Mississippi Administrative Code Title 40 - Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Here’s a comprehensive overview of Mississippi Administrative Code – Title 40: Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks:
📘 Structure of Title 40
Title 40 is divided into six parts covering all MDWFP areas: governance, wildlife, fisheries, law enforcement, natural science, and parks
Part 1 – General Administrative Rules (Chapters 1–9): Covers agency organization, meetings, hearings, declaratory opinions, public records, licensing, easements, etc.
Part 2 – Wildlife (Chapters 1–9): Regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), species seasons, enclosures, nuisance animal control, etc.
Part 3 – Fisheries (Chapters 1–4): Rules on fishing licenses, seasons, gear, and commercial harvest—e.g., paddlefish quotas.
Part 4 – Law Enforcement (Chapters 1–6): Hunting safety, boating/water safety, reciprocity with other states, wildlife trade, field trials, public ranges, etc.
Part 5 – Museum of Natural Science (Chapters 1–3): Governs operations of the state museum.
Part 6 – Mississippi State Parks (Chapter 1): Administration and usage of state parks.
🔍 Selected Highlights
Part 1 – Agency Governance
Ch. 1: Commission is five gubernatorial appointees (staggered 5-year terms); Department is split into Law Enforcement/Wildlife/Fisheries and Parks/Admin divisions; monthly open meetings follow Roberts Rules
Chapters 2–5: Procedures for informal/formal appearances before the Commission, evidentiary hearings, and declaratory opinions
Ch. 7: Guidelines to request easements/access across MDWFP land
Ch. 8: Licensing rules for hunting, trapping, fishing—general applicability across categories
Part 2 – Wildlife
Ch. 1 (WMAs): Rules ensure natural conditions, include boat safety, ATV use, special handicapped hunts, dog restrictions, legal weapons types, hunter orange wearing, forfeiture of privileges for violations
Ch. 3: Wild turkey season limits and prohibited baiting practices
Ch. 8: Regulations on captive wildlife enclosures, including white‑tailed deer decommissioning guidelines.
Ch. Subsequent: Covers nuisance game control and rules for fox, coyote, hog pens and permits.
Part 3 – Fisheries
Ch. 1: General rules on fishing licensing and limits .
Ch. 3: Paddlefish commercial harvest: defined management zones, seasons, net specs, and quotas—e.g., Yazoo River Basin open Jan–Feb with quota of 800.
Part 4 – Law Enforcement
Encompasses hunting safety rules, boat/water regulations, licensing reciprocity, wildlife sale/taxidermy controls, dog trial permits, and public shooting range operations.
Parts 5 and 6 – Museum & Parks
Cover governance of the Museum of Natural Science and management of state parks (details are not fully captured in public summaries).
📌 Accessing Full Text
To view the complete, updated regulations:
Mississippi Secretary of State site: official PDFs (e.g., Part 2 wildlife rules updated April 2023)
Justia / Cornell LII: searchable Code by Title/Part/Chapter
✅ Summary Table
| Part | Coverage | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Agency rules & governance | Meetings, hearings, permits |
| 2 | Wildlife regulations | WMAs, species seasons, enclosures |
| 3 | Fisheries management | Sport/commercial fishing, paddlefish quotas |
| 4 | Enforcement & safety | Hunting, boating, ranges, reciprocity |
| 5 | Museum of Nat. Science | Administration & rules |
| 6 | State parks | Park operations & visitor use |
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