To help you easily understand the hunting seasons in Mississippi, this guide includes information on the dates of each games, bag limits, the necessary licenses, and helpful links. Whether you’re interested in deer, alligators, or other species, this guide is your go-to source for a productive and fun outdoor experience.
Mississippi Hunting Season
Deer
| Deer Management Units (Delta, North Central & Hills) | |||
| Archery | Legal Bucks Only | Sept 15 - 17 | Private Land Only |
| Either-Sex | Sept 30 - Nov 17 | Private Land, Open Public Land, Holly Springs NF | |
| Youth Season | Nov 4 - Nov 17 | Private Lands, Authorized State, Federal Lands | |
| Nov 18 - Jan 31 | Private Lands | ||
| Antlerless Primitive Weapon | Antlerless Deer Only | Nov 6 - 17 | |
| Gun (with dogs) | Either-Sex | Nov 18 - Dec 1 | Private Land, Holly Springs NF |
| Primitive Weapon | Dec 2 - 15 | Private Land, Open Public Land, Holly Springs NF | |
| Gun (without dogs) | Dec 16 - 23 | Private Land, Holly Springs NF | |
| Gun (with dogs) | Dec 24 - Jan 17 | ||
| Archery/Primitive Weapon | Jan 18 - 31 | ||
| South East Unit | |||
| Archery | Legal Bucks Only | Sept 15 - 17 | Private Land Only |
| Archery | Either-Sex | Oct 14 - Nov 17 | Private Land, Open Public Land |
| Youth Season | Nov 4 - Nov 17 | Private Lands, Authorized State, Federal Lands | |
| Nov 18 - Feb 15 | Private Lands | ||
| Gun (with dogs) | Nov 18 - Dec 1 | ||
| Primitive Weapon | Dec 2 - 15 | Private Land, Open Public Land | |
| Gun (without dogs) | Dec 16 - 23 | Private Land | |
| Gun (with dogs) | Dec 24 - Jan 17 | ||
| Archery/Primitive Weapon | Jan 18 - 31 | ||
| Legal Bucks Only | Feb 1 - 15 | Private, Open Public Land | |
Bag Limits
Antlered
| Location | Per Day | Per Annual Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide (excluding North Central DMU) | 1 | 3 | One of these three may have hardened antlers, which are illegal in Holly Springs National Forest and private land. Hunters under 15 may take up to three antlered deer. |
| North Central DMU | 4 | There are no antler restrictions. The 4 bucks may have different-sized antlers. |
Antlerless
| Location | Per Day | Per Annual Season |
| Private lands (North Central DMU) | No daily limit | 10 |
| Private lands (excluding North Central DMU), In the Southeast Unit, you are only allowed to take two deer without antlers. | 5 | |
| U.S. Forest Service National Forests (excluding Southeast Unit) | 1 | |
| U.S. Forest Service National Forests (Southeast Unit) | 2 |
Velvet Buck
| Permit Required | Velvet Season Permit |
|---|---|
| Dates | September 15-17 |
| Location | Private Lands Only |
| Legal Bucks | Only legal bucks for each Deer Management Unit |
| Equipment | Archery Only: Longbows, recurves, compound bows, and crossbows |
| Notes | • There is no minimum or maximum draw weight. • There is no minimum arrow length. • Broadheads that are fixed or mechanical may be utilized. |
Permit Cost
| Permit Holder | Cost | Notes |
| Residents | $10.00 | |
| Non-Residents | $50.00 (included in deer permit) | In order to take part in the Special Velvet Buck Season, non-residents must have a valid deer permit that does not expire before the end of the season. |
Note: Permits are needed for the Mississippi Velvet Buck Season. Beginning on August 1, these licenses will be made available alongside hunting and fishing licenses. Archery hunters on private property in September during “Velvet Buck period” must have a valid license.
Hog
| Wild Hog | 1-Jan - 31-Dec |
Alligator
| 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 |
Frog
| 1-Apr - 30-Sep | 25 per Night |
Quail
| Bobwhite Quail | 23-Nov - 2-Mar | Limit of 8 bags maximum per day |
Turkey
| Fall | 14-Oct - 12-Nov | Limit of two turkeys, of either sex. |
| Youth Spring | 8-Mar - 14-Mar | One bearded turkey per bag, every day. 3 maximum yearly |
| Spring | 15-Mar - 1-May |
Non-residents cannot hunt on any public lands in Mississippi between March 15 and February 28 unless they are drawn for a Non-Resident Public Lands Turkey Permit or a WMA Draw.
