Yeah that makes it seem like the system has issues. That’s highly unlikely from a mathematical standpoint.

The icing on the cake…..if I don’t draw a Mississippi non resident open public lands permit I can’t take my kids on the Mississippi youth hunt and hunt the national forest. .

Arky had some great turkey hunting when i was there. Use to be 1-2 birds depending on area. Hate to hear of the cost - i always wanted to go back
Had great deer too!

I applied for the NR public land early hunt permit and got drawn. I thought if you don’t get drawn, you can still hunt the public land just not till April 1st. I didn’t apply for any WMA hunts, I’m just planning on hunting one of the National Forests.

Non-residents can still hunt. They just have to draw. And each successive year is a record number of applicants in the non-resident draw. Odds were below 50% to draw this year.

On the other hand, Florida just COMPLETELY ELIMINATED non-resident hunting the first 9 days of the season on one particular piece of Federal Land. If Mississippi was completely eliminating your opportunity to hunt National Forests, I could see your hate. You can't hate the state for taking care of its residents during this time of explosive non-resident turkey hunter growth.

A lot of sense. You've had good luck, your buddy has had bad luck. Before the WMA draw hunt changes, EVERYONE could put in for EVERY hunt and date in the state. Odds of drawing anything were low. Now, being able to only apply for five, folks won't be putting in for hunts 4 hours away and then not showing up, therefore taking away opportunity from local hunters. I know numerous people who drew their local WMA this draw and hadn't drawn it in 5+ years in the old system. They sure are happy with the changes!! I personally drew my local WMA as well. Pumped.

Just like it was highly unlikely for me and another member of my family to draw two turkey quota permits this spring that had <2% odds of drawing. Each permit in a different state. Those states systems must be jacked up!!!

Be sure to like and subscribe. Thats what helped lead to all this mess.

Correct. The NR who didn't draw can still come hunt April 1.

I just wanted to know how much Arkansas was going to stick it to me this Spring, but this has been fun

I’ve contacted a local fellow and feel decent about it. It doesn’t hurt that the company I work for has employees in Arkansas who are degenerates like myself and are willing to steer me towards a good location.

Non residents taking their kids to hunt the national forest on the youth hunt is a zero factor in Mississippi wild turkeys. The fact yall banned youths whose dads don’t draw is absurd.

To make matters even more challenging, the way I read it, some National Forests have WMAs in them. So I’ve got to make sure that I stay out of a WMA inside the NF!

I don't blame MS or FL one bit.

This is really Alabama, GA, SC, & TN faults. Everybody jumped on the dominant gobbler/push the season back BS. That left MS & Florida in a vacuum, as the only states open for weeks, without crossing an ocean. They've had to do something to shield themselves from the masses of "travelling turkey hunters" that youtube has created.

Let me know how it goes 247 - i loved turkey hunting there - just short limits - had lots birds where i was - several special all time type hunts there - toward top of the memory list or top all time hunts