State Expands Deer Hunting Opportunities In 2010/11 Season

Zone 1 – Private and open public lands east of I-55 and north of I-20 plus areas south of I-20 and east of U.S. Highway 61, excluding areas south of U.S. Highway 84 and east of MS Highway 35.

Staff Report

JACKSON – Mississippi deer hunters will see expanded opportunities this year after the season structure was finalized last Tuesday, August 3, at a special meeting of the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP).  

An 11-day primitive weapon has been added in early November, from Nov. 8 – 19, for antlerless deer only.  This new season will overlap the traditional archery season, which runs from October 1 to Nov. 19, and allows the harvest of both antler and antlerless deer.

Another change this year is the youth season, which includes youth weekend, Nov. 6 and 7. A special youth season is also scheduled to coincide with the new 11-day primitive weapon season, from Nov. 8  – 19. Legal bucks and antlerless deer may be taken during the youth season for hunters age 15 and younger.

There will be three Deer Management Zones again this season with antler criteria based on minimum inside spread or minimum main beam length.

In portions of Yalobusha County located east of I-55, a legal buck is defined as having either a minimum inside spread of 10 inches or a minimum main beam length of 13 inches.

In portions of Yalobusha County located west of I-55, a legal buck is defined as having either a minimum inside spread of 12 inches or a minimum main beam length of 15 inches.

Deer bag limits also remain unchanged from last year (3 bucks and 5 does).