Mississippi

During the Mississippi Muzzleloader Hunting Season, primitive firearms for the purpose of hunting deer, are defined as single or double barreled muzzle-loading rifles of at least .38 caliber; single shot, breech loading, cartridge rifles (.35 caliber or larger) and replicas, reproductions or reintroductions of those type rifles; and single or double-barreled muzzle-loading, shotguns with single ball or slug. All muzzle-loading Primitive Firearms must use black powder or a black powder substitute with either percussion caps or #209 shotgun primers or flintlock ignition. Breech loading single shot rifles must have exposed hammers and use metallic cartridges. Cartridges may be loaded either with black powder or modern smokeless powder. Scopes of any magnification are allowed on primitive weapons.

Mississippi Muzzleloader Hunting Season 2023-2024

2022-2023 Hunting Season Brochure can be found HERE.

Mississippi Muzzleloader Hunting Season Regulations

Primitive Weapons in the Mississippi Muzzleloader Deer Hunting Season

Delta, North Central, and Hills Deer Management Units

Method	Season Dates	Legal Deer
Antlerless Primitive Weapon	Nov 6-17	Antlerless Deer Only on private lands.
Primitive Weapon	Dec 2-15	Either-Sex on private land, open public land, and Holly Springs NF. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.
Archery/Primitive Weapon	Jan 18-31	Either-Sex on private land and Holly Springs NF. Legal Bucks only on open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.

Southeast Unit

Method	Season Dates	Legal Deer
Primitive Weapon	Dec 2-15	Either-Sex on private and open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.
Archery/Primitive Weapon	Jan 18-31	Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.
Archery/Primitive Weapon	Feb 1-15	Legal Bucks only on private and open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.

Weapons legal for use during the Primitive Weapons season are all archery equipment and primitive firearms.”Primitive firearms,” for the purpose of hunting deer, are defined as single or double-barreled muzzleloading rifles of at least .38 caliber; OR single shot, breech loading, metallic cartridge rifles (.35 caliber or larger) and replicas, reproductions, or reproductions of those type rifles with an exposed hammer; OR single or double-barreled muzzleloading shotguns, with single ball or slug. All muzzleloading primitive firearms must use black powder or a black powder substitute with percussion caps, #209 shotgun primers, or flintlock ignition. “Blackpowder substitute” is defined as a substance designed, manufactured, and specifically intended to be used as a propellant in muzzleloading or other black powder firearms, excluding modern smokeless powder. Metallic cartridges may be loaded with either black powder or modern smokeless powder (cartridges purchased at sporting goods stores). Telescopic sights are allowed while hunting with any primitive firearm during the primitive weapon seasons. During any open season on deer with primitive weapons after November 30, a person may use any legal weapon of choice on private lands only, if the person is the title owner of the land, the lessee of the hunting rights on the land, a member of a hunting club leasing the hunting rights on the land, or a guest of a person specified above. If the person is required to have a hunting license, the person must have a primitive weapon license, Sportsman’sLicense, or a Lifetime Sportsman’s License.

This information is subject to change, for more information visit: http://www.mdwfp.com/

Additional Links

2023-2024 HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS
HUNTING RULES AND REGULATIOMS
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS
DEER PROGRAM

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