MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Wildlife and Fisheries

By: Senator(s) Posey

A RESOLUTION URGING THE MISSISSIPPI CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO EXPRESS TO THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE THE NEED AND SUPPORT FOR THE TRADITIONAL DUCK HUNTING CLOSING FRAMEWORK OF JANUARY 31ST FOR THE MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY. 

WHEREAS, Mississippi duck hunters have a rich heritage of enhancing and preserving duck populations and habitat; and

WHEREAS, the revenues from duck hunters are essential to the proper management of this important wildlife resource; and

WHEREAS, overly restrictive regulations on the closing date in the Mississippi Flyway have discouraged hunting and reduced essential revenues generated by these hunters; and

WHEREAS, peak duck populations in Mississippi occur from late December and throughout January; and

WHEREAS, the traditional closing framework of January 31st does not adversely impact on the survival rate of ducks; and

WHEREAS, unlike hunters in the central and northern portions of the Flyway, hunters in Mississippi are denied the same opportunity to hunt when duck populations are abundant; and

WHEREAS, migratory waterfowl management is designed to be a cooperative effort between state waterfowl managers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, That we urge the Mississippi congressional delegation to express to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the need and support for the traditional closing framework of January 31st for the Mississippi Flyway.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to the U.S. congressional delegation.