Hunting Opportunities in Mississippi: Seasons, Permits, and Places

Mississippi is a state that offers a variety of hunting opportunities for different game species and hunting methods. Whether you are looking for deer, turkey, waterfowl, alligator, or small game, you can find a place and a season to hunt them in Mississippi. In this article, we will give you an overview of the hunting seasons, permits, and places in Mississippi, so you can plan your next hunting adventure in the Magnolia State.

Hunting Seasons

Mississippi has different hunting seasons for different game species and hunting methods. The general hunting seasons are as follows:

• Deer: Archery season runs from October 1 to November 19 and January 18 to 31. Gun season with dogs runs from November 20 to December 1 and December 16 to January 17. Gun season without dogs runs from December 2 to 15. Primitive weapon season runs from December 2 to 15 and January 18 to 31. Youth gun season runs from November 6 to January 31.
• Turkey: Spring season runs from March 15 to May 1. Fall season runs from October 15 to November 15 on private lands only.
• Waterfowl: Duck season runs from November 27 to November 28, December 3 to December 5, and December 10 to January 30. Goose season runs from November 13 to February 15. Teal season runs from September 11 to September 26. Woodcock season runs from December 18 to January 31. Snipe season runs from November 14 to February 28. Dove season runs from September 4 to September 19, October 9 to October 31, and December 12 to January 31.
• Alligator: Public water season runs from August 27 to September 6. Private land season runs from August 27 to September 20.
• Small game: Squirrel season runs from October 1 to February 28. Rabbit season runs from October 16
• to February 28. Quail season runs from November 25 to March 6. Raccoon and opossum season runs from July 1 to September 30 and October 1 to June 30. Bobcat and fox season runs from October 1 to June 30. Beaver, nutria, and muskrat season runs from November 1 to March 31.
• These are the general hunting seasons, but they may vary by zone, weapon type, or public land area. For more details and specific dates, you can check the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) website or the annual hunting guide.

Hunting Permits

To hunt in Mississippi, you need a valid hunting license and a valid hunter education certificate, unless you are exempt by age or other criteria. You can buy a hunting license online, by phone, or at any MDWFP office or licensed vendor. The cost of a hunting license depends on your residency status, age, and the type of game you want to hunt. For example, a resident annual all-game hunting license costs $25, while a non-resident annual all-game hunting license costs $300.

In addition to a hunting license, you may need a special permit or a draw for some game species or public land areas. For example, you need an alligator hunting permit to hunt alligators on public waters or private lands. You can apply for an alligator hunting permit online during the annual application period in June. The cost of an alligator hunting permit is $200 for residents and $500 for non-residents.

You also need a WMA user permit to hunt on any wildlife management area (WMA) in Mississippi. You can buy a WMA user permit online, by phone, or at any MDWFP office or licensed vendor. The cost of a WMA user permit is $15 for residents and $30 for non-residents.

Some WMAs also require a draw hunt application for certain game species or hunting methods. You can apply for a draw hunt online during the annual application periods in July and August. The cost of a draw hunt application is $5 per hunt.

For more information on hunting permits and draws, you can visit the MDWFP website or contact the MDWFP office.

Hunting Places

Mississippi has plenty of places to hunt, both on public and private lands. The state has about 2 million acres of public land open to hunting, including state wildlife management areas (WMAs), national forests, national wildlife refuges, and state parks. Some of the best public land hunting can be found in the Delta region, where fertile soils and abundant crops provide ideal habitat for deer, waterfowl, and small game. Some of the top public land destinations in this region are:

• Bienville National Forest: This national forest covers over 178,000 acres in central Mississippi and offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, quail, and dove.
• Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge: This wildlife refuge covers over 48,000 acres in east-central Mississippi and offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, waterfowl, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, and opossum.
• Mahannah WMA: This WMA covers over 12,000 acres in west-central Mississippi and offers hunting opportunities for deer, waterfowl
• squirrel, rabbit, and dove.
• Sunflower WMA: This WMA covers over 60,000 acres in west-central Mississippi and offers hunting opportunities for deer, waterfowl, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, and opossum.
• If you prefer to hunt on private lands, you can find many privately managed properties that offer hunting leases or guided hunts for various game species and hunting methods. Some of the top private land destinations in Mississippi are:
• Giles Island Hunting Club: This hunting club covers over 9,000 acres in southwest Mississippi and offers hunting opportunities for trophy deer, turkey, and small game. The club also offers lodging, meals, and other amenities for its guests.
• Tara Wildlife: This wildlife resort covers over 20,000 acres in west-central Mississippi and offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game. The resort also offers lodging, meals, and other activities for its guests.
• Cottonwood Outfitters: This outfitter covers over 10,000 acres in north-central Mississippi and offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, and hog. The outfitter also offers lodging, meals, and other services for its clients.
• Magnolia Outdoors: This outfitter covers over 5,000 acres in south-central Mississippi and offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and dove. The outfitter also offers lodging, meals, and other services for its clients.

Mississippi is a state that has something for every hunter. Whether you are looking for big bucks, gobbling turkeys, or flying ducks, you can find them in Mississippi. The state has a variety of hunting seasons, permits, and places to suit your preferences and budget. All you need is a license, a weapon, and a passion for hunting these magnificent animals.