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WMA · 2026-27
Tallahala Wildlife Management Area: Rules, Seasons and Permits
Wildlife management area in Jasper County and 3 more counties: 27,585 acres kept by MDWFP.
Hunting gear
Photo: Bart Everson (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Tallahala Wildlife Management Area
What Tallahala WMA is
27,585 acres across 4 counties including Jasper, Smith and Scott make up Tallahala WMA, a wildlife management area wildlife management area in the care of MDWFP. Questions about Tallahala WMA go first to the Central Regional Office, as the area brochure states. Species on the Tallahala WMA sheet: deer, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, opossum and bobcat, trapping and waterfowl.
27,585Acres
4Counties
CentralMDWFP region
9Game groups
$15User permit
8Draw hunts
From the agency records read on November 14, 2026: MDWFP area page, MDWFP WMA list, WMA brochure, source 4.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Tallahala Wildlife Management Area
Dated hunts at Tallahala WMA
18 dated rows appear in the Tallahala WMA brochure, 9 of them deer seasons and 9 for other quarry. Dates are copied from the brochure; the notes column shortens the brochure comment, so read the PDF for exceptions. One brochure covers Bienville, Caney Creek and Tallahala, so a few lines name a single area.
| Hunt | First day | Last day | Access | Detail | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raccoon | Jul 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | Open | Fri and Sat nights | |
| Youth squirrel | Sep 24, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | Open | – | |
| Deer, archery | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | Open | Antlerless and bucks | |
| Raccoon, opossum, bobcat | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | Open | – | |
| Squirrel | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | Open | – | |
| Rabbit | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | Open | – | |
| Trapping | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | Open | – | |
| Deer, youth deer | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | Open | Antlerless and bucks | |
| Deer, gun | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 1, 2026 | Open | Bucks, with dogs | |
| Deer, primitive weapon | Dec 2, 2026 | Dec 15, 2026 | Open | Antlerless and bucks | |
| Deer, gun | Dec 16, 2026 | Dec 23, 2026 | Open | Antlerless and bucks | |
| Deer, gun | Dec 24, 2026 | Jan 20, 2027 | Open | – | |
| Deer, gun | Dec 24, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | Open | Bucks, no dogs | |
| Deer, gun | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 20, 2027 | Open | – | |
| Deer, primitive weapon | Jan 21, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | Open | Bucks only | |
| Youth turkey | Mar 8, 2027 | Mar 14, 2027 | Open | – | |
| Turkey | Mar 15, 2027 | Mar 31, 2027 | Permit | Permit rules apply | |
| Turkey | Apr 1, 2027 | May 2, 2027 | Open | – |
From the 2026-27 WMA brochure (Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks), brochure dated April 2026; checked November 14, 2026.
Getting permitted for Tallahala WMA
Tallahala WMA falls under the annual statewide WMA User Permit rule, priced at $15.00 for residents and $30.00 for non-residents. Expect $1.00 in agent fees and $2.49 in process fees on top of the resident permit price. Bring both the permit and the license that fits your quarry, and read the license guide for the full list. Mapped facilities on Tallahala WMA, from the agency point layer: 5 camp site, 1 headquarters and 2 permit station. Look at the WMA draw hunts page first: some seasons at Tallahala WMA need a drawn permit.
| Contact | Listed value |
|---|---|
| Phone | (601) 432-2199, (601) 469-1918, (601) 859-3421 |
| HQ GPS | 32.4312, -89.5586 |
MDWFP price page and the area brochure (MDWFP area page, MDWFP WMA list, WMA brochure); checked November 14, 2026.
Drawn permits for Tallahala WMA
The quota at Tallahala WMA across 1 draw tables is 288, split over 8 hunts. Each kind of hunt here has a separate window, shown in the next table. The bonus point system gives a missed applicant one point a year per draw type, each point being a further entry. Non-residents may draw no more than ten percent of a hunt's quota.
| Hunt category | Count | Permits | Earliest | Latest | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey, 2026 | 8 | 288 | March 14 – 15 | March 29 – 31 | Held in 2026 |
| Hunt type | Window opens | Window closes |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | January 15 | January 31 |
From the MDWFP WMA draw hunts page and its schedules (Turkey table); bonus points and the non-resident cap from the bonus point page; checked November 14, 2026. Deer draw hunts statewide.
Where Tallahala WMA is and how to drive there
Coordinates for Tallahala WMA: 32.2007, -89.2840, from the MDWFP WMA boundary layer. The nearest town on this site is Louin, 9 miles away as the crow flies.
