercise and toning program for those over 50 years of age.
The department also hosts numerous sports-related activities, including spring and summer adult, church and youth softball; t-ball, buddy ball, little league and pony league baseball; and women’s and coed volleyball leagues. Tennis lessons are also offered. In the winter, the department hosts several types of dance classes and youth and adult basketball leagues.
“We have something going on in outdoor sports almost all year,” Reid said. “Only January and February have little going on outdoors.”
One relatively new program that is greatly increasing in popularity is the flag football program for 6 to 8 year olds and 9 to 11 year olds. “We started flag football three years ago, and it’s just about doubled in size each year,” Reid said. The program has grown from 40 participants its first year to 120 in its second year and now has more than 215 players. A new lighted basketball court at the Dr. A. L. Lott Sportsplex has also proven very popular, Reid said.
Last year the department introduced a free Easter egg hunt, a youth baking class in the fall and joined with various corporate sponsors for a track and field event, a punt, pass and kick contest and a pitch, hit and run contest. New to the department this year is the supervision of Kids Kingdom. “We now operate Kids Kingdom as another city park; and this year we will build bathroom facilities there and a half-mile walking track at the city park,” Reid said.
The willingness of the department to try new things has prompted an increase in the number of people enjoying the programs. “We had a 36% growth rate in 2004 in the number of people using our facilities,” Reid said. Another factor in that growth was that 2004 was the first full year the department spent in its new facilities at the old Army National Guard Armory on Highway 51.
Clogging classes and computer classes continue to be held at the department’s previous facility in the old train depot downtown because of its proximity to the high school.
Many of Brookhaven’s sporting activities center around the city’s recreational complex. It features two large soccer fields and four softball fields, which are used by local softball teams and those competing in the many state tournaments held at the complex. With adjustable outfield fences, the four softball fields can accommodate the need of both youth and adult players.
Residents may also enjoy the Dr. A. L. Lott Sportsplex, which has two lighted fields for softball and baseball. The sportsplex is located on Hamilton Street.
Reid said the complex meets an important need of not only giving residents a place to walk and exercise but also a locale to socialize. He said table games are a popular attraction for some older residents.
Apart from the recreation department, a lazy afternoon at nearby Lake Lincoln State Park or swinging at a few golf balls on an 18 hole course at Copiah-Lincoln Community College are among ways to pass the time enjoyably.
The state park, in the northeastern part of the county, is accessible via several routes, while the golf course is adjacent to the school campus in nearby Wesson. The lake has been under state control since October, 1995 and has welcomed thousand of visitors since then. For park visitors, a 12 pad campsite addition was completed in 1996, and an 18 hole disc golf course was added in 2002. Featuring electrical and water hookups and located right on the lake, the new sites have been quite popular, according to park officials.
Co-Lin’s Wolf Hollow Golf Course was unveiled several years ago. The course represents a $1.25 million expansion and reworking of the former nine hole course.
Other golfing options include the private Brookhaven Country Club, which recently completed a $2.4 million renovation of it facilities. In addition to a swimming pool, members can enjoy an expanded 18 hole golf course and new tennis courts.
Brook Hill on Natchez Avenue offers other opportunities for recreation. Located in the southern part of the city, it features tennis courts, a swimming pool and a half basketball court.
The Brookhaven-Lincoln County Multi-Use Facility was built using state, county and city funds. It can be booked for wedding receptions, family reunions, livestock shows, rodeos and other events.
Arts & Entertainment
Talent on display in cultural activities year-round
Newcomers to the Brookhaven-Lincoln County community can find a wide variety of artistic talents as well as arts opportunities here.
The Brookhaven Trust, founded by local residents in 1991, is committed to preserving the city’s heritage and promoting cultural events.
The Brookhaven Arts Council was formed in 1997 as a division of the Trust. The Arts Council provides the community with outstanding art exhibits, musical and theatrical performances and story-telling, activities not always offered in a community this size. Arts Council events usually are presented free of charge to the community.
Each year, the council also provides musical opportunities normally only found in larger venues, such as live performances by the Mississippi Symphony Chamber Orchestra or the Capital Brass.
Through a $25,000 grant obtained through the state, the Trust also is sponsoring the preservation of a photo collection consisting of thousands of images collected or taken by John H. Williams, a photographer and proprietor of the Art Studio in Brookhaven. His vast collection of photographs depicts life in southwest Mississippi from the 1930’s through the 1970’s. The Lincoln County Public Library is cataloging and archiving the collection and will make many of the photographs available on its web site at www.llf.lib.ms.us./Winnebago/index.htm.
