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Hunting Seasons in Mississippi 2025–26: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide
Plan your 2025–26 MS hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to wild turkey to ducks. Whether you’re slipping a compound bow arrow through pine savannah for a trophy buck, calling spring turkey in creek bottom hardwoods, or running decoys for mallards on flooded rice fields, Mississippi’s river bottoms, uplands, and coastal marshes offer premier big game and small game opportunities under clear regulations.
What Is There to Hunt in Mississippi?
Mississippi’s varied habitat supports:
Big Game: Whitetail deer, wild turkey, black bear (draw hunts), feral hogs (no closed season)
Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, bobwhite quail, mourning dove
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, gadwall), geese, coots, rails
Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, raccoon, opossum, bobcat
Whether you pursue whitetail deer with a rifle in a November gun season or hone your predator‑control skills tracking coyote year‑round, the Magnolia State delivers diverse seasons.
Year‑Round Huntable Species
On private lands with landowner permission, you may harvest unprotected or nuisance species—feral hogs, coyote, nutria, raccoon, and opossum—any time of year. These off‑season hunts aid management of invasive and predator populations.
Mississippi Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26
Whitetail Deer
Archery: Oct 10 – Nov 30, 2025 (all zones)
General Gun: Dec 1 – Dec 15, 2025
Muzzleloader: Nov 28 – Dec 2, 2025
Youth Gun: Nov 22 – 23, 2025
Antlerless Gun: Jan 2 – Jan 10, 2026 (remaining county tags)
Bag limit is 1 antlered buck per season plus antlerless deer if you draw special tags. Mississippi’s archery seasons overlap rice‑field hunts, letting bowhunters test stealth in flooded timber.
Wild Turkey (Spring)
Season: Mar 20 – May 5, 2026 (all zones)
Youth Hunt: Mar 13 – 19, 2026
Spring turkey seasons welcome both shotgun and archery, with license‑free permits available online. Harvest reporting helps maintain healthy flocks.
Black Bear
Draw Hunts Only: Sept 1 – Oct 15, 2025 (limited permits)
Bear tags are issued via computerized draw; successful applicants may bait or hound under strict MDWFP guidelines.
Mississippi Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26
Small Game & Upland Birds
Rabbit & Squirrel: Oct 15 – Feb 15, 2026
Bobwhite Quail: Nov 1 – Feb 28, 2026 (WMAs only)
Mourning Dove: Sept 1 – Nov 20, 2025; Nov 30 – Jan 31, 2026
Small game seasons span fall and winter, with shotguns loaded with shot sizes appropriate to each species. Quail and dove hunts in degraded farmland buffer strips are prime for upland birders.
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds
Regular Duck Season: Nov 24 – Jan 31, 2026 (north/south splits)
Early Teal: Sept 13 – 27, 2025
Goose Season: Nov 30 – Jan 31, 2026
Rails & Coots: Sept 1 – Nov 15, 2025
Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset; non‑toxic shot required
Mississippi’s wintering flocks of ducks and geese draw hunters to flooded timber and rice fields. A valid Federal Duck Stamp, HIP registration, and state waterfowl permit are mandatory.
Bag Limits by Species
Whitetail Deer: 1 antlered buck; antlerless as permitted
Wild Turkey: 2 per spring season; 1 per day
Ducks: 6 per day; species sub‑limits apply (3 mallards, etc.)
Geese: 4 per day
Rails: 25 per day; Coots: 15 per day
Rabbit & Squirrel: 8 per day each
Coyote & Feral Hogs: No limits on private lands
Bag limits support sustainable harvests of big game and small game while protecting core populations.
License & Tags Information for Mississippi Hunters (2025–26)
All hunters must carry a valid Mississippi hunting license and required tags or permits:
Resident License: $9.50; Nonresident: $212.50
Deer Tags: $14 (antlered); $10 (antlerless)
Turkey Permit: Free (online application)
Waterfowl Permit: $8; Federal Duck Stamp & HIP required
Bear Permit: $25 (draw only)
Licenses fund wildlife management and habitat conservation. Draw applications open May 1 for limited hunts.
Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader
Mississippi authorizes:
Archery: Compound and recurve bows, crossbows (archery season only)
Rifles & Shotguns: Center‑fire rifles, shotguns with slugs or shot during general seasons
Muzzleloaders: Permitted in designated early‑November window
Dogs & Bait: Allowed for feral hog and raccoon hunts; waterfowlers rely on decoys and calls
Check weapon regulations for caliber, draw weight, and non‑toxic requirements.
Regulations & Resources
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks regulations cover:
Shooting Hours: Sunrise – 30 min after sunset (waterfowl sunrise rule)
Hunting Zones & Maps: Detailed by county and WMA; digital maps available
Harvest Reporting: Deer and turkey must be reported within 48 hrs
Special Areas: Migratory bird sanctuaries, WMAs with limited access
Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt.
This guide was created based on information from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP): https://www.mdwfp.com/wildlife-hunting/hunting-seasons-and-bag-limits
With clearly defined seasons, manageable bag limits, and streamlined license structures, Mississippi delivers outstanding hunting experiences for whitetail deer, turkey, waterfowl, and beyond. Prepare your bow or rifle, secure the proper permits, and embrace the Magnolia State’s rich wildlife heritage during the 2025–26 season.
Hunting Seasons in Washington 2025: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide
Plan your 2025–26 WA hunt with our comprehensive guide—season dates, bag limits, licensing, and key game species from deer and elk to ducks and bighorn sheep.
Washington’s diverse landscapes—from the rain‑soaked evergreen forests and rugged coastal fjords to the high desert plateaus and mountain ranges—offer unmatched hunting opportunities year‑round. Whether you’re glassing a herd of mule deer on Cascade foothills at dawn, calling turkey in fir‑lined clearings, setting decoys for ducks over tideflats, or drawing a special‑permit bighorn sheep tag in alpine country, the Evergreen State has seasons and regulations designed to sustain its wildlife and reward patient, ethical hunters.
What Is There to Hunt in Washington?
The state supports a rich array of game species:
Big Game: Mule deer, white‑tailed deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, black bear, mountain goat, Dall and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, moose, cougar, bobcat, bison
Small Game & Upland Birds: Ruffed, dusky and blue grouse; quail; pheasant; snowshoe hare; cottontail rabbit; squirrels
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks, geese, brant, coots, snipe, rails, mourning dove
Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, raccoon, fox, beaver, muskrat, mink, wolverine, wolf
What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in Washington?
On private lands—in many areas, and subject to local restrictions—these species carry no closed season and no bag limits, aiding predator control and furbearer harvest: coyote, beaver, muskrat, raccoon, fox, mink, wolverine, wolf.
Washington Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26
Washington divides its landscape into numerous Game Management Units (GMUs); always confirm your unit’s exact dates and tag requirements. Below are typical season windows for key big‑game species:
Mule & White‑Tailed Deer
Archery: Sept 1 – Sept 30, 2025
Modern Firearm: Sept 15 – Dec 31, 2025
Muzzleloader: Oct 15 – Oct 31, 2025
Special Permit Hunts: Youth, disabled‑hunter, and trophy hunts by draw
Elk
Archery: Sept 1 – Sept 30, 2025
Rifle: Oct 1 – Jan 31, 2026
Muzzleloader: Special‑opportunity hunts by GMU draw
Pronghorn Antelope
General: Sept 1 – Sept 30, 2025
Limited‑Entry: Tier II permits by drawing application
Black Bear
Spring: Apr 15 – June 14, 2025
Fall: Aug 1 – Sept 30, 2025
Dall & Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat
Archery: Aug 1 – Aug 31, 2025
Rifle: Aug 1 – Nov 30, 2025 (draw only; very limited tags)
Moose
General: Sept 1 – Sept 30, 2025 (unit‑specific tags)
Cougar, Bobcat
