2024-2025 Seasons

*Dove season starts September 1 and shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset

 

White-tailed Deer

Deer Management Units

  • Delta Unit: Areas west of I-55 and north of I-20 plus areas south of I-20 and west of U.S. Hwy 61.
  • North Central Unit: All private and open public lands in Alcorn, Benton, Desoto, Marshall, Tate, and Tippah counties.
  • Southeast Unit: Areas south of U.S. Hwy 84 and east of MS Hwy. 35.
  • Hills Unit: All areas except the Delta, North Central, and Southeast Deer Management Units.

 

Season Date Map

Legal Bucks

UnitInside SpreadMain Beam Length
Delta Unit12"15"
Hills Unit10"13"
Southeast Unit10"13"
North CentralAny hardened antler

Bag Limits

Antlered Buck Deer: The statewide bag limit on antlered buck deer is one (1) buck per day and three (3) per annual season. One (1) of these three (3) may have hardened antlers that do not meet the unit legal antler requirements on private land and Holly Springs National Forest. Only one antlered buck may be harvested during the September archery velvet season (counts toward the annual bag limit). For youth hunters fifteen (15) years of age and younger, hunting on private land and authorized state and federal lands, all three (3) of the three (3) buck bag limit may be any antlered deer. Antlered buck bag limit in the North Central Deer Management Unit (DMU) is one (1) buck per day and four (4) per annual season. No antler restrictions apply to this DMU. All four (4) bucks may have any sized hardened antlers. 

Antlerless Deer: Private lands: The statewide annual bag limit on antlerless deer is five (5). The antlerless bag limit for private lands in the North Central DMU is ten (10) antler- less deer per season. Antlerless deer are male or female deer which do not have hardened antler above the natural hairline. Only three (3) antlerless deer may be harvested from the Southeast Unit. There is no daily bag limit on antlerless deer in the North Central, Hills, and Delta units. Only one (1) antlerless deer per day may be harvested in the Southeast DMU. U.S. Forest Service National Forests: The bag limit is one (1) per day, not to exceed five (5) per annual season except in the Southeast Unit, which is three (3) per annual season.

Legal Bucks

Southeast and Hills Deer Management Units

A legal buck is defined as having EITHER a minimum inside spread of 10 inches OR one main beam at least 13 inches long.

How to estimate a 10-inch inside spread:

Estimating a 10-inch spread is accomplished by observing a buck’s ears in the alert position. When in the alert position, the distance from ear-tip to ear-tip measures approximately 14 inches. If the OUTSIDE of each antler beam is 1 inch inside the ear-tip, the inside spread is approximately 10 inches.

How to estimate a 13-inch main beam: 

To estimate a 13-inch main beam, the buck’s head must be observed from the side. If the tip of the main beam extends to the front of the eye, main beam length is approximately 13 inches.

Delta Deer Management Unit

A legal buck is defined as having EITHER a minimum inside spread of 12 inches OR one main beam at least 15 inches long.

How to estimate a 12-inch inside spread:

Estimating a 12-inch spread is accomplished by observing a buck’s ears in the alert position. When in the alert position, the distance from ear-tip to ear-tip measures approximately 15 inches. If the OUTSIDE of each antler beam reaches the ear-tip, the inside spread is approximately 12 inches. (Therefore, if the outside of both antler beams reach the ear tips, the buck is legal). 
*Due to body size differences in the Delta Unit, ear-tip to ear-tip measurements are slightly larger compared to the other units.

How to estimate a 15-inch main beam:

To estimate a 15-inch main beam, the buck’s head must be observed from the side. If the tip of the main beam extends between the front of the eye and the tip of the nose, main beam length is approximately 15 inches.

Legal Weapons

Youth Gun

Youth may carry and use any firearm with which they can safely hunt, and in compliance with other applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

Archery

Longbows, recurves, compound bows, and crossbows. There is no minimum or maximum draw weight. There is no minimum arrow length. Fixed or mechanical broadheads may be used.

