Mississippi 2025-2026 Hunt Season Guide – Key Wildlife & Region Maps
Welcome to your complete resource for the 2025-2026 Mississippi hunting season! Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsperson or just getting started with your first expedition, this guide covers everything you need to know about game seasons, regulations, and licensing requirements throughout the Magnolia State. From the fertile Delta to the picturesque Southeast, we’ve compiled detailed information on open dates, harvest limits, and zone-specific rules to help you plan your next adventure in Mississippi’s diverse wilderness.
Mississippi Hunting Season Overview
Mississippi offers fantastic opportunities for sportsmen and women with various game species available throughout the year. The state is divided into distinct wildlife management units, each with specific regulations to ensure sustainable harvesting practices. These zones include the Delta Unit, North Central Unit, Southeast Unit, and Hills Unit, all featuring unique terrains and wildlife populations.
Key Hunting Zones in Mississippi
- Delta Unit: Areas west of I-55 and north of I-20, plus areas south of I-20 and west of U.S. Highway 61
- North Central Unit: Includes Alcorn, Benton, Desoto, Marshall, Tate, and Tippah counties
- Southeast Unit: Areas south of U.S. Highway 84 and east of MS Highway 35
- Hills Unit: All areas except the Delta, North Central, and Southeast Deer Management Units
Summary Table of Key Species for Mississippi Hunting Season
Below is a quick-reference table showing the major game seasons in Mississippi.
| Species | Season Opens | Season Closes | Method | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer (Archery) | Oct. 1 | Nov. 21 | Bow | 1/day, 3/season |
| Wild Turkey (Spring) | Mar. 14 | May 1 | Shotgun/Bow | 1/day, 3/season |
| Mourning Dove | Sep. 1 | Jan. 25 | Shotgun | 15/day |
| Squirrel (Fall) | Oct. 1 | Feb. 28 | Shotgun/Bow | 8/day |
| Rabbit | Oct. 18 | Feb. 28 | Shotgun/Bow | 8/day |
| Ducks | Nov. 28 | Jan. 31 | Shotgun | 6/day |
| Canada Geese | Nov. 14 | Jan. 31 | Shotgun | 5/day |
🦌 Big Game: Archery & Rifle Seasons
White-tailed Deer – The Crown Jewel
Mississippi’s deer management system divides the state into four distinct units, each with specific antler restrictions and dates:
🎯 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 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 remaining areas not covered by other units
📅 Key Dates for Most Units:
- Early Archery (Velvet): Sep. 12-14 (Special CWD permit required)
- Regular Archery: Oct. 1-Nov. 21
- Youth Opportunities: Nov. 8-Nov. 21, Nov. 22-Jan. 31
- Gun with Dogs: Nov. 22-Dec. 1, Dec. 24-Jan. 21
- Primitive Weapons: Dec. 2-15
- Gun without Dogs: Dec. 16-23
- Late Archery/Primitive: Jan. 22-31
🎟️ Tags & Limits:
- Antlered bucks: 1 per day, 3 per season statewide (4 in North Central Unit)
- Antlerless deer: 5 per season statewide (10 in North Central, 3 in Southeast)
- Youth hunters (≤15): May harvest any antlered deer for all three tags
🔍 Legal Buck Requirements:
- Delta Unit: 12″ inside spread OR 15″ main beam
- Hills/Southeast Units: 10″ inside spread OR 13″ main beam
- North Central Unit: Any hardened antler
Note: No bear or elk opportunities are available in Mississippi for 2025-2026.
🦃 Turkey Season: Spring, Fall, Youth
Spring Gobbler Spectacular
The spring turkey period represents one of Mississippi’s most cherished traditions, with excellent populations across all habitat types.
📅 Spring Dates:
- Youth Period (≤15): Mar. 7-13
- Regular Spring: Mar. 14-May 1
🎟️ Bag Limits:
- Adult gobblers or birds with 6″+ beards: 1 per day, 3 per spring
- Youth hunters: Any age gobbler, 1 per day, 3 per spring
- Non-residents: Cannot hunt public lands before April 1 without special permit
🔗 Pro Tip: Mississippi doesn’t offer a fall turkey opportunity in 2025-2026, making spring your only chance to bag a longbeard!