In addition, the Trust partnered with the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi to provide an oral historian to the project.
The Brookhaven Trust is also involved in the Old City Hall/Chamber of Commerce Restoration Project, which began in 2001. A grant was obtained from the National Endowment for the Arts to start the process. Planning of the chamber renovation includes a large conference room, smaller meeting rooms, a kitchen, an art gallery and handicapped accessibility to the building. Much of the renovation has already been completed.
The Old City Hall restoration project is much larger, encompassing the entire downtown district, which is registered as a historical district by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the National Register of Historic Places. The Brookhaven Trust is always looking for new volunteers to assist them in planning and working on projects.
Theater is also popular here and is represented in the local arts scene by the Brookhaven Little Theatre, or BLT. The organization is the second oldest existing little theater in the state.
BLT stages three plays a year – usually November, February and April or May. BLT sponsors an annual membership party. Each production affords residents – old and new alike – the chance to allow the thespians within to come forth as they display their talents on the stage of The Haven, BLT’s long time home on West Cherokee Street in downtown Brookhaven. Those wanting to help backstage or with other production duties are also welcome.
The Haven is undergoing a series of renovations to modernize the theater in a way that does not lose its traditional charm. Recent renovations have included awning and lighting upgrades to the front of the building. Façade and interior work is being completed as funds become available. In the past few years, the theater has received new carpet in the lobby, new seats in the auditorium and a new paint scheme in both areas.
The Co-Lin Art Series at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson brings artistic events to the campus to entertain students and residents. Most series events, held several times throughout the year, are open to the public.
Things to Know
Public Meetings
The Brookhaven Mayor and Board of Aldermen meet on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the city boardroom at the Government Complex.
The Lincoln County Board of Supervisors meets on the first and third Monday and the final day of every month at 9:30 a.m. in the supervisors’ boardroom at the Government Complex.
The Copiah-Lincoln Community College Board of Trustees meets the first Thursday of every month at 4:30 p.m. at the Henley Building on campus.
Garbage Pickup
Waste Management of Mississippi offers garbage pickup service to both city and county residents. Schedules and other information are available by calling Waste Management’s Pike county office at 601-276-9301 or the main office in Jackson at 1-866-261-0482.
Taxes
Personal Taxes
County and municipal ad valorem taxes (except for motor vehicles) should be paid by February 1. Ad valorem taxes vary by district. Municipal and county taxes are payable at the Government complex.
Homestead Exemption
Due January through April 1. Forms may be filled out in the county tax assessor’s office.
State and Federal
Returns must be filed by a single person with an income of $4,000 and by married persons whose family income amounts to $6,000 or more.
Voting
Requirements
A person must be a citizen of the U. S., age 18 or older, and must have resided in Mississippi 30 days. There are constitutional and statutory requirements which must be met before one can be registered. The potential voter must have been registered for 30 days prior to any election. A qualified voter should register with the County Circuit Clerk at the Government Complex in order to vote in city, county, state and national elections.
Zoning
There are no zoning laws in Lincoln County outside the city limits of Brookhaven. For new homeowners, Brookhaven has three residential zones.
R-1 zones: Single-family dwellings only.
R-2 zones: Single-family dwelling or two-family dwellings (duplexes).
R-3 zones: Single family, two-family dwellings or multi-family dwellings, such as apartments.
As of January, 1992, trailer homes may be situated in a mobile home park only. Manufactured homes, not trailers or mobile homes, may be located in an R-2 zone provided setback requirements are met and the resident owns the property lot. Setback requirements may be obtained from the building inspector’s office in the Government Complex.
New house permit: $20 for the first $50,000 cost of house and $1 for each additional $1,000 of home’s cost.
Mobile home park permit: $10.
Permits may be obtained at the building inspector’s office in the Government Complex.
Post Office
The U. S. Postal Service post offices are located downtown on Cherokee Street and off Brookway Boulevard on Brookhaven Street. Drop boxes are available at many locations throughout the city.
Day Care
Day care for children is available through several state-certified agencies in the area. Most are listed in the Yellow Pages of the local telephone book. Some schools offer after-hour care for their students. Contact the schools for additional information.
Vehicles
Mississippi law requires all front-seat passengers to wear safety belts when driving or traveling in a motor vehicle on city streets, county roads and state and federal highways within the state.
State law also requires children up to four years of age to be secured in an approved safety restraint device (car seat). Violators of these laws are subject to fines.
