Mississippi Hunting License: Cost, Requirements & How to Apply
Your guide to Mississippi hunting licenses, current MDWFP season-date checks, Game Check, and checkout requirements.
Mississippi Hunting License — Quick Facts
- Resident: from $45.00 — Non-Resident: from $300.00
- Managed by: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
- License year: 2026 (valid for dates within this period)
- Hunter education required for first-time buyers — verify with the state agency
- Discounts available for: senior, youth, disabled veteran, active military, landowner
- Buy online through the agency-linked portal at https://www.mdwfp.com/licenses-permits
Mississippi Hunting License Fees (2026)
Mississippi hunting licenses and seasons are managed by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP). For the June 19, 2026 GSC season-date pass, MDWFP's current Season Dates page showed 2025-2026 deer season tables and a migratory game bird section marked Updated for the 2026-2027 Season. Treat deer dates as official only when the current MDWFP season page or Outdoor Digest has posted the matching license year. The MDWFP price page lists a resident Sportsman's License at $45, a resident All Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing row at $25, a nonresident All Game Hunting row at $300, a nonresident 7-Day All Game Hunting row at $150, a nonresident Deer Permit at $100, a resident Wild Turkey Stamp at $10, a nonresident Wild Turkey Stamp at $100, and WMA User Permit rows that can be separate. The Sportsman's License does not include Saltwater Fishing, Federal or State Waterfowl Stamp, Turkey Stamp, Velvet Deer Hunting Permit, or WMA Permit. Hunter education is required for many hunters born after January 1, 1972, and Game Check/reporting rules should be verified before hunting.
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Sportsman's License | $45.00 | — | 1 year | Includes archery/primitive weapon/crossbow and freshwater fishing; does not include saltwater fishing, Federal or State Waterfowl Stamp, Turkey Stamp, Velvet Deer Hunting Permit, or WMA Permit |
| Resident All Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing | $25.00 | — | 1 year | Does not include archery/primitive/crossbow, saltwater fishing, Velvet Season Deer Hunting, Federal or State Waterfowl Stamp, Turkey Stamp, or WMA User Permit |
| NR All Game Hunting | — | $300.00 | 1 year | |
| NR 7-Day All Game | — | $150.00 | 7 days | |
| NR 3-Day All Game | — | $100.00 | 3 days | |
| NR Deer Permit | — | $100.00 | Season | Includes velvet season |
| Wild Turkey Stamp | $10.00 | $100.00 | Season | Required for any persons 16 years of age and older when hunting wild turkeys in Mississippi, unless exempt; resident row $10 and nonresident row $100 |
| Resident WMA User Permit | $15.00 | — | 1 year | |
| NR WMA User Permit | — | $30.00 | 1 year | |
| State Waterfowl Stamp | $10.00 | $15.00 | 1 year | |
| Armed Forces 14-Day Hunt/Fish | — | $32.00 | 14 days | |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $30.00 | $30.00 | 1 year |
Prices from Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. Last verified: 2026-06-19. Always confirm current fees with the official state agency before purchase.
When does your Mississippi license expire? See our license validity guide →
Hunter Education Requirements
Required for anyone born after January 1, 1972. Apprentice license available for one-time exemption.
How to Buy a Mississippi Hunting License
- 1
Complete Hunter Education
If required, complete a state-approved hunter education course before purchasing your license.
- 2
Gather Required Documents
Have your government-issued photo ID, Social Security Number, and proof of residency (if applicable) ready.
- 3
Visit the Official Portal
Go to Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks or an authorized retail agent listed by the state agency.
- 4
Select License Type & Pay
Choose the appropriate license type for your needs, add any required endorsements or tags, and complete payment.
- 5
Print or Save Your License
Print your license or save a digital copy. You must carry your valid license while hunting in Mississippi.
