MCCOMB — Commissioners heard a report on Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks license sales and law enforcement last week at Percy Quin State Park. As of the end of February, $16.9 million in revenue from license sales has flowed into the department. 

Jason Thompson, License Sales Director, gave the good report Thursday. Commission chairman Bill Cossar usually reminds the audience the report on license sales is important due to the revenue funding 90% of the budget. 

Fiscal Year 2024 is from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 and as of March 1 revenue was up $293,000 more than FY2023. Thompson said the number of licenses sold are similar. 

He reported $5.9 million in license sales are from residents meaning the other $11 million comes from non-residents. Boat guide licenses are up to 93 generating $65,450.82 in revenue. Of the 93 boat guide licenses, 82 are residents and 11 are non-residents. 

Enforcement report

Col. Jerry Carter, chief of law enforcement, reported 307 citations were issued in February 2024. He said 114 of those citations were for no license, 31 for trespassing, 13 for headlighting, 13 for no boat registration and eight personal flotation device violations. 

Carter added that 35 schools and clubs participated in the Mississippi Scholastic Shooting Program State Competiton with 155 shooters. East Rankin took first place.