Caney Creek WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and deer harvest
Caney Creek WMA is 28,437 acres of public hunting land in Scott and Smith counties, run by MDWFP. Hunters checked 48 deer on it in the 2024-25 season (31 bucks, 17 does), by MDWFP's DMAP report; over 14 seasons the area averaged 65 a season. Its 2026-27 brochure sets 4 kinds of deer hunt: archery, youth deer, gun and primitive weapon, with archery Oct. 1 to Nov. 20.
Data updated October 2026. Seasons and rules: MDWFP's 2026-27 WMA brochure. Harvest: MDWFP's DMAP report for the area, to 2024-25.
Caney Creek WMAOther MDWFP WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 28,437 acres (MDWFP's DMAP report) |
|---|---|
| County | Scott County, Smith County |
| Deer hunts | Archery, Youth Deer, Gun and Primitive Weapon |
| Archery deer | Oct. 1 to Nov. 20 |
| Draw permit for deer | No draw listed; WMA user permit and check-in required |
| Spring turkey | Youth turkey Mar. 8 to Mar. 14; Turkey Mar. 15 to Mar. 31 (permit); Turkey Apr. 1 to May 2 |
| Deer checked, 2024-25 | 48 (31 bucks, 17 does) |
| WMA headquarters | (601) 469-1918 |
| Nearest towns | Forest (next to it), Polkville (next to it) and Lake (4 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Caney Creek WMA?
| Deer hunt | Dates, 2026-27 | Legal deer and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Oct. 1 to Nov. 20 | Antlerless deer and legal bucks. |
| Youth Deer | Nov. 7 to Nov. 20 | Antlerless deer and legal bucks. |
| Gun | Nov. 21 to Dec. 1 | Legal bucks with dogs. |
| Primitive Weapon | Dec. 2 to Dec. 15 | Antlerless deer and legal bucks. |
| Gun | Dec. 16 to Dec. 23 | Antlerless deer and legal bucks. |
| Gun | Dec. 24 to Jan. 20 | Legal bucks with dogs. |
| Primitive Weapon | Jan. 21 to Jan. 31 | Legal bucks only. |
Turkey: Youth turkey: Mar. 8 to Mar. 14. Turkey (permit only): Mar. 15 to Mar. 31; see turkey permits under the area's rules below. Turkey: Apr. 1 to May 2.
Small game and other seasons: Youth squirrel Sept. 24 to Sept. 30; Squirrel Oct. 1 to Feb. 28, May 15 to June 1; Rabbit Oct. 17 to Feb. 28; Raccoon July 1 to Sept. 30 (Friday and Saturday nights only); Raccoon, opossum and bobcat Oct. 1 to Feb. 28; Trapping Nov. 1 to Feb. 28.
How many deer are taken on Caney Creek WMA?
Hunters checked 48 deer on Caney Creek WMA in the 2024-25 season. Over the 14 seasons in MDWFP's report the area averaged 65 deer a season.
| Season | Deer checked | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 48 | 31 | 17 |
| 2023-24 | 36 | 23 | 13 |
| 2022-23 | 55 | 40 | 15 |
| 2021-22 | 54 | 38 | 16 |
| 2020-21 | 72 | 52 | 20 |
| 2019-20 | 58 | 43 | 15 |
| 2018-19 | 49 | 42 | 7 |
| 2017-18 | 23 | 19 | 4 |
| 2016-17 | 69 | 30 | 39 |
| 2015-16 | 60 | 31 | 29 |
| 2014-15 | 85 | 48 | 37 |
| 2013-14 | 81 | 43 | 38 |
| 2012-13 | 100 | 35 | 65 |
| 2011-12 | 123 | 64 | 59 |
Source: MDWFP DMAP report, Caney Creek WMA, harvest history table.
What rules apply on Caney Creek WMA?
- Legal bucks: Legal bucks are those with an inside spread of at least 12 inches OR one main beam length of at least 15 inches. For hunters 15 years of age or younger, any antlered buck is a legal buck.
- Bag limits: Same as statewide bag limits, except the bag limit on antlerless deer is one (1) per day. All harvested deer count towards statewide bag limits, unless otherwise stated.
- Checking deer: All deer harvested must be recorded on DAILY VISITOR USE PERMIT CARD or the WMA Check-In App before leaving the area. All deer harvested must be checked at a self-service data collection station by the hunter who harvested them before leaving the WMA. If WMA personnel are not available to check the deer, the hunter is responsible for collecting and legibly recording ALL biological data (how much the deer weighs, antler measurements and jawbone). Instructions and equipment will be provided.
- Dogs: Small game hunting with dogs is allowed during any small game season. AREA I (Deer Hunting Without Dogs Area): That portion of the WMA north of I-20, south of Hwy. 80, and east of Hwy. 501. Hunting, running, or pursuing hogs with the use of dogs is prohibited. AREA II (Deer Hunting With Dogs Area): That portion of the WMA south of I-20 and north of Morton-Marathon Road (Road 506). Hog hunting with dogs is allowed during any deer with dogs season. In addition, hog hunting with dogs is allowed during daylight hours only during Feb. 1–Feb. 28 with weapons legal for small game. AREA III (Deer Hunting Without Dogs Area): That portion of the WMA south of Morton-Marathon Road (Road 506). Hog hunting with dogs is allowed during daylight hours only during Feb. 1–Feb. 28 with weapons legal for small game.
