Twin Oaks WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and deer harvest
Twin Oaks WMA is 5,800 acres of public hunting land in Sharkey County, run by MDWFP. Hunters checked 20 deer on it in the 2024-25 season (6 bucks, 14 does), by MDWFP's DMAP report; over 10 seasons the area averaged 29 a season. Its 2026-27 brochure sets 4 kinds of deer hunt: archery, youth gun, primitive weapon and archery/youth gun, with archery Oct. 1 to Oct. 30 and Jan. 1 to Jan. 14. 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.
Twin Oaks WMAOther MDWFP WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 5,800 acres (MDWFP's DMAP report) |
|---|---|
| County | Sharkey County |
| Deer hunts | Archery, Youth Gun, Primitive Weapon and Archery/Youth Gun |
| Archery deer | Oct. 1 to Oct. 30; Jan. 1 to Jan. 14 |
| Draw permit for deer | Yes, for some or all deer hunts (see below) |
| Turkey | Season closed or by permit only |
| Deer checked, 2024-25 | 20 (6 bucks, 14 does) |
| Headquarters GPS | 32.843682, -90.83779 |
| Nearest towns | Cary (3 mi), Rolling Fork (4 mi) and Anguilla (8 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Twin Oaks WMA?
| Deer hunt | Dates, 2026-27 | Legal deer and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery - Permit Only | Oct. 1 to Oct. 30 | Antlerless deer and legal bucks. |
| Youth Gun | Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 | Antlerless deer and any antlered buck. |
| Primitive Weapon - Permit Only | Nov. 5 to Dec. 31 | Antlerless deer and legal bucks. |
| Archery/Youth Gun | Jan. 1 to Jan. 14 | Legal bucks only. |
Turkey: Turkey (permit only): See turkey hunting under the area's rules below.
Small game and other seasons: Youth squirrel Sept. 24 to Sept. 30; Squirrel and rabbit Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 (Saturdays only, except closed on Oct. 31), Jan. 1 to Feb. 28 (Daily); Squirrel May 15 to June 1 (Daily); Raccoon Jul. 1 to Sept. 30 (Friday and Saturday nights only); Raccoon, opossum Oct. 1 to Dec. 25 (Friday nights only); Raccoon, opossum and bobcat Jan. 1 to Feb. 28 (Daily); Trapping Jan. 1 to Feb. 28; Quail Nov. 28 to Dec. 26 (Saturdays only), Jan. 1 to Mar. 1 (Daily).
Source: MDWFP, Twin Oaks Wildlife Management Area 2026-27 regulations.
How many deer are taken on Twin Oaks WMA?
Hunters checked 20 deer on Twin Oaks WMA in the 2024-25 season. Over the 10 seasons in MDWFP's report the area averaged 29 deer a season.
| Season | Deer checked | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 20 | 6 | 14 |
| 2023-24 | 30 | 9 | 21 |
| 2022-23 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 2021-22 | 14 | 2 | 12 |
| 2020-21 | 17 | 5 | 12 |
| 2019-20 | 17 | 4 | 13 |
| 2018-19 | 43 | 8 | 35 |
| 2017-18 | 45 | 14 | 31 |
| 2016-17 | 52 | 10 | 42 |
| 2015-16 | 45 | 10 | 35 |
Source: MDWFP DMAP report, Twin Oaks WMA, harvest history table.
What rules apply on Twin Oaks WMA?
- Legal bucks: Legal bucks are those with an inside spread of at least 16 inches OR one main beam length of at least 20 inches. During the Youth Permit Only Hunt, hunters 15 years of age or younger may harvest any antlered buck. During all other Permit Only hunts and the Archery/Youth Gun Season (Jan. 1–Jan. 14), a youth hunter must harvest a buck with an inside spread of at least 16 inches OR one main beam length of at least 20 inches.
- Bag limits: Same as South Delta Zone bag limits, except that for permitted deer hunts the daily bag limit is one legal buck per permit and one doe per day, and 1 adult gobbler per permitted hunter. All harvested deer and turkey count towards statewide bag limits unless otherwise stated.
