Mississippi Hunting Laws Licensing & Regulations

Hunting in Mississippi

Even if some of the hunting opportunities in Mississippi are subpar, the state still has some excellent species to hunt, including turkeys, deer, and small game animals. It is also one of the states in the United States where alligator hunting is permitted.

Hunting Regulations in Mississippi

Mississippi, like most states in the United States, has hunting restrictions, laws, and standards that hunters must follow.

The taking, trapping, pursuing, searching, shooting, stalking, killing, and snaring of wildlife, games, and fishes protected by the Mississippi Department of Natural Resources is characterized as hunting. It also makes no difference if the game is killed or damaged during the action.

The following are some of the most important Mississippi hunting regulations:

Hunting Mishaps

If you are engaged in any type of hunting mishap involving the use of a firearm, and the accident results in a personal injury or property damage worth more than $100, you must report the accident within the next 12 hours.

The accident must be reported to the local county sheriff’s office or any local conservation office. If the sheriff’s office and the local conservation office are both closed, you must report the accident to the Mississippi Department of Natural Resources if it occurred between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Obtaining a License

On public or private hunting lands, hunters must have a valid Mississippi hunting license with them. You must show the license or any legal permit, tag, and stamp to peace officers and landowners in charge of the property where you are trapping or hunting upon request. The license might be either physical or electronic.

Game Animal Possession and Storage

You may not exceed the bag limit of any game or fur-bearing animal that you obtain legally with a valid license when hunting in Mississippi until the first day of the next open season of that game.

As long as the animal is taken legally, you are allowed to possess approximately 25 pounds of deer meat known as venison during deer hunting in Mississippi.

Communication Device Use

It is illegal to utilize a two-way communication equipment to direct hunters, stalk game animals, or locate their movement and position. There is an exemption for coyote hunting, where hunters may use 2-way radios. Additionally, falconers with a valid state falconer permit may utilize a one-way mobile transmitter to capture free-flying birds. When using a hunting dog, you can employ a one-way mobile transmitter to track or recover the dog.

Games from Other Countries

You can legally possess games that were lawfully taken from other states and legitimately imported into Mississippi if you can verify that they were both lawfully taken and imported. However, there are occasional exceptions to this rule for major sporting events.

Games for Retrieving and Wasting

It is illegal to abandon game animals that have been injured while hunting without making any effort to collect them. Similarly, it is illegal to abandon any useable piece of game animals after taking them. This regulation’s definition of usable portion includes:

A game animal component that is frequently processed for food.
The hide and fur of fur-bearing sports.

Transport of Hunting Weapons

It is illegal to have or carry a handgun in your vehicle on Mississippi public highways. There are exceptions to this rule for firearms that are enclosed in their case, as well as those with unattached magazines and ammo. In addition, handguns must be transported in a closed container and must be unloaded. Anyone in the vehicle should also be unable to access the firearm.

Muzzleloaders must be either cased or unloaded. When the priming charge is not in the pan or the cap is not in the nipple, muzzleloaders are considered empty.

Hunting Near Structures

It is illegal to discharge or try to discharge a firearm for the purpose of shooting game animals within 200 yards of a residential building or a building containing feedlots or domestic livestock.

Exceptions to this rule are permitted if you obtain permission from the landowner or a renter living in the residential structure.

According to this rule, a feedlot is a structure used to hold animals and feed them until they reach slaughter size.

In Mississippi, open carry is permitted while hunting.

While hunting in the state, you can open carry your firearm, and this includes bow hunting.

To conceal carry when hunting in Mississippi, however, you must have a state permit.

To safeguard hunting activities, Mississippi has hunter harassment statutes, which include the following:

Nobody shall intentionally interfere with a licensed hunting activity in the state or the authorized taking of wildlife games.
Nobody shall disturb wild animals in such a way that the animals’ behaviors are affected, making authorized hunting activities impossible.
Nobody shall interrupt or harass anyone engaged in legitimate wildlife hunting in Mississippi.
Nobody must trespass on private or state-owned land to engage in hunting without the consent of the property’s owner or the authority in charge.

Mississippi hunting licenses, permits, and tags are available.

Mississippi hunting licenses are awarded based on the applicant’s domicile and age. Permits, tags, and stamps, on the other hand, are obtained in the state for certain sports.

The following are some of the most important hunting licenses, permits, and tags in Mississippi:

Permits and Licenses for Residents

These licenses and permits are exclusively available to Mississippi residents. Among them are the following:

Sportsman’s Permit

This license includes turkey hunting in the fall and spring seasons, the use of hunting weapons and archery, and freshwater fishing in Mississippi. Residents with this license are permitted to engage in all of the aforementioned activities. The license, however, does not include access to Wildlife Management Areas or saltwater fishing in Mississippi. It will set you back $45.

License for All Game Hunting and Fishing

This license includes access to spring turkey hunting but does not include a permit to Wildlife Management Areas or saltwater fishing in Mississippi. It will set you back $25.

