Southern Mississippi Question

[DennisP]

Hey all,

My wife and I recently purchased 10 acres in Southern Mississippi on the outskirts of the De Soto National Forest.  Any MS hunters here able to tell me what to expect from the area?  We live up in N. Illinois (My wife is from Gulfport) and purchased the land as a retirement property.  Here's a pretty crappy picture with topo lines of the 10 acre plot. 

[Jbird22]

I live within 30-45 mins from the southern portion of Desoto. It's a pretty big place. I've hunted it a time or two. It's a HEAVILY pressured area that is as tough to hunt as anywhere I've ever been. If you're retired and have time to hunt I'm sure you'll be able to find a few (and I literally mean a few) birds. There are other WMA's within an hour or so of there that offer better hunting. I'd be glad to point you in the right direction when the time comes.

[DennisP]

Thanks JBird. I'll look you up when the time comes.  Might make a trip out of it next spring and spend a week on property.  My brother in law is big into deer hunting and is foaming at the mouth to get out there.  Wouldn't be shocked to hear he's been out scouting an setting up trail cameras there already.

[Jbird22]

Good deal. Do that!

How close to Camp Shelby are you if you don't mind me asking?

[DennisP]

We're about 45 min to an hour away.  Southern end of desoto.


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[Jbird22]

Got ya. I'm more familiar with the Northern part of Desoto around Camp Shelby. And when I say familiar keep in mind that I've only been there a handful of times. The pressure may not be as bad on the southern end but I really don't know if I'm being honest.

You should be close to Red Creek WMA and Little Biloxi WMA as well. I've never been to either one so I can't say what kind of turkey population to expect at either one.

[DennisP]

I'm going to have to pick up a couple of trail cameras and have my brother in law put them up and check them.  I'm curious as to what else is walking around out there.  Deer I'm sure.  Turkey, hopefully.  Small game likely.  Hogs?  Coyote?  Maybe even a black bear.  We'll have to see.

[Jbird22]

If you're lucky you won't have hogs but it's a strong possibility. If so, it won't take long and you'll want them gone! Deer, turkey (hopefully!), squirrels, coons, coyotes, bobcats, fox (red and gray), etc... Bear not completely out of the question but not likely.