Resident deer tag or permit entry cost.
MS
Deer Hunting in Mississippi: Tags, Seasons & Regulations (2026)
Deer hunting in Mississippi starts with the current deer cost entries, season dates, bag limits, and CWD rules.
Resident Tag $25 Deer tag/permit
Non-Resident Tag $400 Non-resident deer tag
Primary Season Oct 1 – Nov 21 Archery (Zone 1-5)
Draw Required? No (OTC) Over-the-counter tags
DEER QUICK ANSWER
Mississippi Deer Tag Cost, Season & Rules: Quick Answer
Start here for Mississippi deer tag cost, primary season timing, draw status, and CWD planning before using the full tables below.
Use this before adding the base license and trip permits.
Most hunters can start from the state license portal and available deer permits.
Archery (Zone 1-5); also check Gun (Zone varies).
For Mississippi deer hunting, use the listed resident and non-resident deer cost entries together with the note: Resident deer access runs through an All Game or Sportsman license; non-resident Deer Permit is additional to the All Game license unless bundled in a deer package. Because this page lists over-the-counter access, the main risk is choosing the correct weapon season, zone, and add-on permit. CWD has been detected in Mississippi, so carcass movement and testing rules deserve an early check.
OVERVIEW
Deer Hunting in Mississippi
Mississippi should be budgeted as a bundled license and permit state, not as a free deer-tag state. Adult residents generally need an All Game or Sportsman-type hunting license for deer, with archery/primitive/crossbow privileges handled separately unless included in the license package. Non-residents generally start with the $300 All Game license and add the non-resident deer permit, or choose a deer package that bundles the relevant items. Mississippi manages CWD through named management zones, sampling options, feeding restrictions, and carcass movement rules. Buck legality is based on hardened antlers and zone-specific spread or main-beam measurements rather than a simple statewide point count.
Species present: White-tailed Deer
SEASONS
Mississippi Deer Season Dates (2026)
All archery, firearm, and muzzleloader season dates.
Multiple Seasons
Mississippi offers 3 distinct deer seasons. Check specific zone dates with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks — dates and bag limits may vary by management unit.
COSTS
Mississippi Deer Tag Fees
Resident vs. non-resident tag and permit costs.
Resident
$25
Deer tag / permit
Non-Resident
$400
Over-the-counter tag available
Resident deer access runs through an All Game or Sportsman license; non-resident Deer Permit is additional to the All Game license unless bundled in a deer package
PLAN YOUR NEXT STEP
Choose the right Mississippi deer planning path
Jump into the state hub, shortlist pages, and deer-planning tools before you work through every remaining section.
Check the full Mississippi license setup
Move back to the main state hub when you need the base license, non-resident options, or add-on permits outside deer tags.
Use deer-planning tools next
Shift from deer-tag detail into season timing, trip budgeting, and cross-state deer planning helpers.
Add a wider 2026 cost view
Check benchmark and non-resident premium reports before you commit to one deer state or trip budget.
REGULATIONS
CWD & Deer Hunting Regulations in Mississippi
Chronic Wasting Disease status, antler restrictions, and weapon rules.
CWD Status
Detected
North Mississippi MZ, Issaquena MZ, Harrison MZ
CWD Testing / Transport
CWD detected
Zones: North Mississippi MZ, Issaquena MZ, Harrison MZ
Strict carcass transport restrictions apply. Whole carcasses generally cannot leave CWD zones or be imported from positive states.
Bag Limit
Daily: 1 buck · Season: 3 antlered + unlimited antlerless on private land
Buck must have hardened antlers and minimum spread varies by zone
Allowed Weapons
Bow, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader
Official Source
Always verify current regulations with the official source: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks . Season dates, bag limits, and CWD regulations may change annually.
FAQ
Deer Hunting in Mississippi — FAQ
Is CWD testing mandatory in Mississippi?
Mississippi does not use one blanket statewide mandatory-testing rule for every deer hunter. CWD Management Zones carry carcass movement rules, and hunters should check the current MDWFP guidance for what parts may leave a zone and how sampled heads or taxidermy-bound heads must be handled.
What are the antler restrictions?
Mississippi restricts bucks by measurement, not points. Depending on your DMU, a legal buck must have a minimum inside spread (e.g., 10 or 12 inches) or a minimum main beam length (e.g., 13 or 15 inches).
Do I need a draw to hunt deer in Mississippi?
No, Mississippi offers over-the-counter (OTC) deer tags that can be purchased without a draw. Some special hunts or antlerless permits may require a separate lottery.
What deer species can I hunt in Mississippi?
Mississippi is home to White-tailed Deer. Allowed weapons include bow, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader.
Can non-residents hunt deer in Mississippi?
Yes, non-residents can hunt deer in Mississippi. A typical annual non-resident deer budget starts with the $300 All Game license plus the non-resident deer permit, currently $100 in the state license table, or a Deer Hunter Package if that better fits the weapon and public-land privileges needed.