Need help? Call Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks at 601-432-2400
Not sure what you need? Use our License Cost Calculator to get a personalized estimate →
Step-by-step: How to buy your hunting license online for any state →
Mississippi Hunting Seasons (2026)
| Species | Method | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery | October 1 | January 31 | Planning row from MDWFP 2025-2026 season table for Delta, North Central, and Hills Management Units; verify the current MDWFP season page before hunting |
| White-tailed Deer | Firearms | November 22 | January 21 | Planning row from MDWFP 2025-2026 table; gun with dogs and gun without dogs have separate windows and unit/public-land limits |
| White-tailed Deer | Primitive Weapon | November 10 | January 31 | Planning row from MDWFP 2025-2026 table; antlerless, either-sex, private-land and open-public-land rules vary by unit |
| White-tailed Deer | Velvet Buck | September 12 | September 14 | MDWFP 2025-2026 table lists Sept. 12-14; special permit, mandatory reporting, and CWD sampling required |
| Turkey | Spring | March 14 | May 3 | MDWFP states the 2026 spring season is extended to Sunday, May 3; youth season Mar. 7-13 |
| Duck | General | November 27 | January 31 | MDWFP migratory game bird section is marked updated for the 2026-2027 season; ducks/mergansers/coots also list Dec. 4-6 and Dec. 9-Jan. 31 segments |
| Dove | General | September 5 | January 15 | |
| Quail | General | November 21 | March 1 |
View full Mississippi season regulations on MDWFP
Compare deer tag costs and season dates across all 50 states →
Compare turkey license costs and season dates across all states →
Discounts & Exemptions
| Group | Benefit | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Senior | Free | Mississippi residents aged 65 and older are exempt from most license fees |
| Youth | Free for under 16 | Youth under 16 can hunt without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult |
| Disabled Veteran | Reduced | Disabled Mississippi veterans may qualify for reduced-fee licenses |
| Active Military | 14-Day License ($32) | Active duty military — Armed Forces 14-Day Hunt/Fish license |
| Landowner | Exempt on own land | Resident landowners hunting on their own property |
Mississippi Hunting Regulations Overview
Bag Limits
Check species-specific bag limits in the Mississippi official regulations. Limits vary by species, management unit, and season.
Legal Methods
Approved hunting methods include firearm, archery, and muzzleloader. Crossbows are legal. Specific rules apply to each method.
Safety Requirements
Blaze orange is required during firearms deer season.
Shooting Hours
Hunting is generally permitted from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Check local variations.
- 500 square inches of solid, unbroken daylight fluorescent orange above the waist required during firearms deer season.
- Mississippi has a unique velvet-season buck hunting period in September.
- CWD management zone regulations apply in specific counties.
- Electronic game reporting is required for all deer, turkey, and certain other game.
Read full Mississippi regulations on MDWFP
Not sure if you qualify for a discount? Take the Eligibility Quiz →
Mississippi Proof Checklist
Use official owner pages for license, access, education, season, and transport decisions before entering the field.
Use the official portal
Confirm the state agency, product year, cart items, receipt, and field-proof rules before buying.
Open guideVerify access owner
Check public-land, WMA, refuge, road, closure, parking, camping, and private-boundary rules at the source.
Open guideSolve transport early
Save CWD, carcass, meat, head, cape, waterfowl, transit-state, processor, and proof requirements.
Open guide
Mississippi Hunting License FAQ
How much does a hunting license cost in Mississippi?
MDWFP's current price page lists a resident Sportsman's License at $45 and a resident All Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing row at $25. For nonresidents, MDWFP lists All Game Hunting at $300, 7-Day All Game Hunting at $150, and a nonresident Deer Permit at $100. Turkey Stamp, WMA, waterfowl stamps, velvet permit, agent fee, and process fee can be separate.
Do I need hunter education to hunt in Mississippi?
Yes, hunter education is required for anyone born after January 1, 1972. An apprentice license is available for one-time use while completing the course.
Can non-residents hunt in Mississippi?
Yes. Nonresidents should confirm the current MDWFP product stack before checkout. The MDWFP price page lists All Game Hunting at $300, 7-Day All Game Hunting at $150, nonresident Deer Permit at $100, and nonresident Wild Turkey Stamp at $100.
What is the deer season in Mississippi?
MDWFP's current Season Dates page shows 2025-2026 deer season tables, including Sept. 12-14 velvet-season planning dates, Oct. 1-Jan. 31 archery in several units, and separate gun, primitive-weapon, youth, private-land, public-land, and Southeast Unit windows. For a 2026-2027 search, verify the current MDWFP season page before hunting because the deer table may not yet show the next license year.
Are there free hunting licenses in Mississippi?
Yes. Mississippi residents aged 65 and older are exempt from most license requirements. Youth under 16 may hunt without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Can I buy a Mississippi hunting license online?
Yes, through the MDWFP website, by calling 1-800-5GO-HUNT, at MDWFP offices, or at approved vendors statewide.