Ward Bayou WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and deer harvest
Ward Bayou WMA is 13,234 acres of public hunting land in Jackson County, run by MDWFP. Hunters checked 3 deer on it in the 2024-25 season (1 buck, 2 does), by MDWFP's DMAP report; over 9 seasons the area averaged 6 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.
Ward Bayou WMAOther MDWFP WMAsNational forestNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 13,234 acres (MDWFP's DMAP report) |
|---|---|
| County | Jackson 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 May 2 |
| Deer checked, 2024-25 | 3 (1 buck, 2 does) |
| WMA headquarters | (228) 826-1012 |
| Headquarters GPS | 30.56696, -88.631205 |
| Nearest towns | Moss Point (5 mi), Gautier (6 mi) and Pascagoula (9 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Ward Bayou 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 only. |
| 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. 22 | Without dogs. Legal bucks only. |
| Gun | Dec. 23 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 May 2; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday by permit only.
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, Ward Bayou Wildlife Management Area 2026-27 regulations.
How many deer are taken on Ward Bayou WMA?
Hunters checked 3 deer on Ward Bayou WMA in the 2024-25 season. Over the 9 seasons in MDWFP's report the area averaged 6 deer a season.
| Season | Deer checked | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 2023-24 | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| 2022-23 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2021-22 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2019-20 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| 2018-19 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| 2017-18 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 2016-17 | 11 | 4 | 7 |
| 2015-16 | 10 | 1 | 9 |
Source: MDWFP DMAP report, Ward Bayou WMA, harvest history table.
What rules apply on Ward Bayou 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.
- Dogs: Deer and small game hunting with dogs is allowed EXCEPT in the Hunting Without Dogs Area. 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.
- Youth turkey permits: Youth turkey hunting on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from March 8–May 1 will be 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.
- High water: Hunting seasons (excluding waterfowl season) are closed on the WMA when the river gauge at Graham Ferry reads 15.0 ft or higher. Ward Bayou Road will be closed from the double gates eastward 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.
- ATVs and off-road vehicles: ORVs/ATVs/Electric bicycles are allowed for the retrieval of harvested deer or hogs only. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on sandbars. 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 only 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.
- Horses: During WMA deer and turkey seasons, horseback riding is restricted to roads open to motorized vehicles. Raccoon hunting from horses is allowed during nighttime hours.
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 Ward Bayou WMA?
From Moss Point, travel north on Hwy 63 to the Wade-Vancleave Rd. Turn left and travel to the 4-way stop. Turn left and follow signs to the headquarters. MDWFP gives the headquarters at 30.56696, -88.631205.
Highways within 5 miles: MS 63, I-10, MS 613 and MS 614. Nearest towns: Moss Point (5 miles), Gautier (6 miles), Pascagoula (9 miles) and Ocean Springs (12 miles).
The closest other Mississippi WMAs with a page here: Pascagoula WMA (next to it), Red Creek WMA (12.3 miles), Leaf River WMA (22.1 miles) and Little Biloxi WMA (31.4 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 Ward Bayou WMA in 2026-27?
MDWFP's 2026-27 brochure for Ward Bayou 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. 22; Gun, Dec. 23 to Jan. 20; Primitive Weapon, Jan. 21 to Feb. 15.
What is a legal buck on Ward Bayou 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 Ward Bayou WMA last season?
Hunters checked 3 deer on Ward Bayou WMA in the 2024-25 season: 1 buck and 2 does, by MDWFP's DMAP report. The 9-season average is 6.
Can you hunt deer with dogs on Ward Bayou WMA?
Yes, on these hunts, which MDWFP's brochure marks as with dogs: Nov. 21 to Dec. 1 and Dec. 23 to Jan. 20. Its dog rules: Deer and small game hunting with dogs is allowed EXCEPT in the Hunting Without Dogs Area. Hunting, running, or pursuing hogs with the use of dogs is prohibited.
What county is Ward Bayou WMA in?
All of it is in Jackson County, measured on MDWFP's boundary.
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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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