Climate Normals Quick Access Station: Laurel, MS", "2020 CENSUS SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Jones County, MS", "9 Reasons You Should Be Watching HGTV's Newest Show 'Home Town', Scrapbook re: Laurel, Mississippi (MUM00404), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Laurel,_Mississippi&oldid=1141450273, Shirley Keys-Jordan Ward 7 Councilwoman, St. John's Day School (affiliated with the Episcopal Church), This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 03:44. Ricky Flynt, alligator coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, said the estimated number of alligators in Hancock County is fewer than 5,000 and in Harrison County the number is fewer than 2,000. Built in 1910, it's listed on the Mississippi Historical Registry and was owned by William Carroll Gartin, Laurel's mayor in the 1960s and a three-term lieutenant governor of Mississippi. Deer hunting in Mississippi:Why supplemental feeding may not have the effect hunters want. Stock up on artisanal beef jerky and homemade fudge at The Knight Butcher. The long held tradition is definitely a bit on the noisy side. Wonder where the locals eat, things to do at night, or where to find the best shops and boutiques? "You're asking to be made an example out of.". At the time, the alligator population had suffered a severe . "They're shutting down their respiratory system. The state is mainly known for being home to one of North Americas most extended rivers, the Mississippi River. Laurel has the second county courthouse as there are two judicial districts in Jones County. Flynt said the alluvial valley is gathering nutrients and is being funneled into the Mississippi River . Address: 107 S 17th Ave, Hattiesburg, MS 39401, Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. "It's a bad situation," Newell said. No, it's not a crock: Two hunting parties in Mississippi both bagged alligators weighing more than 700 pounds. "In a natural setting, a bear in the woods and you're walking in the woods, the chance of an encounter is slim to none. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 2022 Alligator Hunting Season opens Friday in Mississippi The officer and a game warden with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) set the animal free outside. The roadways are filled with obstacles. After being gone from Laurel for 34 years, I decided to return in 2015. This means you wont find many alligators (if any at all) in Tupelo or other northern Mississippi towns. Alligators can be found in every county of the state, but southeast Mississippi reigns king. If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out 11 Life Lessons Everyone Learns Growing Up In Mississippi.. GULFPORT, Miss. It's the tree stand. Between the gator's captor, Smith and others, the group. It is located northeast of Ellisville, the first county seat, which contains the first county courthouse. "I graduated from Oak Park High School here in Laurel in 1966. Four deaths a year may not seem like a large number. Contact Brian Broom at (601) 961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com. FollowClarion LedgerOutdoors on Facebookand @BrianBroom onTwitter. Adults-only Shows from $61.00 per adult (price varies by group size) The area 100 Jody Compretta Dr, Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520-4570 Full view Best nearby Restaurants 59 within 3 miles Starfish Cafe 169 0.2 mi$$ - $$$ American Seafood Mediterranean Serious Bread Bakery 173 330 ft$ Bakeries American Cafe The Blind Tiger 614 In 2020, Laurel, MS had a population of 18.4k people with a median age of 38.3 and a median household income of $34,114. Female alligators are protective, caring mothers. Top Things to Do in Laurel, Mississippi: See Tripadvisor's 4,130 traveller reviews and photos of Laurel tourist attractions. And with that, were going to discuss and talk about the most alligator-infested lakes and places in the state of Mississippi, so if you dont want to miss out on seeing a live alligator or have been wanting to avoid one, then this rundown of gator infested lakes is for you. Amtrak's Crescent train connects Laurel with the cities of New York City; Philadelphia; Baltimore; Washington, D.C.; Charlotte, North Carolina; Atlanta; Birmingham, Alabama; and New Orleans. Just the vastness and pristineness make it a great home for alligators to thrive in. The owner of Pearl's Diner dishes out homegrown hospitality. In alligator habitats, if you feed fish species on a regular basis, using mechanical feeders of fish is expressly forbidden. They have alligators at Gulf Coast Gator Ranch & Tours. Thin-Legged Wolf Spider. Address: Gulf Coast Gator Ranch, 10300 Hwy 90, Moss Point, MS 39562, Winter Opening Times: (November 1st February 28th): 8am to 4pm, Summer Opening Times: (March 1st October 31st): 8am to 6pm. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. "The potential is there," said Ricky Flynt, Alligator Program Coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. With two rat terriers trotting at his heels, and a long wooden staff in his hand, J.R. Gavin leads me through the woods to one of the old swamp hide-outs. Their eyes, ears, and nostrils are placed on top of their long head and project slightly above the water when the reptiles float at the surface, as they . Address: Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, 13723 Bluff Lake Road, Brooksville, Mississippi 39739, Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, sunrise to sunset. Mammals in the park range from tiny, secretive northern shrews to more obvious animals such as otters, beavers, coyotes, and white-tailed deer. In Mississippi, there is no record of an alligator attack, fatal or not. I've got about 18 or 20 on my staff. As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,161 people, 6,825 households, and 4,278 families residing in the city. "We've never had a single documented attack. Choose from 10 Amtrak station in Mississippi on two routes: City of New Orleans and the Crescent. Last edited on 25 February 2023, at 03:44, "U.S. Period," Flynt said. "The Pascagoula has an overall abundant number of alligators, and they are widespread," Flynt said. Fourteen northern Mississippi counties have produced no alligator records, but nuisance alligator complaints have come from as far north as Coahoma, Lafayette, and Itawamba Counties. But there was a time in the 1990s when I felt like this was the only retail store downtown. "People aren't climbing eight or 10 feet anymore," Newell said. Instead, the state adopted a mandatory online harvest-data collection program in which hunters register the kill and enter the animal's length, sex, location of kill and hours hunted. "It has a huge amount of food resources between fresh and salt water. "But it would be an exceptional animal. Even so, with several deaths each year in Mississippi, West Nile-carrying mosquitoes pose a danger. Once considered an endangered species in the late 1960s, American Alligators have made a big comeback in the swampy marsh areas surrounding the Mississippi River. "Don't try to sneak up on the thing," Young said. The sex of an alligatoris determined by the temperature of the egg at around 21 days of incubation. Council members are elected from single-member districts. We recently estimated that there are 32,000-38,000 alligators and about 408,000 acres of alligator habitat in Mississippi. Alligators are found in coastal habitats from Texas to South Carolina, and occasionally venture into saltwater. "I was the first generation in my family who was not born here. Those figures are based on habitat summaries, satellites and surveys by the Department of Wildlife. The city was named for thickets of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) which were native to the original town site.[5]. Alligators are more common in the river's smaller tributaries and swamps, where the water is warmer and there is more cover to hide in. The per capita income for the city was $15,561. Order the fried chicken with three sides at Pearl's Diner. "It was about sparking curiosity, getting people to say, 'Oh, something's going on hereI wonder what it is.' Nece and I were supposed to build something that was going to be multiethnic and multi-generational, where the standard was not just being in the same room and tolerating each other. "First of all, it's illegal to feed alligators. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. 30. I went to my car in tears, and I said to myself, 'Well, I guess I'm moving here.' . I actually said it out loud. Subscriber exclusive:'A ferocious predator': Mississippi scientists uncover skeleton of ancient sea dragon, How rare is it to encounter a shark? In 2007, a 5-footer was captured alive in Johnston County near Micro. This means a nest can produce all females or all males from one clutch, which is on average about 35-40 eggs. Theres plenty of places to see alligators in their natural habitat all over Mississippi from Jackson to the Mississippi Coast. "I totally trust that lifeline. More than 6,000 acres of the land are licensed to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks to manage wildlife within this area. Yes, there are alligators all over Mississippi but the highest populations of alligators are found in the southeast region of the state. The alligator was once an endangered species in the US, but it has now made a comeback. Combined with alligators in Jackson County, the two make up almost 30% of Mississippis alligator population. Tree stand accidents come in all shapes and sizes, but Newell said the majority happen when a hunter is climbing or descending. The rebirth of Laurel, Mississippi, is proof of what real people can do with a little creativity, a lot of commitment, and a deep well of love. This post will tell you all of the best places to see alligators in Mississippi and includes all the information youll need for a fun day out. Claro was deputy editor of Real Simple magazine and is coauthor, with Dr. Frank Lipman, of The New Rules of Aging Well (2020) and The New Health Rules (2015), a New York Times bestseller that's been translated into eight languages. It just means we appreciate it that much more when we do get it. I do everything I can now to help people know that they can stay here and make a living, be comfortable, and be happy. [31] The show portrays renovations of local homes in and near Laurel. Laurel was the big city for us. Brookhaven, MS (BRH) Greenwood, MS (GWD) Hazlehurst, MS (HAZ) Jackson . Hundreds of animal species are here, yet the most abundant are deer, rabbits, doves, geese, quail, woodcocks, and squirrels. Alligators . Are There Alligators In Laurel, Mississippi? This story was originally published February 20 . But when you consider there are only about 138,000 deer hunters in Mississippi and not all of them use tree stands, four deaths a year becomes significant. Right across the street from City Hall used to be the Pinehurst Hotel. 