Snipe
| 14-Nov - 28-Feb | Bag of 8 and 24 as possession | 24 |
Migratory Birds
Dove
| Mourning and White-winged Doves | Bags | Possession | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone | 2-Sep - 15-Oct | 15 | 45 | US Hwy 84 plus areas south of US Hwy 84 and west of MS Hwy 35 |
| 28-Oct - 26-Nov | ||||
| 30-Dec - 14-Jan | ||||
| South Zone | 2-Sep - 24-Sep | US Hwy 84 and east of MS Hwy 35 | ||
| 7-Oct - 5-Nov | ||||
| 23-Dec - 28-Jan |
Rails
| Clapper and King | 1-Sep - 1-Oct | 15 | 45 |
| 23-Nov - 31-Dec | |||
| Sora and Virginia | 1-Sep - 1-Oct | 25 | 75 |
| 23-Nov - 31-Dec |
Gallinules
| Common & Purple | 1-Sep - 1-Oct | 15 as bag and 45 as possession limit |
| 23-Nov - 31-Dec |
Crow
| 4-Nov-23 - 1-Feb-29 | No Limit |
Woodcock
| 18-Dec - 31-Jan | Bag of 3 and 9 as possesion | 9 |
Waterfowl
Ducks
| Teal | 9-Sep-23 - 24-Sep-23 |
| Ducks | 24-Nov-23 - 26-Nov-23 |
| 1-Dec-23 - 3-Dec-23 | |
| 9-Dec-23 - 31-Jan-23 | |
| Youth, Veteran, & Active Duty Military | 3-Feb-24 - 4-Feb-23 |
Mergansers
| 24-Nov - 26-Nov |
| 1-Dec - 3-Dec |
| 9-Dec - 31-Jan |
Coots
| 24-Nov - 26-Nov |
| 1-Dec - 3-Dec |
| 9-Dec - 31-Jan |
Goose
| Goose Types | Bag | Possession | |
|---|---|---|---|
| September Canada Geese | 1-Sep - 30-Sep | 5 | 15 |
| Geese: Canada, White-fronted, Snow, Blue, Ross's, and Brant | 10-Nov - 26-Nov | Canada 5, Snow, Blue, Ross's: 20 | Canada Gees 15, No cap for Snow, Blue, and Ross's Nine White-fronted Brant: 3 |
| 1-Dec - 3-Dec | |||
| 9-Dec - 31-Jan | |||
| Light Goose Conservation Order | 1-Oct - 9-Nov | No Limit | |
| 27-Nov - 30-Nov | |||
| 4-Dec - 8-Dec | |||
| 1-Feb - 2-Feb | |||
| 5-Feb - 31-Mar | |||
Youth, Veteran, and Active Military Waterfowl Days
| 3-Feb - 4-Feb | Similar to regular season |
Furbearers
Squirrel
| Youth Squirrel | 23-Sep - 30-Sep | 8 |
| Fall | 30-Sep - 28-Feb | |
| Spring | 15-May - 1-Jun | 4 |
Bobcat
| Food and sport | 30-Sep - 31-Oct | 5 per Day; 8 per Party |
| Food, sport, and pelt | 1-Nov - 28-Feb | No Limit |
Coyote
| 1-Jan - 31-Dec | Nuisance animal. Taken at any time by the landowner, lessee, or authorized representative. |
Rabbit
| 14-Oct - 28-Feb | There is bag limit of 8 per day |
Raccoon
| General | 1-Jul - 30-Sep | 1 per Party per Night |
| Food and sport) | 30-Sep - 31-Oct | 5 per Day; 8 per Party |
| Food, sport, and pelt) | 1-Nov - 28-Feb | No Limit |
Opossum
| Food and sport | 30-Sep - 31-Oct | 5 per Day; 8 per Party |
| Food, sport, and pelt | 1-Nov - 28-Feb | No Limit |
Trapping
| 1-Nov - 15-Mar | No Limit |
MS Hunting License
Resident
| Type | Cost | Validity | Processing Fee | Agent Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportsman | $45.00 | 1 Year | $1.29 | $1.00 |
| All Game/Freshwater Fishing | $25.00 | |||
| Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow Permit* | $10.00 | |||
| Velvet Season Permit | $10.00 | |||
| Fall Turkey Permit | $5.00 | |||
| Wildlife Management Area User Permit | $15.00 | |||
| Small Game/Freshwater Fishing | $10.00 | |||
| Apprentice Sportsman | $32.00 | |||
| Apprentice All Game | $17.00 | |||
| Apprentice Small Game | $13.00 | |||
| North Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge Permit** | $15.00 | |||
