December 2014 - Mississippi Sportsman

Louisiana's Charles Blake crossed the border to take this beautiful Mississippi buck on his property near Fayette on Dec. 22.

155-inch monster buck killed near Fayette

December 31, 2014 Patrick Bonin

A little scouting after last season paid off big time this year for a Louisiana hunter who bagged a nice Mississippi 10-pointer dubbed the “King of the Jungle.” […]

Mike Nicols' rifle simply clicked when he pulled the trigger on this 140-inch 8-point the first time. So he had to work the slide of his rifle and get another shot — all while the big buck stared him down.

Massive Hind County 8-point taken

December 30, 2014 Bobby Cleveland

Instead of getting the desired crackle and pop from his rifle, all Mike Nichols got was a snap when he squeezed the trigger. […]

Jason Hooper missed a nice Scott County buck early on the morning of Dec. 22, but made up for it by putting this 183-inch down about an hour later.

Arkansas man gets double-drop 16 in Scott County

December 30, 2014 Bobby Cleveland

On a morning when the bucks in Scott County were in a serious mood for love, Jason Hooper got a lucky break when he pulled the trigger on the first shooter than ran past chasing a doe. […]

Mister Twister Poc’it Hawg Raiser

December 30, 2014 Don Shoopman

A Texas bass angler’s bid to get back to the Bassmaster Classic depended heavily on a soft-plastic creature bait that few, if any, others had in their arsenal when they fished the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Nov. 6-8 on the Ouachita River. […]

The author learned the point of aim on a running deer is the nose, whether crossing perpendicular to you or quartering away from you.

The running shot

December 25, 2014 Gordon Hutchinson

The small herd of does burst out of the woods and cut across the soybean field, the howling of the hounds behind them in the swamp. […]

How deep are you fishing? How big is the bait you’re fishing? These are all considerations when choosing how big or small a jighead to use.

How to choose the best jighead

December 24, 2014 Patrick Bonin

Choosing the right jighead to match water depth and current can be much more important than the color, size or shape of the artificial lure you’re fishing. […]

Sam Davis has been catching limits of speckled trout miles from the coast in a small bayou, and it's an approach that can be replicated on any coastal bayou or river.

Trout, bream available in coastal bayous

December 24, 2014 Andy Crawford

Sometimes it helps when you have no idea what you’re doing. To wit: Speckled trout can’t be caught in a bayou considerably north of Interstate 10, and bream shouldn’t be smacking crickets in the waning days of December. […]

MDMR Marine Patrol officers confiscated more than 100 pounds of flounder during a routine seafood compliance check Tuesday.

Pascagoula fish dealers cited for flounder

December 24, 2014 Bobby Cleveland

Officers of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources Marine Patrol issued citations to owners of a Pascagoula seafood dealer on Tuesday and confiscated over 100 pounds of undocumented flounder. […]

Jeffrey Sowell of Greenleaf killed this wrap-around 16-point Dec. 4 in the rain in Tate County.

Tate County 16-point has amazing tips

December 24, 2014 Bobby Cleveland

A quick look at the 16-point buck Jeffrey Sowell killed Dec. 4 in Tate County always brings the same reaction. […]

Mississippi's final gun season switch is Dec. 24, when hunters can start running dogs again. Before it ends Jan. 22, the rut will peak in most areas.

Gun/dog season opens Christmas Eve

December 24, 2014 Bobby Cleveland

’Twas the day before Christmas, and all through the state, deer hunters were stirring and making a change… […]

John Mark Skinner of Jackson killed this 18-point in Union County on Dec. 21. With over 27 inches of abnormal points, it grosses over 172 inches.

Hunter gets Union County 18-point

December 24, 2014 Bobby Cleveland

Ask John Mark Skinner the key to his killing a pretty 18-point buck and he doesn’t shy away answering. […]

Part of the Youth Squirrel Hunt Initiative is volunteer squirrel dog handlers taking youngsters aged 10 to 15 on a public lands hunt. But there is a deadline to apply for the February hunts.

7 youth squirrel hunts set for early February

December 23, 2014 Bobby Cleveland

Designed to recruit more hunters to the pursuit of small game, seven squirrel hunts for youth aged 10 to 15 years are scheduled around Mississippi on Feb. 7. […]