- Legal weapons for deer: Only centerfire rifles, shotguns with slugs or buckshot, primitive weapons, and centerfire handguns may be used for deer hunting.
- Turkey permits: Turkey hunting from Mar. 15–Mar. 31 is allowed by special permit only on Bienville, Caney Creek, and Tallahala. You may apply online at www.mdwfp.com. See application for hunt dates, application deadlines, and other information about permitted hunts.
- No hunting: No parking or hunting from I-20.
- ATVs and off-road vehicles: Off-road vehicle use, including electric bicycles, will be governed by U.S. Forest Service regulations.
- Camping: Camping is allowed subject to U.S. Forest Service regulations.
- Horses: Hunting from horseback is allowed.
From MDWFP's 2026-27 brochure for the area. The brochure and 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2 are the final word.
How do you get to Caney Creek WMA?
From I-20, Exit 88: Take Hwy 35 south approx. ¼ mile and turn right onto West Moore Tower Road. Headquarters is approximately 1 mile on left.
Highways through the area: MS 501. Nearest towns: Forest (next to it), Polkville (next to it), Lake (4 miles) and Morton (5 miles).
The closest other Mississippi WMAs with a page here: Bienville WMA (1.3 miles), Tallahala WMA (2.9 miles), Pearl River WMA (23.3 miles) and Okatibbee WMA (33.7 miles).
Directions and headquarters phone: MDWFP's brochure. Highways and towns measured by FilledTag on U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 roads and U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer.
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Caney Creek WMA in 2026-27?
MDWFP's 2026-27 brochure for Caney Creek WMA lists these deer hunts: Archery, Oct. 1 to Nov. 20; Youth Deer, Nov. 7 to Nov. 20; Gun, Nov. 21 to Dec. 1; Primitive Weapon, Dec. 2 to Dec. 15; Gun, Dec. 16 to Dec. 23; Gun, Dec. 24 to Jan. 20; Primitive Weapon, Jan. 21 to Jan. 31.
What is a legal buck on Caney Creek WMA?
Legal bucks are those with an inside spread of at least 12 inches OR one main beam length of at least 15 inches. For hunters 15 years of age or younger, any antlered buck is a legal buck.
How many deer were killed on Caney Creek WMA last season?
Hunters checked 48 deer on Caney Creek WMA in the 2024-25 season: 31 bucks and 17 does, by MDWFP's DMAP report. The 14-season average is 65.
Can you hunt deer with dogs on Caney Creek WMA?
Yes, on these hunts, which MDWFP's brochure marks as with dogs: Nov. 21 to Dec. 1 and Dec. 24 to Jan. 20. Its dog rules: Small game hunting with dogs is allowed during any small game season. AREA I (Deer Hunting Without Dogs Area): That portion of the WMA north of I-20, south of Hwy. 80, and east of Hwy. 501. Hunting, running, or pursuing hogs with the use of dogs is prohibited. AREA II (Deer Hunting With Dogs Area): That portion of the WMA south of I-20 and north of Morton-Marathon Road (Road 506). Hog hunting with dogs is allowed during any deer with dogs season. In addition, hog hunting with dogs is allowed during daylight hours only during Feb. 1–Feb. 28 with weapons legal for small game. AREA III (Deer Hunting Without Dogs Area): That portion of the WMA south of Morton-Marathon Road (Road 506). Hog hunting with dogs is allowed during daylight hours only during Feb. 1–Feb. 28 with weapons legal for small game.
What county is Caney Creek WMA in?
Scott County (22,741 acres) and Smith County (6,296 acres), measured on MDWFP's boundary map. Those county figures come from the boundary map, which measures 29,037 acres in all; MDWFP's DMAP report gives the area as 28,437 acres.
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What you need to hunt a Mississippi WMA
Unless exempt from buying a license, everyone hunting, fishing or trapping on a WMA must carry an annual statewide Wildlife Management Area User Permit, on top of the right license, and must check in and out with the Daily Visitor Use Permit card or the MDWFP WMA Check-In app. Hunters must wear 500 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink during any firearm season for deer. Full rules: MDWFP WMA rules (40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2).
Where these numbers come from
- Seasons, rules, directions: MDWFP's 2026-27 brochure for each WMA (MDWFP Wildlife Management Areas).
- Deer harvest and DMAP acres: MDWFP Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) reports.
- Boundary: MDWFP WMA property boundaries. Counties, highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 county boundaries; U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer. National forest and refuges: U.S. Forest Service land ownership; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge boundaries.
FilledTag is not part of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. Numbers are copied from MDWFP or measured from public maps; nothing on this page is estimated by FilledTag.
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