Driver’s License
New Mississippi residents holding an out-of-state driver’s license have 60 days to apply for a state license – 30 days if it is a commercial license. To receive a Mississippi license, newcomers must:
Pass a written test;
Pass an eye exam;
Provide an official Social Security card
Surrender the out-of-state license.
If the license is expired, however, a clearance letter from the state of licensure must be provided.
The current age to obtain a regular Class R license is 16. Learner permits are $1.
The cost of a regular four-year driver’s license is $20. Commercial licenses cost $10 for commercial learner permit and $25 application fee; $40 license fee ($5 per endorsement) for Class A – permit to drive any combination of vehicles 26,001 pounds or more; (2) Class B – permit to drive a single vehicle over 26,001 pounds; (3) Class C – permit to drive a vehicle less than 26,001 pounds carrying more than 16 passengers or hazardous waste. A driver must be at least 21 years of age to operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce.
$25 for Class D – all vehicles not included in Class A, B, or C for which commercial license is required.
One of the state’s 90 driver’s license examining stations is located on Highway 84.
Motorcycles
To operate a motorcycle, drivers must have a separate motorcycle license or an endorsement on a regular or commercial license.
Handicapped
Decals for handicapped drivers may be applied for at any county tax collector’s office. Decals also are available to motorcycle operators who are hancicapped.
License Plate
Motor vehicle owners have 30 days after moving to the county from out of state to obtain a license plate. The title for the vehicle must be presented at the county tax collector’s office.
Inspection Sticker
All motor vehicles in Mississippi are required to have a current inspection sticker affixed to the windshield if the vehicle is operated on any public road in the state. Inspection stickers cost $5 for one year and must be renewed annually. Stickers for vehicles with aftermarket tinted windows cost $10.
Insurance
Drivers are required to keep proof of liability insurance in their vehicles. Persons involved in a motor vehicle crash resulting in $250 or more in property damage, and/or having an injury or death, are required to file an individual accident report (SR-1) with the Department of Public Safety within 10 days of the accident.
DUI
Under the state’s implied consent law, if a driver is arrested for DUI on a public street or highway, a breath test is required. If the test shows a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent or more, the driver is considered to be driving under the influence. For this offense, the driver is arrested. In addition, the law provides that a DUI conviction from another state will be counted against Mississippi license holders when determining if a violation is a first, second, third or subsequent offense.
Utilities
For water and sewer hookups in the city, contact the City Water Department at 601-833-7721.
For electrical hookups, contact Entergy at 601-833-2811, Magnolia Electric Power Association at 601-833-7011 or Southwest Mississippi Electric Power Association at 601-833-2352.
Natural Gas is available from CenterPoint Energy at 601-833-5471 and propane and butane are available from several dealers.
Telephone service is available from BellSouth at 601-557-6500.
Cable television service is offered by Cable One at 601-833-7991. Satellite television service from national providers DirecTV and Dish Network may also be an option for local residents.
Recycling
Several private companies that offer recycling services may be found in the Yellow Pages of the local telephone directory.
Fireworks
Both the sale and the use of fireworks within the city limits of Brookhaven are prohibited.
Agriculture
Crops, livestock still bring cash to community
Farming in Lincoln County has basically remained a family endeavor. With farming in general decline across the board, startup farmers are few and far between. However, a few new farmers are starting the practice.
Poultry growers continue to be the lead agricultural crop for Lincoln County with $30 million-plus a year in the county. Forestry is a close second with $18 to $20 million a year. Ten to 15 houses are being added in Lincoln County each year.
Beef growers contribute around $6 million annually he said, with dairy around $4 million. Dairy is a declining venture. Dairy, at one time, was the lead agricultural industry in Lincoln County. Now there are only 23 dairy farms in the county.
One area of agriculture that gets overlooked in Lincoln County is greenhouse producers. Lincoln County is number three in the state. Ornamentals, which include bulbs, landscaping, ferns and flowers, make up a good part of that industry. We have the largest greenhouse tomato producer in the state. Wayne Smith’s tomato greenhouses are located off Highway 550. The operation sells wholesale greenhouse tomatoes to area grocers.
There are a few interesting agriculture crops in Lincoln County – one of them being shitake mushrooms. Brad and Scott Smith have been growing mushrooms for two to three years.
Another grower unique to Lincoln County is the Bamboo Plantation located near Hurricane Lake.
Other growers in Lincoln County include a day lily farm and a Christmas tree grower.
Industry
Business park will position area for the future
The formation of a new 400 acre business park west of Brookhaven is the catalyst for what economic development officials hope will be many promising years to capitalize on 2005 successes.
