Bonus points were implemented in 2026 for Wildlife Management Area (WMA) draw hunts, Alligator draw hunts, and the Non-Resident Public Land Turkey draw. 

What are Bonus Points?

Bonus points are extra chances to draw a hunt. The bonus point system was implemented to increase a hunter's chances of being drawn over time.

  • Unsuccessful applicants receive one bonus point per year for each draw type.
    • Exception: Waterfowl applicants can receive up to 5 bonus points per year, one for each draw period.
  • Bonus points accumulate when an applicant is unsuccessful.
  • Once a hunt is drawn, bonus points reset to zero for that draw type.

How Bonus Points Work

Each bonus point automatically gives each hunter an additional entry into the draw opportunity they select. Bonus points do not guarantee a hunter will be successful, but instead increase their odds by giving them more chances to be drawn relative to hunters who have fewer points. Applications are still selected at random, but those with bonus points have higher odds due to having more applications in the pool.

  • Example:
    • User ‘A’ has 5 bonus points for the WMA Turkey draw. User A’s application will appear 6 times in the overall application pool from which winners are randomly selected: once for the current application, plus 5 additional times from bonus points.
    • User ‘B’ has 0 bonus points for the WMA Turkey Draw. User B’s application will only appear once in the overall application pool.
  • Partner/Group Applications:
    • For partner/group applications, the application will utilize the bonus point value of the group member with the fewest points.
      • Example: There are two members in a group, a member with 3 bonus points and a member with 1 bonus point. The joint application will be assigned 1 bonus point based on the second member's point total. If the group is unsuccessful, both members will accumulate an additional bonus point for the following year, even if they choose not to apply as a group in the future.

Bonus Points vs Preference Points

Bonus points allow all hunters to have a chance at any hunt, while increasing their draw chances the longer they apply.

Bonus points are different from preference points, which is a system commonly used for western big-game draws. Under a true preference point system, only those with the most points are able to draw high-demand hunts and it may take many years to accumulate enough points to draw. Eventually these hunts may become unobtainable for hunters with lower point totals. Once preference points are used, the hunter starts over, and it may take many years before their application is again competitive. For these reasons, MDWFP has determined bonus points to be a fairer way to ensure hunters have more frequent chances to be drawn for our most in-demand draw hunts.

Bonus Point Categories

Species Specific Categories

Bonus Points are categorized by species and by draw/weapon type.

  • Alligator - Pelahatchie Bay
  • Alligator - Public Waters
  • Deer – Archery
  • Deer – Group
  • Deer - Gun 
  • Deer - Mobility Impaired
  • Deer – Primitive
  • Deer – Senior
  • Dove
  • Rabbit
  • Teal
  • Turkey
  • Turkey - Non-Resident Public Land
  • Waterfowl

FAQs

Do Bonus Points Guarantee a Draw?

No, Bonus Points Do Not Guarantee a Hunt.

  • Bonus points increase a hunter's odds of being drawn by providing additional entries into the draw
  • Because the draw is still random, an applicant with fewer bonus points may draw a hunt before an applicant with more bonus points.
How Do I Acquire Bonus Points?

An applicant will receive a bonus point when they have successfully applied and been entered into a draw but fail to draw a hunt. This will result in an "Unsuccessful" draw status. You can check your draw status any time in the licensing system or through the MDWFP HuntFish Mobile App.

  • Points are not awarded to applicants who fail to claim/purchase permits that have a claim deadline. This applies for: 
    • Alligator Draws 
    • Non-Resident Public Land Turkey Draw
  • Points are not awarded to applicants who fail to meet required minimum group sizes and receive a resulting draw status of "Ineligible - Group Size". This applies for the following draws:
    • Alligator – Pelahatchie Bay
    • Deer – Group draw
How Do I View My Bonus Points?

You can view your points at any time through the Licensing System or MDWFP HuntFish Mobile App.

  • Licensing System: While logged in, click your name/customer ID in the banner at the top right of the page. A drop-down box will appear. Go to "Draws" and select the "Points/Chances" tab.
  • MDWFP HuntFish Mobile App: Go to "Draw Application Status" and select the "Points/Chances" tab.

More Information

Nanih Waiya
WMA Draw Hunts

Learn more about upcoming draw hunt opportunities at Mississippi's Wildlife Management Areas.

Caston Creek
Wildlife Management Areas

Looking for a place to hunt? MDWFP has more than 50 Wildlife Management Areas across the state that are open to hunting.

WMA Check In App
WMA Check-In

A more efficient method of accessing Mississippi’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) is now available via the MDWFP HuntFish app.