December Primitive Weapon Season Open

[PRESS RELEASE]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2015

Primitive Weapon Season for Deer Now Open

JACKSON – The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) reminds hunters that the primitive weapon season for deer opened December 2 and runs through December 15 in all three Deer Management Zones.  Antlerless deer and zone-legal bucks are eligible for harvest.

According to Chris McDonald, MDWFP Wildlife Bureau Assistant Director, “The rut is occurring now in most of the Delta and just beginning in northern parts of the state.  Pre-rut activities are also picking up in central Mississippi.  Hunters can expect to see increasing buck movement as the rut progresses across the state.  Also, food plot use should be good this year due to geographical differences in acorn production and vegetative stress caused by the late summer drought.”

On private lands only, deer hunters may use any firearm during all open primitive weapon seasons after November 30.  Hunters required to have a hunting license must possess a valid primitive weapon license, Sportsman’s License, or Lifetime Sportsman’s License to take advantage of this opportunity on private lands.

Additional legal weapons for the primitive weapon season are primitive firearms and archery equipment. “Primitive Firearms,” for the purpose of hunting deer, are defined as single or double barreled muzzle-loading rifles of at least .38 caliber; OR single shot, breech loading, metallic cartridge rifles (.35 caliber or larger) and replicas, reproductions, or reintroductions of those type rifles with an exposed hammer; OR single or double barreled muzzle-loading shotguns, with single ball or slug. All muzzle-loading primitive firearms must use black powder or a black powder substitute with percussion caps, #209 shotgun primers, or flintlock ignition.  If the hunter is required to have a hunting license, the hunter must possess a valid Primitive Weapon License, Sportsman’s License, or a Lifetime Sportsman’s License.

Hunters can find information about the three Deer Management Zones, season dates, and hunting regulations at www.mdwfp.com or in the 2015 – 2016 Mississippi Outdoor Digest. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mdwfp or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWFPonline.