Fall harvest time begins in September as hunters head to the woods and waters in search of a wide variety of fish and game this month. If you’re looking for an excuse to get back outdoors, then dove season is the reason many hunters will venture into the field this month. Labor Day weekend is traditionally the time when most hunters get out their shotguns and begin their hunting seasons. It’s a time to head to camp and begin preparations for the upcoming deer seasons while also getting in some much-needed hunting and shooting opportunities.
While many hunters will be scouting for deer and stand sites on both public and private land this month, others will start hunting.
Dove season officially begins Sept. 3 and hunters across the state will be able to harvest the speedy and scrumptious doves. There’s nothing like a dove hunt with sizzling action and hunting with family and friends.
Gallinules and rails are also opening Sept. 1, with teal opening Sept. 10. They usually migrate into and around the marshes and shallow water lakes across the state offering fast paced, challenging shooting action if you find the right spots. If you can get into some of these places, then the action can be fast and furious.
Youth season for squirrels kicks off on Sept. 24-30 and offers youngsters a chance to get back in the woods in search of one of the most popular hunting opportunities of the fall.
In this issue
In “Land of the giants,” I consulted with Mississippi deer biologists, and there’s good news in all regions as they expect good public-hunting across the state on a number of well-managed tracts. Whether you want to harvest an antlerless deer, a buck or a trophy, the opportunities abound, and I cover some of the top hunting areas in each WMA region.
Phillip Gentry’s “When stripes are stars“ gives us a glimpse into Kyle Thompson and Zachary Young’s techniques and insight into fishing for arguably the most powerful fighting fish pound for pound swimming in Ross Barnett Reservoir. Crappie and light tackle anglers may despise them when a school of stripers tear up their equipment, but if you love to catch ferocious fish that attack with a vengeance then stripers may be the ticket to some fantastic fall angling. When the striper bite heats up the action can be sizzling.
John N. Felsher’s article “Dialing in doves” gives us a few tips, techniques and tricks that just might put more doves in the game bag. Opening day of dove season concentrates hunters from all walks of life and it has become a time of celebration and the unofficial beginning of the fall hunting season and outdoors adventures.
The feature “Team Jeffries” by Andy Douglas gives us a look at one of the hottest crappie teams in the country. Hayden Jeffries and his dad, Dan Jeffries, are catching crappie and cashing checks. Douglas gives us a look at how the master anglers work together locating and catching the succulent papermouths.
George Cox and Tre’ Haydel are serious about catching mangrove snapper, and John Manion’s feature “Pogie-Roni” gives saltwater aficionados a look at a few of the techniques they’ve developed that puts more fish in the boat while pushing them to the top of tourney leader boards. If you’re looking for a few ways to catch more mangroves, then you might want to check this story out. Thinking outside the box is a way to entice more bites from hungry fish.
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