As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, hunters gear up for the much-anticipated hunting seasons in the Magnolia State.
Mississippi, with its diverse landscapes ranging from dense forests to lush wetlands, is a haven for various wildlife species, offering a rich hunting experience.
Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or a beginner eager to learn, understanding the state’s hunting seasons, regulations, and opportunities is crucial for a responsible and rewarding adventure.
In this article, we are going to explain the hunting seasons in Mississippi, so let’s get started.
Hunting Landscape in Mississippi
Mississippi, known for its diverse landscapes, offers a rich and varied hunting experience.
The state’s hunting grounds range from dense forests to lush wildlife refuges, providing hunters with numerous opportunities to hunt different game in unique environments.
Below, we explore the various aspects of the hunting landscape in Mississippi.
Popular Hunting Grounds
Delta National Forest
The Delta National Forest is a prime hunting location in Mississippi.
It is a part of the National Forests in Mississippi, which provides over a million acres of land available to the public for hunting various game.
St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge
St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge is another popular hunting destination, offering a diverse range of wildlife and terrains for hunters to explore.
Homochitto National Forest
HomoChitto National Forest is also part of the National Forests in Mississippi, offering additional extensive land for public hunting.
Public Lands for Hunting
Mississippi is home to a number of public lands open to hunting, including Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and National Forests.
The Mississippi Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system includes 54 areas encompassing over 665,000 acres, offering diverse hunting experiences across different terrains and ecosystems.
Openness of National Forest Lands
It’s crucial for hunters to understand that national forest lands in Mississippi are open to public hunting.
This policy ensures equal opportunity for all hunters but also means that hunters cannot maintain exclusive rights to a hunting area.
Proper knowledge and adherence to this policy are essential for a lawful and ethical hunting experience.
When does the Hunting Season Begin in Mississippi?
Mississippi offers a range of hunting opportunities, including the chance to hunt alligators in the southern part of the state. This section provides a detailed overview of the hunting seasons in Mississippi, ensuring you have all the information you need to plan your hunting expeditions.
Deer Season (2023-2024)
Mississippi’s deer season is categorized into various types including Archery, Youth, and several others, each having its own set of rules and dates.
Deer Season Dates for Deer Management Units (Delta, North Central & Hills)
| Type | Season Dates | Note |
| Archery | Sept 15 – 17 | Legal Bucks Only, Private Land Only |
| Archery | Sept 30 – Nov 17 | Either-Sex, Private Land, Open Public Land, Holly Springs NF |
| Youth Season | Nov 4 – Nov 17 | Either-Sex, Private Lands, Authorized State, Federal Lands |
| Youth Season | Nov 18 – Jan 31 | Either-Sex, Private Lands |
| Antlerless Primitive Weapon | Nov 6 – 17 | Antlerless Deer Only, Private Lands |
| Gun (with dogs) | Nov 18 – Dec 1 | Either-Sex, Private Land, Holly Springs NF |
| Primitive Weapon | Dec 2 – 15 | Either-Sex, Private Land, Open Public Land, Holly Springs NF |
| Gun (without dogs) | Dec 16 – 23 | Either-Sex, Private Land, Holly Springs NF |
| Gun (with dogs) | Dec 24 – Jan 17 | Either-Sex, Private Land, Holly Springs NF |
| Archery/Primitive Weapon | Jan 18 – 31 | Either-Sex, Private Land, Holly Springs NF |
Deer Season Dates for South East Unit
| Type | Season Dates | Note |
| Archery | Sept 15 – 17 | Legal Bucks Only, Private Land Only |
| Archery | Oct 14 – Nov 17 | Either-Sex, Private Land, Open Public Land |
| Youth Season | Nov 4 – Nov 17 | Either-Sex, Private Lands, Authorized State, Federal Lands |
| Youth Season | Nov 18 – Feb 15 | Either-Sex, Private Lands |
| Gun (with dogs) | Nov 18 – Dec 1 | Either-Sex, Private Land |
| Primitive Weapon | Dec 2 – 15 | Either-Sex, Private Land, Open Public Land |
| Gun (without dogs) | Dec 16 – 23 | Either-Sex, Private Land |
