2026-2027 Mississippi Hunting: New Seasons Dates, Bags & More!

Mississippi gives hunters a little bit of everything. You can chase whitetails in the Delta hardwoods, work gobblers in pine ridges, sit flooded timber for ducks, or spend winter days after rabbits, squirrels, and quail. For longtime hunters, that variety is a big reason the state stays popular. For beginners, it means there is more than one easy way to get started.

The most talked-about game in Mississippi is still white-tailed deer, but turkey hunting remains a major draw, and the waterfowl scene can be excellent on the Delta side of the state. Squirrel hunting is strong, rabbit hunting is underrated, and furbearer seasons add even more off-season opportunity for hunters and trappers.

Public access is another big plus. Mississippi’s WMA system stretches across more than 700,000 acres, and federal lands open even more room to roam. Add in national forests, refuges, and draw hunts, and there are solid opportunities for hunters who do not have private land.

Before heading out, though, every hunter needs to slow down and read the current rules. Mississippi changes season timing, permit structure, public-land requirements, and reporting rules more often than many hunters realize. A quick check of the annual regulations can save you from a citation, a lost hunting day, or worse.

Mississippi Hunting Season Overview

Mississippi is friendly to both private-land and public-land hunters, but it is not a “buy a license and do whatever you want” state. WMA permits, draw hunt rules, youth supervision rules, and migratory bird requirements all matter here.

Big Game Hunting Seasons

Mississippi’s big-game spotlight stays on deer. There is no established elk hunt in the state, and black bear hunting is not open.

Deer Hunting Season

Important: The deer dates below reflect the latest official statewide deer sheet currently posted by MDWFP. Use them as your planning guide for 2026–2027, but verify again when the updated statewide digest is released.

Deer hunting details that matter

Mississippi splits deer hunting into four deer management units: Delta, North Central, Hills, and Southeast. That is why season timing and legal buck rules are not exactly the same statewide. The Delta has the toughest antler rule, the North Central unit allows any hardened antler, and the Southeast unit runs slightly later.

Antler restrictions are straightforward once you know your unit. In the Delta Unit, a legal buck needs a 12-inch inside spread or 15-inch main beam. In the Hills and Southeast Units, the rule is 10-inch inside spread or 13-inch main beam. In the North Central Unit, any hardened antler is legal.

Bag limits are also unit-sensitive. Statewide, hunters usually work under a 3-buck annual limit, but the North Central Unit allows 4 antlered bucks. Antlerless limits vary too, especially in the Southeast and North Central units.

Reporting is not identical for every deer. Velvet Season deer must be reported by 10 p.m. the day of harvest, and many WMAs require deer to be checked through station procedures or the WMA app before leaving. Regular deer reporting outside velvet remains less strict statewide, but it is increasingly important for herd monitoring.

Deer Hunting Rules

Elk Hunting Season

Mississippi does not currently offer an elk hunting season.

Bear Hunting Season

Mississippi black bears remain protected under Mississippi law, and there is no open bear hunting season. If you see one, do not disturb it and report sightings when appropriate to MDWFP.

Turkey Hunting Seasons

Mississippi remains one of the South’s headline turkey states, but turkey rules have tightened over time. Public-land restrictions for nonresidents are especially important.

Spring Turkey Season

Fall Turkey Season

Turkey Hunting Regulations

One major Mississippi wrinkle is the nonresident rule on public land. A nonresident cannot hunt Mississippi public land before April 1 unless drawn for a Non-Resident Public Lands Turkey Permit or a WMA draw hunt. That is one of the easiest rules for traveling hunters to overlook.

Waterfowl Hunting Seasons

Mississippi is in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway, so ducks, geese, teal, and special waterfowl days are a big part of the state’s calendar. In the current digest, regular duck and goose seasons are published statewide, not as separate north/central/south duck zones.

Duck Seasons

Goose Seasons

Special Waterfowl Hunts

Waterfowl Requirements

Duck bag limit stays at 6 ducks daily, with species-specific sublimits. Scaup remains split by date, and light goose hunters need a free conservation order permit in addition to their normal Mississippi license and state waterfowl stamp.

Small Game Hunting Seasons

Regional differences mostly matter on public land. Some WMAs have stricter dates, draw-only access, check stations, or special access times.

Furbearer Hunting and Trapping Seasons

Trappers need tagged equipment, and Mississippi requires an annual trapper harvest survey. Otter and bobcat are the two species that bring the most paperwork because of federal export tag requirements.

Additional Hunting Opportunities

Hunting Licenses and Fees

Resident License Fees

Nonresident License Fees

Youth and Senior Licenses

Most annual licenses are valid for one year from the chosen start date. Short-term licenses expire after their stated 3-day, 7-day, or 14-day window. Federal Duck Stamps run on a different schedule and stay valid from July 1 through June 30.

Hunter Education Requirements

Hunters ages 12 to 15 may not hunt alone unless they have completed hunter education. Otherwise, they must stay under the supervision of a licensed or exempt hunter at least 21 years old.

Public Hunting Land in Mississippi

Mississippi’s public-land system is stronger than many outsiders expect. MDWFP says the state has more than 50 WMAs and over 700,000 acres of opportunity, while the Forest Service manages more than 1 million acres of land open to hunting across the state. Source

Major Public Hunting Areas

WMAs are the backbone of Mississippi public hunting. National forests add huge room for deer, turkey, and small-game hunting. State forests and refuges can also matter, but they often come with area-specific brochures, check stations, and extra permit rules.

Special Hunting Programs

WMA draw hunts are free to apply for, but applicants still need the proper WMA permit or exempt credential. MDWFP notes that draw results are usually posted within about a week after the application deadline.

