Get the details on the 2025-2026 Mississippi hunting seasons for white-tailed deer, turkey, small game, and squirrel as published by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. We have provided the data in easy-to-read tables and a color-coded map.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not meant to fully disclose all rules and regulations pertaining to these seasons. To read the full details, including bag limits, legal deer definition, seasons, open areas, and more, visit the MDWFP hunting season publication
NOTE: seasons are subject to change by MDWFP due to flooding and other causes. Visit www.mdwfp.com for more information on closures.
2025-2026 White-Tailed Deer Hunting Season Schedule in Mississippi*
| Zone | Weapon Type | Open Date | Close Date | Legal Deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta, North Central, and Hills* | Archery | Sept. 12, 2025 | Sept. 14, 2025 | Only one (1) Legal Buck. Special permit, mandatory reporting, and CWD sampling required. Private Land and authorized state and federal lands. |
| Delta, North Central, and Hills* | Archery | Oct. 1, 2025 | Nov. 21, 2025 | Either-Sex on private and open public lands. |
| Delta, North Central, and Hills* | Youth Season (age 15 and under) | Nov. 8, 2025 | Nov. 21, 2025 | Either-Sex on private lands, authorized state and federal lands, and open public lands. |
| Delta, North Central, and Hills* | Youth Season (age 15 and under) | Nov. 22, 2025 | Jan. 31, 2026 | Either-Sex on private lands. On open public lands, youth must follow legal buck criteria. |
| Delta, North Central, and Hills* | Antlerless Primitive Weapon | Nov. 10, 2025 | Nov. 21, 2025 | Antlerless Deer Only on private lands. |
| Delta, North Central, and Hills* | Gun (with dogs) | Nov. 22, 2025 | Dec. 1, 2025 | Either-Sex on private land and Holly Springs NF (excluding portions in Yalobusha County). Legal Bucks only on open public land. |
| Delta, North Central, and Hills* | Primitive Weapon | Dec. 2, 2025 | Dec. 15, 2025 | Either-Sex on private and open public lands. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license. |
| Delta, North Central, and Hills* | Gun (without dogs) | Dec. 16, 2025 | Dec. 23, 2025 | Either-Sex on private land and Holly Springs NF (excluding portions in Yalobusha County). Legal Bucks only on open public land. |
| Delta, North Central, and Hills* | Gun (with dogs) | Dec. 24, 2025 | Jan 21, 2026 | Either-Sex on private land and Holly Springs NF (excluding portions in Yalobusha County). Legal Bucks only on open public land. |
| Delta, North Central, and Hills* | Archery/Primitive Weapon | Jan. 22, 2026 | Jan. 31, 2026 | Either-Sex on private land and Holly Springs NF (excluding portions in Yalobusha County). Legal Bucks only on open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license. |
| Southeast* | Archery | Sept. 12, 2025 | Sept. 14, 2025 | Only one (1) Legal Buck. Special permit, mandatory reporting, and CWD sampling required. Private Land and authorized state and federal lands. |
| Southeast* | Archery | Oct. 15, 2025 | Nov. 21, 2025 | Either-Sex on private and open public land. |
| Southeast* | Youth Season (Age 15 and under) | Nov. 8, 2025 | Nov. 21, 2025 | Either-Sex on private lands, authorized state and federal lands, and open public lands. |
| Southeast* | Youth Season (Age 15 and under) | Nov. 22, 2025 | Jan. 31, 2026 | Either-Sex on private lands. On open public lands, youth must follow below legal deer criteria. |
| Southeast* | Gun (with dogs) | Nov. 22, 2025 | Dec. 1, 2025 | Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land. |
| Southeast* | Primitive Weapon | Dec. 2, 2025 | Dec. 15, 2025 | Either-Sex on private and open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license. |
| Southeast* | Gun (without dogs) | Dec. 16, 2025 | Dec. 23, 2025 | Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land. |
| Southeast* | Gun (with dogs) | Dec. 24, 2025 | Jan. 21, 2026 | Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land. |
| Southeast* | Archery/Primitive Weapon | Jan. 22, 2026 | Jan. 31, 2026 | Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license. |
| Southeast* | Archery/Primitive Weapon | Feb. 1, 2026 | Feb. 15, 2026 | Legal Bucks only on private and open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license. |
2025-2026 Turkey Hunting Seasons in Mississippi*
Spring Turkey Season
- March 14th – May 1st
- One (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.
Youth Spring Turkey Season (Youth 15 and under)
- March 7th – March 13th
- Private and authorized state and federal public lands
- One (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-Resident Season (Public Lands)
- 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.
*Read full details including bag limits and open areas in the MDWFP Mississippi hunting season publication
Tips for Hunting Clubs
Just before hunting season opens is a good time to check your hunting club property to make sure everything is safe and the equipment is functioning properly. Read our tips for hunting clubs to increase safety of their members and reduce club liability for tips on what to keep an eye out for.
2025-2026 Small Game Hunting Seasons in Mississippi*
| Species | Open Date | Close Date | Daily Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Squirrel** | Sept. 24, 2025 | Sept. 30, 2025 | 8 |
| Squirrel - Fall Season | Oct. 1, 2025 | Feb. 28, 2026 | 8 |
| Squirrel - Spring Season | May 15, 2026 | June 1, 2026 | 4 |
| Rabbit* | Oct. 18, 2025 | Feb. 28, 206 | 8 |
| Bobwhite Quail* | Nov. 27, 2025 | Mar. 7, 2026 | 8 |
| Frog* | Apr. 1, 2026 | Sept. 30, 2026 | 25/night |
| Raccoon* | Jul. 1, 2026 | Sept. 30, 2026 | 1 per party/night |
| Opossum, Raccoon, and Bobcat (food and sport)* | Oct. 1 , 2025 | Oct. 31, 2025 | 5/day 8/party |
| Opossum, Raccoon, and Bobcat (food, sport, and pelt)* | Nov. 1, 2025 | Feb. 28 ,2026 | No limit |
| Trapping* | Nov. 1, 2025 | Mar. 15, 2026 | No limit |
** Youth: Age 15 and under. On private lands and authorized state and federal lands only in those areas open for squirrel hunting
Other Articles of Interest to Mississippi Hunters
- Estate Planning for Ownership Interests in Hunting Clubs
- Mississippi Land Lease Agreements
- Practical ways for hunting clubs to reduce liability
- 3 Steps to Have a Safe Hunting Season
- What to Do About Trespassers On Your Land
- Legal Devices to help Hunting Clubs and Landowners Minimize Their Liability