| Gun (with dogs) | Dec 24 – Jan 17 | Either-Sex, Private Land |
| Archery/Primitive Weapon | Jan 18 – 31 | Either-Sex, Private Land |
| Archery/Primitive Weapon | Feb 1 – 15 | Legal Bucks Only, Private, Open Public Land |
Alligator Hunting Season
| Details | Dates |
| Submission of applications | Feb 1, 10 a.m. – Feb 8, 10 a.m. |
| Drawn winners notified | 14-Feb |
| Purchase of permit | Feb 16, noon |
| Second drawing (if necessary) | 21-Feb |
| Public Water Season | August 25 – September 4 |
| Private Lands Season | August 25 – September 18 |
| Permit cost | $100 + $25 Alligator Hunting License |
| All helpers age 16+ | Alligator Hunting License required |
Mississippi Small Game Seasons
| Game | Start Date | End Date | Note |
| Youth-Squirrel | Saturday, September 24, 2022 | Friday, September 30, 2022 | 8 |
| Squirrel – Fall Season | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Monday, February 28, 2022 | 8 |
| Squirrel – Spring Season | Sunday, May 15, 2022 | Wednesday, June 01, 2022 | 4 |
| Rabbit | Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Monday, February 28, 2022 | 8 |
| Bobwhite Quail | Thursday, November 24, 2022 | Friday, March 04, 2022 | 8 |
| Frog | Friday, April 01, 2022 | Friday, September 30, 2022 | 25 per Night |
| Raccoon | Friday, July 01, 2022 | Friday, September 30, 2022 | 1 per Party / Night |
| Opossum, Raccoon, and Bobcat (Food and sport) | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Monday, October 31, 2022 | (5 per Day); (8 per Party No Limit) |
| Opossum, Raccoon, and Bobcat (Food and sport) | Tuesday, November 01, 2022 | Monday, February 28, 2022 | (5 per Day); (8 per Party No Limit) |
| Trapping | Tuesday, November 01, 2022 | Tuesday, March 15, 2022 | No Limit |
Mississippi Migratory Birds
| Birds | Season Start Dates |
| Teal | 9-Sep |
| Canada Geese | 1-Sep |
| Snow, Blue, & Ross’s Geese | Nov 10 – Nov 26, Dec 1 – Dec 3, Dec 9 – Jan 31 |
| White-fronted Geese | Nov 10 – Nov 26, Dec 1 – Dec 3, Dec 9 – Jan 31 |
| Brant | Nov 10 – Nov 26, Dec 1 – Dec 3, Dec 9 – Jan 31 |
| Woodcock | Dec 18 – Jan 31 |
| Snipe | Nov 14 – Feb 28 |
| Common & Purple Gallinules | Sept 1 – Oct 1, Nov 23 – Dec 31 |
| Clapper & King Rails | Sept 1 – Oct 1, Nov 23 – Dec 31 |
| Sora & Virginia Rails | Sept 1 – Oct 1, Nov 23 – Dec 31 |
| Mourning and White-winged Doves (North Zone) | Sept 2 – Oct 15, Oct 28 – Nov 26, Dec 30 – Jan 14 |
| Mourning and White-winged Doves (South Zone) | Sept 2 – Sept 24, Oct 7 – Nov 5, Dec 23 – Jan 28 |
| Crows | Nov 4 – Feb 29 |
Bobcat Seasons
| Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|
| 30-Sep-23 | 31-Oct-23 |
| 1-Nov-23 | 28-Feb-24 |
Coyote Season
| Start Date | End Date | Note |
| Sunday, January 01, 2023 | Sunday, December 31, 2023 | Nuisance animal. Taken at any time by the landowner, lessee, or authorized representative. |
Hunting Rules in Mississippi
Mississippi is a great state for hunting, with a wide variety of game animals to choose from, including deer, turkey, quail, dove, rabbit, and waterfowl. However, it is important to be aware of the hunting rules and regulations in Mississippi before you head out into the field.
Hunting License
All hunters in Mississippi over the age of 16 must have a valid hunting license. Licenses can be purchased online or at any MDWFP office or license vendor.
There are different types of hunting licenses available, depending on the type of game you want to hunt. For example, a deer hunting license is required to hunt deer, and a turkey hunting license is required to hunt turkey.
Bag Limits
There are bag limits in place for all game animals in Mississippi. Bag limits are the maximum number of animals that can be harvested by a single hunter in a day or season. Bag limits are designed to ensure that game populations remain healthy and sustainable.
For example, the daily bag limit for deer is one buck and one doe. The season limit for deer is three bucks. The daily bag limit for turkey is one gobbler. The season limit for turkey is one gobbler.
Shooting Hours
Legal shooting hours for resident game in Mississippi are one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half (1/2) hour after sunset. Legal shooting hours for migratory birds are one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to sunset.
Other Rules
- Landowner permission is required to hunt on private land.
