Mississippi 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Mississippi's 2026-27 firearm deer season opens November 21, 2026 in every zone and runs in split segments through January 20, 2027; the dates for each zone are in the table below.
Archery deer season opens between October 1, 2026 and October 15, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes November 20, 2026.
Duck season runs Nov 27-29, 2026, plus 2 more segments through Jan 31, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Mississippi MDWFP.
- firearm deer
- opens Nov 21, 2026; split dates by zone
- archery deer
- opens Oct 1-15, 2026 by zone
- duck
- Nov 27-29, 2026, plus 2 more segments through Jan 31, 2027
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Key seasons by species
How to read Mississippi's seasons
Deer zones and a long season reward close reading
Mississippi splits the state into deer zones — including Delta and Hill Country areas — with different archery, primitive-weapon, and gun dates across a long season. Read the rows below by zone.
Confirm zone boundaries, either-sex dates, and antler rules with the official Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks source.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Mississippi MDWFP before hunting.
New 2026-27
federal openings
in Mississippi
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened or expanded hunting and fishing access at 9 stations in Mississippi. The final rule took effect August 31, 2026.
- AL · MS · NWR
Grand Bay NWR
Alabama / MississippiMIGRATORY BIRD: EXPANSIONUPLAND GAME: EXPANSIONBIG GAME: EXPANSIONFISHING: EXPANSION - MS · NWR
Hillside NWR
MississippiUPLAND GAME: OPENING - MS · NWR
Holt Collier NWR
MississippiMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDFISHING: OPENING - MS · NWR
Mathews Brake NWR
MississippiUPLAND GAME: OPENING - MS · NWR
Morgan Brake NWR
MississippiMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: OPENING - MS · NWR
Panther Swamp NWR
MississippiMIGRATORY BIRD: OPEN + EXPANDUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: EXPANSIONFISHING: EXPANSION - MS · NWR
St. Catherine Creek NWR
MississippiMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: OPENINGFISHING: OPENING - MS · NWR
Theodore Roosevelt NWR
MississippiMIGRATORY BIRD: NEW STATIONUPLAND GAME: NEW STATIONBIG GAME: NEW STATIONFISHING: NEW STATION - MS · NWR
Yazoo NWR
MississippiMIGRATORY BIRD: OPEN + EXPANDUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: EXPANSIONFISHING: OPENING
Deer
21 listed rowsWhite-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Delta, North Central, and Hills Management Units
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Southeast Management Unit
White-tailed Deer
Youth
Either-Sex on private lands, authorized state and federal lands, and open public lands.
Zone: Southeast Management Unit
White-tailed Deer
Youth
Either-Sex on private lands, authorized state and federal lands, and open public lands.
Zone: Delta, North Central, and Hills Management Units
White-tailed Deer
Antlerless Primitive Weapon
On private lands only.
Zone: Delta, North Central, and Hills Management Units
White-tailed Deer
Youth
Zone: Southeast Management Unit
White-tailed Deer
Youth
Zone: Delta, North Central, and Hills Management Units
White-tailed Deer
Gun (with dogs)
Zone: Southeast Management Unit
White-tailed Deer
Gun (with dogs)
Zone: Delta, North Central, and Hills Management Units
White-tailed Deer
Primitive Weapon
Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.
Zone: Southeast Management Unit
White-tailed Deer
Primitive Weapon
Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.
Zone: Delta, North Central, and Hills Management Units
White-tailed Deer
Gun (without dogs)
Zone: Southeast Management Unit
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed DeerArchery Velvet · Southeast Management UnitSpecial permit, mandatory reporting, and CWD sampling required. Private Land and authorized state and federal lands. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerArchery Velvet · Delta, North Central, and Hills Management UnitsSpecial permit, mandatory reporting, and CWD sampling required. Private Land and authorized state and federal lands. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerGun (without dogs) · Delta, North Central, and Hills Management Units | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun (with dogs) · Southeast Management Unit | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun (with dogs) · Delta, North Central, and Hills Management Units | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerArchery/Primitive Weapon · Delta, North Central, and Hills Management UnitsWeapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license. | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerArchery/Primitive Weapon · Southeast Management UnitWeapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license. | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerArchery/Primitive Weapon · Southeast Management UnitWeapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license. | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerYouth · Southeast Management Unit | Upcoming |
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Youth
Youth 15 and under. Private and authorized state and federal public lands.