“We’ve had several major events this year that will allow us to move forward in the efforts of economic development,” said Cliff Brumfield, Executive Vice President of the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce. “Chief among them are the formation of the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Economic Development Alliance and, subsequently, the industrial park.”
The Alliance is a joint effort by the county, city and industry leaders to promote economic development in Southwest Mississippi generally and new Brookhaven business park specifically.
“The Alliance is one of the most progressive actions a community can take in economic development,” Brumfield said.
The Alliance is composed of two members of the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors, two members from Brookhaven’s Board of Aldermen, Chairman of the Industrial Development Foundation and Brumfield, in his position as Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce.
“This move has been applauded by both federal and state leaders,” Brumfield said. “In Lincoln County, it just seemed like the right thing to do, and was easy to do, with the community-minded leaders we have.”
The Alliance can already claim several successes in its short history. Most obvious, Brumfield said, is the creation of the 400 acre Linbrook Business Park. The acreage has been purchased and economic development leaders are presently in phase one of operations to provide the needed infrastructure to attract industries to the park.
The Alliance has made several trips to Washington, D.C. to meet with federal authorities to encourage grants and prospective business incentives to locate in the park.
“They were very favorably impressed with the cooperation shown by the formation of the Alliance and how the community was speaking with one voice for economic development,” Brumfield said.
“For our community it was definitely the right formation,” he said. “It just seems like there’s nothing that can’t be accomplished if everyone is working together and in the same direction. That’s what we have here.”
The Alliance, Linbrook Business Park and other factors place Brookhaven in a unique and promising position for the future. “We’re at a state where we have the borders of the puzzle laid out and we just need to turn over the right pieces being the industries, to fill it in,” Brumfield said.
Existing industries also recognize the benefit of Brookhaven’s support and location. Both McLane Southern and Delphi Automotive have made extensive, expensive improvements or expansions to their operations within the past few years. Delphi made a tremendous investment in new equipment in 2005. That multi-million dollar expansion allowed them to retain many of the high-paying, technology-driven jobs the Chamber tries to attract to the area.
The year before, McLane Southern spent millions to add a conveyer belt system to their distribution operations. Both operations are located in the existing industrial park, which generates more than $100 million in annual payroll.
On the community side of Chamber activities, the organization hosted more than 30 ribbon cutting ceremonies for new businesses or industries in 2005 and welcomed a net of more than 70 new members to the Chamber.
Small business seminars and quarterly membership breakfasts were held throughout the year, focusing on taxes, customer service, corporate liability, marketing and theft. Legal issues and embezzlement, among others, have been topics of previous seminars.
“It’s worked well for everyone and been fun,” Brumfield said. “The number of people attending these events is growing. Not only do business leaders get refreshers on necessary topics, but also gives them opportunities to meet, share ideas and network. A lot of times they know who each other are, but they have never had the opportunity or time to meet each other and talk about what it is they do. This gives them that opportunity.”
A shop-at-home campaign also is held each year to stress the importance of shopping and buying locally, where taxes can be put back into the community where they originated. And annual events such as the Ole Brook Festival and Tour of Homes attract thousands of visitors to the community.
“We have a lot to offer newcomers and prospective businesses alike,” Brumfield said. “We’ve got the passion and the drive to see Lincoln County and Brookhaven thrive.”
Outdoors
Hunting, fishing abound for avid sportsmen
Many laws affecting hunting and fishing are on the books in Mississippi. It is always a good idea to brush up on those laws before venturing into the woods or to the lake. The following are some of those laws and a few reminders. Landowner’s permission is required to hunt, fish or trap on the lands of another.
Wildlife Management Areas
Wildlife Management Areas, Fisheries and Parks Management Areas are subject to special seasons and regulations that may vary from statewide seasons and regulations. Contact the DWFP or area personnel for information about these areas before planning a hunt. The Lincoln County number is 601-835-3050, and the office is located at 304 South Second Street.
Mississippi boasts of almost a million acres of prime game habitat in 42 state wildlife management areas and nine National Wildlife Refuges open for public hunting. Scattered over the entire state, these areas offer great, unspoiled stretches where small and big game enjoy the best environments. Hunters may choose from all types of game habitat – from marshy waterfowl havens, to fields harboring upland game birds, or huge tracts of towering pines and hardwoods where silent deer and crafty turkey make their home.
