40 Miss. Code. R. 2-1.46 - [Effective 6/30/2025] "PHIL BRYANT" WMA REGULATIONS

A. Regulations for Phil Bryant Wildlife Management Area in Issaquena and Warren Counties.

1. Backwoods Unit.

SPECIES	OPENING DATE	CLOSING DATE	COMMENTS
DEER			For deer hunting regulations see BAG LIMITS, DEER DATA COLLECTION, DEER HUNTING PERMITS, LEGAL BUCKS, and DOG RESTRICTIONS in SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
Archery Group Draw - Permit Only	Oct. 1	Nov. 3	Antlerless deer and legal bucks.
Gun Group Draw - Permit Only	Nov. 6	Jan. 14	Antlerless deer and Legal bucks.
Senior Adult - Permit Only	Jan. 16	Jan. 17	Antlerless deer and Legal bucks. See bag limits.
TURKEY	Permit Only.		See Turkey HUNTING in SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
YOUTH SQUIRREL	Sept. 24	Sept. 30
SQUIRREL & RABBIT - Group Draw	Oct. 1	Jan. 14	Open to hunters drawn during group draw hunts.
SQUIRREL & RABBIT	Jan. 15	Feb. 28	Daily.
SQUIRREL	May 15	June 1	Daily.
RACCOON	Jul. 1	Sep. 30	Friday and Saturday nights only.
RACCOON, OPOSSUM & BOBCAT	Jan. 15	Feb. 28	Daily.
TRAPPING	Jan. 15	Feb. 28
WATERFOWL - Group Draw Permit Only	Open concurrent with state waterfowl season for hunters drawn during the group draw.
WATERFOWL	Open on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from Jan. 15 - Jan. 31. See WATERFOWL in SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
YOUTH/VETERAN/ ACTIVE MILITARY WATERFOWL	Open concurrent with statewide youth and veteran/Active Military waterfowl days.	See WATERFOWL in SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
WOODCOCK - Group Draw Only	Open concurrent with Statewide Season.	Open to hunters drawn during group draw hunts.
WOODCOCK	Jan. 15	Jan. 31	Daily.
SNIPE - Group Draw Only	Open concurrent with Statewide Season.		Open to hunters drawn during group draw hunts.
SNIPE	Jan. 15	Feb. 28	Daily
FISHING - Group Draw	Oct. 1	Jan. 14	Open to hunters drawn during group draw hunts.
FISHING	Jan. 15	Sept. 30	Daily
Backwoods units are closed to scouting from Oct. 1 - January 14.

2. Buck Bayou Unit.

SPECIES	OPENING DATE	CLOSING DATE	COMMENTS
DEER			For deer hunting regulations see BAG LIMITS, DEER DATA COLLECTION, DEER HUNTING PERMITS, LEGAL BUCKS, and DOG RESTRICTIONS in SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
Archery - Permit Only	Oct. 1	Nov. 1	Antlerless deer and legal bucks.
Youth Gun -	Nov. 2	Nov. 3	Antlerless deer and any antlered buck.
Primitive Weapon - Permit Only	Nov. 7	Nov. 25	Antlerless deer and legal bucks
Gun - Permit Only	Dec. 1	Dec. 27	Antlerless deer and Legal bucks.
Archery/ Youth Gun	Jan. 1	Jan. 14	Legal bucks only.
Senior Adult - Permit Only	Jan. 16	Jan. 17	Antlerless deer and Legal bucks. See bag limits.
TURKEY	Permit Only.		See Turkey HUNTING in SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
YOUTH SQUIRREL	Sept. 24	Sept. 30
SQUIRREL & RABBIT	Oct. 1	Dec. 31	Saturdays only, except closed on Nov. 2
SQUIRREL & RABBIT	Jan. 1	Feb. 28	Daily.
SQUIRREL	May 15	June 1	Daily.
RACCOON	Jul. 1	Sep. 30	Friday and Saturday nights only.
RACCOON, OPOSSUM & BOBCAT	Oct. 1 Jan. 1	Dec. 21 Feb. 28	Friday nights only. Daily.
TRAPPING	Jan. 1	Feb. 28
WATERFOWL - Permit Only - Except for youth/veteran/Active Military waterfowl hunts, the September teal season, and the post season light goose conservation order.	See WATERFOWL in SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
YOUTH/VETERAN/ ACTIVE MILITARY WATERFOWL	Open concurrent with the statewide Youth/Veteran/Active Military Waterfowl Season		See WATERFOWL in SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
POST SEASON LIGHT GOOSE CONSERVATION ORDER	See Federal Regulations.		Open after waterfowl season.
WOODCOCK	Same as Statewide Seasons.		Woodcock hunting is allowed on any small game hunting day during legal woodcock season.
SNIPE	Same as Statewide Seasons.		Snipe hunting is allowed on any small game hunting day during legal snipe season.
FISHING	Jan. 15 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Jan. 14		Daily Saturdays only.
The Buck Bayou Unit Will Be Closed To ALL ACTIVITES On Tuesdays from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31. SCOUTING IS ALLOWED ON SATURDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS.

