Caston Creek WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and deer harvest
Caston Creek WMA is 27,785 acres of public hunting land in Amite and Franklin counties, run by MDWFP. Hunters checked 9 deer on it in the 2024-25 season (8 bucks, 1 doe), by MDWFP's DMAP report; over 14 seasons the area averaged 21 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.
Caston Creek WMAOther MDWFP WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 27,785 acres (MDWFP's DMAP report) |
|---|---|
| County | Amite County, Franklin 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 | 9 (8 bucks, 1 doe) |
| WMA headquarters | (601) 277-3636 |
| Nearest towns | Bude (3 mi), Meadville (3 mi) and Crosby (6 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Caston 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 | Legal bucks only. |
| 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 Jul. 1 to Sept. 30 (Friday and Saturday nights only); Raccoon, opossum Oct. 1 to Feb. 28; Trapping Nov. 1 to Feb. 28.
Source: MDWFP, Caston Creek and Sandy Creek Wildlife Management Areas 2026-27 regulations.
How many deer are taken on Caston Creek WMA?
Hunters checked 9 deer on Caston Creek WMA in the 2024-25 season. Over the 14 seasons in MDWFP's report the area averaged 21 deer a season.
| Season | Deer checked | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 9 | 8 | 1 |
| 2023-24 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | 7 | 6 | 1 |
| 2021-22 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 2020-21 | 9 | 7 | 2 |
| 2019-20 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| 2018-19 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 2017-18 | 15 | 14 | 1 |
| 2016-17 | 35 | 30 | 5 |
| 2015-16 | 30 | 24 | 6 |
| 2014-15 | 42 | 39 | 3 |
| 2013-14 | 45 | 42 | 3 |
| 2012-13 | 43 | 35 | 8 |
| 2011-12 | 20 | 12 | 8 |
Source: MDWFP DMAP report, Caston Creek WMA, harvest history table.
What rules apply on Caston Creek WMA?
- Legal bucks: Legal bucks are those with an inside spread of at least 10 inches OR one main beam length of at least 13 inches. For hunters 15 years of age or younger, any antlered buck is a legal buck, except during gun seasons with dogs, when a legal buck is a buck with an inside spread of at least 10 inches OR one main beam length of at least 13 inches.
- 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.
- Dogs: Small game hunting with dogs is allowed during any small game season. Deer hunting without dogs area: The portion of the area west of Forest Service Road 155. Hog hunting with dogs is allowed during daylight hours only during Feb. 1-28 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. You may apply online at www.mdwfp.com. See application for hunt dates, application deadlines, and other information about permitted hunts.
- 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 Caston Creek WMA?
Beginning at the intersection of Hwy 84 and Hwy 98 in the Bude community, travel south-southeast on Hwy 98 approximately 2.6 miles to the intersection of Yap Road. Turn west (right) on Yap Road and travel approximately 2.6 miles where it will change into Gloster Road. Continue west-southwest on Gloster Road for approximately 5.4 miles. The WMA headquarters is on the left.
Highways within 5 miles: US 98, US 84, MS 567 and MS 184. Nearest towns: Bude (3 miles), Meadville (3 miles), Crosby (6 miles) and Gloster (8 miles).
The closest other Mississippi WMAs with a page here: Sandy Creek WMA (9.3 miles), Bob M. Dearing Natchez State Park WMA (20.5 miles), Copiah County WMA (27.3 miles) and Canemount WMA (34.6 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 Caston Creek WMA in 2026-27?
MDWFP's 2026-27 brochure for Caston 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 Caston Creek WMA?
Legal bucks are those with an inside spread of at least 10 inches OR one main beam length of at least 13 inches. For hunters 15 years of age or younger, any antlered buck is a legal buck, except during gun seasons with dogs, when a legal buck is a buck with an inside spread of at least 10 inches OR one main beam length of at least 13 inches.
How many deer were killed on Caston Creek WMA last season?
Hunters checked 9 deer on Caston Creek WMA in the 2024-25 season: 8 bucks and 1 doe, by MDWFP's DMAP report. The 14-season average is 21.
Can you hunt deer with dogs on Caston 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. Deer hunting without dogs area: The portion of the area west of Forest Service Road 155. Hog hunting with dogs is allowed during daylight hours only during Feb. 1-28 with weapons legal for small game.
What county is Caston Creek WMA in?
Amite County (15,014 acres) and Franklin County (13,200 acres), measured on MDWFP's boundary map.
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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.
Mississippi hunting All Mississippi WMAs Sandy Creek WMA Bob M. Dearing Natchez State Park WMA