MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Several wildlife groups will assist in an event for future hunters on Feb. 14 in an effort to lay the foundation for safe and responsible hunting.

Mississippi State University’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in the College of Forest Resources is offering a squirrel hunt for young people. The hunt will take place at the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, located southeast of Starkville.

Youth ages 16 years or younger are eligible to hunt. A parent, grandparent or guardian also must attend the hunt. A hunting license is not necessary for this hunt.

Don Jackson, wildlife and fisheries professor, and John Guyton, associate Extension professor, along with other experienced hunters, will provide the guns, dogs and ammunition. Youth may shoot only with direct, personal supervision by event sponsors.

The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. with workshops on hunting safety, ethics, squirrel ecology and wildlife management. Participants must attend the workshops prior to the hunt.

Participants are asked to bring a sack lunch. The hunt will begin after lunch and the seminar. Immediately after the hunt, there will be a demonstration on skinning and cleaning the harvested animals followed by a squirrel dinner.

MSU’s partners for the hunt include the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge; Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; the Mississippi Wildlife Federation; and the Mississippi Chapter of the Wild Turkey Federation.

The hunt is limited to 15 individuals. Register by contacting Scott Messina at (662) 325-3133 or smessina@cfr.msstate.edu. For information on the hunt, contact Guyton at (662) 325-3482 or jguyton@cfr.msstate.edu.