Expanded hunting opportunities are included in Year 2 of draw deer hunting at Barnett Reservoir, the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District announced.
“Last year, we were late getting approval and regulations together and we missed the entire month of October,” said Craig Hunt, the parks and recreation director for PRVWSD. “It’s archery only in areas that haven’t been hunted for decades prior to last year.
“This year, we got an earlier start and we will be open in October and offer four full months of weekend hunts, plus we have changed the regulations to allow each permit holder to bring a guest and both can carry a bow and harvest deer.”
The draw hunts are for Thursdays through Sunday with one exception. Since archery season ends Jan. 31, which is a Saturday, the final hunt will be Wednesday through Saturday.
“The limit remains one legal buck (15 inch inside spread or a 18-inch mainbeam), but we’ve added a second antlerless deer to encourage doe harvest,” Hunt said. “We’re hoping that the additional deer and allowing a guest to carry a bow at the same time as the permit holder will increase doe harvest.”
It costs nothing to apply for the hunts, which are held in two zones below the dam adjacent to the spillway and in three zones in Pelahatchie Bay. Once drawn, the permits for below the dam are $300 and permits in the Bay are $200. The application period is Aug.1-14.
Applications will be available online only at TheRez.ms, and will include preferences for dates and zones. The applications can be filed online or downloaded and submitted by fax or regular mail at the number and address included.
Hunt also said additional hunting opportunities are available on an estimated 10,000 acres of PRVWSD land, including huge tracts along the river both below and above the low head dam where the reservoir begins. Information and maps are available at therez.ms.
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