Hunting in Mississippi: 2 Animals To Hunt in the Summer

Hunting in Mississippi during the summer months does not leave hunters an abundance of wildlife to choose from for their outings, but there are a couple of animals that have open seasons during June, July, August, and September.

Hunters who have “snagging an alligator” on their bucket list are in luck since the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks allows for hunters to obtain alligator permits without having to go through a lottery system.

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Here are two animals that can be hunted in the summer months in Mississippi:

1. Alligator
Hunting alligator anywhere is a big job no matter which state you’re in, and Mississippi has some of the least restrictive regulations of any state when it comes to alligator hunting.

For starters, 2015 marks the first year in which the drawing application process has been removed. In its place, aspiring alligator hunters can buy possession permits on a first-come, first-serve basis. In 2015, this date is July 14 online only.

Residents are the only hunters allowed to go after gators, and hunters must select only one hunting zone when obtaining their permit, which will allow him or her to bag one alligator during the open season.

The exception to this resident-only rule is that anyone in possession of a Mississippi lifetime hunting license or native son lifetime license may purchase an Alligator Possession Permit even if they no longer live in the state.

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The cost to purchase this possession permit in 2015 is $150, and the private lands season is typically two weeks longer than the public waters season.

Lastly, a voluntary alligator hunting training course is available for interested parties and takes place in Central Mississippi. Also, hunters need to keep in mind that a hunting license is required in order to purchase the Alligator Possession Permit. In 2014, the state hunting record was broken when a 792-pound gator was lifted.

2. Raccoon
From the beginning of July through the end of September, hunting parties have the opportunity to bag one raccoon per night throughout the season. And the rules about hunting this legal game are very lenient, allowing for hunters to use light and hunting dogs.

In addition, raccoons fall under the animals that are permitted to be bought and sold during their open season.

According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, “The carcasses of raccoons and muskrats may be sold for food during the open trapping season, and raccoon carcasses may be sold during the open gun season on raccoons. It is also illegal to buy or sell any non-game wildlife native to the State of Mississippi.”

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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