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Compound Bow Hunting in Mississippi — Southern Deer Heaven

Whitetail DeerWild TurkeyFeral HogBlack Bear

📅 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

500,000 acres

Whitetail Deer, Turkey, Hog

South Mississippi. Longleaf pine with hardwood drains. Good deer numbers with low pressure in interior.

Homochitto National Forest

190,000 acres

Whitetail Deer, Turkey, Bear

Southwest MS. River bottom hardwoods produce quality deer. Louisiana border region has big deer genetics.

Delta WMA

18,000 acres

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
⚠️ Regulation Disclaimer: Hunting regulations change annually. Always verify current season dates, bag limits, and equipment requirements with the Mississippi state wildlife agency before hunting. This information is for planning purposes only.

Mississippi Bowhunting FAQ

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.