HERE Starkville
Starkville MS
Hunting
Report
Live conditions, season status, solunar ratings, WMA profiles, and community hunting coverage for Oktibbeha County and Hills Deer Management Unit.
Hog: Closed
Turkey: Closed
Dove: Closed
Deer: Open
Hills Deer Management Unit
First Look • Hunt Conditions
🌔
Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 89%
7:04 am
6:14 pm
52°F
5 mph
Weather as of 8:15 AM ET
Fair — bright nights keep deer nocturnal. Hunt midday movement.
Hills Deer Management Unit • Oktibbeha County
In Season Now: Starkville Hunting · Oct. 22
Open now
- Archery Deer Oct 1 – Nov 20, 2026 · Hills Unit
- Squirrel (fall) Oct 1, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027 · Statewide
- Rabbit Oct 17, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027 · Statewide
Coming up
- Dove (North Zone) Sep 5 – Oct 4; Oct 24 – Nov 22; Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 24, 2027 · North Zone
- Youth Gun Deer Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 · Hills Unit
- Gun Deer (with dogs) Nov 21 – Dec 1, 2026 · Hills Unit
- Bobwhite Quail Nov 26, 2026 – Mar 7, 2027 · Statewide
From this page's the state wildlife agency season calendar. Always verify current regulations before you hunt.
Starkville Hunting Season Status
Whitetail Deer
OPEN
Season DatesHills Unit, 2026–27: archery Oct 1 – Nov 20; youth gun Nov 7 – Jan 31; antlerless primitive weapon Nov 9–20 (private land); gun with dogs Nov 21 – Dec 1; primitive weapon Dec 2–15; gun without dogs Dec 16–23; gun with dogs Dec 24 – Jan 20; archery/primitive Jan 21–31.
Bag Limit:1 antlered buck per day, 3 per season. Hills Unit legal buck: 10-inch inside spread or 13-inch main beam.
Deer season is OPEN in the Hills Unit — check which method is legal today.
Hunter orange required during gun seasons. Report harvest per MDWFP rules.
per MDWFP · verified 2026-10-22
Feral Hog
CLOSED
Season DatesMDWFP's 2026–27 season table does not list a wild hog season. Check MDWFP's wild hog rules before hunting hogs.
Bag Limit:N/A
MDWFP's 2026–27 season table does not list a wild hog season. Check MDWFP's wild hog rules before hunting hogs.
MDWFP's 2026–27 season table does not list a wild hog season. Check MDWFP's wild hog rules before hunting hogs.
per MDWFP · verified 2026-10-22
Spring Turkey
CLOSED
Season DatesSpring 2027: youth Mar 8–14; spring season Mar 15 – May 2.
Bag Limit:Residents: 1 adult gobbler (or gobbler with a 6-inch beard) per day, 3 per spring season.
Turkey season closed. Spring 2027 opens Mar 15.
Wild Turkey Stamp required for hunters 16 and older on private and public land.
per MDWFP · verified 2026-10-22
Mourning Dove
CLOSED
Season DatesNorth Zone: Sept 5 – Oct 4, Oct 24 – Nov 22, and Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 24, 2027.
Bag Limit:15 per day; 45 in possession.
Dove season closed.
HIP required.
per MDWFP · verified 2026-10-22
Season dates shown are for Hills Deer Management Unit private lands. WMA dates, license requirements, and antlerless regulations may differ. Always verify current regulations with MDWFP before hunting.
Report a Season Update
First Look
Starkville Hunting Weather Now
52F
Clear
Feels like 52°F
as of 8:15 AM ET
Wind
5 mph NNW
Humidity
81%
Pressure
1023 hPa
Moon
Waxing Gibbous
Location
Starkville, MS
Field Scout Tips
- Deer season is open — focus today's hunt on deer.
- Cool temps in the optimal range — deer are on their feet. Expect movement throughout shooting hours.
- Calm winds are ideal for scent control. Play the wind carefully — enter and exit your stand downwind.
- High humidity (81%) intensifies scent. Spray down thoroughly and hunt with wind in your face.
Solunar Index
Starkville Hunt Conditions Today
Temperature
52°F
Optimal
Wind Speed
5 mph
Ideal — Calm
Barometric
1023 hPa
High — Active
Moon Phase
🌔
Fair
Extended Outlook
Starkville Hunt Forecast — 5 Days
TODAY
Sunny
81° / 47°
5 mph wind
FAIR
FRI
Sunny
80° / 46°
3 mph wind
FAIR
SAT
Sunny
76° / 45°
3 mph wind
FAIR
SUN
Sunny
75° / 45°
3 mph wind
GOOD
MON
Mostly Sunny
75° / 46°
3 mph wind
GOOD
Public Hunting Lands
Starkville Mississippi Wildlife Management Areas
1 public hunting area near Starkville. Check the state wildlife agency maps and rules for each property before you go.
Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Whitetail Deer
Wild Turkey
Waterfowl
Small Game
Hunting is allowed in designated refuge areas during state seasons for small game, deer, waterfowl and turkey.
Hunters 16–64 need the North Mississippi Refuge Complex permit (#606) plus a state license.
Field Tip
Read the refuge's public use regulations and map first.
Did We Miss a Spot?
Know a Starkville-area hunting land, WMA, or public access parcel that should be on this list? Let us know.
