CALLING PANTHER — Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Commission voted to accept a proposed rule opening 1,000 acres at Calling Panther, a state fishing lake in Copiah County, for hunting opportunities last Thursday. Russ Walsh, wildlife bureau director, said the hunting land would be called Calling Panther Wildlife Management Area.

Turkeys, deer and squirrels could be hunted by the public there with regulations on season dates and methods. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks already owned the 1,000 acres surrounding the state fishing lake. The proposed rule is simply opening an opportunity to hunt there along with a few minor changes to WMA rules across the state. 

Walsh said they propose opening draw permitted archery hunts only from September 30 to January 31 at Calling Panther WMA with no gun hunts due to the proximity to the state fishing lake. Late squirrel season in February would be open to hunters and be limited to shotguns only with no .22s allowed.

Squirrel hunters who use dogs will be able to take their canine on the WMA in February. According to proposed state fishing lake regulations, squirrel dogs would not need to be leashed at Calling Panther. Hunters can access hunting areas by boat. 

Deer hunters can harvest antler-less deer and legal bucks and they will count towards the statewide deer bag limit. All harvested deer must be brought to the check station and recorded on the WMA Daily User Card or WMA Check-In app on your phone.

Another proposal for Calling Panther would be to allow youth turkey hunts each weekend from Late March through April. The youth hunts would be draw permit hunts only. 

“It would provide another WMA chance and be a good thing for the public,” Walsh said.

The rule is part of a wide range of changes to WMA regulations. These rules enter a 30 day public comment period and would be voted as final at the May commission meeting. Other possible changes which could be voted on at the May meeting include changes to the 2024 Spring Turkey season.