Many of the areas are on U. S. Forest Service lands; others belong to corporations or individuals. On most, camping is allowed nearby, or even within the area itself. The DWFP has regulations sheet on the individual wildlife management areas available to the public. They contain valuable information about the area and its seasons. Contact the DWFP for more information.
License Requirements
Each resident of the State of Mississippi ages 16 to 64 must obtain a hunting license, except while hunting on lands titled in his name or unless otherwise exempted by law.
All non-resident hunters are required to obtain a hunting license while hunting in the state, except minors under the age of 16. Resident and non-resident hunters must carry the license on their person while hunting.
Hunter Education
State law requires all residents and non-residents born on or after Jan. 1, 1972, to complete a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license. Hunters ages 12 to 15 must take the Hunter Safety course and must hunt with someone 21 years old or older.
License Exemptions
Residents exempt from hunting license requirements are persons under 16 years of age or over 65 years of age, and those adjudged 100 percent service connected disabled by the Veterans Administration: totally disabled by the Railroad Retirement Board: totally disabled by the Social Security Administration: blind, paraplegic, or a multiple amputee. Proof of age may be in the form of a driver’s license or birth certificate. Proof of disability must be renewed annually by the Social Security Administration, Railroad Retirement Board of Veterans Administration. Proof of age or disability must be carried on their person while hunting.
Unlawful Purchase of License
Any person who obtains a license under an assumed name or makes a materially false statement to obtain a license is guilty of a felony and shall be subject to a fine of $2,000 or may be imprisoned for a term of one year or both.
Shooting Hours
Legal shooting hours for resident game are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Legal shooting hours for migratory birds are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Legal Game
A legal buck is a deer with antlers of four points or greater. Raccoon, fox, opossum, beaver and bobcats may be legally hunted at night, with or without the use of a light, and with dogs, except during the spring turkey season. The hunting of predatory animals shall be restricted to the open seasons for hunting any game animal or bird, using only the firearms, ammunition, primitive weapon or archery equipment legal for use during that open season. Landowners, agricultural leaseholders or their designated agents may take predatory animals year-round on lands owned or leased by them.
Weapons and Loads
Legal weapons for hunting from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise are restricted to handguns or rifles using no larger than a .22 standard rimfire cartridge (no .22 magnums) and shotguns with shot no larger than No. 6.
When hunting migratory birds, a shotgun must be “plugged” so that it can hold no more than three shells at one loading.
The hunting of turkeys during the spring gobbler season shall be restricted to shotguns only and with no shot larger than No. 2 compound, recurve and long bows. However, any quadriplegic may hunt turkey with a rifle.
Primitive Weapons
Primitive Weapons for deer hunting are defined as long bows, recurves or compound bows, single or double-barreled muzzle loading rifles of at least .38 caliber, or single or double-barreled muzzle loading shotguns loaded with a single ball or slug. All muzzle loading primitive firearms must use black powder or a black powder substitute with either percussion caps or flintlocks. A “black powder substitute” is defined as a substance designed, manufactured and intended to be used as a propellant in muzzle loading or other black powder firearms, the use of which has been approved by the firearm manufacturer.
Telescopic sights are allowed while hunting with any primitive firearm during the primitive weapon season. A “telescopic sight’ is defined as an optical sighting device with magnification better than 1X. Optical sighting devices with no magnification are not considered telescopic sights.
Sidearms are not allowed during the primitive weapon season.
Special Permits
Special crossbow permits may be issued at the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks’ Jackson office to any person 65 or older or who has a statement on letterhead from two physicians licensed to practice in Mississippi, that the applicant has a disability which totally and permanently prevents them from using a long bow or other conventional archery equipment.
Decoys and Bait
It is illegal to hunt or trap any wild animal or wild bird with the aid of bait. Liquid scents may be used. Electrically operated calling or sound reproducing devices may be used for hunting coyote and crow only.
Hunting Dogs
Hunting turkey with dogs is prohibited. During the spring turkey season, it is illegal to run dogs in areas where the turkey season is open, except in permitted enclosures. Dogs are not allowed for hunting deer during archery season, primitive weapon season or still hunting season. Application for dog field trials must be made to the DWFP at least 14 days before the opening of the trial.
Hunting from Roads
It is unlawful to hunt or shoot in, on or across any street, public road, public highway, railroad or the rights-of-way. It is prima facie evidence that a person is hunting if he possesses a firearm with a cartridge or shell in the barrel, magazine, or clip attached to the firearm, or if all ammunition is not located in an enclosed compartment, container, box or garment (whether or not the firearm is in or out of a motorized vehicle) while he is on any street, public road or highway, or any railroad, or right-of-way thereof any time during the open season on deer and turkey.
