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National forest · 2026-27
National forest in Perry County and 9 more counties: 532,432 acres kept by the US Forest Service.
Photo: Woodlot (CC BY-SA 3.0)
532,432 acres across 10 counties including Perry, Wayne and Harrison make up De Soto National Forest, a national forest national forest in the care of the US Forest Service. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (headquarters) in Jackson is the nearest MDWFP office, 98 miles away in a straight line. Species on the De Soto National Forest sheet: deer and turkey.
The forest office sits at 654 West Frontage Road Wiggins, MS 39577 and answers at 601-528-6160.
From the agency records read on November 14, 2026: Forest Service page.
Nearby
Hunting on De Soto National Forest follows the seasons MDWFP sets for private land, with a few Forest Service rules added; the rows below are the Forest Service wording. 5 WMAs within the forest have brochure seasons of their own.
| Heading | Quoted rule |
|---|---|
| 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.
De Soto National Forest is run through De Soto Ranger District and Chickasawhay Ranger District.
| Office area | Acres | Counties |
|---|---|---|
| De Soto Ranger District | 381,023 | 8 |
| Chickasawhay Ranger District | 151,409 | 3 |
Special hunting regulations apply on Chickasawhay WMA, Leaf River WMA, Little Biloxi WMA, Mason Creek WMA and Red Creek WMA, the WMAs located by MDWFP boundary on De Soto National Forest. WMA hunting on the forest takes the user permit plus the license.
| WMA | Acres | Where | Quota hunts | Season lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chickasawhay WMA | 30,000 | Jones | Yes | 17 |
| Leaf River WMA | 41,411 | Perry | Yes | 16 |
| Little Biloxi WMA | 13,699 | Stone, Harrison | Yes | 15 |
| Mason Creek WMA | 28,000 | Greene | Yes | 17 |
| Red Creek WMA | 23,000 | Stone, Jackson | Yes | 15 |
WMA list from the Forest Service FAQ matched to MDWFP boundaries; checked November 14, 2026.
The CWD zone map reaches 1 of the 10 counties of De Soto National Forest: Harrison Management Zone. 3,201 deer were sampled across the 10 counties of De Soto National Forest and 1 tested positive on the county layer. No date comes with the counts; they are cumulative as served on the day we read them. MDWFP bars supplemental feeding in Harrison County. MDWFP draws the Delta, Hills and Southeast deer units along highways and rivers rather than county lines. See the zone guide, the county CWD results and the deer unit guide for the rules in full.
| Name | MDWFP region | District no. | Management zone | Feeding rule | Positive samples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perry | South | 2 | Outside zones | No ban | 0 of 246 |
| Wayne | South | 2 | Outside zones | No ban | 0 of 126 |
| Harrison | South | 1 | Part of county | Banned | 1 of 233 |
| Stone | South | 1 | Outside zones | No ban | 0 of 316 |
| Forrest | South | 2 | Outside zones | No ban | 0 of 747 |
| Greene | South | 2 | Outside zones | No ban | 0 of 254 |
| Jones | South | 2 | Outside zones | No ban | 0 of 364 |
| Jackson | South | 1 | Outside zones | No ban | 0 of 144 |
| George | South | 1 | Outside zones | No ban | 0 of 114 |
| Pearl River | South | 1 | Outside zones | No ban | 0 of 657 |
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.
Coordinates for De Soto National Forest: 31.4704, -88.8331, from the Forest Service boundary layer. Parts of it lie in Perry County, Wayne County, Harrison County, Stone County and Forrest County and 5 more. The nearest town on this site is Richton, 10 miles away as the crow flies.
From the area page and brochure (Forest Service page) and the Forest Service boundary layer; checked November 14, 2026.
Spring turkey dates are the 2027 dates MDWFP already printed for private land and authorized public land.
| Animal | Hunt type | What to buy | Covers | Begins | Ends | Open? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery velvet season | Velvet permit | Delta, Hills, North Central | Sep 11, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery velvet season | Velvet permit | Southeast unit | 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 | Archery | Hunting license | Southeast unit | Oct 15, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun | Hunting license | Southeast unit | 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 | Gun (with dogs) | Hunting license | Southeast unit | 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 | Youth gun | Hunting license | Southeast unit | 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 | Primitive weapon | Hunting license | Southeast unit | 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 (without dogs) | Hunting license | Southeast unit | 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 | Gun (with dogs) | Hunting license | Southeast unit | Dec 24, 2026 | Jan 20, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery, primitive | Hunting license | Delta, Hills, North Central | Jan 21, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery, primitive | Hunting license | Southeast unit | Jan 21, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery, primitive, buck | Hunting license | Southeast unit | Feb 1, 2027 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun, buck | Hunting license | Southeast unit | Feb 1, 2027 | Feb 15, 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.
