WMA habitat improvement to benefit deer, ducks

A 200-acre thinning on Copiah County WMA is designed to provide more habitat for deer, turkey and other wildlife, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks said.

National Wild Turkey Federation partners with MDWFP for Copiah County WMA work

Two habitat improvement projects have recently been completed at one of Mississippi’s most-popular wildlife management areas, Copiah County WMA near Hazlehurst.

This week, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks announced completion of a 10-acre managed wildlife opening, in a joint partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation and the NWTF’s Greater Jackson Chapter.

In October, the MDWFP thinned approximately 200 acres of timber, a harvest the agency said will improve forest health and wildlife habitat. Opening the forest canopy allows sunlight to reach the ground, which when added to soil disturbance, promotes growth of desirable vegetation that provides food and cover for many wildlife species.

Although most of this work was partly funded by the NWTF to enhance the wild turkey population, the wildlife agency said many species, including deer, will benefit from the projects.

The 10-acre site will be a permanent opening, providing critical brood-rearing habitat for turkey. A food plot is also provided.

About Bobby Cleveland 1343 Articles
Bobby Cleveland has covered sports in Mississippi for over 40 years. A native of Hattiesburg and graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Cleveland lives on Ross Barnett Reservoir near Jackson with his wife Pam.

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