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Mississippi deer hunting: Here's what you need to know about the early archery season

Brian Broom, Mississippi Clarion-Ledger
·4 min read

Mississippi's early archery season is just around the corner and hunters who plan to participate need to know the regulations before climbing in a stand.

The 2022 season was the first opportunity for Mississippi hunters to have a chance at a buck in velvet without going out of state and Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks' William McKinley said it went well.

McKInley said 3,840 permits for the season were sold and 369 bucks were reported harvested.

"It was actually pretty good — surprisingly good," said Deer Program coordinator McKinley.

"That gives us a 9.6% success rate," McKinley said. "That's pretty good for a 3-day season."

Another reason he felt the season went well is because of the weather during last year's season. McKinley said temperatures were unseasonably warm, but hunters found good success in spite of it.

This summer has been brutally hot and records were broken, but McKinley said hunters should get a break just in time for the early season as cooler temperatures are forecast.

"This could actually work out well," McKinley said. "The weather is looking good, now."

Will bucks' antlers be bigger in the regular archery season?

That's a question McKinley said he's heard and in a word, the answer is no.

"Roughly one month before shedding (velvet), the antlers stop growing and begin to harden," McKinley said. "This season coincides with that phase of antler growth.

"They are done growing. The vast majority have stopped growing."

Not only have the majority stopped growing by mid-September, in areas with earlier ruts, such as Northwest Mississippi. a high percentage of deer may have already shed their velvet. However, in areas with late ruts such as the Southeast Zone, McKinley said virtually none will have shed their velvet in the early season.

Velvet season confusion

The fact that the early archery season is commonly referred to as the early velvet season has caused confusion and left many wondering if bucks that have shed their velvet are off limits. McKinley said that's not the case.

"That was a source of confusion last year," McKinley said. "You can shoot any legal buck. You can shoot any legal buck whether it's in velvet or not."

However, it is a special season with special rules.

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"We want hunters to realize that there are special regulations that apply if you're going to hunt this season," McKinley said.

One he pointed out is that hunters are required to have their buck tested for chronic wasting disease. McKinley said the easiest way to have it tested is by taking bucks to taxidermists that offer free testing. He said a list of those taxidermists can be found at www.mdwfp.com.

"It's a one-stop shop if they take it to a taxidermist," McKinley said.

He also noted that taxidermists who would like to offer CWD testing should contact the department.

Special rules for the early archery season for deer in Mississippi

  • The season dates are Sept. 15-17.

  • Hunting is permitted only on private land.

  • Only archery equipment may be used: Longbows, recurves, compound bows, and crossbows may be used. There is no minimum or maximum draw weight. There is no minimum arrow length. Fixed or mechanical broadheads may be used.

  • Legal bucks only: Bucks must meet or exceed minimum antler requirements for the zone where they are harvested. There is no 'buck of choice' during this season.

  • Velvet or hardened antlers allowed: Hunters are not restricted to bucks in velvet.

  • Bag limit: One legal buck and it counts against the hunter's annual bag limit.

  • Mandatory harvest reporting: Hunters, including license-exempt hunters, must report their harvest by 10 p.m. the day of harvest. Hunters can report via the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks smartphone application or MDWFP web portal.

  • Velvet season permit: All hunters, unless exempt or have a lifetime license, must possess a valid Velvet Season Permit. The cost of the permit is $10 for residents. For non-residents, the fee is included in the $50 deer permit.

  • Mandatory chronic wasting disease testing: All harvested bucks must be submitted for CWD sampling to a MDWFP CWD drop-off freezer or to an MDWFP participating taxidermist within five days of harvest.

Deer hunting: Mississippi has strong 2022 deer season and 2023 hunting is looking even better

Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Here's what you need to know about MS early archery season for deer