Permits for Archery, Crossbow, and Primitive Hunting Weapons

During various Mississippi hunting seasons, these permits allow citizens to use archery, archaic weapons, and crossbows. It is priced at $14.

Permits for Wildlife Management Areas

Allow resident hunters to take games in Mississippi WMAs. Hunters must obtain this permit before taking or attempting to take game in any of the state WMAs. It is priced at $15.

License for Small Game Hunting and Freshwater Fishing

This license authorizes Mississippi resident hunters to take small game animals and freshwater fish. It costs ten dollars.

Apprentice Sportsman Permit

Residents who have not completed the mandatory hunter certification course will need an apprentice license to hunt in the state under the supervision of a licensed hunter. The benefits of the ordinary resident’s sportsman license apply to this license. It is $32.00.

Apprentice License for All Games

This license is identical to the standard All sports and fishing license, except it is only accessible to apprentice hunters who have not completed the hunter certification course. In Mississippi, apprentice hunters will be allowed to hunt only under the supervision of licensed hunters. This license will set you back $17.

Small Game Apprentice License

This license is identical to the standard Residents Small Game license, however it is only available to apprentice hunters who have not completed the hunter certification course. In Mississippi, apprentice hunters will be allowed to hunt only under the supervision of licensed hunters. This license will set you back $13.

Sportsman Apprentice License for 3 Days

Residents who have not completed the mandatory hunter certification course will need an apprentice license to hunt in the state under the supervision of a licensed hunter. The license provides the same privileges as a regular resident’s sportsman license, however it is only valid for three days. It is $32.00.

Trapping Permit

Trapping licenses issued to Mississippi residents will allow them to lay traps on permitted hunting properties throughout the state. It will set you back $25.

Hunting Licenses for Non-Residents

These are non-resident Mississippi out-of-state hunting licenses. Among them are the following:

All Game Hunting Licenses for Non-Residents

Non-residents can hunt all game in Mississippi with this license. It does not include spring turkey hunting, access to Wildlife Management Areas, or saltwater fishing in Mississippi. It will set you back $300.

Non-resident All-Games Hunting License for 7 Days

Non-resident All-Games Hunting License for 3 Days

Youth All-Game Hunting Permit

Non-resident youths can hunt all game in Mississippi with this license. It does not include spring turkey hunting, access to Wildlife Management Areas, or saltwater fishing in Mississippi. It is $110 in price.

Youth All-Game Hunting License for 7 Days

Permits for Wildlife Management Areas

Allow non-resident hunters to take game in Mississippi WMAs. Hunters must obtain this permit before taking or attempting to take game in any of the state WMAs. It will set you back $30.

Licenses, permits, and tags for fishing in Mississippi

Mississippi fishing licenses, permits, and tags include the following:

Residents’ Fishing Permits

These are solely available to Mississippi residents and include the following:

Freshwater Fishing License for 3 Days

This license will allow Mississippi residents to catch fish in freshwater. The license is good for three days and costs $3.

License for Saltwater Fishing

This license will allow Mississippi residents to catch fish in saltwater bodies throughout the state. It costs ten dollars.

Senior Saltwater Fishing License for Life

This license is exclusively available to Mississippi senior citizens aged 65 and up. It will set you back $5.

Non-resident fishing permits

These licenses are only available to non-residents who want to fish in Mississippi. Among them are the following:

14-day Armed Forces Fishing and Hunting Licenses

Non-residents who are members of the US armed forces are eligible for this license. It is $33.00.

Freshwater Fishing License for 3 Days

Non-residents will be able to catch fish in freshwater with this license. It is only good for three days and costs $15.

Freshwater Fishing Permit

This is a non-resident regular fishing license that allows you to catch fish in Mississippi’s freshwaters. It will set you back $60.

1 Day Freshwater Fishing Permit

Non-residents will be able to catch fish in freshwater with this license. It has a one-day validity and costs $8.

License for Saltwater Fishing

This is a typical non-resident fishing license for catching fish in Mississippi saltwater. It will set you back $30.

3-Day Saltwater Fishing Permit

This license will allow non-residents to catch saltwater fish. It is only good for three days and costs $15.

Mississippi Deer Season

Mississippi hunting seasons are determined by the game species and, more importantly, the type of hunting weapon or firearm used to take the game.

Minnesota’s shooting season for various wildlife in 2020–21 includes the following:

Alligator Season in Mississippi

General Hunting Season (Hunting in Public Waters): August 28th to September 7th Hunting on Private Lands: August 39th to September 21st

In Mississippi, alligator hunting requires a specific permit provided by the state. The Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks website is where hunters can apply for the permit. There will be a lottery procedure to choose the hunters, and they will also be required to complete alligator hunting instruction. Hunters who are exempt from this training must have already completed the course. In Mississippi, the minimum age to apply for alligator hunting is 16 years old.

