Bear Hunting Season in Mississippi: What Hunters Need to Know Right Now

If you’re planning a bear hunt in Mississippi, the most important thing you need to know before anything else is this: there is no open bear hunting season in the state. Black bears are fully protected under Mississippi law, and pursuing them without authorization carries serious legal consequences.

That said, understanding why there’s no season, where bears actually live in the state, what the law says, and how the regulatory landscape is shifting gives you a major advantage as a hunter. Whether you’re monitoring future opportunities or simply want to stay legally compliant while hunting other game in bear country, this guide covers everything you need to know about bear hunting season in Mississippi.

Bear Species You Can Hunt in Mississippi

Mississippi is home to one bear species: the American black bear (Ursus americanus). The state hosts two recognized groups — the American black bear in the northern portions of Mississippi, and the Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) subspecies in the southern and western regions.

Black bears are the largest carnivore species native to Mississippi and historically occurred throughout the southeastern coastal plain. Although nearly extirpated from areas in the south, federal and state protection along with restoration efforts have assisted in the successful re-establishment of viable bear populations in Louisiana and Arkansas. Currently, all bears within the historic range of the Louisiana black bear, which includes the southern and western portions of Mississippi, are protected by federal and state regulations.

A Mississippi bear would likely measure about 33 to 36 inches at the shoulder. When standing on its hind legs, it might be five feet to a little over six feet tall. The largest on record came from Wilkinson County — a 468-pound roadkill. An adult male probably weighs between 250 to more than 300 pounds.

Important Note: Neither subspecies of black bear may be legally hunted in Mississippi under current law. Both are protected by state endangered species designation and, in the case of the Louisiana black bear, by federal regulations as well.

The American black bear is the largest predator in Mississippi, followed by coyotes and bobcats. Despite their size and growing population, they remain entirely off-limits to hunters at this time.

Bear Hunting Season Dates in Mississippi

There are no bear hunting season dates in Mississippi. Black bears are protected in Mississippi. Hunting them is illegal except under very specific state-managed circumstances, which are currently not open seasons. This protection has been in place for nearly a century.

In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt famously hunted bears in the Mississippi Delta. By 1932, the bear population dropped drastically, and the state put the animals under full protection, which is still in effect today.

Black bears are currently listed as “endangered” under Mississippi’s own state endangered species law. This designation makes any open hunting season a significant legal hurdle, regardless of population trends.

The most recent legislative effort to change this came in early 2026. Mississippi came close to making hunting history during the 2026 session. Senate Bill 2436, which would have authorized the state’s first black bear hunting season in nearly a century, cleared the Senate and made it all the way to the House floor before going down 60-50 on March 10. The vote puts the idea on ice for at least another year, and possibly longer.

SB 2436 would not have immediately opened a bear season. Instead, it would have handed the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks the authority to set up a limited lottery hunt at its discretion, with a start date no earlier than the 2027-28 season. For now, there are no season dates to plan around.

Key Insight: Neighboring states like Louisiana and Tennessee do have regulated bear seasons. If you’re set on pursuing black bears in the region, those states are worth researching while Mississippi’s regulatory picture continues to evolve. You can also review hunting laws in Tennessee or hunting laws in Arkansas for regional context.

Bear Hunting Licenses and Tags in Mississippi

Because there is no open bear season, there are no bear hunting licenses or tags currently available for purchase in Mississippi. No permit system, draw application, or over-the-counter tag exists for black bears at this time.

Under the proposed SB 2436 framework that was defeated in March 2026, the system would have worked like this: hunters would apply for harvest tags through a lottery system administered by MDWFP, and applicants would pay a fee to enter the drawing. The bill would also have created a special “governor’s tag,” which would be auctioned, with money raised used to restore, enhance, or protect black bear populations.

For all other hunting in Mississippi, standard licensing rules apply. Each resident of the State of Mississippi ages sixteen through sixty-four must obtain a hunting license, except while hunting on lands titled in his name. All persons born on or after January 1, 1972, must satisfactorily complete a hunter education course approved by the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks before purchasing a Mississippi hunting license.

