The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks approved dates for the 2017-2018 early hunting seasons for migratory game birds during its April meeting in Jackson, Mississippi. These dates are listed in the table below; and include hunting seasons for doves, resident Canada geese, early teal, rails, snipe, and woodcock. Legal hunting hours for migratory game bird seasons are one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
|
SPECIES |
SEASON DATES |
DAILY BAG LIMIT |
POSSESSION |
|
Mourning and White-winged Doves |
Sept. 2, 2017- |
15 Singly or in aggregate |
45 Singly or in aggregate |
|
Mourning and White-winged Doves |
Sept. 2, 2017- |
15 Singly or in aggregate |
45 Singly or in aggregate |
|
September Teal |
Sept. 9, 2017- |
6 |
18 |
|
September Canada Geese |
Sept. 1, 2017- |
5 |
15 |
|
Woodcock |
Dec. 18, 2017- |
3 |
9 |
|
Snipe |
Nov. 14, 2017- |
8 |
24 |
|
Moorhens and Gallinules |
Sept. 2, 2017- |
15 Singly or in aggregate |
45 Singly or in aggregate |
|
Rails: Clapper and King |
Sept. 2, 2017- |
15 Singly or in aggregate |
45 Singly or in aggregate |
|
Rails: Sora and Virginia |
Sept. 2, 2017- |
25 Singly or in aggregate |
75 Singly or in aggregate |
Mississippi is divided into two zones to maximize hunting opportunities throughout the state. The North Dove Zone is defined as areas north of U.S. Hwy. 84 plus areas south of U.S. Hwy. 84 and west of MS Hwy. 35. The South Dove Zone is defined as areas south of U.S. Hwy. 84 and east of MS Hwy. 35.
For more information regarding migratory birds in Mississippi, visit our website at www.mdwfp.com or call us at (601) 432-2199. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mdwfp or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWFPonline.