With deer season just around the corner, forest land owners and hunters are putting their heads together to figure out how to lure the biggest deer possible onto their food plots and how the habitat of whitetails is affected by the changing environment.

The Lincoln County Forestry Association and the Southwest Mississippi Quality Deer Management Association are here to help. On Sept. 24, the two associations will host the annual Fall Field Day at the Miller Family Farm in Wesson to discuss three seminar topics, Lincoln County Extension Agent Rebecca Bates said.

Biologists Kamen and Tamera Campbell with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks will be on hand to discuss some of the topics. “It’s a husband and wife team,” she said.

The couple will discuss two of the seminar topics — how thinning timber affects whitetails and their habitat on property and how to properly prepare and plant a food plot.

A third biologist will be conducting a seminar on how to score a whitetail deer, she said.

“The hands-on seminar on scoring a whitetail deer is a fun addition to our field day,” Bates said. “Participants will learn about the different racks on a deer and how to score different animals.”

In addition to the seminars, Steve Smith, a Mississippi game warden, will conduct a youth archery shoot.

“The forestry association wants to involve youth in wildlife, forestry and all things outdoors,” Bates said. “They hope the archery shoot will bring some kids out. It will allow them to have a good time and maybe attend some of the seminars to get more involved with forest land management.”

Prizes, including a Daisy Youth Crossbow, an equipped Bear Archery “Cruzer” bow and an equipped Carbon Express XForce 350 Crossbow, will be awarded to the winners.

Bates encouraged anyone interested in deer management and habitats to attend.

“I think this will be a great field day, even if you aren’t a forest land owner,” Bates said. “But it will teach forest land owners how to better manage their forest land to encourage wildlife growth.”

Registration for the field day begins at 8:30 a.m. and the event starts at 9 a.m., Bates said. A complimentary lunch will be served at noon, completing the seminar.

“The seminars will be out on forest land, but we will have trailers to transport people, so they will not have to walk too far on the terrain,” Bates said. “I recommend wearing comfortable field clothes and bringing a chair.”

Miller Family Farm is located at 4020 Brown’s Wells Road in Wesson. From I-55, take Exit 51 to Wesson. Turn West on Sylvarena Road and go two miles to Brown’s Wells Road. Turn North on Brown’s Wells Road and go 3.6 miles. The tree farm will be on the right.

The field day is free, but Bates requested that individuals interested RSVP by calling the Lincoln County Extension Office at 601-835-3460.

“These events are always fun and allow you to get together with other people in your community, learn something new and enjoy time together,” Bates said.