Primitive Weapons

Weapons legal for use during the Primitive Weapons season are all archery equipment and primitive firearms.”Primitive firearms,” for the purpose of hunting deer, are defined as single or double-barreled muzzleloading rifles of at least .38 caliber; OR single shot, breech loading, metallic cartridge rifles (.35 caliber or larger) and replicas, reproductions, or reintroductions of those type rifles with an exposed hammer; OR single or double-barreled muzzleloading shotguns, with single ball or slug. All muzzleloading primitive firearms must use black powder or a black powder substitute with percussion caps, #209 shotgun primers, or flintlock ignition. “Black powder substitute” is defined as a substance designed, manufactured, and specifically intended to be used as a propellant in muzzleloading or other black powder firearms, excluding modern smokeless powder. Metallic cartridges may be loaded with either black powder or modern smokeless powder (cartridges purchased at sporting goods stores). Telescopic sights are allowed while hunting with any primitive firearm during the primitive weapon seasons. A telescopic sight is defined as an optical sighting device with any magnification. During any open season on deer with primitive weapons after November 30, a person may use any legal weapon of choice, including pre-charged pneumatic weapons (air guns or bows), on private lands only, if the person is the title owner of the land, the lessee of the hunting rights on the land, a member of a hunting club leasing the hunting rights on the land, or a guest of a person specified above. If the person is required to have a hunting license, the person must have a primitive weapon license, Sportsman’s License, or a Lifetime Sportsman’s License.

Gun

There are no caliber or magazine capacity restrictions on firearms. Primitive weapons (as defined above) and archery equipment may be used during gun seasons.

Season Dates

Delta, North Central, and Hills Deer Management Units
MethodSeason DatesLegal Deer
ArcherySept. 13-15Only one (1) Legal Buck. Special permit, mandatory reporting, and CWD sampling required. Private Land and authorized state and federal lands.
 Oct. 1-Nov. 22Either-Sex on private land, open public land, and Holly Springs NF
Youth SeasonNov. 9-Nov. 22Either-Sex on private lands, authorized state and federal lands, and open public lands.
 Nov. 23-Jan. 31Either-Sex on private lands. On open public lands, youth must follow below legal deer criteria.
Antlerless Primitive WeaponNov. 11-22Antlerless Deer Only on private lands.
Gun (with dogs)Nov. 23-Dec. 1Either-Sex on private land and Holly Springs NF. Legal Bucks only on open public land.
Primitive WeaponDec. 2-15Either-Sex on private land, open public land, and Holly Springs NF. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.
Gun (without dogs)Dec. 16-23Either-Sex on private land and Holly Springs NF. Legal Bucks only on open public land.
Gun (with dogs)Dec. 24-Jan. 22Either-Sex on private land and Holly Springs NF. Legal Bucks only on open public land.
Archery/Primitive WeaponJan. 23-31Either-Sex on private land and Holly Springs NF. Legal Bucks only on open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.
Southeast Unit
MethodSeason DatesLegal Deer
ArcherySept. 13-15Only one (1) Legal Buck. Special permit, mandatory reporting, and CWD sampling required. Private Land and authorized state and federal lands.
 Oct. 15-Nov. 22Either-Sex on private and open public land.
Youth SeasonNov. 9-Nov. 22Either-Sex on private lands, authorized state and federal lands, and open public lands.
 Nov. 23-Feb. 15Either-Sex on private lands. On open public lands, youth must follow below legal deer criteria.
Gun (with dogs)Nov. 23-Dec. 1Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land.
Primitive WeaponDec. 2-15Either-Sex on private and open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.
Gun (without dogs)Dec. 16-23Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land.
Gun (with dogs)Dec. 24-Jan. 22Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land.
Archery/Primitive WeaponJan. 23-31Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.
 Feb. 1-15Legal Bucks only on private and open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.
Spring Turkey
 
SeasonDatesBag Limit
Youth (Private and authorized state and federal public lands. Youth 15 and under)Mar. 8-14One (1) adult gobbler or 1 gobbler with a 6-inch or longer beard per day, 3 per Spring season. Hunters 15 years of age and younger may harvest 1 gobbler of choice (any age) per day, 3 per Spring season.
Spring Season *Mar. 15-May 1One (1) adult gobbler or 1 gobbler with a 6-inch or longer beard per day, 3 per Spring season. Hunters 15 years of age and younger may harvest 1 gobbler of choice (any age) per day, 3 per Spring season.

* Non-residents Turkey Hunting on Public Lands: Non-residents cannot hunt any public land in Mississippi before April 1 unless drawn for either a Non-resident Public Lands Turkey Permit or WMA Draw Hunt. During youth season on public land, any non-resident accompanying adult must be permitted/drawn.

