Hunting and fishing have always been popular in Mississippi, but landowners are now adding wildlife watching, horseback riding and other agricultural entertainment businesses, such as pumpkin patches and bed and breakfasts, to the mix.
Daryl Jones, an associate Extension professor in Mississippi State University’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center, said outdoor recreation involving hunting, angling and wildlife watching generates $2.7 billion annually and represents more than 71,000 Mississippi jobs. Agritainment, which includes farm tours, corn mazes and U-pick fruit and vegetable plots, generates another $150 million annually in the state and is one of the fastest growing tourism markets.

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