MS wildlife commissioner tied to turkey baiting not confirmed by Senate. What's next?

The 2024 Legislative session ended Saturday without a confirmation vote on outspoken wildlife commissioner Leonard Bentz.

With that, Bentz is no longer a commissioner, but what happens next?

"Today is the last day of the session," Sen. Neil Whaley, R-Potts Camp, chairman of the Senate Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks committee said on Saturday morning before the Senate convened. "I've not been given the nomination from the governor to confirm. Effectively, there won't be one."

Bentz's future with the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks seemed precarious. Bentz was appointed to the position in 2021 by Gov. Reeves to fill a seat left vacant after the resignation of former commissioner Clay Wagner.

Bentz became known for being outspoken, abrasive at times and disagreeing with trained biologists and others.

Most recently, Bentz came into the spotlight for being ticketed for illegally hunting turkeys with the use of bait, which was crickets.

The remainder of Wagner's term expired in 2023 and Gov. Reeves reappointed Bentz at that time. The appointment had to be confirmed by the Senate in the 2024 session, but it didn't happen.

More: Why did turkey hunting stamp bill die in the Mississippi Legislature? "It's embarrassing"

What will the Mississippi Wildlife Commission look like now?

That's a head-scratcher for some.

Deputy Director of MDWFP Larry Pugh said he doesn't know when a new commissioner will be appointed.

"I don't know," Pugh said. "I've never been down this road before.

"I've never seen this in the 27 years I've been here. It's a governor appointee, so we've directed questions to the governor's office."

The Clarion-Ledger reached out to Reeves' office Monday afternoon, but as of 11 a.m., Tuesday, had not received any information on when a new commissioner would be in place.

Bentz's replacement may not be the only new face on the commission this year. Commissioner Bill Cossar's term ends at the end of June. Cossar, who has served almost 10 years on the commission, said he's unsure if he'll be reappointed or not.

"I have not heard from the governor or anyone over there," Cossar said. "I'm not expecting to get reappointed, but if I do, I'm ready to serve. I've enjoyed it."

Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS wildlife commissioner in cricket turkey-baiting incident loses seat