Small Game
GameSeason DatesDaily Bag Limit
Youth Squirrel*Sept. 24-308
Squirrel - Fall SeasonOct. 1-Feb. 288
Squirrel - Spring SeasonMay 15-June 14
RabbitOct. 12-Feb. 288
Bobwhite QuailNov. 28-Mar. 18
FrogApril 1-Sept. 3025/Night
RaccoonJuly 1-Sept. 301 per Party/Night
Opossum, Raccoon, and BobcatOct. 1 -Oct. 31 (Food and sport), Nov. 1-Feb. 28 (Food, sport, and pelt)5/Day; 8/Party, No Limit
TrappingNov. 1-Mar. 15No Limit

*On private lands and authorized state and federal lands only in those areas open for squirrel hunting.

Migratory Game Birds
BirdSeason DatesDaily Bag LimitPossession Limit
Sept. TealSept. 14-Sept. 29, 2024618
Sept. Canada GeeseSept. 1-Sept. 30, 2024515
WoodcockDec. 18, 2024-Jan. 31, 202539
SnipeNov. 14, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025824
Gallinules: Common and Purple

Sept. 1- 30

Nov. 22-Dec. 31, 2024

15 Singly or in aggregate45 Singly or in aggregate
Rails: Clapper and King

Sept. 1- 30

Nov. 22-Dec. 31, 2024

15 Singly or in aggregate45 Singly or in aggregate
Rails: Sora and Virginia

Sept. 1- 30

Nov. 22-Dec. 31, 2024

25 Singly or in aggregate75 Singly or in aggregate
Mourning and White-winged Doves (North Zone)Sept. 1- 29, Oct. 12-Nov. 10, Dec. 27, 2024-Jan. 26, 202515 Singly or in aggregate45 Singly or in aggregate
Mourning and White-winged Doves (South Zone)Sept. 1- 29, Oct. 12-Nov. 10, Dec. 27, 2024-Jan. 26, 202515 Singly or in aggregate45 Singly or in aggregate
CrowsNov. 2, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025No LimitNo Limit
Ducks, Mergansers, and CootsNov. 28-Dec. 1,     Dec. 7, 2024-Jan. 31, 2025See belowSee below
Geese: Canada, White-fronted, Snow, Blue, Ross’s, and BrantNov. 11- 24, Nov. 28-Dec. 1,  and Dec. 7, 2024 - Jan. 31, 2025Canada Geese: 5, Snow, Blue, & Ross’s: 20, White-fronted: 3, Brant: 1Canada Geese: 15, Snow, Blue, & Ross’s: No limit, White-fronted: 9, Brant: 3
Youth, Veterans, and Active Military Waterfowl DaysFeb. 8-9, 2025Same as regular seasonSame as regular season
Light Goose Conservation Order (Special Permit Needed)Oct. 1-Nov. 10, Nov. 25-Nov. 27, Dec. 2-Dec. 6, Feb. 1-Feb. 7, Feb. 10-Mar. 31No LimitNo Limit

*Sept. Canada Goose season is closed on Roebuck Lake in Leflore county.
**(Dove North Zone) Areas north of U.S. Hwy. 84 plus areas south of U.S. Hwy. 84 and west of MS Hwy. 35.
***(Dove South Zone) Areas south of U.S. Hwy. 84 and east of MS Hwy. 35.
****The duck daily bag limit is a total of 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be females), 1 mottled
duck, 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, and 2 redheads. The daily bag limit for scaup is 1 scaup per day Nov. 28 - Dec. 1, 2024, and Dec. 7 – 17, 2024; and is 2 scaup per day Dec. 18, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025.
The merganser daily bag limit is a total of 5 mergansers, only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers.
The coot daily bag limit is a total of 15 coots.
The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit for ducks, mergansers, and coots.
Shooting hours for all migratory game birds are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except for the Light Goose Conservation Order (see below). 
*****The Light Goose Conservation Order is a special opportunity designed to reduce the population of overpopulated snow, blue, and 
Ross’s geese when no other waterfowl seasons are open. This order allows for expanded methods of take that are not allowed during regular waterfowl seasons. To participate in the Light Goose Conservation Order, hunters need a valid Mississippi hunting license, state waterfowl stamp, and a free Light Goose Conservation Order permit number. Hunters can obtain a permit number by visiting mdwfp.com/waterfowl. 
Light Goose Conservation Order Methods: Shooting hours are from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. Only snow, blue, and Ross’s geese are eligible for harvest. The use of electronic calls is allowed. The use of unplugged shotguns is allowed. There is no daily or possession limit for snow, blue, or Ross’s geese. Hunters must use non-toxic shot. Hunters must possess a valid Mississippi hunting license and a Mississippi state waterfowl stamp. Light goose conservation order hunters do not need a federal duck stamp. 

More Information

Hunting Rules

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Game Check Deer

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