Wild Turkey
Spring Season
Non-residents cannot hunt public land before April 1 unless drawn for permit. Mississippi Wild Turkey Stamp required for all non-exempt hunters 16 and older beginning 2026 Spring Turkey Season.
Waterfowl
22 listed rowsSnow, Blue, and Ross' Geese
Light Goose Conservation Order
Free Light Goose Conservation Order permit required.
Zone: Statewide
Brant
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Canada Geese
Regular Season
Roebuck Lake (Leflore County) is closed to Canada goose hunting.
Zone: Statewide
Snow, Blue, and Ross' Geese
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
White-fronted Geese
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Regular Season
Scaup: 1 per day Nov. 27-29, Dec. 4-6 and Dec. 9-17; 2 per day Dec. 18-Jan. 31.
Zone: Statewide
Snow, Blue, and Ross' Geese
Light Goose Conservation Order
Free Light Goose Conservation Order permit required.
Zone: Statewide
Brant
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Canada Geese
Regular Season
Roebuck Lake (Leflore County) is closed to Canada goose hunting.
Zone: Statewide
Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots
Regular Season
Scaup: 1 per day Nov. 27-29, Dec. 4-6 and Dec. 9-17; 2 per day Dec. 18-Jan. 31.
Zone: Statewide
Snow, Blue, and Ross' Geese
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
White-fronted Geese
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| BrantRegular Season · Statewide | Upcoming | |
| Canada GeeseSeptember Canada Geese · StatewideRoebuck Lake (Leflore County) is closed to Canada goose hunting. | Closed | |
| Canada GeeseRegular Season · StatewideRoebuck Lake (Leflore County) is closed to Canada goose hunting. | Upcoming | |
| Ducks, Mergansers, and CootsRegular Season · StatewideScaup: 1 per day Nov. 27-29, Dec. 4-6 and Dec. 9-17; 2 per day Dec. 18-Jan. 31. | Upcoming | |
| Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, and GeeseYouth, Veterans, and Active Military Waterfowl Hunt Days · StatewideOnly youth age 15 and under, veterans, and active military personnel; youth must be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older licensed to hunt waterfowl in Mississippi. | Upcoming | |
| Snow, Blue, and Ross' GeeseRegular Season · Statewide | Upcoming | |
| Snow, Blue, and Ross' GeeseLight Goose Conservation Order · StatewideFree Light Goose Conservation Order permit required. | Upcoming | |
| Snow, Blue, and Ross' GeeseLight Goose Conservation Order · StatewideFree Light Goose Conservation Order permit required. | Upcoming | |
| TealSeptember Teal · StatewideAll teal species are legal for harvest. | Closed | |
| White-fronted GeeseRegular Season · Statewide | Upcoming |
Dove
Mourning and White-winged Doves
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Mourning and White-winged Doves
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Mourning and White-winged Doves
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Quail
Bobwhite Quail
General
Rabbit
Rabbit
General
Squirrel
Squirrel
Fall Season
Squirrel
Spring Season
Squirrel
Youth
Age 15 and under. Private lands and authorized state and federal lands only in those areas open for squirrel hunting.
Furbearer
Furbearer
Trapping
Opossum, Raccoon, and Bobcat
Food, Sport, and Pelt
Food, sport, and pelt allowed during this period.
Opossum, Raccoon, and Bobcat
Food and Sport
Food and sport only during this period.
Raccoon
General
Migratory Birds
Snipe
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Gallinules: Common and Purple
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Rails: Clapper and King
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Rails: Sora and Virginia
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Woodcock
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Gallinules: Common and Purple
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Rails: Clapper and King
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Rails: Sora and Virginia
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Other
Crows
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Frog
General
Zone: Statewide
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Mississippi Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Mississippi?
Archery deer season opens between October 1, 2026 and October 15, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes November 20, 2026. Firearm deer season opens November 21, 2026 in every zone and runs in split segments through January 20, 2027; the dates for each zone are in the table below. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Mississippi MDWFP.
When is Mississippi's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season opens November 21, 2026 in every zone and runs in split segments through January 20, 2027; the dates for each zone are in the table below. Check zone and permit details with Mississippi MDWFP before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Mississippi?
Spring turkey season runs Mar 15-May 2, 2027. Youth and other special hunts, where listed, open earlier.
Do I need a license to hunt in Mississippi?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Mississippi hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Mississippi MDWFP.
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