Mississippi Bow Hunting: Delta Deer & Seasons
📅 2026 Season & License Info
Archery Season Open
October 1
Archery Season Close
January 31
Min Draw Weight
30 lbs
Resident License
$19/yr
Non-Resident License
$150/yr
Top Species
Whitetail Deer, Wild Turkey, Feral Hog, Black Bear
📍 Top Public Hunting Spots
DeSoto National Forest
Whitetail Deer, Turkey, Hog
South Mississippi. Longleaf pine with hardwood drains. Good deer numbers with low pressure in interior.
Homochitto National Forest
Whitetail Deer, Turkey, Bear
Southwest MS. River bottom hardwoods produce quality deer. Louisiana border region has big deer genetics.
Delta WMA
Whitetail Deer, Turkey, Duck
Mississippi Delta bottomland. Flooded timber hunting opportunity unique to the South.
⚖️ Mississippi Archery Regulations
- •Minimum draw weight: 30 lbs
- •Liberal bag limits — 2 antlered deer per day in many zones
- •Sunday hunting allowed
- •Year-round feral hog hunting on most land
💡 Expert Tips for Mississippi
- →Mississippi has some of the most liberal deer regulations in the nation — long seasons and liberal limits
- →The Delta region produces exceptional genetics — creek bottom bucks rival Iowa for body and antler size
- →Feral hogs provide year-round bowhunting practice throughout the state
- →October rut in south MS is earlier than the rest of the country — peak around Oct 15–31
🏛️ Official Wildlife Agency & Sources
Hunting seasons, tag quotas, and bag limits are established by state wildlife agencies and change annually. For official regulations, proclamations, and license purchases, consult:
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP)
Official State Wildlife Agency
Status: 2026 Season Guide
Mississippi Bowhunting FAQ
When is the Mississippi deer rut?
Mississippi's deer rut timing varies dramatically by region. South Mississippi (below I-20) peaks in mid-October, one of the earliest ruts in the nation. Central Mississippi peaks in early November. North Mississippi follows a more traditional mid-November peak. This geographic variation is well-documented and is due to day-length differences and deer population genetics.