You can purchase licenses, apply for draw hunts, and manage your hunting credentials through the MDWFP Licenses and Permits portal. The MDWFP HuntFish Mobile App also allows you to handle licensing, harvest reporting, and WMA check-ins from your phone.

Pro Tip: Even though there’s no bear tag to purchase, you still need a valid Mississippi hunting license to be afield. If you’re hunting other species in bear country, make sure your license and any required permits are in order before heading out. Check the deer hunting season in Mississippi or turkey hunting season in Mississippi pages to plan your other hunts.

Legal Methods and Weapons for Bear Hunting in Mississippi

With no open bear season, there are no legal methods or weapons authorized for bear hunting in Mississippi. Black bear hunting is not permitted in Mississippi. Management units play a crucial role in black bear conservation by designating specific geographic areas for hunting regulations. Black bears are classified as protected under state law, and any hunting, harassment, or killing of a bear is strictly prohibited.

This means that even if you encounter a black bear while legally hunting deer, turkey, or small game, you may not shoot it. Hunters are encouraged to report bear sightings and avoid disturbing known bear habitat. If a bear is encountered while legally pursuing other game, hunters should keep their distance and never attempt to approach or provoke the animal.

Method	Legal for Bear Hunting?	Notes
Rifle / Centerfire	No	No open season; prohibited
Archery / Bow	No	No open season; prohibited
Muzzleloader	No	No open season; prohibited
Hounds / Dogs	No	No open season; prohibited
Baiting	No	No open season; prohibited

For reference, Mississippi’s general hunting regulations do allow a broad range of weapons for other legal game species. Longbows, recurves, compound bows, and crossbows are permitted, with no minimum or maximum draw weight and no minimum arrow length. Fixed or mechanical broadheads may be used. These rules apply to legal game animals — not bears.

If you want to understand how weapon regulations work across neighboring states with active bear seasons, see the hunting laws in Virginia or hunting laws in Minnesota for comparison.

Bag Limits and Harvest Reporting Requirements in Mississippi

There are no bag limits for bear hunting in Mississippi because there is no authorized harvest. The bag limit is effectively zero. Taking any black bear — regardless of circumstances — is a violation of state law.

For now, Mississippi’s black bears remain off-limits, protected by the same state endangered species law that has governed them for decades. Hunters who want to pursue bears in the region will need to look to Louisiana or Florida for opportunities until Mississippi’s legislative math changes.

Had SB 2436 passed, harvest reporting would have been mandatory. The program would likely have begun with a small number of tags while wildlife officials continued studying the population, with perhaps two tags spread across two zones in the state. Under that proposed framework, MDWFP would have issued harvest tags to each permittee with mandatory reporting tied to the tag.

For other big game in Mississippi, harvest reporting is already an established requirement. MDWFP encourages hunters to learn more about Game Check and download the MDWFP app to report white-tailed deer and turkey harvests. If a bear season ever opens, a similar or more stringent reporting system would almost certainly apply. You can review how reporting works for other Mississippi species like dove hunting season in Mississippi to understand the general framework.

Common Mistake: Some hunters assume that because bear populations are increasing, a season must be open or loosely enforced. This is not the case. Mississippi’s endangered species designation means enforcement is active, and violations carry serious criminal penalties.

Bear Hunting Zones and Units in Mississippi

Mississippi does not have designated bear hunting zones or management units because no bear hunting season is authorized. However, the state does track where bears live, and understanding bear distribution is useful for hunters who want to avoid accidental encounters or report sightings properly.

Wildlife officials say Mississippi’s black bear population is concentrated in two primary regions — the Mississippi Delta and the forested areas of south Mississippi. The south Mississippi population expanded in recent decades as bears migrated from Louisiana and began establishing territory in Mississippi’s pine forests and river bottoms.

Within those broad regions, specific counties see the most activity. Most bears live along the Mississippi River. Another population lives in southeastern Mississippi, and the Pascagoula River area has a strong presence. In the southern Delta, bears primarily live in Warren and Issaquena counties. In the northern Delta, Bolivar County hosts a good population. Another pocket lives in Adams and Wilkinson counties.

