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National forest · 156,210 acres
National forest in Benton County and 5 more counties; 156,210 acres under the US Forest Service.
Photo: Fredlyfish4 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
The US Forest Service manages the 156,210 acres of Holly Springs National Forest, a national forest national forest across 6 counties including Benton, Lafayette and Marshall. MDWFP keeps MDWFP North Region Tupelo Office in Tupelo, 43 miles from Holly Springs National Forest. The game listed for Holly Springs National Forest is deer and turkey.
The office is at 1000 Front Street Oxford, MS 38655, phone 662-236-6550.
From the agency records read on November 14, 2026: Forest Service page.
Nearby
1 wildlife management area lie on Holly Springs National Forest: Upper Sardis WMA. A WMA on forest land needs the statewide WMA User Permit on top of any license.
| WMA | Acres | Counties | Draw hunts | Brochure rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Sardis WMA | 50,485 | Lafayette, Marshall | Yes | 15 |
WMA list from the Forest Service FAQ matched to MDWFP boundaries; checked November 14, 2026.
State seasons apply across Holly Springs National Forest, and the Forest Service adds the conditions in the table below. The forest holds 1 state wildlife management area with their own seasons, listed further down.
| Topic | Text as published |
|---|---|
| Where hunting is open | Most of the general forest area is open to hunting, but designated recreation areas and administrative sites are not. Fourteen wildlife management areas are located on the National Forests in Mississippi that have special seasons and hunting regulations. These wildlife management areas are Bienville, Caney Creek, Caston Creek, Chickasaw, Chickasawhay, Choctaw, Leaf River, Little Biloxi, Mason Creek, Red Creek, Sandy Creek, Sunflower, Tallahala, and Upper Sardis. |
| Seasons | The hunting seasons set by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks for private land are the same for Mississippi's national forest land, except for special regulations which govern wildlife management areas, antlerless deer harvest, and youth hunting seasons. The Mississippi Outdoor Digest contains relevant information about seasons, limits and permits required. |
| License | The requirements for hunting on national forest land in Mississippi include having a valid hunting license and following all rules and regulations set forth by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks. |
| WMA permit | Residents and Non-Residents that hunt, fish, or trap on Wildlife Management Areas on national forest land must purchase a Wildlife Management Area User Permit in addition to any required hunting/fishing license. |
| Safety distance | You may not hunt within 150 yards of a residence, building or developed recreation site [261.58(v)], and you may not display a firearm within a developed recreation site [261.53(e)]. See Supervisors Order DB-07-00.Please observe the general rules of gun safety and courtesy. |
| Wild hogs | Wild hogs are classified as nuisance animals in Mississippi. There's no designated season for wild hogs on the National Forests in Mississippi; however, wild hogs may be hunted during daylight hours with weapons legal to use for the hunting season open at the time. |
| Stands and blinds | Tree stands and blinds may be used on national forest land, but they must be portable and cannot be of a type that will deface or harm trees. Since national forest lands are open to public hunting, hunters cannot maintain exclusive rights to a hunting area. Wildlife Management Areas located on national forest land have specific regulations pertaining to tree stands and blinds. Please refer to MDWFP Basic WMA Public Notice for these regulation. |
| Baiting and food plots | Baiting and hunting over baited areas to attract wildlife is not allowed on national forest lands. No food plots may be placed on national forest land except by official personnel. |
| Camping | Developed recreation areas offer conveniences such as showers, restrooms and picnic facilities. Primitive camping is allowed except in designated scenic areas or where otherwise prohibited. During hunting season, camping is permitted only in designated hunter camps in the Delta and Tombigbee National Forests. Camping in the national forests is limited to 14 days during a 30-day time period. Contact ranger offices for more information on camp locations. |
| Hours | Forest Service hunting page: Hours: sunrise to sunset. |
From the Forest Service FAQ page and hunting page; checked November 14, 2026.
District offices handle Holly Springs National Forest; the districts are Holly Springs Ranger District.
| District | Acres | Counties |
|---|---|---|
| Holly Springs Ranger District | 156,210 | 6 |
Navigation point from the Forest Service boundary layer: 34.6560, -89.2728. The counties are Benton County, Lafayette County, Marshall County, Yalobusha County and Tippah County and 1 more. Potts Camp lies 2 miles from the Holly Springs National Forest point, the shortest hop to a town.