Important Hunting Regulations

General Hunting Rules

Baiting is one of the clearest statewide rules: if bait is helping you take the animal, you are in the wrong. Liquid scents are allowed, but piles of feed, grain, or other attractants are not. On deer, Mississippi also ties some rules to CWD management, especially in velvet season and transport rules.

Trespassing is another common problem in Mississippi because private land and public land can lie close together. Get permission, know the boundary, and do not assume an old camp road means public access.

Hunting Hours

Harvest Reporting Requirements

The safest Mississippi habit is simple: if you harvest deer or turkey, assume you need to document it quickly, especially on public land.

Penalties for Hunting Violations

Mississippi’s wildlife laws allow fines, extra per-animal penalties, administrative fees for reporting violations, and in some cases seizure of property used in illegal hunting.

Mississippi Hunting Tips for the 2026–2027 Season

1. Double-check which deer management unit you are hunting before judging a buck.
2. If you plan to hunt the September velvet season, buy the permit early and be ready for CWD sampling.
3. In the Southeast Unit, remember the season structure runs later than much of the rest of the state.
4. If you hunt Holly Springs National Forest, pay close attention to special county and public-land wording in the deer schedule.
5. Do not show up at a WMA without a WMA User Permit if you need one.
6. Apply early for WMA draw hunts; some of the best public deer and turkey hunts are permit-only.
7. Nonresidents chasing turkeys on public land should plan around the April 1 restriction.
8. If you duck hunt the Delta, scout water depth and access because changing flood conditions can completely change a spot.
9. On Sunflower WMA, be ready for long walks and changing road conditions in wet weather.
10. Keep a spare orange vest in the truck even if you hunt from an elevated stand.
11. Use the HuntFish app before season so you are not trying to set it up in bad cell service.
12. If you trap bobcat or otter, sort out CITES tag details before the season starts.
13. Watch for private/public boundary confusion near forests and WMAs; carry a map app with landownership layers.
14. On waterfowl hunts, do not forget HIP plus both stamps if you are 16 or older.
15. If you hunt around bear country in the Delta or southwest Mississippi, keep camps clean and report problem bears.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to hunt deer in Mississippi?

Yes, unless you qualify for an exemption. Deer hunters generally need an all-game or Sportsman-type license, and nonresidents also need a deer permit.

Is the 2026–2027 deer season fully posted yet?

Not completely statewide at the time of writing. Use the latest official MDWFP deer sheet for planning and verify again before opening day.

Does Mississippi have a bear hunting season?

No. Black bears are protected under Mississippi law.

Is there an elk hunt in Mississippi?

No. Mississippi does not currently offer elk hunting.

Are turkey harvest reports mandatory?

Yes. Turkey harvest reporting is required before 10 p.m. on the day of harvest, and the process must begin before moving the bird.

Are deer harvest reports mandatory?

Velvet-season deer must be reported by 10 p.m. the day of harvest. Public-land deer may also require check procedures depending on the area.

Can nonresidents hunt Mississippi public-land turkeys in March?

Not unless they were drawn for the special public-land permit or a WMA draw hunt.

Do I need hunter education in Mississippi?

If you were born after Jan. 1, 1972, yes, unless you are hunting under the one-time apprentice option.

Do seniors need a turkey stamp?

Mississippi residents age 65 and older with the proper exempt status are exempt from buying the turkey stamp.

Do youth hunters need a waterfowl stamp?

Hunters under 16 are exempt from the Mississippi state duck and turkey stamp requirement.

Is baiting legal in Mississippi?

No. Hunting or trapping with the aid of bait is illegal.

What public lands are best known for deer and waterfowl?

Sunflower, Mahannah, Malmaison, and Canemount are all well-known, and Mississippi national forests add major acreage.

Final Thoughts

Mississippi offers one of the South’s more complete hunting calendars. Deer hunting is still the backbone, but turkey, ducks, doves, squirrels, rabbits, and furbearers all give hunters solid reasons to stay busy from early fall through late winter and into spring.

The biggest thing to remember for the 2026–2027 season is that not every category is on the same publication timeline. Waterfowl dates are already available, while some other statewide season listings are still best treated as the latest official planning framework until MDWFP posts the next update.

Licensing is just as important as season dates. Mississippi stacks permits in a way that can surprise newer hunters. A person may need a base license, a deer or turkey privilege, a WMA permit, HIP, and waterfowl stamps depending on what they are doing and where they are hunting.

Public-land opportunity is a real strength here. Between the WMA system, national forests, and draw hunts, hunters without private leases still have room to build a full season. The catch is that public land in Mississippi often comes with more paperwork, more check-in rules, and tighter special instructions.

Safety matters too. Wear your orange, know your boundaries, keep your reporting straight, and understand the exact rule set for the species and unit you are hunting. Before you head afield, make one final check with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks to verify the latest dates, limits, fees, and area rules.

• Author
• Recent Posts

John Lewis

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.

Latest posts by John Lewis (see all)

• Montana Hunting Seasons 2026-2027 New Dates & Regulations - June 17, 2026
• 2026-2027 Mississippi Hunting: NewSeasons Dates, Bags & More! - June 8, 2026
• 2026-2027 Wyoming Hunting Seasons New Dates & Laws - June 6, 2026

Related posts:

Virginia Hunting Seasons 2025-2026 Latest Dates & Regulations Minnesota Hunting Seasons 2025-2026 New Regulations & Dates! Florida Hunting Season Dates and Guide 2026-2027 New Jersey Hunting Seasons 2025-2026 New Dates & Regulations