14. "It's just like a spider web of rivers and bayous that are alligator habitat. Deer hunting and squirrel hunting are the most popular, with turkey hunting available during spring. and signals that you've found the historic district of this small Mississippi town. Harrison and Hancock counties are home to an estimated 13 percent of the. (AP) The lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the state's alligators. In truth, they aren't. He advised neighbors to be aware of your surroundings, keep your pets on a leash and the leave it to animal control if you encounter a critter. The 12-foot-1 alligator was killed by a hunter in the Forest Home Chute area, just off the Mississippi River, officials said on Facebook. Below are some quick fun facts about alligators: The alligators found in Mississippi are American alligators which are native to the Southeastern United States. Starring Ben and Erin Napier, the couple restores homes in their town while also highlighting small businesses. Twenty-five percent of the alligator population in Mississippi is found Jackson County and the. Her writing has appeared in many magazines, including Southern Living, Domino, Breathe, McSweeney's, and The Lascaux Review. The premise of the show is simple, and wonderful all at once. According to the Grenada Star newspaper, it occurred in 2013. How many times have you been stuck behind a tractor? "You're talking hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of bites a year," Jones said. "That lifeline will save your life," Newell said. In some counties, 20% of alligator sightings are above ten feet long. We knew exactly what we were called here to do. Head to The Loft for dinner, and sit in the garden if the weather is nice. We didn't have hot water. An alligator can close its mouth withpressure of up to 3,000 pounds per square inch, but the mouth of an adult alligator can be held shut with just one hand. That allows them to lie submerged in a dormant state for possibly 12-24 hours. All rights reserved. "The alligators are widespread and really healthy not to mention they live in a beautiful area. "I've had alligators that I had to use both hands, but smaller alligators, 7 to 8-feet-long, I can hold them shut with one hand all day," Flynt said. That animal would likely come from the Pascagoula River basin that's filled with swamp grass, trees, baitfish and other animals. A husband and wife duo (Ben & Erin) show their pride in their hometown of Laurel, MS by redoing and remodeling older homes that are being purchased. To find the gator pond, turn right onto Robert McGhee Road from Park Road. Laurel is currently declining at a rate of -0.82% annually and its population has decreased by -2.41% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 17,161 in 2020. I just thought, 'Man, I need to do something different.' Affiliate Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. Check out the huge alligator spotted at the refuge in the video below: Another fantastic place in Mississippi where you can see alligators in the wild is at Gulf Islands National Seashore. The Pascagoula River and its pristine drainage system make its bayous an excellent habitat for alligators. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.87% of the population. People are investing in their townnot to garner attention or elevate property values but simply to make Laurel better because this is where they want to stay and work and enjoy life. Alligators can also be found within the lake premises, with the most relevant sighting dating back to 2013 when festival-goers near the lake spotted and took a picture of a gator at Grenada Lake. Flynt, who has caught and handled alligators for years in his research, said only larger alligators require two hands to hold their jaws closed and that's because the mouths can be too large to grip with a single hand. "Laurel is personal to me," says Holifield, who was born here and has lived close by nearly all her life. The statistics provided on the US Fish and Wildlife Service website are about the same. Asides from writing, I enjoy surfing the internet and listening to music. I would say that is due to the overall habitat down there the population can maintain itself better than populations in other inland waterways.". Laurel is a city located in Jones County Mississippi.With a 2023 population of 16,747, it is the 25th largest city in Mississippi and the 2714th largest city in the United States. The real catalyst here happened a little over eight years ago, when Judi Holifield became the director of Laurel Main Street. By the end of World War I, Laurel's mills were producing and shipping more yellow pine lumber than those of any other location in the entire world. He leads a Laurel that's worlds away from the town of his childhood memories. Fishing is also an excellent sport here, as the lake hosts many fish species such as the channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, blue catfish, green sunfish, and white bass. Have some feedback for us? "It is possible that we see a few more show up in South West Tennessee because they're coming up out of Mississippi and Arkansas and places where there are alligator populations." News Channel 5 in Nashville is reporting authorities with the TWRA said they have not stocked any alligators in the state, and they added the alligators are simply . The majority happen when a hunter is climbing or descending was once an endangered species in the US fish Wildlife... New Orleans and the Lascaux Review from Jackson to the Loft for dinner, and all. 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