From the area page and brochure (Forest Service page) and the Forest Service boundary layer; checked November 14, 2026.
Deer rows show the unit group because MDWFP draws the Delta, Hills and Southeast units along highways and rivers, not county lines, so find where Holly Springs National Forest sits on those lines first.
| Game | Season name | Permit kind | Unit or reach | From | To | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery velvet season | Velvet permit | Delta, Hills, North Central | Sep 11, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Antlerless primitive | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Nov 9, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun (with dogs) | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 1, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Nov 21, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Primitive weapon | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Dec 2, 2026 | Dec 15, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun (without dogs) | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Dec 16, 2026 | Dec 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun (with dogs) | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Dec 24, 2026 | Jan 20, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery, primitive | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Jan 21, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth turkey | Turkey stamp | Statewide | Mar 8, 2027 | Mar 14, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Regular turkey | Turkey stamp | Statewide | Mar 15, 2027 | May 2, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Bobwhite quail | Hunting license | Statewide | Nov 26, 2026 | Mar 7, 2027 | |
| Rabbit | Rabbit | Hunting license | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Squirrel | Youth squirrel | Hunting license | Statewide | Sep 24, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Squirrel | Fall season | Hunting license | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Teal | September teal | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 9, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Mergansers | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Mergansers | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Mergansers | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 9, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Coots | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Coots | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Coots | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 9, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Youth waterfowl days | Special days | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 7, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | September season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 9, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| White-fronted goose | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-fronted goose | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| White-fronted goose | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 9, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Conservation Order | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Conservation Order | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 3, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Conservation Order | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Feb 1, 2027 | Feb 5, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Conservation Order | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Feb 8, 2027 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 9, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Stamps and HIP | Statewide | Dec 9, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Mourning and white-winged dove | Dove | License and HIP | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Mourning and white-winged dove | Dove | License and HIP | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Mourning and white-winged dove | Dove | License and HIP | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Woodcock | License and HIP | Statewide | Dec 18, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Snipe | Snipe | License and HIP | Statewide | Nov 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Season | License and HIP | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Season | License and HIP | Statewide | Nov 22, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Season | License and HIP | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Season | License and HIP | Statewide | Nov 22, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Season | License and HIP | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Season | License and HIP | Statewide | Nov 22, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Crow | Crow | Hunting license | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon, opossum and bobcat | Food and sport | Hunting license | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | |
| Raccoon, opossum and bobcat | Food, sport and pelt | Hunting license | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 |
From the 2026-27 MDWFP hunting seasons sheet and the migratory game bird digest (Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks), checked November 14, 2026.
Zone status: 5 of 6 counties sit in North MS Management Zone. 514 positives came out of 10,286 samples counted for the 6 counties of Holly Springs National Forest. Because the layer carries no date, these are totals as of our read, not a season figure. The county rules list a supplemental feeding ban for Benton, Lafayette, Marshall, Tippah and Union. The North Central Unit is a county list, and it takes in Benton, Marshall and Tippah. The CWD management zones, county test results and deer units each have a page.
| County | Region on layer | Dist. | Zone extent | Feed ban | Tested positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benton | North | 9 | Whole county | Banned | 300 of 2,299 |
| Lafayette | North | 9 | Whole county | Banned | 3 of 1,326 |
| Marshall | North | 9 | Whole county | Banned | 192 of 3,106 |
| Yalobusha | North | 7 | Outside zones | No ban | 0 of 907 |
| Tippah | North | 9 | Whole county | Banned | 17 of 1,428 |
| Union | North | 9 | Whole county | Banned | 2 of 1,220 |
MDWFP county layer (County_Info), CWD management zones and deer management units; region labels are the layer’s only county source; checked November 14, 2026.
