What is a Draw Hunt?

WMA Draw Hunts are limited-entry hunting opportunities provided on Mississippi’s Wildlife Management Areas to manage hunter numbers, improve hunt quality, and sustain wildlife populations. Hunters apply online before a set deadline, and winners are selected in a randomized lottery to receive a permit for specific dates and locations. These controlled hunts help the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) balance conservation goals with providing fair access to the state’s public hunting lands.

Application Periods

  • Turkey - February 21st to February 28th
  • Deer - August 1st to August 31st
  • Early Teal - August 1st to August 15th
  • Rabbit - August 1st to August 31st
  • Dove - August 1st to August 15th
  • Youth Dove - August 1st to August 15th
  • Waterfowl (All Draw Periods) - October 1 - October 15

License Requirements: 

All hunters (including under 16, over 65, and handicap) applying for a WMA draw hunt must possess a current valid WMA User Permit, lifetime hunting license, or a youth/senior exempt license to apply for a WMA Draw Hunt.

How to Apply for WMA Draws

Applying for WMA Draws
  1. Login to MDWFP License System
    1. If you do not already have an account, you may create one here  
    2. Secure any prerequisites necessary for your desired application.
      1. Notice: WMA Draws require a WMA User Permit
  2. Go to the Draw Opportunities tab within the license catalog
  3. Scroll to your desired Draw Hunt opportunity and select "Add to Cart"
  4. Select your hunt choices
    1. You may select as many as 5 hunts.
    2. Select hunts in order of preference, with Selection #1 being your top priority. 
    3. If drawn, the system will evaluate your choices in order of Selection (#1 to #5) and award the first hunt with an available slot. 
    4. Once selections are made, click "Add to Cart"
  5. Check Out
    1. Select the shopping cart icon in the top right of your screen
    2. Review your selections
    3. Once satisfied, select "Complete Transaction" to finalize your application.

When your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive an email confirmation and an inbox notification. 

 

You may go back and edit your WMA Draw Application at any time by:

  1. Selecting Draws in your profile menu
  2. Click Edit Choices on the application you wish to edit.
  3. Once you are done editing, resubmit your application.
Applying with a Partner

Method One:

  1. Submitted applications are assigned a Group ID number. 
    1. The Group ID number can be found on the application receipt and under "Draws" in the License System. 
  2. The initial application will need to share the Group ID number with their partner.
  3. The partner will then login to his or her account, head to the "Draw Opportunities" tab in the license catalog, and select "Join Draw Group".
  4. The partner will then enter the primary applicant's last name (making him or her the Group Leader) and the Group ID number to join the applicant as a partner.

 

Method Two:

  1. Select Draws in your profile menu.
  2. Select Edit Group for your intended application
  3. Select Invite Member
    1. You will need your partner's identification number (MDWFP Customer ID Number or Driver's License Number), date of birth, and last name
    2. Once entered, your partner will then receive an email invitation and a message in their profile inbox.
  4. Your partner will then need to login to his or her License System profile.
  5. Within the inbox, there will be a message where he or she will have the opportunity to accept the invitation to join the Draw Application.

Draw Results

Turkey Draw results are scheduled to go out the week of March 3. You will be notified by both e-mail and a message in the licensing system of your draw results.

Permits are non-transferrable.

Guests

The drawn hunter may have one non-permitted, licensed guest 16 years of age or older. This guest is not allowed to harvest deer or turkey, but may participate in the hunt (i.e. calling, etc.).

YOUTH: For selected hunters 21 years old or older, one youth aged 15 years old or younger may accompany or hunt with the permitted adult hunter. The adult and youth combined harvest shall not exceed the permit bag limit.

WMA Draw Hunt Stats

The following summary of WMA draw hunts for recent hunting seasons has been compiled using actual numbers of applications and available hunting opportunities. The total number of available draw hunt opportunities are determined on a year-to-year basis by Wildlife Bureau biologists based upon numerous factors including but not limited to: hunter participation, the geography and topography of a given WMA, habitat conditions, observed game populations, and other factors which impact habitat and wildlife management decisions.

More Information

Hunting Rules
General Hunting Rules & Regulations

Gear up for the hunt with our general rules and regulations—your quick guide to a safe and successful outdoor experience.

Caston Creek
Wildlife Management Areas

Looking for a place to hunt? MDWFP has more than 50 Wildlife Management Areas across the state that are open to hunting.

Hunter Education Class
Hunter Education

Any person born after January 1, 1972, must complete a hunter education course to legally hunt in Mississippi.