Mississippi Bird Hunting
Seasons Span November 27 – March 7, 2026
State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.
Season Dates
- Bobwhite Quail
- Season Dates: November 27, 2025 – March 7, 2026
- Daily Bag Limit: 8
- Possession Limit: Not explicitly stated, but typically three times the daily bag limit (24, based on standard hunting regulations)
- Woodcock
- Season Dates: December 18, 2025 – January 31, 2026
- Daily Bag Limit: 3
- Possession Limit: 9
Required Licenses and Costs
- Resident Licenses:
- Sportsman License: $45.00 (includes small game hunting, freshwater fishing, and other privileges)
- Small Game/Freshwater Fishing License: $10.00
- Processing Fee: $1.29 (additional agent fees may apply, typically $1.00)
- Youth (under 16): Exempt from license requirement but can obtain a voluntary Exempt Under 16 license for $2.30
- Senior (65+): Senior Exempt Lifetime license for $2.30
- Non-Resident Licenses:
- All Game License: $300.00
- Small Game License: $95.00
- 7-Day Small Game License: $38.00
- Processing Fee: $3.00–$4.25 (depending on license type)
- Additional Requirements:
- Hunters pursuing migratory birds (e.g., doves, woodcock) must be H.I.P. certified.
- A Wildlife Management Area User Permit ($15.00 for residents, $30.00 for non-residents) is required for hunting on WMAs.
- Non-toxic shot is required for migratory game birds, and shotguns must be plugged to hold no more than three rounds for migratory birds.
Notes
- Shooting hours for migratory game birds are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
- Always verify regulations with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) before hunting, as rules may change due to environmental or regulatory factors.
- Landowner permission is required to hunt on private property.
For the most detailed and up-to-date information, visit the MDWFP website or the Mississippi Outdoor Digest.
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Way Upland Season II Episode 8
I’ve said bird hunting karma exists BUT this episode proves it. We break a bike chain over two miles from a road and have to navigate our way to safety. If you’d like to read the companion article: Good Deeds in Badlands.
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Zenbivy Light Bed – 10°
I have a difficult time sleeping in traditional sleeping bags and mummy bags are out of the question. Most mornings after a bagged night I would wake with shoulders so stiff they could barely function from holding an unnatural position all night long. When I saw that Zenbivy had redesigned the traditional “bag” from the…
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It’s Time for The Federal Upland Stamp
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Dogtra T&B Dual Trainer System
Every upland hunter dreads the day when their collar system fails. The remains of my upland transmitter, sprinkled across the freshly cut grass, brought that day home this past summer. The pinch of a new system on my hunting budget had me scrambling into the research weeds. My search ended with a clear front runner,…
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The Brute Cooler
The Brute Cooler is appropriately named — hard core, roto-molded, large handles, rubber latches — it’s got it all. Made in America by Brute, a family run company with excellent customer service. The 50 qt. ($319) will keep your birds chilled for at least five days, but go with the 75 qt. ($369) if you want…
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SportDOG FieldTrainer 425
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with training collars that seem to be adding more and more features. But sometimes the classics are just hard to beat. The SportDOG FieldTrainer® 425 was the first collar I ever purchased for training my very first dog. It still works flawlessly. And though I’ve added new collars with added…
