Mississippi Archery Deer Season Opens Oct. 1 in Tippah, Benton

Bowhunters in Tippah and Benton counties can head to the woods next week. Mississippi archery deer season opens Thursday, Oct. 1, and runs through Nov. 20 in the North Central Deer Management Unit, which includes both counties, according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP).

The North Central unit covers Alcorn, Benton, DeSoto, Marshall, Tate, and Tippah counties. Its rules differ from the rest of the state, so local hunters should make sure they are reading the right section of the regulations.

Mississippi Archery Deer Season Rules in the North Central Unit

Under the 2026-27 regulations posted by MDWFP:

• No antler restrictions: any antlered deer is a legal buck in the North Central unit.
• Buck limit: four antlered bucks per annual season.
• Antlerless limit: ten antlerless deer per season.

The Hills unit, which covers most of the rest of the state outside the Delta and Southeast units, is different. There, two of a hunter’s three bucks must have at least a 10-inch inside spread or a 13-inch main beam.

2026-27 Deer Season Dates for Tippah and Benton Counties

After archery season, the North Central unit’s calendar continues:

• Archery: Oct. 1 – Nov. 20
• Youth season: Nov. 7 – Jan. 31
• Gun (with dogs): Nov. 21 – Dec. 1
• Primitive weapon: Dec. 2 – Dec. 15
• Gun (without dogs): Dec. 16 – Dec. 23
• Gun (with dogs): Dec. 24 – Jan. 20
• Archery/primitive weapon: Jan. 21 – Jan. 31

Other October Seasons Opening

Deer aren’t the only thing opening. Fall squirrel season also starts Oct. 1 and runs through Feb. 28, with a daily limit of eight. Rabbit season opens Oct. 17, also with a daily limit of eight. Youth squirrel season runs through Sept. 30.

Before You Go

• Make sure your Mississippi hunting license is current, and check public-land rules before you hunt a wildlife management area or national forest land such as Holly Springs National Forest.
• Tippah County is still under chronic wasting disease (CWD) feeding and carcass rules. Review those rules before you move a harvested deer.
• Remember that dry weather has left local woods parched. Tippah County has been under a burn ban, so be careful with any open flame at camp.

Hunters who also hunt across the state line should note that Tennessee’s archery season opened earlier. See Tennessee Archery Deer Season Opens Sept. 26 Near Middleton. For CWD details, read Tippah hunters remain under CWD feeding and carcass rules for 2026-27.

Source: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks