Southeast Zone: Areas south of U.S. Highway 84 and east of MS Highway 35.

Bag Limits Antlered Buck Deer:

The bag limit on antlered buck deer is one buck per day, not to exceed three (3) per annual season. Legal bucks must meet the antler criteria within the appropriate deer management zone. For youth hunters fifteen  years of age and younger, hunting on private land and authorized state and federal lands, all three  of the three buck bag limit may be any antlered deer. Antlerless Deer: Private lands: The bag limit on Northeast, Delta, East Central, and Southwest Zones antlerless deer is three per annual season. The bag limit on Southeast Zone antlerless deer is one per day, two per annual season. U.S. Forest Service National Forests: The bag limit is one per day, not to exceed three per annual season except in the Southeast Zone which is two per annual season.

A legal buck is defined as having EITHER a minimum inside spread of 12 inches OR one main beam at least 15 inches long. How to estimate a 12 inch inside spread: How to estimate a 15 inch main beam: Estimating a 12 inch spread is accomplished by observing a buck’s ears in the alert position. When in the alert position, the distance from ear-tip to ear-tip measures approximately 15* inches. If the OUTSIDE of each antler beam reaches the ear-tip, the inside spread is approximately 12 inches. (Therefore, if the outside of both antler beams reach the ear tips, the buck is legal). *Due to body size differences in the Delta Zone, ear-tip to ear-tip measurements are slightly larger compared to the other zones. To estimate a 15 inch main beam, the buck’s head must be observed from the side. If the tip of the main beam extends between the front of the eye and the tip of the nose, main beam length is approximately 15 inches.

SOUTHEAST ZONE METHOD SEASON DATES LEGAL DEER

Archery Oct. 15 – Nov. 16 Either-Sex on private and open public land. Youth Gun (15 and under) Nov. 3 – Feb. 15 Either-Sex on private and authorized state and federal lands. Legal bucks only after Nov. 17 on authorized state and federal lands. Gun (with dogs) Nov. 17 – Dec. 1 Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land. Primitive Weapon Dec. 2 – 15 Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license. Gun (without dogs) Dec. 16 – 23 Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land. Gun (with dogs) Dec. 24 – Jan. 16 Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land. Archery/Primitive Weapon Jan. 17 – 31 Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license. Feb. 1 – 15 Legal Bucks only on private and open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.