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 Thursday morning. 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 but is simply opening opportunity to hunts there.

Walsh said they propose opening draw permitted archery hunts only from October 1 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.

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

“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.