The area page gives these directions. Tallahala is located in Scott, Newton, Smith and Jasper Counties near Montrose. From I-20, Exit 100: Take Highway 80 East. Go approximately 3 miles and turn right (south) on Highway 505. Go approximately 5 miles and turn right onto Roberts County Line Road (Highway 507). Go approximately 3 miles and headquarters is on the right.
The area page gives these directions. Bienville Wma: From I-20, Exit 77: Take Highway 13 north to Highway 80. Turn right on Highway 80 and go approximately 4 miles and turn left at US Forest Service sign saying "National Forest Service Trail". Go approximately 6 miles and headquarters is on the left.
The area page gives these directions. Tallahala Wma: From I-20, Exit 100: Take Highway 80 East. Go approximately 3 miles and turn right (south) on Highway 505. Go approximately 5 miles and turn right onto Roberts County Line Road (Highway 507). Go approximately 3 miles and headquarters is on the right.
From the area page and brochure (MDWFP area page, MDWFP WMA list, WMA brochure) and the MDWFP WMA boundary layer; checked November 14, 2026.
The Tallahala WMA rulebook in short
For deer, the brochure allows centerfire rifles, slug or buckshot shotguns, primitive weapons and centerfire handguns. Minimum antlers for a legal buck at Tallahala WMA: a 12 inch inside spread or a 15 inch beam, with a youth exception to any antlered buck. General WMA conduct rules sit in Rule 1.1, printed in all of the 2026-27 brochures, and they apply to this area. Rule 1.1 is explained on the wildlife management areas hub.
| Rule | Short form |
|---|---|
| Camping | Forest Service rules |
| Horses | Hunting from horseback |
| Dogs | Deer dogs by area |
| ORVs and ATVs | Forest Service rules |
| Legal buck | 12 in. spread or 15 in. beam |
| Bag limits | Statewide, with exceptions |
| Item | Agency text |
|---|---|
| Deer check-in | All deer harvested must be recorded on DAILY VISITOR USE PERMIT CARD or the WMA Check-In App before leaving the area. All deer harvested must be checked at a self-service data collection station by the hunter who harvested them before leaving the WMA. |
| Turkey | Turkey hunting from March 15 to March 31 is allowed by special permit only on Bienville, Caney Creek, and Tallahala. |
| No hunting | Caney Creek: No parking or hunting from I-20. |
| Dogs | Caney Creek: AREA I (Deer Hunting Without Dogs Area): That portion of the WMA north of I-20, south of Highway 80, and east of Highway 501. AREA II (Deer Hunting With Dogs Area): That portion of the WMA south of I-20 and north of Morton-Marathon Road (Road 506). Hog hunting with dogs is allowed during any deer with dogs season. |
| No hunting (brochure) | Caney Creek: No parking or hunting from I-20. OFF-ROAD VEHICLES/ATVs: Off-road vehicle use, including electric bicycles, will be governed by US Forest Service regulations. |
From the 2026-27 area brochure and the MDWFP area page (MDWFP area page, MDWFP WMA list, WMA brochure); Rule 1.1 and area texts; checked November 14, 2026.
Tallahala WMA by the numbers
The spring 2025 turkey table gives Tallahala WMA 964 man-days and 52 harvested birds. The ten-year average is 34 birds on 882 man-days, and spring 2024 posted 28 on 964.
52Spring 2025 birds
964Man-days 2025
18.5Man-days per bird
The counts are the agency's own and reflect reported harvest alone.
From spring 2025 WMA turkey totals; checked November 14, 2026.
Tallahala WMA daylight and shooting hours by date
Every Mississippi county keeps Central Time, which falls back on November 1, 2026 and returns on March 14, 2027; the Tallahala WMA rows show the clock change.
| Date | Marker | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer and resident game | Ducks, geese, doves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Archery, Delta and Hills | 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. |
| Oct 15, 2026 | Archery, Southeast | 7:00 a.m. | 6:26 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 6:56 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 6:26 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Youth gun deer | 6:19 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 5:49 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. | 5:49 a.m. to 5:03 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opens | 6:31 a.m. | 4:55 p.m. | 6:01 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. | 6:01 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Quail season opens | 6:36 a.m. | 4:54 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. to 4:54 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Duck season opens | 6:37 a.m. | 4:53 p.m. | 6:07 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. | 6:07 a.m. to 4:53 p.m. |
| Dec 2, 2026 | Primitive weapon deer | 6:41 a.m. | 4:53 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 4:53 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Year's shortest day | 6:54 a.m. | 4:56 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:26 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. |
| Mar 15, 2027 | Turkey season opens | 7:09 a.m. | 7:05 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 7:35 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 7:05 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.
