Mississippi Spring Turkey Hunting 2026: New Turkey Stamp, Early Season & WMAs

Mississippi opens one of the earliest spring turkey seasons in the country—March 14—and keeps it running through May 1. That's 49 days of hunting across a state with a strong public land system and a bird population that biologists have been working hard to stabilize. A new mandatory Wild Turkey Stamp takes effect this year, replacing the old non-resident turkey permit structure and directing revenue straight to turkey management. Here's the full breakdown.

• Youth hunt: March 7
• Regular season: March 14 – May 1
• New: Wild Turkey Stamp required for all hunters

When Is Mississippi Spring Turkey Season 2026?

Mississippi's regular spring turkey season opens March 14 and closes May 1. The youth turkey hunt falls on March 7, one week before the general opener. That early start puts Mississippi among the first states in the country to fire a shot at a spring gobbler.

• Youth hunt: March 7
• Regular season: March 14 – May 1
• Season length: 49 days

The early opener aligns with when Mississippi birds start gobbling consistently. By mid-March in the southern part of the state, breeding activity is well underway. Northern Mississippi birds tend to peak a week or two later, so timing your hunt to the region matters.

All dates are subject to change. Verify with MDWFP's turkey page before planning your trip.

New Wild Turkey Stamp Requirement

Starting in 2026, all spring turkey hunters in Mississippi must purchase a Wild Turkey Stamp. This replaces the previous non-resident turkey permit and now applies to residents as well.

• Resident Wild Turkey Stamp: $10
• Non-resident Wild Turkey Stamp: $100
• Required in addition to a valid hunting license
• Exemptions: disabled veterans, seniors over 65, youth under 16, lifetime license holders

The stamp was created to fund turkey-specific management—habitat work, research, and population monitoring. Mississippi's turkey numbers have declined over the past decade, and the stamp revenue is earmarked to address that. For non-residents, the $100 cost replaces the old NR turkey permit, so the practical change is minimal. For residents, it's a new $10 expense that goes directly to the birds.

Revenue from hunting licenses and stamps is the primary funding mechanism for wildlife conservation in the United States. Mississippi's new stamp follows the same model that has sustained whitetail, waterfowl, and elk populations for decades.

Bag Limits and Harvest Reporting

Mississippi allows 3 gobblers for the spring season, with a daily limit of 1. Only bearded birds are legal.

• Season bag limit: 3 gobblers
• Daily bag limit: 1
• Legal birds: bearded turkeys only

Mississippi uses the Game Check harvest reporting system. You must report your turkey before moving it from the kill site. Reporting can be done through the MDWFP Game Check app, online, or by phone. You'll receive a confirmation number that serves as your tag.

• Report before moving the bird from the kill site
• Methods: MDWFP Game Check app, online, or phone
• Record and keep your confirmation number

The reporting requirement is strictly enforced. MDWFP uses harvest data to set future season dates and bag limits, so every reported bird matters for long-term management.

If this is your first turkey hunt, practice the reporting process before season so you're not fumbling with the app at the moment of truth.

Where to Hunt on Mississippi Public Land

Mississippi's WMA system provides solid public access, but some areas have restrictions during the opening weeks of turkey season.

Non-Resident Public Land Draw: Non-residents must apply for a draw to hunt certain WMAs during the first two weeks of the regular season (March 14–28). After that initial period, WMAs open to general hunting for all license holders. Check MDWFP for draw application deadlines and eligible areas.

Top WMAs for turkey:

• Tombigbee National Forest (67,000 acres): Mixed pine-hardwood across northeast Mississippi; good road access and dispersed camping
• Bienville National Forest (178,000 acres): Central Mississippi; hardwood bottoms and planted pine; lower hunting pressure than state WMAs
• Leaf River WMA (42,000 acres): South Mississippi piney woods; turkeys concentrate along creek bottoms and hardwood drains
• Caney Creek WMA (8,500 acres): West-central Mississippi; Delta-fringe habitat with agricultural fields bordering timber
• Tallahala WMA (30,000 acres): South-central Mississippi; mature longleaf pine and bottomland hardwoods

National forests (Tombigbee, Bienville, Delta, De Soto, Holly Springs, Homochitto) do not require the NR public land draw and are open for the full season. They're the best option for non-residents who missed the draw deadline or want to avoid the lottery.

For the full rundown on Mississippi seasons, licenses, and public land options, see the Mississippi hunting guide.

Key Regulations

• Legal weapons: shotguns (10-gauge or smaller with No. 4 shot or smaller), archery, crossbows, air-powered guns
• Hunting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset
• Electronic calls: legal on private land; prohibited on most WMAs during the first two weeks
• Decoys: legal statewide; no live decoys
• No baiting within 100 yards
• No rifles or handguns for spring turkey
• Hunter orange not required for spring turkey but recommended on WMAs with concurrent seasons

Mississippi does not have a midday hunting closure, so you can stay in the woods all day. Afternoon hunting can be productive as gobblers that were henned up in the morning start roaming after noon.

Picking the right decoy setup helps on Mississippi's WMAs, where open pine plantations and food plots give gobblers long sight lines. A realistic hen-and-jake spread in a field edge can pull birds from 200 yards or more. If you're still dialing in your shotgun, our budget turkey gun guide covers what to look for without breaking the bank.

Plan Your Mississippi Turkey Hunt

Mississippi's early opener, long season, and strong WMA system make it a destination worth considering—especially for non-residents willing to hunt national forest land where no draw is required. The new Wild Turkey Stamp adds a small cost but funds the management work that keeps gobbler numbers viable.

Scout early. Mississippi birds start gobbling in late February in the southern counties, and roost sites on public land get figured out fast once the season opens. Camo and concealment matter more on pressured WMAs where birds have been called to before.

If you're weighing Mississippi against other options, the differences between duck hunting and turkey hunting are worth understanding—especially if you're a Delta waterfowler looking to extend your season into spring. And if you're bringing a young hunter along for the March 7 youth hunt, our guide on getting youth into hunting has practical advice for making it a good experience.

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Sources

1. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. "Turkey Program." MDWFP, mdwfp.com/wildlife-hunting/turkey-program. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
2. Clarion Ledger. "Mississippi turkey season 2026: New stamp, regulations." Clarion Ledger, clarionledger.com. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
3. OutdoorHub. "Mississippi Spring Turkey Hunting Guide." OutdoorHub, outdoorhub.com. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.