An unloaded muzzle loading cap lock firearm is one with the cap removed. An unloaded muzzle loading flintlock firearm is one with no powder in the flash pan.
It is illegal to hunt or kill any game animal, fur bearing animal or game bird from any motorized vehicle or boat.
However, squirrels and game birds may be hunted from a boat if the motor is off and the progress of the boat had ceased.
Hunting Deer
All deer hunters must wear, in full view, a minimum of 500 square inches of solid unbroken continuous daylight fluorescent hunter orange material during open gun seasons on deer. A legal buck is a deer with antlers of four points or greater. Spotted fawns are not to be killed or molested any time.
Depredation permits for the killing of deer when they are destroying crops are issued only by a DWFP officer after a supervised approved field inspection.
If a person is convicted of killing any deer out of season, he may be fined not less than $100 and his license may be revoked for a year by the Commission of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
Anyone who hunts or kills any deer with any lighting device is subject to a maximum fine of $5,000, five days in jail, and the loss of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for three years. This does not apply to a deer killed in an accident with a motor vehicle.
Any equipment used to hunt or kill deer at night with lighting device that is subject to seizure is considered contraband property and will be seized by the enforcement officer. This equipment is subject to forfeiture and may become property of the State of Mississippi.
Transporting Game
Field dressed deer or deer parts that cannot be visibly identified by gender must be legibly labeled on any material attached to the deer or parts of the deer and must include the following information: the name, address and license number of the person who killed the deer, the gender of the deer, and the county where the deer was killed.
In a case where the possession/transportation of any deer carcasses or parts are not properly identified, they will be seized by a DWFP officer for disposal. The following shall be considered as biological evidence of gender: Male 0 head, scrotum or testicle(s): Female – head, udder or mammary bag.
Selling of Animals
Persons cannot buy or sell or offer for sale, or exchange for merchandise or other consideration, any game animal, game bird or game fish (regardless of whether it was taken in or out of Mississippi), except as follows: the skins and sinew of legally taken deer may be bought or sold at any time, and the carcasses of raccoons and muskrats may be sold for food during the open trapping season. Raccoon carcasses may be sold during the open gun season on raccoons.
It is also illegal to buy or sell any non-game wildlife native to the State of Mississippi.
Protected Wildlife
All birds of prey (eagles, hawks, osprey, owls, kites and vultures) and other non-game birds are protected and may not be hunted, molested, bought or sold. English sparrows, starlings, blackbirds and crows may be taken according to regulations. The following endangered species are also protected: black bear, Florida panther, gray bat, Indiana bat, all sea turtles, gopher, tortoise, sawback turtles (black-knobbed, ringed yellow-blotched), black pine snake, eastern indigo snake, rainbow snake and the southern hognose snake.
Migratory Game Birds
Seasons, limits and regulations for rail, gallinule, coot, woodcock, snipe and waterfowl will be announced following the release of guidelines by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Non-Resident Regulations
A non-resident may not kill antlerless deer except on lands he owns or on lands where he leases the hunting or fishing rights.
Proof of Residency
Only persons domiciled within the State of Mississippi as defined in Section 49-7-3 of the Mississippi Code, as amended, are entitled to obtain a resident hunting/fishing license.
Under this section a person’s domicile is that person’s principal or primary home or place of abode. Provided, however, a person holding a current driver’s license is deemed to be domiciled within the state that issued the driver’s license. Even if a person currently resides within the State of Mississippi, for purpose of obtaining a hunting license, he/she is considered to be domiciled in the state which issued the driver’s license.
If you hold a current driver’s license: (1) you are entitled to purchase a resident hunting license; (2) if you hold a driver’s license from any state other than Mississippi, you are required to purchase a non-resident hunting license.
If you do not hold a current driver’s license from any state, you are entitled to purchase a resident hunting license if Mississippi is your principal or primary home or place of abode.
A current Mississippi resident income tax return or a homestead exemption receipt may be considered as evidence of domicile, but these are not necessarily detrimenative. You may be denied a resident hunting license if you fail to provide adequate proof.
Exceptions
Even if you are domiciled in another state, you may purchase a resident hunting license if you provide either (1) a current identification card from a Mississippi college or university; or (2) a current military ID card showing that you are an active member of the Armed Forces (excluding Reserves and the National Guard) and proof that you are stationed on a military base in Mississippi.
Proof of Age
Proof of age may be shown with a valid driver’s license or a copy of a birth certificate.