JACKSON - The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks is partnering with the Mississippi Wildlife Federation, Mississippi State University Extension Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to host seven youth squirrel hunts throughout Mississippi on Saturday, February 7, 2015. Hunt locations will be Canal Section WMA, Caney Creek WMA, Copiah County WMA, Howard Miller WMA, O'Keefe WMA, Pascagoula River WMA, and Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. These hunts were developed to introduce youth to small game hunting and conservation. The hunts are provided at no cost to participants.

During the one-day hunts, youth participants will be exposed to principles of hunting and firearms safety, squirrel hunting with dogs, and the daily life of squirrels and their habitats. Best of all, youth participants will have the opportunity to participate in a squirrel hunt.

To apply for a youth squirrel hunt, complete the application at http://mswildlife.org/events/2013-youth-squirrel-hunt byJanuary 23, 2015. All applicants must be 10 - 15 years of age. Each hunt location is limited to 20 youth participants. Applicants will be notified by email regarding space availability for each location. A parent or legal adult guardian is required to accompany youth participants. Guns and ammunition will be provided. Completion of a hunter education course by youth participants is not required.

For more information about the 2015 Youth Participation Initiative Squirrel Hunt, contact Melanie Starnes at (601) 605-1790or mstarnes@mswf.org. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mdwfp or on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/MDWFPonline.