JACKSON – Mississippi’s special primitive weapons season for white-tailed deer will open November 9 in the Hill and Delta Deer Management Zones. The special primitive weapons season is for antlerless deer only on private lands and open public lands from November 9 – November 20. This special season is provided to help hunters in areas with higher deer densities earlier opportunities to achieve antlerless harvest objectives prior to the rut. Only archery equipment and primitive firearms may be used during this season.
“Primitive firearms,” for the purpose of hunting deer, are defined as single or double barreled muzzle-loading rifles of at least .38 caliber; OR single shot, breech loading, metallic cartridge rifles (.35 caliber or larger) and replicas, reproductions, or reintroductions of those type rifles with an exposed hammer; OR single or double barreled muzzle-loading shotguns, with single ball or slug. All muzzle-loading primitive firearms must use black powder or a black powder substitute with percussion caps, #209 shotgun primers, or flintlock ignition.
“Deer Management Assistance Program data indicate many deer populations across Mississippi are at or greatly above habitat carrying capacity,” says David Graves, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) Central Region Deer Biologist. “Participation in the special primitive weapons season is important to reduce antlerless deer numbers in areas where deer populations are high. Meeting antlerless deer harvest objectives early in the season will increase the potential for increased buck observation and harvest during the rut.”
The special primitive weapons season will not occur in the Southeast Deer Management Zone due to lower deer numbers. Additionally, this season will not occur on Wildlife Management Areas due to higher hunter numbers and unique management objectives for these areas.
Hunters can find information about deer hunting, season dates, and hunting regulations at http://www.mdwfp.com or in the 2015 – 2016 Mississippi Outdoor Digest.
Citizen Sportsman 