Mississippi Deer Season Dates And Rules 2025 Schedule

*The spring turkey season has been updated for 2026.

The Mississippi Deer Season will start in September, and there is still enough time for hunters to prepare a thorough hunting plan.

This annual tradition not only allows enthusiasts to connect with nature but also plays an important role in wildlife management and conservation efforts.

In this article, we’ll go over the important season dates and hunting limits for the upcoming deer season, ensuring that hunters are well-informed and ready for a successful and responsible hunting experience.

Mississippi Deer Season 2025 – 2026

Deer Seasons and Bag Limits

The deer seasons vary in different units. Now check the specific dates as follows:

Statewide bag limits are:  Each hunter can only harvest one antlered buck deer per day and a total of three per year. The maximum number of antlerless deer allowed to be harvested annually is five.

Check Out: When Is the Best Time to Hunt Deer

Legal Weapons for Deer Hunting

1. Youth are allowed to possess and use firearms for hunting if they can do so safely and follow all relevant laws and regulations.
2. Different types of archery equipment include longbows, recurve bows, compound bows, and crossbows. There are no restrictions on the draw weight, either minimum or maximum. There is no requirement for a minimum arrow length.
3. Fixed or mechanical broadheads are both acceptable for use.
4. Primitive Weapons: All bows, arrows, and traditional firearms are permitted for use during the Primitive Weapons season.
   The term “primitive firearms” refers to single or double-barreled muzzleloading rifles of .38 caliber or larger, or single-shot, breech-loading rifles of .35 caliber or larger with exposed hammers, used for deer hunting.

In addition to deer hunting in Mississippi, there are still other hunting opportunities that attract hunters across the state. Check out the other big game and small game seasons as follows.

Mississippi Turkey Season

This year, the turkey season has been extended to Sunday in the state.

Youth Season (Youth 15 and under): Mar.7 – 13, 2026

Spring Season:  Mar.14 – May 3, 2026

Notices:

1. The bag limit is: 1 adult gobbler or 1 gobbler with a 6-inch or longer beard per day, 3 per spring season.
2. Hunters 15 years of age and younger may harvest 1 gobbler of choice (any age) per day, 3 per Spring season.
3. Non-residents cannot hunt on public land in Mississippi before April 1 unless they have a Non-resident Public Lands Turkey Permit or are selected for a WMA Draw Hunt.
4. All spring turkeys harvested must be reported to the MDWFP Game Check system by 10 p.m. on the day of harvest. While spring turkey hunting, hunters must carry a current harvest reporting record.

The biggest change for 2026 is the mandatory Wild Turkey Stamp and the new Physical Tagging System.

Starting in spring 2026, almost everyone (residents and non-residents) must have a Wild Turkey Stamp to hunt. And you must have your tags on you while hunting.

Mississippi Small Game Season

Season	Date	Bag Limit
Youth Squrrel*	Sept. 24-30	8
Squirrel – Fall Season	Oct. 1-Feb. 28	8
Squirrel – Spring Season	May 15 -June 1	4
Rabbit	Oct. 18-Feb. 28	8
Bobwhite Quail	Nov. 27-Mar. 7	8
Frog	April 1 . Sept. 30	25/Night
Raccoon	July 1 – Sept.30	1 per Party/Night
Opossum, Raccoon, and Bobcat	Oct. 1 -Oct. 31 (Food and sport) Nov. 1-Mar. 15 (Food, sport, and pelt)	5/Day; 8/Party No Limit
Trapping	Nov.1 – Mar.15	No Limit

Notice: Squirrel hunting is permitted only on private lands and authorized state and federal lands within the designated squirrel hunting areas.

