MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Wildlife and Fisheries

By: Senator(s) Posey

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO SPECIFY THAT WHITE-TAILED DEER ARE THE TYPE OF DEER CLASSIFIED AS A GAME ANIMAL; TO REMOVE THE OPOSSUM FROM THE GAME ANIMAL CLASSIFICATION AND TO CLASSIFY THE OPOSSUM AS A FUR-BEARING ANIMAL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 49-7-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-7-1. For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions and interpretations shall govern unless otherwise provided:

(a) The following wild animals are classed as game: bear, white-tailed deer, * * * rabbits and squirrels.

(b) The following wild animals are classed as fur-bearing animals: muskrats, opossums, otters, skunks, weasels, minks, raccoons, nutria and bobcats; all others shall be deemed predatory animals. * * *

(c) All freshwater fishes in the following families are classed as game fish: Sunfish family (Centrarchidae) - including largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus), white crappie (Pomoxis annularis), black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus), bluegill (Lepomis macrochiris), warmouth (Lepomis gulosus), green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis), redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) and shadow bass (Ambloplites ariommus); Perch family (Percidae) - including walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), sauger (Stizostedion canadense) and yellow perch (Perca flavescens); Pike family (Esocidae) - including redfin pickerel (Esox americanus americanus), grass pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus), chain pickerel (Esox niger); Temperate bass family (Percichthyidae) including - white bass (Morone chrysops), yellow bass (Morone mississippiensis), striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops x Morone saxatilis and/or Morone saxatilis x Morone chrysops).

The following fishes are classed as nongame gross fish: in the Catfish family (Ictaluridae) - channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), flathead catfish (Pylodictus olivaris), yellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis), black bullhead (Ameiurus melas), brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus); however, blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) and flathead catfish (Pylodictus olivaris) shall be classed as game fish when taken from any nonnavigable stream or lake; in the Gar family - spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus), longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus), shortnose gar (Lepisosteus platostomus), alligator gar (Lepisosteus spatula); in the Eel family (Anguillidae) - American eel (Anguilla rostrata); in the Bowfin family (Amiidae) - bowfin (Amia calva); in the Paddlefish family (Polyodontidae) - paddlefish (polyodon spathula); in the Minnow family (Cyprinidae) - common carp (Cyprinus carpio); in the Sucker family (Catostomidae) - river carpsucker (Carpoides carpio), quillback (Carpoides cyprinus), highfin carpsucker (Carpoides velifer), spotted sucker (Minytrema melanops), blacktail redhorse (Moxostoma poecilurum), smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus), bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus), black buffalo (Ictiobus niger); in the Drum family (Sciaenidae) - freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens).

All fishes native to Mississippi that are not classed as game fish or nongame gross fish are classed as nongame fishes.

All fishes native to foreign countries and all fishes native to the United States but not native to Mississippi are classed as non-native fishes.

(d) The following are classed as game birds: geese, brant and river and sea ducks, rails, coots, sora, snipe, woodcock, sandpipers, tattlers, plovers, wild turkey, quail and doves.

All other species of wild resident or migratory birds are classed as nongame birds.

(e) Closed season: the time during which birds, animals or fish may not be taken.

(f) Open season: the time during which birds, animals or fish may be lawfully taken.

(g) "Commission" means the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

(h) "Department" means the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

(i) "Executive director" means the Executive Director of the Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.