Pascagoula WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and deer harvest
Pascagoula WMA is 37,415 acres of public hunting land in Jackson and George counties, run by MDWFP. Hunters checked 62 deer on it in the 2024-25 season (59 bucks, 3 does), by MDWFP's DMAP report; over 10 seasons the area averaged 45 a season. Its 2026-27 brochure sets 5 kinds of deer hunt: archery, youth gun, gun, primitive weapon and gun - senior adult, with archery Oct. 15 to Nov. 20 and Oct. 15 to Oct. 30. Some or all deer hunts are by draw permit.
Data updated October 2026. Seasons and rules: MDWFP's 2026-27 WMA brochure. Harvest: MDWFP's DMAP report for the area, to 2024-25.
Pascagoula WMAOther MDWFP WMAsNational forestNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 37,415 acres (MDWFP's DMAP report) |
|---|---|
| County | Jackson County, George County |
| Deer hunts | Archery, Youth Gun, Gun, Primitive Weapon and Gun - Senior Adult |
| Archery deer | Oct. 15 to Nov. 20; Oct. 15 to Oct. 30 |
| Draw permit for deer | Yes, for some or all deer hunts (see below) |
| Spring turkey | Youth turkey Mar. 8 to Mar. 14; Turkey Mar. 15 to May 2; Youth turkey Mar. 8 to Apr. 4 (permit); Turkey Apr. 9 to Apr. 25 (permit) |
| Deer checked, 2024-25 | 62 (59 bucks, 3 does) |
| WMA headquarters | (228) 588-3878 |
| Headquarters GPS | 30.633565, -88.598212 |
| Nearest towns | Lucedale (6 mi), Moss Point (7 mi) and Gautier (9 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Pascagoula WMA?
Main area
| 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 | Legal bucks only. |
| 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: 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 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, Pascagoula River Wildlife Management Area 2026-27 regulations.
Land Between the Creeks unit
| Deer hunt | Dates, 2026-27 | Legal deer and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery - Permit Only | Oct. 15 to Oct. 30 | Antlerless deer and legal bucks. |
| Youth Gun - Permit Only | Oct. 31 to Dec. 1 | Antlerless deer and legal bucks. |
| Gun - Permit Only | Dec. 4 to Dec. 13 | Antlerless deer and legal bucks. |
| Gun - Permit Only | Jan. 15 to Jan. 24 | Antlerless deer and legal bucks. |
| Youth Gun - Permit Only | Dec. 18 to Dec. 27 | Antlerless deer and legal bucks. |
| Gun - Senior Adult - Permit Only | Jan. 1 to Jan. 10 | Antlerless deer and legal bucks. |
Turkey: Youth turkey (permit only): Mar. 8 to Apr. 4. Turkey (permit only): Apr. 9 to Apr. 25.
Small game and other seasons: Youth squirrel Sept. 24 to Sept. 30; Squirrel Feb. 1 to Feb. 28.
Source: MDWFP, Pascagoula River Wildlife Management Area 2026-27 regulations.
How many deer are taken on Pascagoula WMA?
Hunters checked 62 deer on Pascagoula WMA in the 2024-25 season. Over the 10 seasons in MDWFP's report the area averaged 45 deer a season.
| Season | Deer checked | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 62 | 59 | 3 |
| 2023-24 | 35 | 29 | 6 |
| 2022-23 | 26 | 21 | 5 |
| 2021-22 | 30 | 28 | 2 |
| 2020-21 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 2019-20 | 26 | 19 | 7 |
| 2018-19 | 43 | 40 | 3 |
| 2017-18 | 43 | 40 | 3 |
| 2016-17 | 94 | 62 | 32 |
| 2015-16 | 72 | 41 | 31 |
Source: MDWFP DMAP report, Pascagoula WMA, harvest history table.
What rules apply on Pascagoula 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.
- 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. Instructions and equipment will be provided.
- Deer hunting with dogs area: That portion of the WMA located in George County and the portion located in Jackson County west of the Pascagoula River and south of Big Slough. Small game hunting with dogs is allowed during any small game season. Hog hunting with dogs is allowed during any deer with dog 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: That portion of the WMA located in Jackson County east of the Pascagoula River and north of Big Slough. Deer hunting with dogs is prohibited. Small game hunting with dogs is allowed during any small game season. Hog hunting with dogs allowed during daylight hours only 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.
- High water: Hunting seasons (excluding waterfowl season) are closed when the Pascagoula River gauge at Merrill reads 18.0 ft or higher or the Graham Ferry gauge reads 15.0 ft or higher. Deep Slough and Graham Lake Roads in Jackson County will be closed when the river gauge at Graham Ferry reads 12.0 ft or higher. Roads will be re-opened when conditions are suitable for vehicle use that will minimize road damage. River stages can be obtained from www.mdwfp.com/wma or by calling 228- 769-6508. The earliest daily reading will determine WMA closure for the entire day.
- Camping: Camping is allowed only in designated areas, or on sandbars and along rivers and creeks, provided such camp is visible from a boat. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days. All campsites must be maintained in a neat and orderly manner. Camping equipment may not be left unattended for more than 24 hours. All camping equipment and garbage must be removed before final departure.
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 Pascagoula WMA?
Pascagoula River is located in George and Jackson Counties near Lucedale. Lower: From the intersection of Wade-Vancleave Rd and Hwy 63 in the Wade community, go west on Wade-Vancleave Rd approximately 2 miles. The WMA headquarters in on the left. UPPER: From the intersection of Hwy 57 and Hwy 26 in the Benndale community, go east on Hwy 26 approximately 7 miles. Turn right on River Rd and go approximately 2 miles. Turn right on Wilkerson Ferry Rd and go to the end of the road, approximately 4.5 miles. The WMA headquarters is at the end of the road. MDWFP gives the headquarters at 30.633565, -88.598212.
Highways through the area: MS 614 and MS 26. Nearest towns: Lucedale (6 miles), Moss Point (7 miles), Gautier (9 miles) and McLain (10 miles).
The closest other Mississippi WMAs with a page here: Ward Bayou WMA (next to it), Leaf River WMA (4.1 miles), Red Creek WMA (5 miles) and Little Biloxi WMA (24.4 miles).
Headquarters GPS and headquarters phone: MDWFP's brochure. Directions: MDWFP's page for the area. 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 Pascagoula WMA in 2026-27?
MDWFP's 2026-27 brochure for Pascagoula 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; Archery - Permit Only, Oct. 15 to Oct. 30; Youth Gun - Permit Only, Oct. 31 to Dec. 1; Gun - Permit Only, Dec. 4 to Dec. 13; Gun - Permit Only, Jan. 15 to Jan. 24; Youth Gun - Permit Only, Dec. 18 to Dec. 27; Gun - Senior Adult - Permit Only, Jan. 1 to Jan. 10.
What is a legal buck on Pascagoula 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 Pascagoula WMA last season?
Hunters checked 62 deer on Pascagoula WMA in the 2024-25 season: 59 bucks and 3 does, by MDWFP's DMAP report. The 10-season average is 45.
Can you hunt deer with dogs on Pascagoula WMA?
Yes, on these hunts, which MDWFP's brochure marks as with dogs: Nov. 21 to Dec. 1 and Dec. 24 to Jan. 20.
What county is Pascagoula WMA in?
Jackson County (22,064 acres) and George County (19,869 acres), measured on MDWFP's boundary map. Those county figures come from the boundary map, which measures 41,933 acres in all; MDWFP's DMAP report gives the area as 37,415 acres.
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 Ward Bayou WMA Leaf River WMA