3. Ten Point Unit.

SPECIES	OPENING DATE	CLOSING DATE	COMMENTS
DEER			For deer hunting regulations see BAG LIMITS, DEER DATA COLLECTION, DEER HUNTING PERMITS, LEGAL BUCKS, and DOG RESTRICTIONS in SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
Archery - Permit Only	Oct. 1	Dec. 1	Antlerless deer and legal bucks.
Gun - Permit Only	Dec. 5	Dec. 22	Antlerless deer and legal bucks
Youth and Handicapped Gun - Permit Only	Dec. 26	Jan. 12	Antlerless deer and legal bucks.
Senior Adult - Permit Only	Jan. 16	Jan. 17	Antlerless deer and Legal bucks. See bag limits.
TURKEY	Permit Only		See Turkey HUNTING in SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
YOUTH SQUIRREL	Sept. 24	Sept. 30
SQUIRREL & RABBIT	Oct. 1	Jan. 14	Open only on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
SQUIRREL & RABBIT	Jan. 15	Feb. 28	Daily.
SQUIRREL	May 15	June 1	Daily.
RACCOON	Jul. 1	Sep. 30	Friday and Saturday nights only.
RACCOON, OPOSSUM & BOBCAT	Jan. 15	Feb. 28	Daily.
TRAPPING	Jan. 15	Feb. 28
WATERFOWL	Open on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during statewide waterfowl seasons. See WATERFOWL in SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
YOUTH/VETERAN/ ACTIVE MILITARY WATERFOWL	Open Concurrent with statewide seasons.		See WATERFOWL in SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
WOODCOCK	Same as Statewide Seasons.		Woodcock hunting is allowed on any small game hunting day during legal woodcock season. Open daily from Jan. 15 - 31
SNIPE	Same as Statewide Seasons.		Snipe hunting is allowed on any small game hunting day during legal snipe season. Open daily from Jan. 15 - Feb. 28
FISHING	Jan. 15 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Jan. 14		Daily Open only on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Scouting is allowed daily prior to Oct. 1, and on any small game hunting days thereafter. Only those persons drawn to hunt are allowed on the unit during permitted hunts.

4. Goose Lake Unit.

SPECIES	OPENING DATE	CLOSING DATE	COMMENTS
DEER			For deer hunting regulations see BAG LIMITS, DEER DATA COLLECTION, DEER HUNTING PERMITS, LEGAL BUCKS, and DOG RESTRICTIONS in SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
Archery Only - Permit Only	Oct. 1	Jan. 14	Antlerless deer and legal bucks.
Senior Adult - Permit Only	Jan. 16	Jan. 17	Antlerless deer and Legal bucks. See bag limits.
TURKEY	Permit Only.		See Turkey HUNTING in SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
YOUTH SQUIRREL	Sept. 24	Sept. 30
SQUIRREL & RABBIT	Oct. 1	Jan. 14	Open only on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
SQUIRREL & RABBIT	Jan. 15	Feb. 28	Daily.
SQUIRREL	May 15	June 1	Daily.
RACCOON	Jul. 1	Sep. 30	Friday and Saturday nights only.
RACCOON, OPOSSUM & BOBCAT	Jan. 15	Feb. 28	Daily.
TRAPPING	Jan. 15	Feb. 28
WATERFOWL -	Open on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during statewide waterfowl seasons. See WATERFOWL in SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
YOUTH/VETERAN/ ACTIVE MILITARY WATERFOWL	Open concurrent with statewide seasons.		See WATERFOWL in SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
WOODCOCK	Same as Statewide Seasons.		Woodcock hunting is allowed on any small game hunting day during legal woodcock season. Open daily from Jan. 15 - 31
SNIPE	Same as Statewide Seasons.		Snipe hunting is allowed on any small game hunting day during legal snipe season. Open daily from Jan. 15 - Feb. 28
FISHING	Jan. 15 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Jan. 14		Daily Open only on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Scouting is allowed daily prior to Oct. 1, and on any small game hunting days thereafter. Only those persons drawn to hunt are allowed on the units during permitted hunts.

B. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

1. WMA USER PERMIT: All persons using this wildlife management area, except those exempt from purchasing an annual hunting or fishing license, must carry on their person an annual statewide Wildlife Management Area User Permit. This permit is required in addition to completing the daily visitor use permit or by using the WMA Check-In App and any required license and may be purchased wherever licenses are sold.

2. BAG LIMITS: Season bag limit of 3 deer, of which only 1 may be a legal buck. All harvested deer count towards statewide bag limits. The bag limit during the Senior Adult Hunt will be 1 legal buck and 1 antlerless deer per hunt. Bag limit for turkeys is 1 adult gobbler per permitted hunt.

Backwoods Unit: Group bag limit of 4 legal bucks and 8 antlerless deer. All harvested deer count towards the Phil Bryant WMA and statewide bag limits.

3. DEER DATA COLLECTION: All deer harvested must be checked at a WMA check station and recorded on WMA Daily Use Permit Card or WMA Check-In App by the hunter who harvested them before leaving the WMA. If WMA personnel are not available to check the deer, the hunter is responsible for collecting and legibly recording ALL biological data (weight, antler measurements, and jawbone). Instructions and equipment will be provided. Deer harvest on Goose Lake Unit must be checked in at either the Hwy 61 Boat Ramp or Ten Point Unit data collection station. Deer harvested on Buck Bayou Unit must be checked in at the Buck Bayou Visitor Permit station at the Buck Bayou parking area, see map for location. Once the jawbone is removed, ALL antlerless deer heads harvested on Phil Bryant WMA must be tagged and deposited in the Mahannah or Phil Bryant CWD Collection freezer.

4. DEER HUNTING PERMITS: You may apply online at www.mdwfp.com. See application for hunt dates, application deadlines, and other information about permitted hunts.

5. LEGAL BUCKS: Legal bucks are those with an inside spread of at least 16 inches OR one main beam length of at least 20 inches. During the Buck Bayou Unit Youth Only Hunt ONLY, hunters 15 years of age or younger may harvest any antlered buck. During ALL other Permit Only hunts, a youth hunter must harvest a buck with an inside spread of at least 16 inches OR one main beam length of at least 20 inches.

6. DOG RESTRICTIONS: Deer hunting with dogs is prohibited. Small game hunting with dogs is allowed during any small game season. Hunting, running, or pursuing hogs with the use of dogs is prohibited.

7. TURKEY HUNTING: Turkey hunting will be allowed by special permit only.

8. LEGAL WEAPONS: Only centerfire rifles, shotguns with slugs, primitive weapons, and centerfire handguns may be used for deer hunting.

9. WATERFOWL: You may apply online at www.mdwfp.com. See application for hunt dates, application deadlines, and other information about permitted hunts. Shooting hours end at 12 p.m. for all hunt units. Ten Point and Goose Lake Units are open to waterfowl hunting, no draw, on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays during the statewide waterfowl season. Shooting hours end at 12 p.m. for all hunt units. Waterfowl hunters must check-out by 1 p.m. except during the youth/veteran waterfowl hunt which shall run concurrent with the statewide waterfowl youth/veteran hunt. No boats, blinds, or decoys are to be left out overnight. Waterfowl hunting shall open daily on the Ten Point and Goose Lake units during the waterfowl season while the Steele Bayou Landside Gauge is at or above 82.0 feet.

