Mississippi invites hunters yearly, hosting a variety of experiences across its distinct regions. From the excitement of big game hunting to the fulfillment of catching smaller game, this state has a lot to offer. Being familiar with the regulations and license requirements is key to a safe and successful season.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) serves as a thorough guide for devotees, presenting rules for different game species, seasons, and licensing processes. Their webpage also shares useful details on the state-wide wildlife management areas (WMAs), available to all, both locals and visitors.
As you plan for the Mississippi 2025 outdoor season, keep this guide handy. We’ll dig into specific seasons for various species, highlight the best spots in the state, and deliver key tips for a safe and fruitful adventure.
Important Dates and Limits for Mississippi’s 2025 Hunting Period
🦌 White-Tailed Deer Hunting
🎯 Management Units
- Delta: West of I-55 & north of I-20, plus south of I-20 & west of U.S. Hwy 61
- North Central: Alcorn, Benton, Desoto, Marshall, Tate, Tippah counties
- Southeast: South of U.S. Hwy 84 & east of MS Hwy. 35
- Hills: All remaining areas
📅 Season Dates
- Early Archery (Velvet): Sep. 12-14 (CWD permit needed)
- Regular Archery: Oct. 1-Nov. 21
- Youth Hunts: Nov. 8-21 & Nov. 22-Jan. 31
- Gun (Dogs Allowed): Nov. 22-Dec. 1 & Dec. 24-Jan. 21
- Primitive Weapons: Dec. 2-15
- Gun (No Dogs): Dec. 16-23
- Late Archery/Primitive: Jan. 22-31
🎟️ Limits
- Bucks: 1/day, 3/season (4 in North Central)
- Antlerless: 5/season (10 in North Central, 3 in Southeast)
- Youth (≤15): Any antlered buck for all tags
🔍 Antler Rules
- Delta: 12″ spread OR 15″ main beam
- Hills/Southeast: 10″ spread OR 13″ main beam
- North Central: Any hardened antler
🦃 Turkey Hunting
📅 Spring Season
- Youth (≤15): Mar. 7-13
- Regular: Mar. 14-May 1
🎟️ Limits
- Adults: 1/day, 3/season (6″+ beard)
- Youth: Any age, 1/day, 3/season
- Non-residents: No public land before Apr. 1
🦔 Furbearer Hunting
📅 Seasons
- Raccoon (Early): Jul. 1-Sep. 30 (1/party/night)
- Opossum/Raccoon/Bobcat:
- Oct. 1-31 (food/sport)
- Nov. 1-Mar. 15 (food/sport/pelt)
- Trapping: Nov. 1-Mar. 15
🎟️ Limits
- Oct. 1-31: 5/day, 8/party
- Nov. 1-Mar. 15: No limit
🕊️ Upland Birds
🎯 Dove
- First Split: Sep. 1-30
- Second Split: Oct. 18-Nov. 16
- Third Split: Dec. 27-Jan. 25
- Limit: 15/day, 45 possession
🎯 Quail
- Season: Nov. 27-Mar. 7
- Limit: 8/day
🐿️ Small Game
📅 Squirrel
- Youth: Sep. 24-30 (8/day)
- Fall: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (8/day)
- Spring: May 15-Jun. 1 (4/day)
🐇 Rabbit
- Season: Oct. 18-Feb. 28
- Limit: 8/day
🐸 Frog
- Season: Apr. 1-Sep. 30
- Limit: 25/night
🦆 Waterfowl Hunting
📅 Early Seasons
- Teal: Sep. 20-28 (6/day)
- Canada Geese: Sep. 1-30 (5/day)
- Rails/Gallinules: Sep. 1-30 & Nov. 22-Dec. 31
🦆 Regular Duck Seasons
- First Split: Nov. 28-30
- Second Split: Dec. 6-Jan. 31
- Limits:
- Mallards: 4 (2 hens max)
- Mottled Ducks: 1
- Pintails: 3
- Scaup: 1 (Nov. 28-Dec. 17), 2 (Dec. 18-Jan. 31)
🦢 Goose Seasons
- Regular: Nov. 14-30 & Dec. 6-Jan. 31
- Limits:
- Canada: 5/day
- Snow/Blue/Ross’: 20/day (no possession limit)
🌟 Special Hunts
- Light Goose Conservation:
- Oct. 1-Nov. 13
- Dec. 1-5
- Feb. 1-6
- Feb. 9-Mar. 31
- Youth/Veteran/Military: Feb. 7-8
All dates and limits are subject to regulations. Check local rules before hunting.
Mississippi Hunting Regulations Summary
General Regulations:
- You must have the landowner’s consent to hunt on private property.
- You can only shoot from half an hour before rise of sun to half an hour post sunset.
- Can’t use firearms on boats during the night, with the alligator hunt being the only exception.
- Using real decoys or bait is not allowed, electric calls for crows and trouble animals are the exceptions.
- For pursuing migratory birds, you need both federal and state waterfowl stamps. Of course, some exceptions apply here too.
Deer Management Units (DMUs):
- Four Deer Management Units (DMUs) exist in Mississippi, each with unique rules.
- Bag limits and the type of legal buck vary between these units and land types (either public or private).
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD):
- There’s a supplemental feeding ban in zones managing Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
- Plus, stringent regulations control deer carcass handling and processing to halt the spread of CWD.
