New public hunting area, scaup bag limit announced

2013-14 hunting season includes Indianola WMA draw hunts and three-bird scaup limit

For the first time since its purchase in 2010, Indianola Wildlife Management Area will offer waterfowl hunting on a limited area during the 2013-14 duck season.

While complete details have not been announced, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks have alerted duck hunters that the 1,019-acre WMA will be included in the draw hunt process.

The WMA consists mainly of retired aquaculture (catfish) ponds that are being managed for waterfowl.

Officials did say the area is expected to have between 10 and 13 units available for the draw hunts. More information will be posted soon at the agency’s Web site at mdwfp.com.

Also, MDWFP announced that the daily bag limit of scaup will be three this winter under revised frameworks approved by federal officials.

Due to declining numbers of scaup, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service instituted moderate frameworks for the species for the 2013-14 waterfowl season. That would have made the daily limit two, but the USF&WS accepted a proposal from the Mississippi Flyway Council to add a bird to the moderate framework.

“We were excited to hear that our recommendation for this change was approved,” said Houston Havens, the MDWFP’s waterfowl program leader. “Last season there was a four-bird bag limit for scaup, and we’re glad to be offered a similar opportunity this year.”