Mississippi wildlife officials promote land cooperatives for better management

Forming a land cooperative is an effective way for neighbors to collaborate on wildlife management goals, according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The department’s Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) often facilitates these cooperatives by connecting neighboring landowners with similar objectives.

Benefits of land cooperatives include discounted bulk purchases of seed, fertilizer, and lime. They also enable members to share buck photos and coordinate harvest decisions to meet deer management goals. Additionally, cooperatives can establish local feeding bans to reduce competition and negative impacts from concentrated feeders.

Cooperatives can also share costs for large-scale efforts such as installing hog traps or conducting habitat projects like prescribed burns. Property owners may combine land to attract timber buyers or share specialized equipment like seed drills and lime spreaders. These efforts foster community and improve the effectiveness of wildlife management strategies.

For more information about DMAP cooperatives, visit the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks website at www.mdwfp.com/dmap.

Source: Original Article