If you’re planning your hunting calendar, you need to know when does deer hunting season end in Mississippi. The end date is crucial for making your final trips count and ensuring you hunt legally. Mississippi offers a long and varied deer season, but the closing day depends on your weapon, the zone you’re in, and the type of deer you’re after. This guide will break it all down so you can finish your season strong and safely.
Seasons are managed by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP). They set the framework to promote healthy deer herds. It’s your responsibility to know the specific dates for your area. Let’s get into the details so you don’t miss your last chance to fill a tag.
When Does Deer Hunting Season End In Mississippi
This is the big question. The simple answer is that seasons typically end in late January, but it’s not that straightforward. Mississippi is divided into different Deer Management Zones, and each has its own calendar for archery, primitive weapon, and modern gun seasons. The season end can also vary for private land versus open public land.
Understanding Mississippi’s Deer Zones
First, you must identify your zone. Mississippi has three main Deer Management Zones: Delta, Hill, and Southeast. The MDWFP provides a detailed map online, but here’s a quick overview:
- Delta Zone: This includes the fertile floodplain along the Mississippi River. Counties like Washington, Yazoo, and Bolivar are in this zone.
- Hill Zone: This covers most of the central and northern part of the state. Think counties like Rankin, Madison, and Lafayette.
- Southeast Zone: This encompasses the coastal plains and piney woods region, including counties like Greene, Perry, and George.
Always double-check the official map. Hunting in the wrong zone with the wrong dates is a serious violation.
Season End Dates by Zone and Weapon Type
Here’s a general look at when seasons traditionally conclude. Remember, dates can shift slightly each year, so verify with the current year’s regulations.
Archery Season End Dates
Archery season is the longest. It usually opens in early October and runs well into the new year.
- Delta Zone: Archery typically ends around January 31st on private lands. On open public lands, it often ends earlier, around January 20th.
- Hill Zone: Similar to the Delta, archery on private land often goes until January 31st. Public land dates may vary.
- Southeast Zone: This zone frequently sees archery season extend until January 31st on private land as well.
Primitive Weapon Season End Dates
Primitive weapon season, which includes muzzleloaders and certain shotguns, usually has a two-part structure: an early season in October and a late season in December or January.
- The late primitive weapon season often ends in mid to late January. For example, it might close around January 17th-20th in many zones.
- Some specific wildlife management areas (WMAs) have unique primitive weapon dates that end earlier.
Modern Gun Season End Dates
This is the season most hunters are waiting for. It’s also the one with more variation.
- Delta Zone: The modern gun season often ends in late December, sometimes around December 23rd.
- Hill Zone: Similar to the Delta, the main modern gun season frequently concludes before Christmas.
- Southeast Zone: This zone can have a later modern gun season. It sometimes runs into early January, potentially closing around January 7th.
There is also a “late primitive weapon and modern gun” season on private lands in some zones. This can extend hunting opportunities into late January, blending the rules for both weapon types.
Special Seasons and Youth Hunts
Mississippi has excellent opportunities for young hunters. The youth gun season usually happens in November, but there is also a late youth season.
- The Late Youth Gun Season is critical. It typically occurs in mid to late February, well after the general seasons close. This means the absolute last day for deer hunting in Mississippi is often during this youth season, sometimes as late as February 15th or 20th.
- This season is for hunters 15 and younger, and they must be supervised by a non-hunting adult.
How to Find the Exact Closing Date for Your Hunt
Don’t rely on memory or last year’s dates. Follow these steps to be certain.
- Get the current MDWFP “Mississippi Hunting Regulations” guide. It’s free online or at license vendors.
- Find the “Deer Season” section and locate the table for your specific Deer Management Zone.
- Identify the weapon type you plan to use (archery, primitive, modern gun).
- Note the date ranges for private land and any separate dates for Open Public Land (OPL) or Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs).
- If hunting on a WMA, check the specific WMA regulations pamphlet. Dates there can be very different.
- Circle the final day in your calendar. Plan your hunt for a day or two before, just in case.
Why Seasons End When They Do
The timing isn’t random. Biologists with the MDWFP set end dates based on science.
- Deer Biology: Seasons are designed to end before the peak of the fawning period in the spring and to avoid excessive pressure during the post-rut period when deer are stressed.
- Population Management: Ending gun seasons earlier helps control the harvest in certain zones to meet population goals.
- Hunter Opportunity: Extending archery and late primitive seasons gives hunters more time afield with methods that typically have lower success rates.
What to Do as the Season Winds Down
The late season is a unique and rewarding time to hunt. Deer patterns have changed from the early rut.
Late Season Hunting Strategies
- Find the Food: With cold weather and depleted natural forage, deer are focused on finding high-energy food. Target agricultural fields, food plots, and reliable oak stands.
- Hunt the Warm Spots: On very cold days, deer will seek sunshine on south-facing slopes and protection from wind in thick creek bottoms.
- Be Scent-Aware: With less foliage, your scent travels farther. Pay extra attention to wind direction and use scent control.
- Patience is Key: Deer movement may be slower and more focused on feeding. Long sits over food sources can be very effective.
Final Week Checklist
- Confirm all your tags and licenses are valid and filled out correctly.
- Check your equipment thoroughly. Clean your firearm or bow, and sight-in one last time.
- Scout for fresh sign. Late-season patterns can shift quickly with weather changes.
- Plan your retrieval. Have a game plan for getting a deer out of the woods in potentially muddy or cold conditions.
- Review the regulations for checking your deer. Know the legal requirements for tagging and reporting your harvest.
FAQs: Mississippi Deer Season End
Q: What is the last day to hunt deer in Mississippi?
A: For most adult hunters using modern guns, the last day is usually in late December or early January, depending on the zone. For archery hunters on private land, it can be January 31st. The absolute last day is typically during the Late Youth Season in February.
Q: Does deer season end on the same date statewide?
A: No, it does not. Mississippi uses a zone system. The Delta, Hill, and Southeast Zones all have slightly different closing dates for various weapon seasons. Always check the zone-specific tables.
Q: When is the final day for bow hunting deer in MS?
A: Archery season on private land often runs until January 31st in all zones. However, on Open Public Lands and certain WMAs, the archery season may end significantly earlier, sometimes in mid-January.
Q: Can I hunt with a rifle after primitive weapon season ends?
A> It depends. There is usually a dedicated “modern gun” season. After that, some zones have a “late primitive weapon and modern gun” season on private land where you can use either. Once that season ends, rifle hunting is closed unless on a designated WMA with special seasons.
Q: Where can I get the official dates?
A: The official source is the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. Download the current “Hunting Regulations” guide from their website or pick up a physical copy.
Avoiding Common Late-Season Mistakes
As the season closes, pressure can lead to errors. Here’s what to watch out for.
- Ignoring Public Land Dates: Assuming public land dates match private land dates is a top mistake. They are almost always different and shorter.
- Tag Confusion: Make sure you are using the correct tag for the season. Using an archery tag during gun season, for example, is illegal.
- Rushing the Shot: After a long season, you might feel desperate. Take your time to ensure an ethical, clean harvest.
- Forgetting Daylight Changes: Days are shortest at the end of the season. Know the legal shooting hours, which is 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Knowing exactly when does deer hunting season end in Mississippi is the mark of a prepared and responsible hunter. It allows you to plan your time effectively, ensures you stay on the right side of the law, and gives you the chance to enjoy the unique challenges of late-season hunting. Grab the regulations, mark your calendar, and make those final sits count. The season will be over before you know it, and you’ll be waiting for fall to come around again.