National Forests:
- There’s a vast area, more than 1 million acres, where deer, turkey, waterfowl, and other wildlife roam freely.
- Basic use limits apply in designated recreation spots and administrative areas for these activities.
- Vital for finding your way around, forest maps mark areas and borderlines.
- During season, designated spots allow camping (look at WMA rules).
- For game retrieval, off-road vehicles stick to specific roads (refer to the Motor Vehicle Use Map).
Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs):
- WMAs, or Wildlife Management Areas, are public spaces that have rules and timelines for different activities.
- They not only promote outdoor games but also support saving nature.
- By setting regulations, they achieve a balance between fun time and saving the homes of wildlife.
MS Game Licenses And Permits
| License/Permits | Resident Price | Non-Resident Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportsman | $45.00 | N/A | Includes Spring Turkey, Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow, Freshwater Fishing |
| All Game | $25.00 | $300.00 | Includes Spring Turkey (no Archery/Xbow) |
| Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow Permit | $14.00 | $75.00 | Required for bow or crossbow |
| Velvet Permit (3 days) | $10.00 | N/A | Velvet Deer during permitted dates |
| WMA User Permit | $15.00 | $30.00 | Required for Wildlife Management Areas |
| Small Game | $10.00 | $95.00 | Small game and freshwater fishing |
| Apprentice Licenses (various) | $13.00 – $32.00 | N/A | Reduced-cost licenses for young hunters |
| North MS National Wildlife Refuge Permit | $15.00 | N/A | Required for specific refuge |
| Trapping License | $25.00 | $205.00 | Required for trapping furbearers |
| State Waterfowl Stamp | $10.00 | $19.00 | Required for waterfowl (federal stamp also needed) |
| Youth Exempt (voluntary) | $2.30 | N/A | Free basic license for young hunters |
| Senior Exempt Lifetime (voluntary, 65+) | $2.30 | N/A | Discounted lifetime license for seniors |
| Disabled Exempt (voluntary) | $2.30 | N/A | Discounted license for disabled |
| Deer Permit | N/A | $100.00 | Required for all deer seasons |
| Spring Turkey Permit | N/A | $50.00 | Required for spring turkey |
| Lifetime Licenses | $500.00 – $1000.00 | $1500.00 | Lifetime hunting and fishing privileges (resident or non-resident) |
Top Mississippi Hunting Locations by Place Name and Species
Mississippi showcases different landscapes, like high hills, dense forests, marshes, and island barriers. They are home to many different animals. Maybe you’re an experienced hunter or maybe you’re new, but Mississippi offers thrilling outdoor adventures. Here’s a peek at some top Mississippi hunting spots for pursuing different popular game animals:
White-tailed Deer:
- Delta Region: Famous for big white-tailed deer, the Mississippi Delta’s fertile lowlands are a sight to see. Places like Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge and Tallahatchie WMA are havens for wildlife lovers.
- Hill Country: Head to north-central Mississippi for rolling hills and dense forests – perfect for whitetail deer. You can roam places like Bienville National Forest and Chickasawhay WMA.
- Southeast Mississippi: It’s a wonderland for deer, with longleaf pine forests and mixed woods. Public-friendly areas are De Soto National Forest and Leaf River WMA.
Wild Boar:
In Mississippi’s dense woods and along its riverbeds, wild boar are flourishing. At multiple WMAs, open-to-public hunting is available.
- Canebrake WMA (located in the Delta region)
- Homochitto WMA (situated in southwest Mississippi)
- Tombigbee WMA (found in the southeastern part of the state)
Turkey:
East Central Region: The East Central area with its undulating terrain and varied woods is excellent for turkey hunting. Locations like the Bienville National Forest are famous for their robust turkey numbers. Utilizing calling strategies is often successful here.
Loess Hills: TThe distinct Loess Hills with their sharp cliffs and productively rich valleys provide top-notch turkey hunting chances. Public zones like the Canebrake WMA and private hunting rentals in the area allow for access to prime turkey environment.
Small Game:
In Mississippi, you’ll find many chances for small game hunting. Some well-known public hunting spots are:
North Central Region: It’s a cocktail of hills filled with trees, bottom lands of rivers, and farm fields. This region draws in little game hunters. Expect to see plenty of squirrels, rabbits, and bobwhite quails. Public WMAs like Calhoun and Choctaw are great zones to explore.
Private Lands: There’s a heap of private properties across Mississippi. Ones with a blend of woods and fields can be ideal for small game activities. Landowners often provide leases for access to these controlled environments.
- Squirrel: Holly Springs National Forest and Coldwater River WMA (north)
- Rabbit: Canebrake WMA (Delta region) and Homochitto WMA (southwest)
- Bobwhite Quail: Joe Wheeler State Wildlife Management Area (northwest)
Waterfowl:
Yazoo Backwater Area: This place is known as the Yazoo Backwater Area. It’s made up of rivers, lakes, and trees that are underwater. It’s a top place for hunting waterfowl. Here, hunters can find ducks, geese, and coots. They use blinds, decoys, and sounds to trick birds. You can enter the area through public spots. There are also guides who can help you hunt.
Coastal Bays: There are beautiful coastal zones in Mississippi. These include estuaries and barrier islands. They provide great waterfowl hunting. You can find species like sea ducks, brant, and snow geese there during certain seasons.
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