Cougar: Sept 1 – Feb 15, 2026 (unit‑specific quotas)
Bobcat: Oct 1 – Feb 28, 2026
Washington Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26
Upland Game Birds:
Grouse & Partridge: Sept 1 – Dec 31 (snowshoe hare through Mar 31)
Pheasant & Quail: Oct 1 – Feb 28
Mourning Dove & Rail/Snipe:
Dove: Sept 1 – Nov 14; Dec 1 – Jan 31
Rails & Snipe: Sept 1 – Nov 9; Dec 26 – Jan 31
Waterfowl:
Ducks: Sept 27 – Jan 9, 2026 (Pacific Flyway regulations)
Geese & Brant: Sept 1 – Dec 31 (unit splits; check GMU closures)
Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset
Bag Limits by Species
Deer & Elk: 1 per season/tag
Antelope, Moose: 1 per season (unit‑specific)
Bighorn Sheep & Goat: 1 ram per lifetime; ewe tags by draw
Black Bear: 2 per season (unit dependent)
Grouse & Partridge: 6 per day, 12 in possession
Pheasant & Quail: 3 & 10 per day, respectively
Ducks & Geese: 7 & 5 per day, respectively; species sub‑limits apply
Mourning Dove: 10 per day
Coyote & Furbearers: No daily limit; reporting required for some furbearers
License & Tags Information for Washington Hunters (2025–26)
All hunters—resident and non‑resident—must carry the appropriate WDFW hunting license and tags:
Big Game Tags: General, limited‑entry (Tier I & II)
Special Permits: Youth, disabled, trophy, and seasonal draws
HIP Registration & Federal Duck Stamp: Required for migratory‑bird hunts
Hunter Education: Mandatory for hunters born on/after Jan 1 1972
(Fees, application windows, and special‑hunt details are in the 2025–26 Big Game Hunting Seasons & Rules pamphlet.)
Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader
Washington authorizes multiple weapon types:
Archery: Compound, recurve, crossbows (in designated units)
Firearms: Center‑fire rifles, shotguns (slugs & buckshot)
Muzzleloaders: Special seasons by GMU draw
Dogs & Bait: Allowed for turkey, bear, and some furbearers on private lands; public‑land rules vary
Regulations & Resources
Stay compliant with WDFW rules:
Official Hunting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset (some seasons extend to legal sunset)
Chronic Wasting Disease & GMU Closures: Check area‑specific CWD restrictions and closures
Mandatory Harvest Reporting: Online or through registration stations for deer, elk, turkey, sheep, and goat
Unit Maps & Boundaries: Carry printed or offline maps; use the WDFW Harvest Information Program
Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt.
This guide was created based on information from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW): https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/summary-of-seasons
HUNTING SEASONS IN MICHIGAN 2025: Deer Hunting, Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide
Plan your 2025–26 MI hunt with our comprehensive guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to turkey to waterfowl. Whether you’re glassing a rutting buck at dawn in northern forests, calling in spring gobblers across oak ridges, or setting decoys for migrating ducks in marsh impoundments, the Great Lakes State delivers diverse big game and small game experiences under clear state regulations.
What Is There to Hunt in Michigan?
Michigan’s varied habitats—upper-peninsula timberlands, central hardwoods, and southern agricultural flats—support:
Big Game: Whitetail deer, black bear, wild turkey, elk (limited units, draw-only), moose (limited UP draw), moose (Zone 2), wolf (depredation hunts)
Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, ruffed grouse, pheasant, gray and fox squirrels
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, wood duck), geese, swans, rails, coots, mourning dove
Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, raccoon, beaver, muskrat, mink
Michigan’s seasons cater to archery, rifle, and shotgun hunters alike, offering year-round opportunities.
Year‑Round Huntable Species
Certain species carry no closed season and no bag limits on private lands: coyote, groundhog, fox, and most furbearers. These hunts provide predator control and off-season trapping opportunities; public lands may impose specific date or method restrictions.