Agricultural crops play a supplemental role in black bear diets in Mississippi, especially in fragmented habitats such as those found in the Mississippi Delta. Black bears are commonly observed feeding on grain crops such as corn and sorghum during the summer, and on wheat and clover in the early winter and early spring.

Black bears in Mississippi are typically found in lowland hardwood forests, river bottomlands, and dense thickets near water sources. Wildlife management areas in Mississippi also play a crucial role in providing suitable habitats for these bears.

The MDWFP actively tracks bear sightings statewide. The state has logged 597 reports of sightings since 2016, representing 728 individual bears across the state. You can report a bear sighting directly through the MDWFP Black Bear Program page.

If a season does eventually open, zones would likely mirror these population concentrations. Early projections from legislative discussions suggested perhaps two tags spread across two zones, with zones set up based on where bear populations are established.

Tips for a Successful Bear Hunt in Mississippi

Because there is no legal bear hunt in Mississippi, “success” right now means staying informed, staying legal, and positioning yourself to act quickly if regulations change. Here’s how to do exactly that.

Monitor MDWFP and legislative updates closely. The defeat of SB 2436 in March 2026 doesn’t permanently close the door. The failure of SB 2436 does not permanently close the door. Legislators who backed the bill can bring it back in a future session, and the situation on the ground continues to shift. More bears are showing up in more places across Mississippi. As that trend continues and the state eventually produces a reliable population estimate, the case for a limited, managed hunt will only grow easier to make. Bookmark the MDWFP hunting seasons page and check it each season.

Understand the population science. MDWFP biologists currently estimate the Mississippi bear population to be about 150 bears in the state, which is a major improvement over the estimated 40 individuals in 2002. MDWFP is continuing to partner with Mississippi State University and landowners across southeast and southwest Mississippi to trap and collar bears. Since May 2023, MDWFP has trapped 30 black bears across 12 counties. Following this research gives you insight into when a season might realistically be feasible.

Hunt bears in states where it’s currently legal. If you don’t want to wait, neighboring states offer regulated opportunities. Louisiana held its first bear hunt in 2024, and Florida brought back its bear season in 2025 after a 10-year pause when wildlife managers determined populations in some zones were growing too fast. You can also review hunting laws in Idaho, hunting laws in Montana, or hunting laws in South Carolina for states with established bear hunting programs.

Know what to do if you encounter a bear in the field. As Mississippi’s bear population grows, encounters during deer or turkey season are becoming more common. If the bear doesn’t move on, make a lot of noise. Speak in a loud voice. Maintain eye contact. Don’t run — that could trigger a predator response and a chase. Be as confident as possible and ease off in another direction.

• Never attempt to shoot a bear you encounter, even in surprise situations — it is illegal and dangerous
• Report all bear sightings to MDWFP through their online reporting tool
• Remove food attractants from your hunting camp, including corn feeders, trash, and scent-heavy bait used for other species
• Carry bear spray as a non-lethal deterrent when hunting in known bear habitat
• Familiarize yourself with WMA boundaries and check-in requirements before hunting public land

Stay current on licensing requirements for other game. While you wait for Mississippi’s bear situation to evolve, make the most of the state’s excellent opportunities for deer, turkey, dove, and small game. It’s crucial for hunters to consult the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks for the most up-to-date information on hunting seasons and bag limits, as they may change from year to year. See the dog leash laws in Mississippi page if you run hounds for other legal species in the state, and check the hunting laws in Ohio or hunting laws in Indiana if you hunt multiple states and want to compare frameworks.

Pro Tip: Subscribe to MDWFP email alerts and follow their official channels. If a bear hunting bill passes in a future legislative session, the draw application window could open quickly — potentially within the same calendar year. Being ready ahead of time puts you at the front of the line.

Mississippi’s black bear story is one of the most remarkable conservation recoveries in the Southeast. The status of black bears in Mississippi is a great success story. By the time black bears were afforded protection by the state in 1932, it was believed fewer than 12 animals were left in the entire state. This dramatic decline from historic populations was primarily caused by the clearing of land for agriculture and from overhunting. The road back has been long, and the question of when — or whether — a managed hunt returns remains open. Stay informed, stay legal, and keep watching the MDWFP for updates.