Outdoors

6 Mississippi tales of triumph in the face of nature’s odds

Stories by Biloxi SunHerald journalists, with AI summarization

Mississippi’s outdoors enthusiasts have battled wild weather, tough odds, and long waits to achieve amazing feats. Emma Claire Starkey’s relentless pursuit of a 150-class buck named Kicker finally paid off after two years. Jacob Mosco’s trophy velvet buck came thanks to smart scent-control tactics and the bad luck of Hurricane Francine. Susannah Stewart’s rainy morning gamble landed her family their long-sought "Bag Buck."

On open waters, Easton Barrett and friends survived a harrowing boat sinking off the Biloxi coast, clinging to coolers for hours before rescue. Each story highlights the grit and resilience needed to overcome nature’s challenges.

The United States Coast Guard rescued Easton Barrett, pictured fifth from left, and four friends on Saturday after their boat sank and currents carried them to waters off of Dauphin Island, Alabama.

NO. 1: ‘WHAT DO WE DO?’ BILOXI MAN RECOUNTS HARROWING HOURS AFTER BOAT SANK WITH 5 ON BOARD

The man took a video on his phone for his family. Soon, it earned him millions of views on TikTok. | Published May 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Martha Sanchez

Jacob Mosco of Cleveland had an unusual chance to hunt due to Hurricane Francine and it produced a giant buck in full velvet. By Jack Westerfield

NO. 2: MISSISSIPPI HUNTER BAG A TROPHY BUCK IN VELVET. PATIENCE & HURRICANE FRANCINE HELPED HIM

‘I thought I was about to black out I was so nervous. He was right out from under me. It was 10 yards at the most.’ | Published October 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Brian Broom

Emma Claire Starkey, 16, of Eudora, harvested a buck scoring 156 1/2 after hunting him for two seasons. By Jordan Starkey

NO. 3: AFTER TWO YEARS, SHE FINALLY GOT HIM. HOW MS TEEN BAGGED ‘GINORMOUS’ 150-CLASS TROPHY BUCK

‘I thank Jesus for this day and experience constantly,’ young hunter says of harvesting buck that was ‘ bigger than he was in pictures.’ | Published November 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Brian Broom

Susannah Stewart of Raymond harvested this 140-class buck after she, and other members of her family, hunted him for three seasons.

NO. 4: ONE FAMILY’S YEARS OF CHASING ENDS WHEN MS HUNTER BAGS INCREDIBLE BUCK WITH 300-YARD SHOT

Despite miserable weather, Raymond hunter harvests 140-class buck. | Published January 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brian Broom

Workers shuck oysters at Crystal Seas, an oyster processing facility in Pass Christian, on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. By Hannah Ruhoff

NO. 5: SOUTH MISSISSIPPI FISHERMEN FEEL FORGOTTEN AS OYSTER TASK FORCE LOSES INFLUENCE STATEWIDE

Group was once a vital platform where oyster fishermen, environmental groups and policymakers collaborated to guide decisions. | Published January 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Justin Glowacki

Glace Rone of Kosciusko bagged this rare turkey on March 15, 2025.

NO. 6: MISSISSIPPI HUNTER BEATS THE ODDS TO BAG TURKEY SO RARE ‘THERE’S NO EXACT NUMBERS’

‘It’s like hunting a unicorn,’ Kosciusko hunter said of the incredible gobbler he harvested. | Published March 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brian Broom

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.