Good news for turkey hunters: the upcoming spring season will be longer than usual.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks announced Thursday that because of where the season’s traditional start and end dates fall on the calendar, there will be an extra three days to hunt for gobblers.
Turkey season usually starts on March 15, and since the date falls on a Sunday this year, the opener slides up to Saturday, March 14. Then, on the tail end of the season, the traditional May 1 finale falls on a Friday. Under a new law, the season will be extended by an additional two days to Sunday, May 3. This will give hunters a full weekend at the end of the season.
The season extension will not change any rules on annual bag limits, MDWFP noted.
“The season extension shall only apply to season dates and does not increase or otherwise affect the annual bag limit,” a news release said. “One adult gobbler or 1 gobbler with a 6-inch or longer beard, per day, 3 per Spring season. Hunters 15 years of age and younger may harvest 1 gobbler of choice (any age) per day, 3 per Spring season.”
LISTEN: SuperTalk Outdoors with Ricky Mathews
MDWFP also used the extension announcement to remind hunters of the state’s new wild turkey stamp program. Any person 16 years or older is required to purchase a stamp before hunting, with the rule applying to both resident and non-resident hunters hunting on private and public lands. However, there are some exceptions in place for disabled hunters or those who have a lifetime sportsmen’s license.
The stamp, which serves as a specialized permit with proceeds dedicated to restoring and protecting wild turkey populations, is $10 for residents and $100 for non-residents. Each stamp is valid through the final day of the spring season, and a new one must be purchased before the next season.
Game check is now tied directly to the wild turkey stamp or the free exempt turkey game check privilege. The easiest way to submit a game check is through MDWFP’s HuntFish app. Hunters should submit harvests before moving the bird from the harvest site.