Leaf River WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and deer harvest
Leaf River WMA is 41,411 acres of public hunting land in Perry, George and Greene counties, run by MDWFP. Hunters checked 152 deer on it in the 2024-25 season (91 bucks, 61 does), by MDWFP's DMAP report; over 10 seasons the area averaged 143 a season. Its 2026-27 brochure sets 4 kinds of deer hunt: archery, youth gun, 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.
Leaf River WMAOther MDWFP WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 41,411 acres (MDWFP's DMAP report) |
|---|---|
| County | Perry County, George County, Greene County |
| Deer hunts | Archery, Youth Gun, 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 Mar. 31 (permit); Turkey Apr. 1 to May 2 |
| Deer checked, 2024-25 | 152 (91 bucks, 61 does) |
| WMA headquarters | (601) 598-2323 |
| Headquarters GPS | 30.990065, -88.865115 |
| Nearest towns | McLain (2 mi), Beaumont (6 mi) and New Augusta (11 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Leaf River WMA?
| Deer hunt | Dates, 2026-27 | Legal deer and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Oct. 15 to Nov. 20 | Antlerless deer and legal bucks. |
| Youth Gun | Nov. 7 to Nov. 20 | Antlerless deer and legal bucks. |
| Gun | Nov. 21 to Dec. 1 | With dogs in deer hunting with dogs area only. Legal bucks only. |
| Primitive Weapon | Dec. 2 to Dec. 15 | Antlerless deer and legal bucks. |
| Gun | Dec. 16 to Dec. 23 | Without dogs. Legal bucks only. |
| Gun | Dec. 24 to Jan. 20 | With dogs in deer hunting with dogs area only. Legal bucks only. |
| Primitive Weapon | Jan. 21 to Feb. 15 | 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 Oct. 1 to Feb. 28; Trapping Nov. 1 to Feb. 28.
Source: MDWFP, Leaf River Wildlife Management Area 2026-27 regulations.
How many deer are taken on Leaf River WMA?
Hunters checked 152 deer on Leaf River WMA in the 2024-25 season. Over the 10 seasons in MDWFP's report the area averaged 143 deer a season.
| Season | Deer checked | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 152 | 91 | 61 |
| 2023-24 | 120 | 79 | 41 |
| 2022-23 | 107 | 68 | 39 |
| 2021-22 | 110 | 64 | 46 |
| 2020-21 | 120 | 72 | 48 |
| 2019-20 | 176 | 94 | 82 |
| 2018-19 | 118 | 77 | 41 |
| 2017-18 | 100 | 92 | 8 |
| 2016-17 | 220 | 108 | 112 |
| 2015-16 | 206 | 126 | 80 |
Source: MDWFP DMAP report, Leaf River WMA, harvest history table.
What rules apply on Leaf River 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, except during gun seasons with dogs, when a legal buck is a buck with an inside spread of at least 12 inches OR one main beam length of at least 15 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.
- Checking deer: All deer harvested must be checked at a WMA check station and recorded on WMA Daily Visitor Use Permit Card or WMA Check-In App 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.
- Deer hunting with dogs area: That portion of the WMA west of Forest Service Road 315. 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. 16 - Feb. 28 with weapons legal for small game.
- Deer hunting without dogs area: Hog hunting with dogs is allowed during daylight hours only during Feb. 16 - 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 for 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 Leaf River WMA?
At New Augusta, take Hwy 29 south to Benndale Rd. Veer left and travel to Forest Service Road 309. Turn left and follow to Forest Service Road 353. Turn left and follow to the WMA headquarters on the right. MDWFP gives the headquarters at 30.990065, -88.865115.
Highways within 5 miles: MS 57, US 98, MS 26 and MS 29. Nearest towns: McLain (2 miles), Beaumont (6 miles), New Augusta (11 miles) and Wiggins (12 miles).
The closest other Mississippi WMAs with a page here: Pascagoula WMA (4.1 miles), Red Creek WMA (9.1 miles), Little Biloxi WMA (19.3 miles) and Mason Creek WMA (19.9 miles).
Directions, headquarters GPS 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 Leaf River WMA in 2026-27?
MDWFP's 2026-27 brochure for Leaf River WMA lists these deer hunts: Archery, Oct. 15 to Nov. 20; Youth Gun, 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 Feb. 15.
What is a legal buck on Leaf River 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, except during gun seasons with dogs, when a legal buck is a buck with an inside spread of at least 12 inches OR one main beam length of at least 15 inches.
How many deer were killed on Leaf River WMA last season?
Hunters checked 152 deer on Leaf River WMA in the 2024-25 season: 91 bucks and 61 does, by MDWFP's DMAP report. The 10-season average is 143.
Can you hunt deer with dogs on Leaf River 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.
What county is Leaf River WMA in?
Perry County (39,891 acres), George County (944 acres) and Greene County (367 acres), measured on MDWFP's boundary map.
Get a Mississippi hunt plan when they open
Mississippi plans are not open yet. They are coming soon. Join the waiting list; the first 50 hunters get one plan free.
Use the map while you wait for your plan.
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 Pascagoula WMA Red Creek WMA