Mississippi hunting
Public hunting land in Mississippi
Caliber maps 83 public hunting areas in Mississippi, with Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks's license fees, hunter education rules and official links in one place. Find the closest land to you on a list or a map, free.
Mississippi · 83 areas
De Soto National Forest
National forest · 532,432 acres
Homochitto National Forest
National forest · 191,846 acres
Bienville National Forest
National forest · 180,227 acres
Holly Springs National Forest
National forest · 156,210 acres
Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife refuge · 96,660 acres
Largest areas shown. Caliber sorts all 83 by distance from you.
- 58
- State wildlife areas
- 9
- National forests
- 16
- National wildlife refuges
Mississippi hunting licenses and rules
- Wildlife agency
- Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
- Phone
- 601-432-2400
- Resident license
- $10.00 — Resident Small Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing License (deer/turkey/hog need All Game $25 or Sportsman's $45)
- Nonresident license
- $95.00 — Non-Resident Small Game Hunting (annual); 7-day small game $38.00
- Hunter education
- Hunter education proof required to buy a license if born after Jan 1, 1972 (resident apprentice licenses available once).
- Good to know
- WMA User Permit required before using any WMA: $15.00 resident, $30.00 nonresident (plus agent/process fees).
Fees and rules as published by Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, checked Oct 31, 2026. They change, so confirm on the agency's site. This isn't legal advice.
Official links
- Hunting licenses
- Season dates
- Regulations
- Public hunting lands
- Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks website
Practicing for hunter ed?
Caliber has unofficial hunter education practice questions with explanations.
Try sample questions →Largest public hunting areas in Mississippi
The 12 biggest of 83 areas. Caliber has every one, with a map, and sorts them by distance from you.
| Area | Type | Acres | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| De Soto National Forest | National forest | 532,432 | Open |
| Homochitto National Forest | National forest | 191,846 | Open |
| Bienville National Forest | National forest | 180,227 | Open |
| Holly Springs National Forest | National forest | 156,210 | Open |
| Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 96,660 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Tombigbee National Forest | National forest | 67,449 | Open |
| Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 66,312 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Delta National Forest | National forest | 61,472 | Open |
| Sunflower Wma | State wildlife area | 55,275 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 49,195 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Upper Sardis Wma | State wildlife area | 47,742 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 36,869 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
State wildlife areas · 58
Run for wildlife and, usually, hunting. Many need a state license plus a land-use permit or have their own season dates, draw hunts or weapon limits.
National forests · 9
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws, except near developed sites and where posted. Some areas close for fire or wildlife.
National wildlife refuges · 16
Refuges allow hunting only where and when each refuge opens it, often with its own permit and rules. Check the refuge's hunt page before you go.
Mississippi hunting FAQ
Where can I find public hunting land in Mississippi?
Caliber lists 83 public hunting areas in Mississippi: 58 state wildlife areas, 9 national forests, 16 national wildlife refuges. Open Caliber, enter your ZIP and see the closest areas on a list or a map. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks also publishes its own public hunting land information on its website.
How much is a hunting license in Mississippi?
As published by Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (checked Oct 31, 2026): resident, $10.00 — Resident Small Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing License (deer/turkey/hog need All Game $25 or Sportsman's $45); nonresident, $95.00 — Non-Resident Small Game Hunting (annual); 7-day small game $38.00. Fees change, so confirm on the agency's licensing page before you buy.
Do I need hunter education to hunt in Mississippi?
Hunter education proof required to buy a license if born after Jan 1, 1972 (resident apprentice licenses available once). Check Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks for exemptions and current rules.
When is hunting season in Mississippi?
Seasons vary by species, zone and year, so Caliber links to Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks's official season-date page instead of listing dates. Always check current regulations before you hunt.
Find Mississippi hunting land near you
All 83 Mississippi areas on a list or a map, sorted by distance, plus a free bullet drop calculator and DOPE book. Free on iPhone.
Free download · Optional Caliber Pro upgrade · iPhone and iPad
Public hunting land in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
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Area data: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1, public domain. Access as recorded in PAD-US. Always check current regulations, seasons and access rules with Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and the managing agency before you hunt.
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