2011-2012 Hunting Seasons*
Click on the Map below for more Season Information. The link will take you to the MDWFP Website.
BAG LIMITS
Antlered Buck Deer: The bag limit on antlered buck deer is one (1) buck per day, not to exceed three (3) per license year. Legal bucks must meet the antler criteria within the appropriate deer management zone. For youth hunters fifteen (15) years of age and younger, hunting on private land and authorized state and Federal lands, all three (3) of the three (3) buck bag limit may be any antlered deer.
Antlerless Deer: The bag limit on antlerless deer is one (1) per day, not to exceed five (5) per license year.
Spotted Fawns: are not to be killed or molested at any time.
| Zones 1 and 2 |
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A legal buck is defined as having EITHER a minimum inside spread of 10 inches OR one main beam at least 13 inches long.
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| How to estimate a 10 inch inside spread: |
How to estimate a 13 inch main beam |
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Estimating a 10 inch spread is accomplished by observing a buck's ears in the alert position. When in the alert position, the distance form ear-tip to ear-tip measures approximately 14 inches. If the OUTSIDE of each antler beam is 1 inch inside the ear-tip, the inside spread is approximately 10 inches.
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To estimate a 13 inch main beam, the bucks head must be observed from the side. If the tip of the main beam extends to the front of the eye, main beam length is approximately 13 inches.
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Zone 3
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A legal buck is defined as having EITHER a minimum inside spread of 12 inches OR one main beam at least 15 inches long.
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How to estimate a 12 inch inside spread:
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How to estimate a 15 inch main beam |
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Estimating a 10 inch spread is accomplished by observing a buck's ears in the alert position. When in the alert position, the distance form ear-tip to ear-tip measures approximately
15 inches. If the OUTSIDE of each antler beam reaches the ear-tip, the inside spread is approximately 12 inches. Therefore, if the outside of both antler beams reach the ear tips, the buck is legal.
Due to body size differences in zone 3, ear-tip measurements are slightly larger as compared to zone 1-2
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To estimate a 15 inch main beam, the bucks head must be observed from the side. If the tip of the main beam extends between the front of the eye and the tip of the nose, main beam length is approximately 15 inches.
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DEER MANAGEMENT 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. Hwy. 61, excluding areas south of U.S. Hwy. 84 and east of MS Hwy. 35. A legal buck is defined as having EITHER a minimum inside spread of 10 inches OR a minimum main beam length of 13 inches.
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| Method |
Season Dates |
Legal Deer |
| Archery |
Oct 1 - Nov 18, 2011 |
Antlerless Deer & Legal Bucks on private and open public land. |
| Youth Gun |
Nov 5, 2011 - Jan 31, 2012 |
Anterless Deer & Legal Bucks on private and authorized state and federal lands. Youths 15 and under. |
| Special Primitive Weapons Hunt/Crossbow |
Nov 7 - 18, 2011 |
Anterless Deer Only (private and open public lands) |
| Gun (with dogs) / Crossbow / Special Archery Hunt |
Nov 19 - Dec 1, 2011 |
Antlerless Deer & Legal Bucks on private land; Legal Bucks only on open public land. |
| Primitive Weapon / Crossbow / Special Archery Hunt |
Dec 2 - 15, 2011 |
Antlerless Deer & Legal Bucks on private land and open public land. |
| Gun (without dogs) / Crossbow / Special Archery Hunt |
Dec 16-23, 2011 |
Antlerless Deer & Legal Bucks on private land and open public land.
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| Gun (with dogs) / Crossbow / Special Archery Hunt |
Dec 24, 2011 - Jan 18, 2012 |
Antlerless Deer & Legal Bucks on private land; Legal Bucks only on open public land.
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| Primitive Weapon / Archery / Crossbow |
Jan 19 - 31, 2012 |
Antlerless Deer & Legal Bucks on private land and open public land.
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DEER MANAGEMENT ZONE 2
Private and open public lands south of U.S. Hwy. 84 and east of MS Hwy. 35. A legal buck is defined as having EITHER a minimum inside spread of 10 inches OR a minimum main beam length of 13 inches.
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| Method |
Season Dates |
Legal Deer |
| Archery |
Oct 1 - Nov 18, 2011 |
Antlerless Deer & Legal Bucks on private and open public land. |
| Youth Gun |
Nov 5, 2011 - Feb 15, 2012 |
Anterless Deer & Legal Bucks on private and authorized state and federal lands. Youths 15 and under. |
| Gun (with dogs) / Crossbow / Special Archery Hunt |
Nov 19 - Dec 1, 2011 |
Antlerless Deer & Legal Bucks on private land; Legal Bucks only on open public land. |
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Primitive Weapon / Crossbow / Special Archery Hunt
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Dec 2 - 15, 2011 |
Antlerless Deer & Legal Bucks on private land and open public land. |
| Gun (without dogs) / Crossbow / Special Archery Hunt |
Dec 16 - 23, 2011 |
Antlerless Deer & Legal Bucks on private land and open public land. |
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Gun (with dogs) / Crossbow / Special Archery Hunt
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Dec 24, 2011 - Jan 18, 2012 |
Antlerless Deer & Legal Bucks on private land; Legal Bucks only on open public land.
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Primitive Weapon / Archery / Crossbow
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| Jan 19-31, 2012 |
| Feb 1 - 15, 2012 |
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| Antlerless Deer & Legal Bucks on private land; Legal Bucks only on open public land |
| Legal Bucks on private and open public land |
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DEER MANAGEMENT ZONE 3
Private and open public landswest of I-55 and north of I-20 plus areas south of I-20 and west of U.S. Hwy 61. A legal buck is defined as having EITHER a minimum inside spread of 12 inches OR a minimum main beam length of 15 inches.
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| Method |
Season Dates |
Legal Deer |
| Archery |
Oct 1 - Nov 18, 2011 |
Antlerless Deer & Legal Bucks on private and open public land. |
| Youth Gun |
Nov 5, 2011 - Jan 31, 2012 |
Anterless Deer & Legal Bucks on private and authorized state and federal lands. Youths 15 and under. |
| Special Primitive Weapon Hunt / Crossbow |
Nov 7 - 18, 2011 |
Antlerless Deer only (private and open public land) |
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Gun (with dogs) / Crossbow / Special Archery Hunt
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Nov 19 - Dec 1, 2011 |
Antlerless Deer & Legal Bucks on private land; Legal Bucks only on open public land. |
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Primitive Weapon / Crossbow / Special Archery Hunt
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Dec 2 - 15, 2011
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Antlerless Deer & Legal Bucks on private land and open public land.
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Gun (without dogs) / Crossbow / Special Archery Hunt
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Dec 16 - 23, 2011
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Antlerless Deer & Legal Bucks on private and open public land.
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Gun (with dogs) / Crossbow / Special Archery Hunt
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Dec 24, 2011 - Jan 18, 2012
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Antlerless Deer & Legal Bucks on private land; Legal Bucks only on open public land.
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Primitive Weapon / Archery / Crossbow
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Jan 19 - 31, 2012 |
Antlerless Deer & Legal Bucks on private and open public land. |
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*-- This information was compiled from information provided by MDWFP. It is accurate to the best of our knowledge. Msdeer is not responsible for typographical errors, or changes to the season structure. It is the individual hunter's responsibility to verify seasons/rules/regulations.
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