JACKSON — Several wildlife bills passed out of the Senate Committee Thursday afternoon. Two of those bills included the turkey stamp and habitat stamp and will have committee substitutes which change some of the bill’s language. 

Under Sen. Benjamin Suber’s version of the turkey stamp bill, residents would pay $10 for a stamp to hunt wild turkeys while non-residents would pay $100. According to SB2280, Proceeds would go towards the Department’s tag program, restoring, protecting and enhancing turkey habitat on public and private lands, funding scientific research and increasing access to turkey hunting opportunities. Those funds could also be matched with federal funding. 

Senate Bill 2281 would create a new habitat stamp. All nonresident hunters, anglers or trappers over the age of 16 would be required to purchase the stamp. Nonresidents would be charged a fee of $25. Residents would not be required to purchase a stamp however language was added to allow voluntary purchase of a habitat stamp for residents. The stamp shall expire one year after purchase. 

Funds raised by the habitat stamp would go towards restoring, protecting and enhancing wildlife populations or their habitat on public and private lands in Mississippi. Additionally, the stamp would fund scientific research, increase access to public fishing, trapping and hunting opportunities and can be used as matching funds or as fiscal leverage to secure grants and awards.