| 3-Day Sportsman Apprentice | $7.00 | |||
| Trapping | $25.00 | |||
| 3-Day Freshwater Fishing | $3.00 | |||
| Saltwater Fishing | $10.00 | |||
| Freshwater Commercial Fishing | $30.00 | |||
| Slat Basket | $30.00 | |||
| State Waterfowl Stamp Electronic Privilege | $10.00 | |||
| Federal Duck Stamp - Electronic | $27.00 | |||
| Youth Exempt | $2.30 | $1.70 | ||
| Senior Exempt Lifetime | $2.30 | |||
| Senior Lifetime Saltwater | $5.00 | $1.29 | ||
| Disabled Exempt | $2.30 | $1.70 | ||
| Duplicate Hunting & Fishing | $5.00 | $1.29 | ||
| Lifetime (birth through 12) | $500.00 | |||
| Lifetime | $1,000.00 | |||
| Non-Resident Native Lifetime | $1,500.00 |
Jackson Office is the only place to submit an application for lifetime hunting license. You may call at (601-432-2055).
Nonresident
| Type | Cost | Validity | Processing Fee | Agent Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Game | $300.00 | 1 Year | $4.25 | $3.00 |
| 7-Day All Game | $150.00 | |||
| 3-Day All Game - Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow | $150.00 | $3.00 | ||
| Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow | $75.00 | $3.00 | ||
| Wildlife Management Area User Permit | $30.00 | $1.00 | ||
| Deer Permit | $50.00 | |||
| Spring Turkey Permit | $50.00 | |||
| Fall Turkey Permit | $20.00 | |||
| Small Game | $95.00 | $3.00 | ||
| 7-Day Small Game | $38.00 | |||
| Trapping | $205.00 | |||
| Shooting Preserve | $13.00 | $1.00 | ||
| Non-Resident State Waterfowl Stamp | $19.00 | |||
| Freshwater Fishing | $60.00 | $3.00 | ||
| 1-Day Freshwater Fishing | $8.00 | $1.00 | ||
| 3-Day Freshwater Fishing | $15.00 | $2.00 | ||
| Saltwater Fishing | $30.00 | $3.00 | ||
| 3-Day Saltwater Fishing | $15.00 | $2.00 | ||
| Freshwater Commercial Fishing | $200.00 | $3.00 | ||
| Armed Forces 14-Day (Includes Spring or Fall Turkey Permit, Freshwater Fishing, Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow permit. Does not include WMA User Permit, Velvet Season Permit, State Waterfowl Stamp or Saltwater Fishing. Applications are available at Jackson office and online at www.MDWFP.com) | $33.00 | $1.00 | ||
| Federal Duck Stamp - Electronic | $27.00 | $1.29 | ||
| North Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge Permit | $15.00 | |||
| Slat Basket | $30.00 | |||
| Duplicate Hunting & Fishing License | $5.00 |
Mississippi Hunting Regulations
- Obtaining a hunting license with false information includes a $2,000 fine and a one-year prison term.
- Resident game may be shot a half-hour before dawn and a half-hour after dusk, while migratory birds can be shot the same way.
- Raccoon, fox, opossum, beaver, nutria, coyotes, and bobcats may be taken at night except during turkey season.
- Nuisance animals may be taken year-round on own or leased land.
- Only pistols or rifles firing.22 standard rimfire (no.22 magnums) and No. 6 shotguns are authorized for nocturnal timing.
- A shotgun may only hold three rounds for migratory birds when “plugged.”
- Compound, recurve, or long bows and No. 2 shotguns are allowed for spring turkey. Quadriplegics may rifle hunt during this season.
- Shotguns loaded with No. 2 ammunition are permitted for fall turkey.