- Deer hunting permits: Deer hunting, except for the youth gun hunt and the Jan. 1–Jan. 14 archery/youth gun hunt, 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.
- Checking deer: All deer harvested must be checked at the WMA Headquarters 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: Deer hunting with dogs is prohibited. 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 archery equipment and primitive weapons may be used for deer hunting. Exception: Youth deer hunters, 15 years of age or younger, are allowed to use centerfire rifles during the youth gun and primitive weapon seasons.
- Turkey hunting: Turkey hunting is allowed by special permit only.
- ATVs and off-road vehicles: ORVs/ATVs/Electric bicycles are allowed on designated roads or trails for hunting and fishing access only. Off-road use of ORVs/ATVs/Electric bicycles is allowed for retrieval of harvested deer or hogs. Additionally, electric bicycles may be ridden on marked foot-traffic trails only by users 65 years of age and older. They may not be ridden on any leveed roads or trails.
- Camping: Camping is allowed in designated areas only. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days. Camping equipment may not be left unattended for more than 24 hours. All camping equipment and garbage must be removed before final departure.
- Horses: Horseback riding is prohibited during WMA deer and turkey seasons. At all other times, horseback riding is restricted to roads open to motorized vehicles and designated ATV trails. Raccoon hunting from horses is allowed during nighttime hunting hours.
- Scouting: Scouting is allowed daily prior to Sept. 30, and on Saturdays, Wednesdays, and on any small game hunting days thereafter. Only those persons drawn to hunt will be allowed on the area during permitted hunts.
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 Twin Oaks WMA?
From Rolling Fork, go south on Hwy. 61 approximately 2 miles. Turn left at the Twin Oaks WMA sign on Fork Creek Road. Go approximately 2.4 miles to the small WMA sign. Turn south and go 2.5 miles to the WMA headquarters on the left. MDWFP gives the headquarters at 32.843682, -90.83779.
Highways within 5 miles: US 61, MS 16 and MS 14. Nearest towns: Cary (3 miles), Rolling Fork (4 miles), Anguilla (8 miles) and Mayersville (11 miles).
The closest other Mississippi WMAs with a page here: Sunflower WMA (next to it), Lake George WMA (7.6 miles), Shipland WMA (13.4 miles) and Mahannah WMA (15.1 miles).
Directions and headquarters GPS: 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 Twin Oaks WMA in 2026-27?
MDWFP's 2026-27 brochure for Twin Oaks WMA lists these deer hunts: Archery - Permit Only, Oct. 1 to Oct. 30; Youth Gun, Oct. 31 to Nov. 1; Primitive Weapon - Permit Only, Nov. 5 to Dec. 31; Archery/Youth Gun, Jan. 1 to Jan. 14.
What is a legal buck on Twin Oaks WMA?
Legal bucks are those with an inside spread of at least 16 inches OR one main beam length of at least 20 inches. During the Youth Permit Only Hunt, hunters 15 years of age or younger may harvest any antlered buck. During all other Permit Only hunts and the Archery/Youth Gun Season (Jan. 1–Jan. 14), a youth hunter must harvest a buck with an inside spread of at least 16 inches OR one main beam length of at least 20 inches.
How many deer were killed on Twin Oaks WMA last season?
Hunters checked 20 deer on Twin Oaks WMA in the 2024-25 season: 6 bucks and 14 does, by MDWFP's DMAP report. The 10-season average is 29.
Can you hunt deer with dogs on Twin Oaks WMA?
No. MDWFP's brochure says deer hunting with dogs is prohibited on Twin Oaks WMA. 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 Twin Oaks WMA in?
All of it is in Sharkey County, measured on MDWFP's boundary.
Do you need a permit to deer hunt Twin Oaks WMA?
Deer hunting, except for the youth gun hunt and the Jan. 1–Jan. 14 archery/youth gun hunt, 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.
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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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