🦔 Furbearers
📅 Furbearer Opportunities:
- Raccoon (Early): Jul. 1-Sep. 30 (1 per party/night)
- Opossum, Raccoon, Bobcat: Oct. 1-Oct. 31 (food/sport), Nov. 1-Mar. 15 (food/sport/pelt)
- Trapping Season: Nov. 1-Mar. 15 (no limit)
🎟️ Limits:
- Oct. 1-Oct. 31: 5 per day, 8 per party
- Nov. 1-Mar. 15: No limit
- Trapping: No restrictions
🐦 Upland Birds
Mourning & White-winged Doves 🕊️
📅 Dove Periods:
- First Split: Sep. 1-30
- Second Split: Oct. 18-Nov. 16
- Third Split: Dec. 27-Jan. 25
🎟️ Bag Limits:
- Daily: 15 doves (singly or in aggregate)
- Possession: 45 doves
- Shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset
Bobwhite Quail
📅 Quail Period: Nov. 27-Mar. 7 🎟️ Bag Limit: 8 per day
🐿️ Upland Animals
📅 Small Game Opportunities:
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Squirrel (Youth) | Sep. 24-30 | 8 |
| Squirrel (Fall) | Oct. 1-Feb. 28 | 8 |
| Squirrel (Spring) | May 15-Jun. 1 | 4 |
| Rabbit | Oct. 18-Feb. 28 | 8 |
| Frog | Apr. 1-Sep. 30 | 25/night |
🐦 Other Small Game
📅 Additional Species:
| Game | Season | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Woodcock | Dec. 18-Jan. 31 | 3/day, 9 possession |
| Snipe | Nov. 14-Feb. 28 | 8/day, 24 possession |
| Crows | Nov. 1-Feb. 28 | No limit |
🦆 Migratory Birds
Special Early Opportunities
📅 September Seasons:
- Teal: Sep. 20-28 (6 per day, 18 possession)
- Canada Geese: Sep. 1-30 (5 per day, 15 possession)
- Rails & Gallinules: Sep. 1-30, Nov. 22-Dec. 31 (varying limits)
🦆 Ducks, Scaup, Mergansers, Geese
Regular Waterfowl Period
📅 Primary Waterfowl Dates:
- Nov. 28-30 (First Split)
- Dec. 6-Jan. 31 (Second Split)
🎟️ Duck Bag Limits (6 total daily):
- Mallards: 4 (max 2 hens)
- Mottled Ducks: 1
- Black Ducks: 2
- Pintails: 3
- Wood Ducks: 3
- Canvasbacks: 2
- Redheads: 2
- Scaup: 1 (Nov. 28-Dec. 17), 2 (Dec. 18-Jan. 31)
🎟️ Other Waterfowl:
- Mergansers: 5 (max 2 hooded)
- Coots: 15
- Possession limits: 3x daily bag
Goose Opportunities
📅 Regular Goose Period: Nov. 14-30, Dec. 6-Jan. 31
🎟️ Goose Limits:
- Canada: 5 daily, 15 possession
- White-fronted: 3 daily, 9 possession
- Snow/Blue/Ross’: 20 daily, no possession limit
- Brant: 1 daily, 3 possession
🦢 Other Waterfowls
Light Goose Conservation Order
📅 Special Light Goose Dates:
- Oct. 1-Nov. 13
- Dec. 1-5
- Feb. 1-6
- Feb. 9-Mar. 31
🎟️ Conservation Order Rules:
- No bag or possession limits
- Electronic calls permitted
- Unplugged shotguns allowed
- Extended shooting hours (1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset)
- Free permit required
Youth/Veteran/Military Days
📅 Special Waterfowl Weekend: Feb. 7-8
- Same bag limits as regular periods
- Open to youth, veterans, and active military personnel
🗺️ Mississippi Hunting Zones Map
For detailed maps of Mississippi’s hunting zones and Wildlife Management Areas, visit the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks website. The state offers more than 50 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) across various regions, providing excellent public hunting opportunities.
🎟️ Hunting License Information
Resident License Options
| License Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Sportsman’s License | $45.00 |
| All Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing | $25.00 |
| Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow | $14.00 |
| Small Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing | $10.00 |
| Wildlife Management Area User Permit | $15.00 |
| State Waterfowl Stamp | $10.00 |
| MS Super Sportsman Package | $80.00 |
Non-Resident License Options
| License Type | Price |
|---|---|
| All Game Hunting | $300.00 |
| 7-Day All Game Hunting | $150.00 |
| 3-Day All Game Hunting | $150.00 |
| Wildlife Management Area User Permit | $30.00 |
| Deer Permit | $100.00 |
| Spring Turkey Permit | $50.00 |
| Small Game Hunting | $95.00 |
Youth and Senior Options
- Youth under 16 are not required to purchase a license but can obtain a voluntary Exempt Under 16 license for $2.30
- Residents 65 and older can purchase a Senior Exempt License for $2.30
Frequently Asked Questions
🔍 Do I need a tag for deer hunting in Mississippi?
While Mississippi doesn’t issue physical tags, all deer and turkey hunters must purchase either an All Game Hunting/Fishing License or a Sportsman’s License. For non-residents, a Deer Permit is also required.
🌲 Where can I find public lands to hunt in Mississippi?
Mississippi offers over 50 Wildlife Management Areas totaling more than a thousand square miles. You’ll need a WMA User Permit ($15 for residents, $30 for non-residents) to access these areas.
🌙 Is night hunting allowed in Mississippi?
Night hunting is prohibited for deer. However, raccoon, opossum, and bobcat hunting is permitted at night during their respective seasons.
📱 How do I report my harvest in Mississippi?
While Mississippi doesn’t have a mandatory harvest reporting system for all game, some special hunts may require reporting. Always check current regulations before your hunt.
🏹 Can I use a crossbow during archery season?
Yes, crossbows are legal during all deer seasons, including archery. The Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow permit includes crossbow use.
Related Resources
The Sportsman’s Responsibility
As you prepare for your Mississippi hunting adventure, remember that responsible sportsmanship includes understanding and following all regulations. The rules are designed to protect and enhance wildlife populations while providing quality recreational opportunities.
Always verify current regulations with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks before heading afield, as seasons and regulations can change. Don’t forget to purchase the appropriate licenses and permits for your specific hunting activities, and consider taking a newcomer along to share in the rich Mississippi hunting tradition.
Happy hunting in the Magnolia State, where abundant wildlife and diverse habitats await your next outdoor expedition!
Source: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
