JACKSON — The senate version of the turkey stamp bill passed out of the senate Thursday afternoon. Hunters and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks supported the creation of the turkey stamp bill. 

Under the Senate Bill 2280, resident turkey hunters would be required to buy a $10 turkey stamp to hunt turkeys and non-residents would have to buy a $100 turkey stamp. Lifetime license holders are exempt from purchasing the turkey stamp. Anyone 16 or older would be required to purchase the turkey stamp to hunt turkeys.

In total 42 senators voted in favor of the bill. Seven senators voted against the bill including former Senate Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks committee chairman Neil Whaley. Readers may recall Whaley’s refusal to comment on the turkey stamp bill last year and ultimately the political circumstances which killed the bill. 

Lincoln County Sen. Jason Barrett, who would have voted yea for the bill, announced a pair with Sen. Jeff Tate, who would have voted nay. Barrett explained it was a procedural action where Tate was present that day but not in the chamber for the vote and Tate had wanted to vote nay. Tate would have been recorded as a yea vote had Barrett not announced the pair. 

Senate Bill 2281, which would have created a separate habitat stamp required for non-residents and voluntary for residents, died on the calendar. House Bill 553 passed out of the House in January and was transmitted to the senate. It has yet to be referred to the Senate Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks committee. 

Check back for more updates on hunting and the outdoors in Mississippi.