- Hunters must wear hunter-orange clothing while hunting.
- Hunters must use legal weapons and ammunition.
- Hunters must properly dispose of game carcasses.
- Here are some additional hunting rules and regulations in Mississippi that are important to be aware of:
- You cannot hunt within 300 feet of a dwelling without the permission of the landowner.
- You cannot hunt from a public road or highway.
- You cannot hunt from a moving vehicle.
- You cannot use bait or electronic calls to hunt deer or turkey.
- You cannot hunt at night, except for raccoon, fox, opossum, beaver, and bobcats.
- You cannot hunt from a tree or other elevated stand without a safety harness.
- You cannot use lead shot to hunt waterfowl.
- Violations of hunting rules and regulations can result in fines and other penalties.
Where are the public hunting areas in Mississippi?
Mississippi has a wide variety of public hunting areas, including Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lands.
These areas offer a variety of hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, waterfowl, quail, dove, rabbit, and other game animals.
Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
WMAs are the largest type of public hunting area in Mississippi, with over 600,000 acres of land available to hunters. WMAs are managed by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) and offer a variety of habitats, including forests, wetlands, and grasslands.
Mississippi has over 50 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) that are open to public hunting. WMAs offer a variety of hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, waterfowl, quail, dove, rabbit, and other game animals.
Here are some of the most popular WMAs in Mississippi:
Black Prairie WMA
Black Prairie WMA is located in Clay County and is known for its excellent deer hunting. The WMA also offers hunting opportunities for turkey, quail, dove, and rabbit.
Bienville WMA
Bienville WMA is located in Winston and Scott Counties and is one of the largest WMAs in Mississippi. The WMA offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, waterfowl, quail, dove, and rabbit.
Calling Panther WMA
Calling Panther WMA is located in Choctaw County and is known for its excellent turkey hunting. The WMA also offers hunting opportunities for deer, quail, dove, and rabbit.
Delta National Forest
The Delta National Forest is located in the Mississippi Delta and offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, waterfowl, quail, dove, and rabbit.
Homochitto National Forest
The Homochitto National Forest is located in southwestern Mississippi and offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, waterfowl, quail, dove, and rabbit.
Pascagoula River WMA
Pascagoula River WMA is located in Jackson and George Counties and is known for its excellent waterfowl hunting. The WMA also offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, quail, dove, and rabbit.
St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge
St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge is located in Sharkey County and is known for its excellent waterfowl hunting. The refuge also offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, quail, and rabbit.
Tallahatchie National Wildlife Refuge
Tallahatchie National Wildlife Refuge is located in Leflore, Grenada, and Tallahatchie Counties and is known for its excellent waterfowl hunting. The refuge also offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, quail, and rabbit.
Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge
Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge is located in Humphreys, Yazoo, and Issaquena Counties and is known for its excellent waterfowl hunting. The refuge also offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, quail, and rabbit.
National Forests
There are two National Forests in Mississippi: the Delta National Forest and the Homochitto National Forest.
National Forests are managed by the U.S. Forest Service and offer a variety of hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, quail, dove, and other game animals.
National Wildlife Refuges
There are four National Wildlife Refuges in Mississippi: St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Tallahatchie National Wildlife Refuge, Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge, and Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge.
National Wildlife Refuges are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and offer a variety of hunting opportunities for waterfowl, deer, turkey, and other game animals.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lands
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages a number of reservoirs and other public lands in Mississippi that are open to hunting. Some of the most popular U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lands for hunting include:
Arkabutla Dam
Arkabutla Dam is located in Tate and Marshall Counties in northern Mississippi. The lake is surrounded by over 10,000 acres of public land, which is managed by the USACE.
The land is a mix of hardwood and pine forests, as well as wetlands. Arkabutla Dam is a popular destination for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game hunting.
Grenada Lake
Grenada Lake is located in Grenada and Carroll Counties in central Mississippi. The lake is surrounded by over 32,000 acres of public land, which is managed by the USACE.
The land is a mix of hardwood and pine forests, as well as wetlands. Grenada Lake is a popular destination for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game hunting.
Ross Barnett Reservoir
Ross Barnett Reservoir is located in Madison and Rankin Counties in central Mississippi. The lake is surrounded by over 33,000 acres of public land, which is managed by the USACE.
The land is a mix of hardwood and pine forests, as well as wetlands. Ross Barnett Reservoir is a popular destination for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game hunting.
Sardis Lake
Sardis Lake is located in Panola and Lafayette Counties in northern Mississippi. The lake is surrounded by over 15,000 acres of public land, which is managed by the USACE.
