Turkey hunters to see peak season in early April

“The best part of turkey season is yet to come,” said Adam Butler, Wild Turkey Program Coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. “Typically we see turkey activity, gobbler activity peak during the first week of April, so no matter what the hunters have seen in the woods up to this point, don’t get too down because there are probably better days ahead no matter where you’re at.”

To participate in spring turkey season, Mississippi residents, ages sixteen through sixty-four, must obtain a hunting license unless hunting on lands titled in their own name. All non-resident hunters, except minors under the age of sixteen, are required to obtain a hunting license while hunting in the state of Mississippi. In addition to any statewide license requirements, purchase of a Wildlife Management Area User Permit is required prior to hunting on public Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs).

Hunters planning to hunt WMAs or any other public lands are urged to check the area-specific regulations before going afield. Season dates and bag limits on some Wildlife Management Areas may differ from the statewide framework. Hunting on many Wildlife Management Areas is by drawn permit only during the first two weeks of the season; some areas are permit-only throughout the entire season. Other public lands may also require special permits.