Wildlife management area brochures can set their own hours, so check the area page before you plan a dawn walk near Holly Springs National Forest.
| Date | Opener | Rise | Set | Deer hours | Duck and dove hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Archery deer opens | 6:50 a.m. | 6:43 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 7:13 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 6:43 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Youth gun deer | 6:23 a.m. | 4:59 p.m. | 5:53 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. | 5:53 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opens | 6:36 a.m. | 4:50 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Quail season opens | 6:41 a.m. | 4:48 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 5:18 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 4:48 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Duck season opens | 6:42 a.m. | 4:48 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 5:18 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 4:48 p.m. |
| Dec 2, 2026 | Primitive weapon deer | 6:47 a.m. | 4:47 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Year's shortest day | 7:00 a.m. | 4:50 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. |
| Mar 15, 2027 | Turkey season opens | 7:09 a.m. | 7:04 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 7:34 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 7:04 p.m. |
Hours rules from the MDWFP general hunting rules and the 2026-27 migratory game bird digest (Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks); sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula on Central Time; checked November 14, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
From Holly Springs National Forest, the five closest towns are 2 miles to 13 miles away. The population leader is Holly Springs (6,472 in 2024). The closest MDWFP CWD sample drop-off site is Wall Doxey State Park in Holly Springs, 11 miles away.
| Community | County | Residents | Straight line | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potts Camp | Marshall | 398 | 2 miles | west |
| Hickory Flat | Benton | 492 | 5 miles | southeast |
| Bethlehem | Marshall | – | 6 miles | southwest |
| Holly Springs | Marshall | 6,472 | 13 miles | northwest |
| Ashland | Benton | 537 | 13 miles | northeast |
Towns from Census 2024 estimates; CWD drop-off sites from the MDWFP drop-off list; businesses from services listings; straight-line miles; checked November 14, 2026.
Head east about 12 miles to reach Hell Creek WMA, the nearest neighbour. Neighbouring ground comes to 6 WMA. These are direct-line distances, measured from the Holly Springs National Forest point.
| Place | Type | Acres | County | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hell Creek WMA | WMA | 2,344 | Tippah | 12 miles | east |
| Upper Sardis WMA | WMA | 50,485 | Lafayette | 17 miles | south |
| Tuscumbia WMA | WMA | 2,600 | Alcorn | 44 miles | northeast |
| Charles Ray Nix WMA | WMA | 4,000 | Panola | 44 miles | west |
| Chickasaw WMA | WMA | 28,000 | Chickasaw | 50 miles | southeast |
| George P. Cossar State Park WMA | WMA | 460 | Yalobusha | 50 miles | southwest |
Point from the Forest Service boundary layer; straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Fall color along a forest road in the Holly Springs National ForestPhoto: Matthew Nichols (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Plowed cotton rows glowing in low sunPhoto: Free Public Domain Illustrations by rawpixel (CC BY 2.0)
Tractor plowing a cotton field near EvansvillePhoto: Free Public Domain Illustrations by rawpixel (CC BY 2.0)
Across 6 counties including Benton, Lafayette and Marshall stands Holly Springs National Forest. For supplies, the closest town is Potts Camp at 2 miles.
The US Forest Service manages Holly Springs National Forest, which covers 156,210 acres. The acreage comes from the Forest Service land statistics layer.
A valid Mississippi hunting license and compliance with MDWFP rules are the requirements on national forest land; WMAs inside the forest also need the WMA User Permit.
The sources list deer and turkey. Bag limits and dates sit on the statewide seasons page.
Season dates are the state's, collected on the seasons page.
The agency wording is Developed recreation areas offer conveniences such as showers, restrooms and picnic facilities. Primitive camping is allowed except in designated scenic areas or where otherwise prohibited. During hunting season, camping is permitted only in designated hunter camps in the Delta and Tombigbee National Forests.
Statewide, resident game gets half an hour either side of daylight and migratory birds stop at sunset; no turkey hours are stated. The hours page has every county.
On the layer, its 6 counties has 10,286 samples and 514 positives, with 5 of 6 in a zone. The zone guide covers carcass transport.
The three nearest records are Hell Creek WMA (12 miles), Upper Sardis WMA (17 miles) and Tuscumbia WMA (44 miles).
Nearest on the map: Potts Camp (2 miles), Hickory Flat (5 miles) and Bethlehem (6 miles).
Inside it: Upper Sardis WMA.
There is no hog season on the forests, because hogs are nuisance animals; daylight hunting with the weapons of the open season is allowed.
Carry your license and any permit the area needs, and check with the managers for closures before you set off for Holly Springs National Forest.
Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4 · source 5 · source 6; statewide seasons from the 2026-27 MDWFP hunting seasons sheet. Checked November 14, 2026.