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| MDWFP Deer Committee |
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2009 - 2010 Deer Season Regulations New
White-Tailed Deer
Management Zones
Research indicates the 4-point law allowed the harvest of better quality yearling bucks, while protecting older-aged spikes and 3-point bucks. The result has been a decrease in antler size within age classes of older bucks. The combination of the 4-point law, high hunting pressure, and lower reproduction results in the over harvest of bucks and a decrease in antler size. To prevent these problems, yearling bucks must be allowed to reach older age classes.
The new antler criteria will protect almost 100% of the 1½ year old bucks . This protection will prevent over-harvest of bucks and improve antler size as bucks get older. These protected bucks will also improve skewed buck:doe ratios. Improved buck:doe ratios will shorten the breeding season, thus improving overall heard health.
Research also demonstrated soil region differences with regards to antler production. Because of these differences, one antler criterion alone cannot be used to protect 100% of 1½ year old bucks statewide. The antler criteria for the 3 deer management zones are based on soil region effects on antler production. Because soil region lines cannot be seen by hunters in the field, highways and interstates serve as dividing boundaries for the 3 zones.
Hunting Seasons
Deer Management Zone 1:
Private and open public lands east of I-55 and north of I-20 plus areas south of I-20 and east of U.S. Highway 61, excluding areas south of U.S. Highway 84 and east of MS Highway 35.
A legal buck is defined as having EITHER a minimum inside spread of 10 inches OR a minimum main beam length of 13 inches.
For youth fifteen (15) years of age and younger hunting on private lands and authorized state and federal lands, one (1) of the three (3) buck bag limit may be any antlered deer regardless of number of points, inside spread, or beam length.
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Method |
Season Dates |
Legal Deer |
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Archery |
Oct. 1 – Nov. 20 |
Either-sex on private land and open public land. |
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Youth Gun
(Youth 15 and under) |
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20 |
Either-sex on private lands and authorized state and federal lands. |
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Gun (With Dogs) |
Nov. 21 – Dec. 1 |
Either-sex on private land; legal bucks only on open public land. |
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Primitive Weapon / Youth Gun |
Dec. 2 – Dec. 15 |
Either-sex on private land and open public land. |
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Gun (Without Dogs) |
Dec. 16 – Dec. 18 |
Either-sex on private land; legal bucks only on open public land. |
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Dec. 19 – Dec. 20 |
Either-sex on private and open public land. |
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Dec. 21 – Dec. 23 |
Either-sex on private land; legal bucks only on open public land. |
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Gun (With Dogs) |
Dec. 24 – Jan. 20 |
Either-sex on private land; legal bucks only on open public land. |
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Primitive Weapon / Youth Gun |
Jan. 21 – Jan. 31 |
Either-sex on private land and open public land. |
Deer Management Zone 2:
Private and open public lands south of U.S. Hwy 84 and east of MS Hwy 35.
A legal buck is defined as having EITHER a minimum inside spread of 10 inches OR a minimum main beam length of 13 inches.
For youth fifteen (15) years of age and younger hunting on private lands and authorized state and federal lands, one (1) of the three (3) buck bag limit may be any antlered deer regardless of number of points, inside spread, or beam length.
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Method |
Season Dates |
Legal Deer |
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Archery |
Oct. 15 – Nov. 20 |
Either-sex on private land and open public land. |
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Youth Gun
(Youth 15 and under) |
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20 |
Either-sex on private lands and authorized state and federal lands. |
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Gun (With Dogs) |
Nov. 21 – Dec. 1 |
Either-sex on private land; legal bucks only on open public land. |
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Primitive Weapon / Youth Gun |
Dec. 2 – Dec. 15 |
Either-sex on private land and open public land. |
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Gun (Without Dogs) |
Dec. 16 – Dec. 18 |
Either-sex on private land; legal bucks only on open public land. |
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Dec. 19 – Dec. 20
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Either-sex on private and open public land. |
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Dec. 21 – Dec. 23 |
Either-sex on private land; legal bucks only on open public land. |
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Gun (With Dogs) |
Dec. 24 – Jan. 20 |
Either-sex on private land; legal bucks only on open public land. |
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Primitive Weapon |
Jan. 21 – Feb. 15 |
Legal bucks only on private land and open public land. |
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Youth Gun
(Youth 15 and under) |
Jan. 21 – Feb. 15 |
Either-sex on private and open public land. |
Deer Management Zone 3:
Private and open public lands west of I-55 and north of I-20 plus areas south of I-20 and west of U.S. Highway 61.
A legal buck is defined as having EITHER a minimum inside spread of 12 inches OR a minimum main beam length of 15 inches.
For youth fifteen (15) years of age and younger hunting on private lands and authorized state and federal lands, one (1) of the three (3) buck bag limit may be any antlered deer regardless of number of points, inside spread, or beam length.
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Method |
Season Dates |
Legal Deer |
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Archery |
Oct. 1 – Nov. 20 |
Either-sex on private land and open public land. |
Youth Gun
(Youth 15 and under) |
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20 |
Either-sex on private lands and authorized state and federal lands. |
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Gun (With Dogs) |
Nov. 21 – Dec. 1 |
Either-sex on private land; legal bucks only on open public land. |
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Primitive Weapon / Youth Gun |
Dec. 2 – Dec. 15 |
Either-sex on private land and open public land. |
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Gun (Without Dogs) |
Dec. 16 – Dec. 18 |
Either-sex on private land; legal bucks only on open public land. |
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Dec. 19 – Dec. 20 |
Either-sex on private and open public land. |
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Dec. 21 – Dec. 23 |
Either-sex on private land; legal bucks only on open public land. |
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Gun (With Dogs) |
Dec. 24 – Jan. 20 |
Either-sex on private land; legal bucks only on open public land. |
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Primitive Weapon / Youth Gun |
Jan. 21 – Jan. 31 |
Either-sex on private land and open public land. |
Bag Limits
Antlered Buck Deer:
The bag limit on antlered buck deer is one (1) buck per day, not to exceed three (3) per license year. Legal bucks must meet the antler criteria within the appropriate deer management zone. For youth fifteen (15) years of age and younger hunting on private lands and authorized state and federal lands, one (1) of the three (3) buck bag limit may be any antlered deer regardless of number of points, inside spread, or beam length.
Antlerless Deer:
The bag limit on antlerless deer is one (1) per day not to exceed five (5) per license year.
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