JACKSON — Small game hunting seasons ending on February 28 will have a two day extension similar to the 2024-2025 deer season. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Commissioners voted to approve the extension Wednesday morning.

Russ Walsh, Wildlife Bureau Chief of Staff, said the item was placed on the agenda because February 28 falls on a Friday and state statute allows the commission to extend all hunting seasons if they fall on a Friday to that Sunday, with the exception of Waterfowl seasons. MDWFP staff made the recommendation for the season to be extended and the Commission voted unanimously to extend the season to Sunday, March 2.

Commissioners voted unanimously to extend deer season last month.

Readers should note that squirrel and rabbit seasons were not extended to February 29th during the leap year in 2024. Legislation currently in the Mississippi legislature would automatically extend hunting seasons if they fall on a Friday with the exception of waterfowl seasons. Waterfowl season dates are set by the Federal government.

Rabbit, squirrel, possum, bobcat and raccoon hunting seasons ending on February 28, 2025 are extended to March 2, 2025 according to the commission’s vote. The season extension applies only to private lands.