State Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks clarifies deer season bag limits

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks wants to be sure everyone is clear about deer harvesting limits for the upcoming season.

MDWFP has not increased the bag limit on white-tailed deer. There is a limit of one antlered buck per day and three per season per hunter. The limit on antlerless deer is five per person on private land, 10 in the North Central district and two from the Southeast district.

The state is seeing a record high in the deer population and the number will continue to increase if the harvest continues to decrease.

On average, a hunter brings down less than two deer annually. So hunters are encouraged to harvest one more deer to contribute to a healthier deer population.

Some regions may not see the effects of overpopulation as much as other regions.

MDWFP biologists evaluate deer population size by obtaining data through statewide surveys, harvest reporting, and collaborations with Mississippi State University researchers.

Using the estimated population total, they can reconstruct models to determine potential growth and density for the state as a whole.

Additionally, when harvest percentage is applied to the population size, our biologists can determine the potential growth for the next generation of deer and the impact they will have on the state. MDWFP encourages hunters to utilize Game Check to report deer harvests and help biologists in their research.