Mississippi wildlife agency promotes land cooperatives for better management

Creating a land cooperative, or co-op, allows neighbors to collaborate on wildlife management projects. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) notes that such cooperatives can help achieve multiple objectives across properties.

MDWFP’s Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) often facilitates the formation of deer management co-ops by linking neighboring landowners with similar goals. These groups can manage deer populations more effectively over a larger area, officials said.

Benefits of land cooperatives include bulk discounts on seed, fertilizer, and lime; sharing photographs of bucks and coordinating harvest decisions; and establishing local feeding bans to reduce competition and negative impacts from concentrated feeders, according to MDWFP.

Co-ops can also share costs for large hog traps, coordinate habitat projects like prescribed burns, and pool resources for specialized equipment such as seed drills or lime spreaders. Additionally, joining smaller parcels can attract timber buyers, officials added.

MDWFP encourages communities to join together through co-ops to enhance wildlife management efforts. More information about DMAP cooperatives is available on their website at www.mdwfp.com/dmap.

Source: Original Article