Mississippi Migratory Birds Season

Bird	Season Dates	Daily Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Sept. Teal	Sept. 20-Sept. 28	6	18
Sept. Canada Geese	Sept. 1-Sept. 30	5	15
Woodcock	Dec. 18-Jan. 31	3	9
Snipe	Nov. 14-Feb. 28	8	24
Gallinules: Common and Purple	Sept. 1- 30 Nov. 22-Dec. 31	15 Singly or in aggregate	45 Singly or in aggregate
Rails: Clapper and King	Sept. 1- 30 Nov. 22-Dec. 31	15 Singly or in aggregate	45 Singly or in aggregate
Rails: Sora and Virginia	Sept. 1- 30 Nov. 22-Dec. 31	25 Singly or in aggregate	75 Singly or in aggregate
Mourning and White-winged Doves (North Zone)	Sept. 1- 30 Oct. 18-Nov. 16 Dec. 27-Jan. 25	15 Singly or in aggregate	45 Singly or in aggregate
Mourning and White-winged Doves (South Zone)	Sept. 1- 30 Oct. 18-Nov. 16 Dec. 27-Jan. 25	15 Singly or in aggregate	45 Singly or in aggregate
Crows	Nov. 1-Feb. 28	No Limit	No Limit
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots	Nov. 28-Nov. 30     Dec. 6-Jan. 31	See below	See below
Geese: Canada, White-fronted, Snow, Blue, Ross’s, and Brant	Nov. 14- 30 Dec. 6- Jan. 31	Canada Geese: 5, Snow, Blue, & Ross’s: 20, White-fronted: 3, Brant: 1	Canada Geese: 15, Snow, Blue, & Ross’s: No limit, White-fronted: 9, Brant: 3
Youth, Veterans, and Active Military Waterfowl Days	Feb. 7-8	Same as regular season	Same as regular season
Light Goose Conservation Order (Special Permit Needed)	Oct. 1-Nov. 13 Dec. 1-Dec. 5 Feb. 1-Feb. 6 Feb. 9-Mar. 31	No Limit	No Limit

Hunting Rules To Follow In Mississippi

While hunting in Mississippi could be exciting, it is important to acknowledge their rules and requirements to ensure a legal and joyful experience.

Here, we summarize important information on the regulations and rules for Mississippi hunting season. Check these rules before you navigate the Mississippi hunting landscape responsibly and legally.

1. You need permission from the landowner to hunt, fish, or trap on their land.
2. Wildlife Management Areas administered by the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks have special seasons and regulations different from statewide ones. Contact the MDWFP or area personnel for more information.
3. Mississippi residents between the ages of 16 and 64 must have a hunting license, except when hunting on their own titled land. Residents aged 65 and older or those exempt from obtaining a hunting license must carry documentation while hunting.
4. Non-resident hunters, except minors under 16, need a hunting license to hunt in Mississippi.
5. Anyone born after January 1, 1972, must complete an approved hunter education course before getting a Mississippi hunting license. Fraudulent acquisition of a license or certificate will result in revocation or cancellation.
6. Certain residents with disabilities or impairments are exempt from purchasing a hunting or fishing license but must carry proof of age, residency, disability status, or impairment when engaged in hunting or fishing activities.
7. Obtaining a license under a false name or making false statements to obtain a license is a felony punishable by a fine or imprisonment.
8. Legal shooting hours for resident game are from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. For migratory birds, shooting hours are from half an hour before sunrise to sunset.
9. Raccoon, fox, opossum, beaver, and bobcats can be legally hunted at night with or without a light and with dogs, except during the spring turkey season. Refer to specific regulations for legal deer hunting.
10. Hunting turkeys with dogs is prohibited. Dogs are not allowed for deer hunting during certain seasons such as archery season, primitive weapons season, or still hunting season. Applications for dog field trials must be submitted to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks at least 14 days before the trial opens.

These are the costs of licenses for Residents:

And, the following are the license fees for Non-residents:

End Words

To summarize, knowing Mississippi’s hunting season dates and regulations is critical for all hunters. You can ensure that you will know when to prepare for your hunting activities and make sure that it is legal and safe by obtaining the necessary information, permissions, licenses, and regulations.

Moreover, always remember to respect the land, hunt ethically, and prioritize safety at all times. You can help preserve Mississippi’s wildlife and natural resources for future generations of hunters by following these rules and guidelines. Good luck with your hunt!

Things may change over time and we will keep you updated with any news! Or visit the official website here: Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries&Parks.