Mississippi

Sub-species: Eastern

Tags: Over the counter.  Some limited quota opportunities available on public land.

Application Period: Feb 21 – 28  (WMA Draw Hunts)

Electronic or Print at Home Fulfillment: YES

Hunter Education Required: Yes for anyone born after Jan 1, 1972

Limit: 3 adult male turkeys per season (1 per day)

2026 Spring Season Dates: March 14 – May 1. 

Non-residents can only hunt public lands between March 14th and 31st if drawn for a nonresident public lands turkey permit or WMA draw hunt.

Special Youth Hunt: March 7-13

Special Disabled Hunt: No

Decoys Allowed: Yes

Tagging Instructions: BEFORE you move the turkey from its harvest location. Using the Game Check feature found within the free MDWFP app , click the REPORT TURKEY button and complete and submit an entry. If there is no cellular coverage where you hunt, the app will automatically upload your harvest when coverage resumes. Using the printed form method, notch the corresponding month bubbles.  Using the Game Check feature, you have no additional requirements. Using the printed form, you must report the harvest through the MDWFP website or by calling 1-800-BE-SMART before 10 p.m. on the day of harvest.

Noteworthy Restrictions: 

Beginning with the 2026 Spring Turkey Season, the Mississippi Wild Turkey Stamp is required for all non-exempt hunters 16 years and older—residents and nonresidents—hunting wild turkeys in Mississippi, on both private and public lands. Non-residents can only hunt public lands between March 14th and 31st if drawn for a nonresident public lands turkey permit or WMA draw hunt.  Only adult gobblers or gobblers with 6 inch or longer beards may be taken.  Shotguns using shot size #2 and smaller may be used. A “drawn hunter” may have one non-permitted, licenced guest 16 years of age or older.  The guest is not allowed to harvest but may participate in the hunt (calling, filming, etc.).

Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries and Parks

601-432-2400

Purchase License Online

Licenses Needed to Hunt Turkeys