Backwoods Unit: Only open to waterfowl hunting to those drawn for the group hunts from opening day of waterfowl season - Jan. 14. Backwoods unit is open to waterfowl hunting on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from Jan. 15 - 31 and during the Youth/Veteran Waterfowl days. From Jan 15 - 31, shooting hours will end at 12 p.m. and waterfowl hunters must check-out by 1 p.m.

Buck Bayou Unit: All waterfowl hunting will be managed through the Mahannah WMA waterfowl hunting process. No persons may leave Anderson-Tully Road or launch a boat until the waterfowl draw process has been completed for the Buck Bayou and Mahannah Units. Waterfowl draw hunts will be conducted for Mahannah / Buck Bayou on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays ONLY.

10. OFF-ROAD MOTORIZED VEHICLES/ATVs: ORVs/ATVs/Electric Bicycles are allowed on designated roads or trails for hunting and fishing access only. Off-road use of ORVs/ATVs/Electric Bicycles is allowed for retrieval of harvested deer or hogs. During all WMA deer firearms seasons, no loaded shoulder fired weapons allowed within 100 feet of any road within WMA, including ATV trails. Additionally, electric bicycles may be ridden on marked foot-traffic trails only by users 65 years of age and older. They may not be ridden on any leveed roads or trails.

Goose Lake: ORVs/ATVs are prohibited on Goose Lake Unit.

11. HORSES: Horseback riding is prohibited during WMA deer and turkey seasons. At all other times, horseback riding is restricted to roads open to motorized vehicles and designated ATV trails. Raccoon hunting from horses is allowed on entire area during nighttime hunting hours.

12. CAMPING: Camping is allowed in designated areas only. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days. Camping equipment may not be left unattended for more than 24 hours. All camping equipment and garbage must be removed before final departure. Camping for Goose Lake Unit is ONLY allowed at the Ten Point or Mahannah WMA Campgrounds. Backwoods: Camping for Backwoods Unit 4 is only allowed at the Mahannah WMA campground.

13. SCOUTING:

a. Backwoods: No scouting allowed from Oct. 1 - Jan. 14. Open daily from Jan. 15 - Sept. 30.

b. Buck Bayou: SCOUTING is allowed daily prior to Oct. 1, and on any Saturdays, Wednesdays, and on any small game hunting days thereafter. Only those persons drawn to hunt, and waterfowl hunters during waterfowl season, will be allowed on the area during permitted hunts.

c. Ten Point and Goose Lake Units: Scouting is allowed daily prior to Oct. 1, and on any small game hunting days thereafter. Only those persons drawn to hunt are allowed on the units during permitted hunts.

14. HIGH WATER: Phil Bryant WMA will be closed to all activities, except waterfowl hunting, when the Mississippi River gauge at Vicksburg reaches 43 ft. and shall remain so until the Mississippi River level falls to or below 41.0 ft. and/or when the Steele Bayou landside gauge reaches 82.0 ft. and shall remain closed until the Steele Bayou level falls to or below 80ft. Waterfowl hunting shall open daily on the Ten Point and Goose Lake units during the waterfowl season after 82 feet on the Steel Bayou Landside Gauge. Previously drawn hunters for the Backwoods unit may only waterfowl hunt during Mahannah permitted waterfowl hunts.

15. PARKING: Buck Bayou visitors must park in the Buck Bayou Unit parking area only. See map for location. Visitors from Buck Bayou Unit and Mahannah WMA may not park at Backwoods Units Campsites between October 1-January 31.

Notes

40 Miss. Code. R. 2-1.46

Miss. Code Ann. §§ 49-1-29, 49-4-4, and 49-5-13.

Adopted 1/21/2019 Revised May 2019 Amended 6/28/2019 Updated September 2019 Amended 10/28/2019 Amended 6/17/2020 Amended 6/17/2021 Amended 6/27/2022 Amended 11/28/2022 Amended 6/26/2023 Amended 7/25/2024 Amended 6/30/2025