Hunters must take HIP survey before hunting migratory birds

For Starkville Daily News

JACKSON – If you plan on hunting any migratory bird (ex: coots, ducks, geese, brant, swans, doves, woodcock, rails, snipe, or gallinules) you are REQUIRED by federal law to participate in the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program survey – something most hunters do already during the purchase of a Mississippi hunting license.

If you need to take the HIP survey, you may do so by phone by contacting the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks License Bureau at 601-432-2055 during normal business hours. After business hours call 1-800-5GOHUNT. Upon completion of the survey you will be provided with a HIP confirmation number to satisfy the requirement.

Lifetime License holders and Exempt License holders are still required to take the HIP Survey.

Information from HIP surveys is used by MDWFP and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to generate reliable estimates of hunting activity and the number of all migratory game birds harvested throughout the country. These estimates give biologists information they need to make sound decisions concerning hunting seasons, bag limits, and population management.

For more information regarding hunting and outdoors in Mississippi, visit www.mdwfp.com or call 601-432-2400. Follow on Facebook at www. facebook.com/mdwfp or on Twitter at www. twitter.com/MDWFPonline.

Extension Outdoors is a column authored by several different experts in the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Dr. Jessica Tegt is an Extension Professor with Mississippi State University Extension, specializing in humanwildlife conflict...