County layer facts for Tallahala WMA
No part of the 4 counties of Tallahala WMA falls inside a CWD management zone. 2,290 deer were sampled across the 4 counties of Tallahala WMA and 0 tested positive on the county layer. No date comes with the counts; they are cumulative as served on the day we read them. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasper | Central | 2 | Outside zones | No ban | 0 of 612 |
| Smith | Central | 2 | Outside zones | No ban | 0 of 319 |
| Scott | Central | 6 | Outside zones | No ban | 0 of 506 |
| Newton | Central | 6 | Outside zones | No ban | 0 of 853 |
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.
Restocking near Tallahala WMA
Five town pages sit within 19 miles of Tallahala WMA, the closest at 9 miles. For wider shopping the 2024 estimate favours Forest, home to 5,364. Nearest sample drop-off on the MDWFP list: Caney Creek WMA, Forest, 16 miles.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louin | Jasper | 266 | 9 miles | south |
| Bay Springs | Jasper | 1,488 | 15 miles | south |
| Forest | Scott | 5,364 | 16 miles | northwest |
| Raleigh | Smith | 1,073 | 18 miles | southwest |
| Decatur | Newton | 1,886 | 19 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.
What sits near Tallahala WMA
Caney Creek WMA lies 16 miles northwest of the Tallahala WMA point, the closest alternative. Pinned within reach: 3 WMA, 1 national forest and 1 ranger district. Read the distances as air miles from the Tallahala WMA point.
| Nearby | Type | Acres | County | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caney Creek WMA | WMA | 28,437 | Scott | 16 miles | northwest |
| Bienville National Forest | National forest | 180,227 | Scott | 16 miles | northwest |
| Bienville Ranger District | Ranger district | 180,227 | Scott | 16 miles | northwest |
| Bienville WMA | WMA | 23,500 | Scott | 23 miles | northwest |
| Okatibbee WMA | WMA | 6,883 | Lauderdale | 35 miles | northeast |
| Lake Bogue Homa | State lake | 882 | Jones | 37 miles | southeast |
Point from the MDWFP WMA boundary layer; straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Longleaf pine savanna with a grassy understoryPhoto: Justin Meissen (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Wooded valley and river seen from a high overlook on the Yazoo RiverPhoto: Kevin (CC BY 2.0)
Tractor plowing a cotton field near EvansvillePhoto: Free Public Domain Illustrations by rawpixel (CC BY 2.0)
Tallahala WMA: questions and answers
Where will I find Tallahala WMA?
It sits across 4 counties including Jasper, Smith and Scott. The nearest town with a page on this site is Louin, 9 miles away. MDWFP's Central Regional Office is the regional contact.
What agency is in charge of Tallahala WMA?
MDWFP runs the 27,585 acres of Tallahala WMA. The MDWFP boundary layer supplies the acreage.
Which license or permit do I need for Tallahala WMA?
Yes, carry the WMA User Permit ($15.00 resident, $30.00 non-resident) along with the license you need for your game. Part of the hunting is by drawn permit as well.
What species are open at Tallahala WMA?
The record names deer, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, opossum and bobcat, trapping and waterfowl. See the statewide seasons page for dates and limits.
When is hunting season at Tallahala WMA?
There are 18 dated lines. The first opens on Jul 1, 2026 and the last closes on May 2, 2027. 9 of the rows are deer seasons.
How many draw hunts does Tallahala WMA have?
There are 8 drawn hunts offering 288 permits. Apply online in the window, and expect a bonus point if you miss. The WMA draw hunts guide explains the process.
Where can hunters camp near Tallahala WMA?
The rule on file: Camping is allowed subject to US Forest Service regulations.
What are the dog, ATV and horse rules at Tallahala WMA?
Condensed from the brochure, dogs: deer dogs by area; ORVs and ATVs: forest service rules; horses: hunting from horseback.
Do the legal shooting hours change at Tallahala WMA?
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.
What does MDWFP say about CWD near Tallahala WMA?
Samples tested for its 4 counties total 2,290 with 0 positives, and 0 of 4 counties fall within a management zone. Zone rules are on the CWD page.
What public land sits around Tallahala WMA?
Within reach are Caney Creek WMA (16 miles), Bienville National Forest (16 miles) and Bienville Ranger District (16 miles).
Which towns serve hunters at Tallahala WMA?
By straight line the closest towns are Louin (9 miles), Bay Springs (15 miles) and Forest (16 miles).
Must I check in my deer at Tallahala WMA?
The brochure sets a record-before-you-leave rule for deer, using the card or the app, plus data collection at a station.
Wrap-up notes before you leave for Tallahala WMA
Seasons, permits and closures for Tallahala WMA 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.
Other photos on this page: Patti Petersen (Public Domain Mark 1.0).