Mississippi Legislators Propose Turkey Hunting Stamps to Fund Conservation and Habitat Improvement!

Race Day Live  In Mississippi, two new bills are being discussed in the Legislature. House Bill 553 and Senate Bill 2280 propose requiring turkey hunters to buy special turkey stamps, which would be added to their regular hunting licenses.

These stamps, if approved, would cost $10 for residents and $100 for non-residents. The money from these stamps would be used to improve the habitat of wild turkeys and help increase their population.

Johnny McKinion, a regional director with the National Wild Turkey Federation in Brandon, supports the idea. He believes the decline of wild turkeys is mostly due to a lack of good habitat.

He says that predators can be a problem, but as long as the habitat is good, the turkeys will thrive. McKinion is not bothered by the extra fees.

He thinks hunters who care about the sport will be willing to pay more for conservation efforts.

Turkey hunters have shown in the past that they are open to paying extra if the money is used for turkey conservation.

A 2015 survey found that more than half of the hunters agreed to a small additional fee to help improve turkey populations.

While the survey focused on other topics like turkey tagging, it showed that hunters are willing to pay extra if they know the money will go toward helping wild turkeys.

The money raised from turkey stamps could also bring in more funding. If the revenue is used for specific conservation projects, it could qualify for a three-to-one match from the federal government.

Read More:

• First Alert Weather: Cold Morning Temperatures in GA and FL with Sunshine on the Horizon!
• Rare Snow in Florida Brings Joy to Millions: Watch This 67-Year-Old’s First Snow Angel!

For example, if the sales generate $500,000, the total amount available for conservation could reach $2 million.

However, not everyone is on board with the idea. Todd Peltier, a turkey hunter from Ocean Springs, agrees that more money is needed for turkey conservation.

But he’s not sure the state will use the funds correctly. Peltier donates to the National Wild Turkey Federation every year because he trusts where the money goes.

He’s worried that, over time, the money from the turkey stamps could be misused or redirected to other projects, turning it into just another tax.

The bills are still in the early stages. They must be passed in both the House and Senate before they can become law. If the bills are approved, the new stamp fees will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Reference

Disclaimer- Our team has thoroughly fact-checked this article to ensure its accuracy and maintain its credibility. We are committed to providing honest and reliable content for our readers.