The land is a mix of hardwood and pine forests, as well as wetlands. Sardis Lake is a popular destination for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game hunting.
Finding Public Hunting Areas
The MDWFP provides a searchable database of public hunting areas in Mississippi. You can also find information about public hunting areas on the websites of the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Tips for Hunting on Public Land
- Be aware of the hunting rules and regulations for the public hunting area you plan to visit. You can find this information on the websites of the MDWFP, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- Get a map of the public hunting area you plan to visit. This will help you plan your hunt and avoid getting lost.
- Scout the area you plan to hunt before the season opens. This will help you locate game animals and identify potential shooting lanes.
- Be respectful of other hunters and the environment. Leave no trace of your visit.
What guns and equipment can I use during hunting season?
Mississippi has a variety of hunting seasons for different game animals, and each season has its own set of regulations regarding the types of guns and equipment that can be used.
It is important to be familiar with the regulations before you go hunting to ensure that you are using the legal equipment.
Guns
The type of gun that you can use during hunting season in Mississippi depends on the game animal you are hunting.
Here is a detailed overview of the legal guns that can be used to hunt different game animals in Mississippi:
- Deer: Centerfire rifles, shotguns with slugs, primitive weapons, and centerfire handguns.
- Turkey: Shotguns with #2 shot or smaller and archery equipment.
- Waterfowl: Shotguns with no larger than #6 shot.
- Quail: Shotguns with no larger than #6 shot.
- Dove: Shotguns with no larger than #6 shot.
- Rabbit: Shotguns and archery equipment.
- Small Game: Shotguns, .22-caliber rimfire rifles, and archery equipment.
Primitive Weapons
Primitive weapons are defined as single or double-barreled muzzleloading rifles of at least .38 caliber; OR single shot, breech loading, metallic cartridge rifles (.35 caliber or larger) and replicas, reproductions, or reintroductions of those type rifles with an exposed hammer; OR single or double-barreled muzzleloading shotguns, with single ball or slug.
Archery Equipment
Archery equipment includes bows and arrows. The arrows must have a broadhead that is at least 7/8 of an inch wide.
Navigating the hunting limits in Mississippi counties is crucial for maintaining the state’s rich biodiversity and ensuring a sustainable hunting experience for everyone.
The limits vary significantly based on the game animal and the specific time of the year.
What are the limits for Mississippi counties?
General Bag Limits in Mississippi
Below is a table outlining the general bag limits for some popular game animals in Mississippi:
| Game Animal | Daily Bag Limit | Season Bag Limit |
| Deer (buck) | 1 | 3 |
| Deer (doe) | 5 | – |
| Turkey (gobbler) | 1 | 1 |
| Duck | 6 | 100 |
| Goose | 3 | 30 |
| Quail | 12 | 36 |
| Dove | 15 | 30 |
| Rabbit | 5 | No limit |
Note on Limits
It’s essential to understand that these are general bag limits and special regulations may apply for certain counties or Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs).
Always ensure to verify the specific hunting limits for the area you plan to hunt in by checking the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) website.
Tips for Staying Within the Limits
Below are some useful tips:
Keep a Record:
Always keep track of the number of animals you harvest to ensure you do not exceed the bag limits.
Be Informed:
Stay aware of the bag limits for the county or WMA where you are hunting. This knowledge is crucial for legal and responsible hunting.
Seek Clarification:
If in doubt about the bag limits, do not hesitate to ask a conservation officer or refer back to the MDWFP website for accurate information.
Report Your Harvest:
Ensure to report your harvest to the MDWFP. Your cooperation assists in effective wildlife management and contributes to the sustainability of hunting in Mississippi.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is deer season in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, the deer season lengths vary based on the type of weapon used and the specific deer management unit.
Generally, the archery season starts in September and ends in January. The gun season with dogs typically begins in November and ends in January, while the gun season without dogs usually starts in December and ends in January.
What is legal hunting time in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, the legal hunting time for resident game is one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half (1/2) hour after sunset.
For migratory birds, the legal shooting hours are one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to sunset. It’s crucial to adhere to these legal hunting times to ensure ethical and legal hunting practices.
What can you hunt year-round in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, certain animals are classified as nuisance species and can be hunted year-round. These include beavers, coyotes, nutria, foxes, skunks, and wild hogs.
These animals can be taken by licensed hunters subject to applicable state and local regulations. Landowners, leaseholders, or other designated agents may hunt these nuisance animals at any time of day or night with no weapon or caliber restrictions.