- Live decoys or bait are not allowed while hunting animals or birds, but liquid odors are.
- Electrically driven calling or sound-reproducing devices may be used for crow and bothersome animal.
- Dogs are only allowed for spring turkeys under specified conditions.
- Deer cannot be taken with bows, traditional weapons, or stills.
- MDWFP must receive dog field trial applications five days before the event.
- A weapon is “unloaded” when no cartridge or shell is in the barrel, magazine, clip, or retainer.
- Cap-lock muzzle-loading firearms need their caps removed.
- In flintlock muzzle-loading guns, empty the flashpan.
- Pursuing on a roadway, highway, railroad, or right-of-way is illegal.
- An MDWFP inspector may issue Animal Control Permits to control crop-damaging deer.
- Killing deer out of season might have your hunting license revoked.
- Illegal to shoot deer at night with a light or other illumination; offenders risk a $2,000 fine and a one- to three-year suspension of hunting, trapping, and fishing privileges.
- The authorities may confiscate equipment used to shoot deer at night using a light.
- It’s illegal to flash lights on a public road while carrying a weapon, although emergency vehicles and regular drivers are exempt.
- Game animals, birds, and fish that were lawfully taken may be kept at any time.
- Dead animals, wildlife parts, or trash cannot be dumped on public or private property without permission.
- No game animal, bird, or fish may be bought, sold, or traded for goods or other considerations, save for lawfully captured deer skins and sinews, objects manufactured from deer bone or antlers that are not velvet, wild turkey parts other than the flesh, and nuisance animal parts.
- All birds of prey, native non-game birds, and endangered species are protected and may not be killed, harassed, bought, or sold.
- You need a federal and state waterfowl stamp to shoot ducks and geese.
- To hunt migratory birds, individuals must be H.I.P. certified (dove, rail, gallinule, coot, woodcock, snipe, crows, and waterfowl).
- Public waterways are specified by Mississippi law and may be utilized for free transit, fishing, and water sports, but motorized vehicle travel on streambeds or hunting, or traversing neighboring property when they are under floods are prohibited.
FAQ
What are the hunting season dates for deer in Mississippi in 2023?
The Archery is from September 16, 2023, through February 15, 2024. On October 15-16, 2023, the Youth Gun lets kids shoot deer. The Gun Season is from November 5-18, 2023. Finally, traditional muzzleloader hunters may enjoy the Muzzleloader period from December 16, 2023, to January 18, 2024.
How much does a Mississippi lifetime hunting license cost?
It charges $1,000 for a lifetime hunting license for those aged 13 and above.
What kinds of animals can be hunted in Mississippi?
It is possible to take a variety of animals including deer, hogs, turkeys, coyotes, quail, ducks, geese, doves, and rabbits.
What are the hunting season dates for alligators in Mississippi in 2023-2024?
You may hunt alligators in public waters from August 25 to September 4, 2023. The Private Lands Season runs from August 25 to September 18, 2023.
John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.
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When is armadillo season?
Need to stop the deer hunting “gun with dogs” season.
The dog runners are hunting every one’s land without regard for who owns it. The old excuse that the dogs can’t read is BS! and with the tracking collars they use now there is no excuse for them not to catch their dogs before they trespass. I’m in Prentiss County and own about 85 acres. I’ve planted and managed the deer on my property that get run off every year while we are out or at work or even in the stand.
There are a lot of people (Landowners) that are up in arms about this, and it needs to stop.!!
Yea and I know the feeling because we own around 300 acres in clay county and they do the same thing. What they gonna do when their dog gets caught in a foot trap? They gonna trespass then to come get their dog then call the game warden on you and then have to pay vet bills and ain’t nothing you can do to them. Not even for trespassing! We as people of the community just trying to protect what’s ours and make a living don’t have any rights in this country anymore! And that’s about to change because I am sick and tired of worrying about something that I shouldn’t have to!
poison the idiots dogs
I fully agree but listen theres a new way now it’s been finally done in north ms. I’ve spoken personally with my congressman about this. You have to go thru a process of gathering proof involves recording you told the road hunters you dont want dogs nor people on your property. Catch dogs put your home in background take pictures with you dogs and a gov official then sue them. Things change this year folks. No more dredding deer season on my own land.