Report a Hunting SpotCommunity Reviews
Starkville Hunting Reviews
Share Your Hunt
Hunted a Starkville-area WMA or private land? Tell us about it in 280 characters or fewer.
Community
Here We...
Bag Them Big...
Trophy harvests, personal bests, and record-book moments from Starkville hunters.
Don't Drink by the Swig...
Your favorite post-hunt watering hole. Where do you go when the hunt is done?
Coverage
Starkville Hunting News
Local — Starkville and Golden Triangle
Mississippi
Official
Starkville hunting
No new Starkville-area hunting stories this week. Check current Mississippi hunting rules from the state wildlife agency, and watch this page for the next local report.
More at Outdoor Sports
Fishing, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Starkville and Golden Triangle, MS
Outfitters and Gear
Hunting Gear Guide
Gear reviews and picks for the Starkville hunter — boots, optics, packs, and more.
Gear Reviews — Tested for Golden Triangle, MS Hunting
As an Amazon Associate, HERE earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change.
Icotec Nomad+ Programmable Predator Call/Decoy Combo with Bluetooth - 165 Professional Sound…
Decoy
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Icotec Nomad+ Programmable Predator Call/Decoy Combo with Bluetooth - 165 Professional Sound….
$13.99
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
ATN Thor 5 Smart HD Thermal Scope w/Ultra Sensative Gen 5 Sensor, Video Rec, Built in LRF, B…
Optic / Scope
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. ATN Thor 5 Smart HD Thermal Scope w/Ultra Sensative Gen 5 Sensor, Video Rec, Built in LRF, B….
$1676.85
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
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Pulsar Trail 3 LRF Thermal Riflescope with Laser Range Finder and Mount
Laser Rangefinder
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Pulsar Trail 3 LRF Thermal Riflescope with Laser Range Finder and Mount.
$2899.97
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
Garmin inReach® Mini 3, Rugged Compact Global Satellite Communicator with Color Touchscreen,…
GPS / Navigation
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Garmin inReach® Mini 3, Rugged Compact Global Satellite Communicator with Color Touchscreen,….
$399.99
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars
Laser Rangefinder
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars.
$799.00
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
TACTACAM Reveal X PRO Cellular Trail Camera, Verizon and AT&T, NO Glow, Integrated GPS Track…
Trail Camera
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. TACTACAM Reveal X PRO Cellular Trail Camera, Verizon and AT&T, NO Glow, Integrated GPS Track….
$99.99
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
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Learn About Gear AdvertisingHills Deer Management Unit Key Dates
MS Hunting Season Calendar
Oct 1 – Nov 20, 2026
Archery Deer
Either sex on private land, open public land and Holly Springs National Forest.
Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Youth Gun Deer
Either sex on private land.
Nov 21 – Dec 1, 2026
Gun Deer (with dogs)
Either sex on private land; legal bucks only on open public land.
Dec 2 – 15, 2026
Primitive Weapon Deer
Dec 16 – 23, 2026
Gun Deer (without dogs)
Dec 24, 2026 – Jan 20, 2027
Gun Deer (with dogs)
Jan 21 – 31, 2027
Archery/Primitive Weapon Deer
Mar 15 – May 2, 2027
Spring Turkey
Youth Mar 8–14. Wild Turkey Stamp required.
Sep 5 – Oct 4; Oct 24 – Nov 22; Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 24, 2027
Dove (North Zone)
15 per day.
Nov 27 – 29; Dec 4 – 6; Dec 9, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Ducks, Mergansers and Coots
6 ducks per day. Youth/veterans/military days Feb 6–7.
Oct 1, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
Squirrel (fall)
8 per day. Youth Sept 24–30; spring May 15 – June 1 (4 per day).
Oct 17, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
Rabbit
8 per day.
Nov 26, 2026 – Mar 7, 2027
Bobwhite Quail
8 per day.
Dates reflect 2026 Mississippi hunting regulations for Hills Deer Management Unit. Always verify with the current MDWFP Hunting and Fishing Guide. Regulations are subject to change.
Questions and Answers
Starkville Hunting FAQ
Common questions about hunting in the Starkville area, answered.
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Starkville (Oktibbeha County, Hills Unit): archery Oct 1 – Nov 20, 2026; gun with dogs Nov 21 – Dec 1; primitive weapon Dec 2–15; gun without dogs Dec 16–23; gun with dogs Dec 24 – Jan 20, 2027; archery/primitive Jan 21–31.
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Near Starkville, the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge allows hunting in designated areas during state seasons.
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Yes. Mississippi requires a hunting license; turkey hunters 16 and older also need the Wild Turkey Stamp, and WMAs need a WMA user permit. Buy from MDWFP online, by phone or at a vendor.
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Sunday hunting rules in Mississippi vary by land type and local ordinance. Verify with MDWFP and Oktibbeha County before hunting on Sunday.
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1 antlered buck per day, 3 per season. Hills Unit legal buck: 10-inch inside spread or 13-inch main beam.
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Bear hunting in Mississippi is regulated by MDWFP. Bear populations and seasons vary by Game Zone. Check the current MDWFP hunting guide for bear zones and tags relevant to Oktibbeha County.
HUNTING NEWS NEAR STARKVILLE MS
Hunting coverage from the 10 closest HERE cities.