Every Mississippi county keeps Central Time, which falls back on November 1, 2026 and returns on March 14, 2027; the De Soto National Forest rows show the clock change.
| Date | Marker | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer and resident game | Ducks, geese, doves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Archery, Delta and Hills | 6:48 a.m. | 6:42 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 7:12 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 6:42 p.m. |
| Oct 15, 2026 | Archery, Southeast | 6:57 a.m. | 6:25 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 6:55 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 6:25 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Youth gun deer | 6:16 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 5:46 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. | 5:46 a.m. to 5:03 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opens | 6:28 a.m. | 4:55 p.m. | 5:58 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. | 5:58 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Quail season opens | 6:32 a.m. | 4:53 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 4:53 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Duck season opens | 6:33 a.m. | 4:53 p.m. | 6:03 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. | 6:03 a.m. to 4:53 p.m. |
| Dec 2, 2026 | Primitive weapon deer | 6:37 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 6:07 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. | 6:07 a.m. to 4:52 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Year's shortest day | 6:50 a.m. | 4:56 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 5:26 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. |
| Mar 15, 2027 | Turkey season opens | 7:07 a.m. | 7:03 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 7:33 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 7:03 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.
Chickasawhay WMA lies 8 miles northwest of the De Soto National Forest point, the closest alternative. Pinned within reach: 5 WMA and 1 state lake. Read the distances as air miles from the De Soto National Forest point.
| Nearby | Type | Acres | County | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chickasawhay WMA | WMA | 30,000 | Jones | 8 miles | northwest |
| Mason Creek WMA | WMA | 28,000 | Greene | 11 miles | southeast |
| Lake Bogue Homa | State lake | 882 | Jones | 20 miles | northwest |
| Leaf River WMA | WMA | 41,411 | Perry | 33 miles | south |
| Red Creek WMA | WMA | 23,000 | Stone | 51 miles | south |
| Wolf River WMA | WMA | 10,000 | Pearl River | 55 miles | southwest |
Point from the Forest Service boundary layer; straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Five town pages sit within 22 miles of De Soto National Forest, the closest at 10 miles. For wider shopping the 2024 estimate favours Waynesboro, home to 4,507. Nearest sample drop-off on the MDWFP list: Bogue Homa Lake, Laurel, 19 miles.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richton | Perry | 936 | 10 miles | southwest |
| Ovett | Jones | – | 11 miles | west |
| Waynesboro | Wayne | 4,507 | 19 miles | northeast |
| State Line | Wayne | 459 | 21 miles | east |
| New Augusta | Perry | 541 | 22 miles | southwest |
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.
Wet pine savanna meadow with pitcher plants at De Soto National ForestPhoto: Phillip Stewart (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Tall pines in the De Soto National Forest near BrooklynPhoto: Joe Furr (myself) (Public domain)
Old steel truss bridge over Black Creek in the De Soto National ForestPhoto: formulanone (CC BY-SA 2.0)
It sits across 10 counties including Perry, Wayne and Harrison. The nearest town with a page on this site is Richton, 10 miles away.
The US Forest Service runs the 532,432 acres of De Soto National Forest. The Forest Service land statistics layer supplies the acreage.
Licensing follows state law, with the WMA User Permit added on WMAs within the forest.
Listed quarry is deer and turkey. See the statewide seasons page for dates and limits.
No separate dates are printed for it; use the statewide seasons on the seasons page.
The rule on file: 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.
The rule on file is half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset for resident game and sunset for migratory birds, with nothing printed for spring turkey. The hours page works out times by date.
Samples tested for its 10 counties total 3,201 with 1 positives, and 1 of 10 county falls within a management zone. Zone rules are on the CWD page.
Within reach are Chickasawhay WMA (8 miles), Mason Creek WMA (11 miles) and Lake Bogue Homa (20 miles).
By straight line the closest towns are Richton (10 miles), Ovett (11 miles) and Waynesboro (19 miles).
5 WMAs are located on the forest: Chickasawhay WMA, Leaf River WMA, Little Biloxi WMA, Mason Creek WMA and Red Creek WMA.
As nuisance animals, wild hogs are huntable by day with weapons legal for the current season.
Seasons, permits and closures for De Soto National Forest change during the year, and posted signs plus the managing agency outrank this page.
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.