Youth Deer Hunting Season Underway

Picture of my grandson, Carl and I, with his first deer a 5 pt. buck on youth weekend about 15 years ago. He used my .270 for a 100 yard shot and the buck weighed 150 lbs. It was one of the most exciting moments in my life to take him hunting and to harvest a deer. I was so proud of him! The experience was priceless in our great wild and awesome outdoors.  

The gun deer season for youth hunters 15 years old and under began across the state this weekend.

The period for the Hill and Delta Deer Management Zones concludes January 31. The Southeast Zone's season ends February 21.

Youth can use any firearm and harvest one buck with hardened antler per day and up to five does per day on private land.  The total must not exceed three bucks and five does for the entire hunting season.  Zone-specific spread and main beam antler regulations do not apply to youth hunters.

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Deer Program Leader, Lann Wilf, expects a strong youth season.

"The deer archery season has already shown good potential with several nice bucks harvested across the state," Wilf said.  "Camera surveys have revealed better than expected antler growth, along with a high number of mature bucks in the herd.  this is sure to create a lot of smiles over the youth deer season."

All deer hunters, including archery hunters, must wear hunter orange unless inside a fully enclosed hunting stand or in a hunting stand at least 12 feet above the ground.  Hunters also should take time before the hunt to make sure they have all the proper safety equipment.  Deer hunters should have the following: hunter education certification (if required), hunter orange, a full-body harness for tree stands, an emergency signal device such as a whistle or cell phone, a light to walk to and from stand during low light conditions, and a hunting plan that includes notifying someone else about the hunting location.

Limited Special Primitive season: Special primitive weapons season for white-tailed deer will open Monday in the Hill and Delta Deer Management Zones.  The special primitive weapons season is for anterless deer only on private lands and open public lands until November 21.