JACKSON — Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Commissioners heard a proposed rule which would change some of the language for the special velvet deer season Thursday. The changes updates the three day season for 2024 and allows for the expansion of the velvet season to public lands. 

MDWFP Deer Program Coordinator William McKInley presented the rule changes proposal Thursday afternoon. Mississippi’s September Velvet Season will enter a third season this fall. 

It is an archery only, buck only deer season held over three days in September. Deer harvested during velvet season must be submitted for CWD sampling. McKinley said the season will be Sept. 13 to Sept. 15 this year. 

“Added in the language is the season will be open on private lands and authorized state and federal lands,” McKinley said. “We had a request to allow for the hunt to be on public lands. It could be allowed if they so choose.” 

Language was added to include the use of fluorescent pink as a substitute for hunters orange during gun season. McKinley said they added language to remind people that spotted fawns could not be killed. 

A rule change for the bag limits in the southeastern deer management unit would allow for three antlerless deer to be killed each year instead of two. 

“This change comes after recommendations from Hunters and biologists,” McKinley said. “We wanted to be conservative in our management. Reproduction is limited. Soil fertility is not as great down there.” 

Commissioners accepted the rule proposal. A 30 day public comment period will now be open and hunters can comment on the rule changes on MDWFP.com under the rules page.