Hunting Seasons in Mississippi 2025–26: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide

Plan your 2025–26 MS hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to wild turkey to ducks. Whether you’re slipping a compound bow arrow through pine savannah for a trophy buck, calling spring turkey in creek bottom hardwoods, or running decoys for mallards on flooded rice fields, Mississippi’s river bottoms, uplands, and coastal marshes offer premier big game and small game opportunities under clear regulations. What Is There to Hunt in Mississippi? Mississippi’s varied habitat supports: Big Game: Whitetail deer, wild turkey, black bear (draw hunts), feral hogs (no closed season) Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, bobwhite quail, mourning dove Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, gadwall), geese, coots, rails Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, raccoon, opossum, bobcat Whether you pursue whitetail deer with a rifle in a November gun season or hone your predator‑control skills tracking coyote year‑round, the Magnolia State delivers diverse seasons. Year‑Round Huntable Species On private lands with landowner permission, you may harvest unprotected or nuisance species—feral hogs, coyote, nutria, raccoon, and opossum—any time of year. These off‑season hunts aid management of invasive and predator populations. Mississippi Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26 Whitetail Deer Archery: Oct 10 – Nov 30, 2025 (all zones) General Gun: Dec 1 – Dec 15, 2025 Muzzleloader: Nov 28 – Dec 2, 2025 Youth Gun: Nov 22 – 23, 2025 Antlerless Gun: Jan 2 – Jan 10, 2026 (remaining county tags) Bag limit is 1 antlered buck per season plus antlerless deer if you draw special tags. Mississippi’s archery seasons overlap rice‑field hunts, letting bowhunters test stealth in flooded timber. Wild Turkey (Spring) Season: Mar 20 – May 5, 2026 (all zones) Youth Hunt: Mar 13 – 19, 2026 Spring turkey seasons welcome both shotgun and archery, with license‑free permits available online. Harvest reporting helps maintain healthy flocks. Black Bear Draw Hunts Only: Sept 1 – Oct 15, 2025 (limited permits) Bear tags are issued via computerized draw; successful applicants may bait or hound under strict MDWFP guidelines. Mississippi Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26 Small Game & Upland Birds Rabbit & Squirrel: Oct 15 – Feb 15, 2026 Bobwhite Quail: Nov 1 – Feb 28, 2026 (WMAs only) Mourning Dove: Sept 1 – Nov 20, 2025; Nov 30 – Jan 31, 2026 Small game seasons span fall and winter, with shotguns loaded with shot sizes appropriate to each species. Quail and dove hunts in degraded farmland buffer strips are prime for upland birders. Waterfowl & Migratory Birds Regular Duck Season: Nov 24 – Jan 31, 2026 (north/south splits) Early Teal: Sept 13 – 27, 2025 Goose Season: Nov 30 – Jan 31, 2026 Rails & Coots: Sept 1 – Nov 15, 2025 Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset; non‑toxic shot required Mississippi’s wintering flocks of ducks and geese draw hunters to flooded timber and rice fields. A valid Federal Duck Stamp, HIP registration, and state waterfowl permit are mandatory. Bag Limits by Species Whitetail Deer: 1 antlered buck; antlerless as permitted Wild Turkey: 2 per spring season; 1 per day Ducks: 6 per day; species sub‑limits apply (3 mallards, etc.) Geese: 4 per day Rails: 25 per day; Coots: 15 per day Rabbit & Squirrel: 8 per day each Coyote & Feral Hogs: No limits on private lands Bag limits support sustainable harvests of big game and small game while protecting core populations. License & Tags Information for Mississippi Hunters (2025–26) All hunters must carry a valid Mississippi hunting license and required tags or permits: Resident License: $9.50; Nonresident: $212.50 Deer Tags: $14 (antlered); $10 (antlerless) Turkey Permit: Free (online application) Waterfowl Permit: $8; Federal Duck Stamp & HIP required Bear Permit: $25 (draw only) Licenses fund wildlife management and habitat conservation. Draw applications open May 1 for limited hunts. Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader Mississippi authorizes: Archery: Compound and recurve bows, crossbows (archery season only) Rifles & Shotguns: Center‑fire rifles, shotguns with slugs or shot during general seasons Muzzleloaders: Permitted in designated early‑November window Dogs & Bait: Allowed for feral hog and raccoon hunts; waterfowlers rely on decoys and calls Check weapon regulations for caliber, draw weight, and non‑toxic requirements. Regulations & Resources Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks regulations cover: Shooting Hours: Sunrise – 30 min after sunset (waterfowl sunrise rule) Hunting Zones & Maps: Detailed by county and WMA; digital maps available Harvest Reporting: Deer and turkey must be reported within 48 hrs Special Areas: Migratory bird sanctuaries, WMAs with limited access Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt. This guide was created based on information from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP): https://www.mdwfp.com/wildlife-hunting/hunting-seasons-and-bag-limits With clearly defined seasons, manageable bag limits, and streamlined license structures, Mississippi delivers outstanding hunting experiences for whitetail deer, turkey, waterfowl, and beyond. Prepare your bow or rifle, secure the proper permits, and embrace the Magnolia State’s rich wildlife heritage during the 2025–26 season.