Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks withdraws from MWF Extravaganza

In a shocking and unexpected announcement, the MDWFP has withdrawn from the MWF Extravanganza this upcoming weekend.

In a statement on their website they said:

“Over this past weekend, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) received numerous comments regarding the upcoming Mississippi Wildlife Extravaganza. It is apparent, that the persons making these comments were of the impression that the MDWFP and the Mississippi Wildlife Federation (the “Federation”) are one and the same, or that the Federation is a division of the MDWFP.  This is simply not true.

The Commission on, and the Department of, Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, are entities of the government of the State of Mississippi, created by the Legislature, as set forth in the Mississippi Code.  The Mississippi Wildlife Federation is a private, non-profit organization, affiliated with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF).  The annual Wildlife Extravaganza is sponsored and produced by the Federation, not the MDWFP.  The MDWFP has participated in the Extravaganza as an exhibitor by paying for its space, as do all other paying exhibitors.  The MDWFP is NOT a sponsor of the Extravaganza, nor do the MDWFP or the Commission have any control over the actions of the Federation.

Earlier today, the Commission, meeting by specially-called teleconference on Monday, July 29, 2019, voted unanimously to withdraw from the Extravaganza, and participation in future events with the Federation, until further notice.

Please refer all comments regarding the Extravaganza to the Mississippi Wildlife Federation.”

The MWF Extravaganza has come under scrutiny for its denial of Backwater Flood victim Victoria Darden’s request for a booth. Darden wanted to educate people on the Backwater Flood, it causes and remedies along with making people aware of the impact of the flood on wildlife in the South Delta. Wildlife has been decimated by the flood with predator and prey forced onto the same small patches of dry land. The site of emaciated deer have been prevalent on social media and roadkill has been a common sight on the roadways in the flooded area.

A deer on the roadway takes notice but doesn’t run. They’ve been forced close to the road for so long some deer don’t even look up at the passing vehicles.

More on this breaking news as we get it.