Deer Hunting Season in Mississippi

Archery Hunting Season (October 1st to November 20th)
Youth Gun Hunting Season (November 7th to November 20th and November 21st to January 31st)
Firearms Hunting Season (November 21st to January 20th)
Primitive Weapon Hunting Season (Antlerless: November 9th to November 20th. Others: January 21st to February 15th)

Deer hunting in Mississippi varies by hunting zone, and the usage of hunting dogs is no exception. Mississippi has three hunting zones for deer: Western Mississippi, Middle Mississippi, and Southeast. Each hunting zone will have its own set of deer hunting dates. Hunters should check the state wildlife, fishery, and park website for further information.

Season for hunting turkeys in Mississippi

Fall General Hunting Season (October 15th to November 15th)
Youth Spring Hunting Season (March 8th to March 14th)
General Spring Hunting Season (March 15th to May 1st)

The fall turkey open season on private property in Mississippi will be restricted to hunters who have obtained the necessary permission.

Small Game Hunting Season in Mississippi

Rabbit hunting season lasts from October 17th to February 28th.
Hunting Season for Bobwhite Quail (November 26th to March 6th)
Raccoon hunting season runs from July 1st until September 30th.
Opossum Hunting Season (October 1st to October 31st and November 1st to February 28th)
Open Season for Fall Squirrels (October 1st to February 28th)
Squirrel Season in the Spring (15th of May to 1st of June)
Youth Squirrel Season (September 24th to September 30th)

Hunters should be aware that unique hunting seasons, bag restrictions, and hunting laws and regulations vary depending on the game species and the season. Hunters should visit the Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks website for further information.

Mississippi Wildlife, Recreation, and Fishing

The following are some of the most popular games and wildlife hunted in Mississippi:

Hunting for deer in Mississippi

Deer are common in Mississippi River valley counties. They prefer the most fertile land locations, and the fertility level of the land usually determines the grade of deer that can be found there. Because the delta and batture areas contain some of Mississippi’s most fertile soils, deer are abundant in these locations.

Alligator hunting in Mississippi

Alligators are widely distributed in Mississippi, with a high concentration in counties such as Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson. The presence of alligators has been documented as far north as Coahoma and Tunica counties in Mississippi.

Hunting for ducks in Mississippi

Wetland areas, particularly those away from human settlement, are ideal for duck hunting in Mississippi. Duck hunting will be good in wildlife refuge regions with lakes, rivers, and ponds. Ducks are typically found in shallow parts of the state’s water basins.

Hunting for turkey in Mississippi

The eastern wild turkey is the most common wild turkey in Mississippi, and it may be found in practically every region of the state, but mainly in the Mississippi River’s eastern reaches.

Hunting for Hogs in Mississippi

Hog hunting is popular in Mississippi due to its even distribution throughout the state. However, there are several hotspots for duck hunting in Mississippi, particularly in the southeast, southwest, and delta regions.

Mississippi Hunting and Shooting Ranges

The following are some of the shooting ranges in Mississippi that are open to the public:

3 bar ranges
Shooting Range Bullz-I
DeSoto District Ranges, United States Forest Service
Gulfport Police Department Range
Highway 583 Pistol and Rifle Range
Lake Gep Skate Club
The Indoor Bullet Hole Range
Precision Shooting Facility
Firing Range Lloyd Eaton

Mississippi Hunting Leases and Sales

The following Mississippi hunting lands are for sale:

Vicksburg, Mississippi (Warren County), has a total area of 1,645 acres.
510.38 acres in Natchez, Mississippi (Jefferson County).
295 acres in Port Gibson, Mississippi (Claiborne County).
73 acres in Louin, Mississippi (Smith County).
58 acres in Soso, Mississippi (Jones County).
164 acres in Falkner, Mississippi (Benton County).
86 acres at Greenwood Springs, Mississippi (Monroe County).
352.5 acres in Bentonia, Mississippi (Yazoo County).
177 acres in Itta Bena, Mississippi (Leflore County).
160 acres in Corinth, Mississippi (Alcorn County).
80 acres in Raleigh, Mississippi (Smith County).
568 acres in Fulton, Mississippi (Itawamba County).
35 acres in Drew, Mississippi (Sunflower County).

The following Mississippi hunting lands are available for lease:

Choctaw County has 3000 acres of deer hunting land for sale.
Trophy hunters live on 570 acres of mature hardwoods and planted pines in Jefferson County.
Yalobusha County Hunt Lease: 900 acres are available for members.
Deer and turkey lease 2000 acres near Eupora, Webster County.
Spring Hill Hunting Club, Tippah County, has some openings for new members.
140 acres of hunting land are available for lease in Attala County.
A beautiful 10-acre property with a single-family home is suitable for hunting. 10 acres in Winston County.
Hancock County, Stennis Buffer Zone Deer Lease, 1,034 acres