Chickasawhay WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and deer harvest
Chickasawhay WMA is 30,000 acres of public hunting land in Jones County, run by MDWFP. Hunters checked 53 deer on it in the 2024-25 season (37 bucks, 16 does), by MDWFP's DMAP report; over 9 seasons the area averaged 32 a season. Its 2026-27 brochure sets 4 kinds of deer hunt: archery, youth deer, gun and primitive weapon, with archery Oct. 15 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.
Chickasawhay WMAOther MDWFP WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 30,000 acres (MDWFP's DMAP report) |
|---|---|
| County | Jones County |
| Deer hunts | Archery, Youth Deer, Gun and Primitive Weapon |
| Archery deer | Oct. 15 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 May 2 |
| Deer checked, 2024-25 | 53 (37 bucks, 16 does) |
| Nearest towns | Richton (6 mi), Laurel (8 mi) and Ellisville (9 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Chickasawhay WMA?
| Deer hunt | Dates, 2026-27 | Legal deer and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Oct. 15 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 without dogs. |
| Primitive Weapon | Dec. 2 to Dec. 15 | Antlerless deer and legal bucks. |
| Gun | Dec. 16 to Dec. 22 | Legal bucks only. |
| Gun | Dec. 23 to Jan. 20 | Legal bucks without dogs. |
| Primitive Weapon | Jan. 21 to Feb. 15 | Legal bucks only. |
Turkey: Youth turkey: Mar. 8 to Mar. 14. Turkey: Mar. 15 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, Chickasawhay and Mason Creek Wildlife Management Areas 2026-27 regulations.
How many deer are taken on Chickasawhay WMA?
Hunters checked 53 deer on Chickasawhay WMA in the 2024-25 season. Over the 9 seasons in MDWFP's report the area averaged 32 deer a season.
| Season | Deer checked | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 53 | 37 | 16 |
| 2023-24 | 10 | 7 | 3 |
| 2022-23 | 27 | 17 | 10 |
| 2021-22 | 19 | 13 | 6 |
| 2019-20 | 28 | 18 | 10 |
| 2018-19 | 22 | 19 | 3 |
| 2017-18 | 33 | 27 | 6 |
| 2016-17 | 39 | 17 | 22 |
| 2015-16 | 60 | 30 | 30 |
Source: MDWFP DMAP report, Chickasawhay WMA, harvest history table.
What rules apply on Chickasawhay 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.
- 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 checked at the Area Headquarters by the hunters 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. Hunting, running, or pursuing hogs with the use of dogs is prohibited.
- Legal weapons for deer: Only centerfire rifles, shotguns with slugs, primitive weapons, and centerfire handguns may be used for deer hunting.
- 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. CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 36, will be enforced. For additional information, contact the Forest Service at (601) 965-1600.
- 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 Chickasawhay WMA?
At Laurel, take Hwy 15 south to Tiger Creek Church Rd. in Ovett. Turn left and travel to Forest Service Rd. 202. Turn right and travel to Forest Service Rd. 205. Turn left and follow to the WMA headquarters on the left.
Highways through the area: MS 536. Nearest towns: Richton (6 miles), Laurel (8 miles), Ellisville (9 miles) and Sandersville (12 miles).
The closest other Mississippi WMAs with a page here: Mason Creek WMA (12.9 miles), Leaf River WMA (24.9 miles), Pascagoula WMA (35 miles) and Tallahala WMA (37 miles).
Directions: 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 Chickasawhay WMA in 2026-27?
MDWFP's 2026-27 brochure for Chickasawhay WMA lists these deer hunts: Archery, Oct. 15 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. 22; Gun, Dec. 23 to Jan. 20; Primitive Weapon, Jan. 21 to Feb. 15.
What is a legal buck on Chickasawhay 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.
How many deer were killed on Chickasawhay WMA last season?
Hunters checked 53 deer on Chickasawhay WMA in the 2024-25 season: 37 bucks and 16 does, by MDWFP's DMAP report. The 9-season average is 32.
Can you hunt deer with dogs on Chickasawhay WMA?
No. MDWFP's brochure marks the gun hunts on Chickasawhay WMA as without dogs. Its dog rules: Small game hunting with dogs is allowed during any small game season. Hunting, running, or pursuing hogs with the use of dogs is prohibited.
What county is Chickasawhay WMA in?
All of it is in Jones County, measured on MDWFP's boundary.
Get a Mississippi hunt plan when they open
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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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