Michigan Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26
Whitetail Deer
Archery: Sept 15 – Nov 14, 2025
Deer Firearm: Nov 15 – Nov 22 (Zone 1); Nov 15 – Nov 29 (Zones 2 & 3)
Muzzleloader: Nov 23 – Dec 7, 2025
Late Antlerless: Dec 8 – Dec 20, 2025
Youth Weekend: Oct 4 – 5, 2025
Michigan’s deer seasons include extended archery and split deer firearm hunts per zone. Bag limit: one antlered deer; antlerless tags vary by quota.
Wild Turkey (Spring)
Spring Turkey: Apr 4 – May 12, 2026 (Zones 1–4)
Fall Turkey (Archery): Sept 1 – Oct 15, 2025
Spring turkey hunts allow shotgun and archery; fall archery season offers additional chance. Youth and apprentice permits available in spring.
Black Bear & Elk
Black Bear: Sept 15 – Oct 31, 2025 (draw)
Elk: Sept 1 – Nov 30, 2025 (lottery draw)
Moose (UP): Oct 1 – Oct 31, 2025 (Limited draw)
Bear, elk, and moose tags are limited-entry via lottery. Hunters must report harvests and follow CWD testing as required.
Michigan Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26
Upland Game & Small Mammals
Rabbit & Squirrel: Sept 1 – Mar 31, 2026
Ruffed Grouse: Sept 1 – Dec 31, 2025
Pheasant: Nov 1 – Jan 15, 2026 (stocked WMAs)
Shotgunners and bird dogs patrol fields and woodlots; non-toxic shot is required for upland birds.
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds
Ducks & Geese: Sept 26 – Nov 29 & Dec 1 – Jan 31, 2026
Youth Waterfowl Day: Sept 19 – 20, 2025
Rails & Coots: Sept 1 – Nov 30, 2025
Mourning Dove: Sept 1 – Nov 9; Dec 1 – Jan 15, 2026
Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset; HIP, Federal Duck Stamp, and state waterfowl license required
Michigan’s wetlands and reservoirs attract migrating waterfowl; hunters must use non-toxic shot and possess required validations.
Bag Limits by Species
Whitetail Deer: 1 antlered; antlerless per quota
Wild Turkey: 2 per spring; 1 fall archery
Ducks: 6 per day; species sub‑limits apply
Geese: 5 per day
Swans: 1 per season
Coot & Rail: 15 per day
Rabbit & Squirrel: 10 per day
Coyote & Furbearers: No limit on private lands
Bag limits ensure sustainable harvests of big game and small game across Michigan’s varied habitats.
License & Tags Information for Michigan Hunters (2025–26)
All hunters must carry a valid Michigan DNR license and required tags:
Resident License: $26
Nonresident License: $150
Deer Tags: $22.80; antlerless via bonus and lottery
Turkey Tags: $14.50; youth archery eligible
Waterfowl License & Stamp: $10; federal duck stamp & HIP required
Bear/Elk/Moose Permits: Lottery fees vary
Hunter Education: Mandatory for all hunters born after 1972
Licenses fund habitat restoration and wildlife management; draw applications open in April for big game tags.
Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader
Michigan authorizes:
Archery: Compound, recurve bows, crossbows (archery seasons)
Firearms: Center‑fire rifles, shotguns (slugs, buckshot)
Muzzleloaders: Single-shot black-powder firearms
Dogs & Bait: Allowed for waterfowl and furbearers on USFWS lands; check WMA rules
Ensure compliance with weapon regulations—minimum calibers and non-toxic shot for waterfowl and upland birds.
Regulations & Resources
Michigan DNR regulations cover:
Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset
Hunt Zones & Maps: Detailed online by county and management unit
Harvest Reporting: Mandatory for deer, bear, turkey within 24 hrs
Special Areas: CWD zone restrictions, tribal treaty hunts, and WMAs
Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Michigan Department of Natural Resources website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt.
This guide was created based on information from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR): https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/hunting/hunting-season-calendar
With structured archery, rifle, and waterfowl seasons, clear bag limits, and accessible licensing, Michigan offers world-class hunting for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and predators. Prepare your bow or rifle, secure the proper tags, and explore the Great Lakes State’s rich wildlife heritage on your 2025–26 hunt.
