The last two months have been a time of decision for Miss-Lou hunters and fisherman. Mississippi hunters have had to ask themselves questions because the state of Louisiana recently increased hunting license fees for out-of-state hunters.

A hunting license in Louisiana for a Mississippi resident now costs $200.

But if a Mississippian wants to hunt white tail deer in Louisiana, it is going to cost a total of $425. Add on muzzle-loader hunting and bow hunting fees to bring the total to $525.

Jerry Pyron of Natchez said he never considered not hunting in Louisiana.

&uot;I’ve been hunting on that same lease for 20 years,&uot; he said. &uot;Expensive licenses are not going to stop me.&uot;

Pyron’s license will only cost him $225, and he only hunts ducks.

Although he will pay the increased license fee, he’s not happy about it. &uot;It bothers me,&uot; Pyron said. &uot;It went from $86 to $200.&uot;

The high price of a full-package deer hunting license should not affect many hunters going to Louisiana, Pyron said.

&uot;Most people go over there for the duck hunting,&uot; Pyron said. &uot;The deer hunting is better over here.&uot;

Bryan Smith at Bryan’s Marine in Vidalia said he has not seen a slow down in out-of-state license purchases. But, Smith said, he has not sold many hunting licenses at all yet.

&uot;There was a big uproar when it started but most of the guys came in a bought licenses anyway,&uot; Smith said.

He said hunting license sales should pick up soon, but fishing license sales have not slowed.

&uot;There has not been a slow week yet,&uot; he said. &uot;It slowed a bit when it was so hot though.&uot;

The increased price of a duck hunting license may make the meet taste a little different, David Gaude said.

&uot;It might taste a little better,&uot; said Gaude, who hunts on his brother’s land in Louisiana.

Gaude said he will buy the more expensive license.

&uot;When you start figuring the cost of shells and other stuff,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s really not that bad.&uot;