Jake McCullough watched intently as a mature buck strode into sight and range during last year’s rut. The buck hesitated for a moment and gave young Jake time to raise his rifle and center the crosshairs on the buck.
“Tic-Boom!” Jake’s rifle belched fire and smoke and the buck collapsed in an instant and was dead on arrival before the rifle echo had subsided. The Lincoln County buck sported a wide rack with 10 points and weighed in at 209 pounds. It was the young hunter’s best buck to date.
“We had a lot of bucks ands does in our area of Lincoln County last year,” said Shane McCullough, Jake’s dad. “And by the looks of it we didn’t even put a dent in the herd as we have really been seeing an explosion in the deer herd. We are getting pictures of does dropping little ones and the fawns following the mamas around pretty regularly now.”
Looking forward to the season
McCullough is expecting another banner year.
“Several of the good bucks we passed on last year have got another year of growth and maturity,” he said. “We had one good 10-point that was 5 ½ to 6 years old last year and he’s back again and he has put on a lot of antler mass and has just gotten bigger.
“This season there is going to be an abundance of persimmons and that’s usually a magnet for bucks and does during bow season, and we are expecting another good year in the pin oak trees too.”
Last year, McCullough and his two sons all harvested trophy bucks and they’re expecting another good year as they are already seeing a lot of bucks and does on their game cameras in southwest Mississippi. If their area is any indication, then the rest of the state should have another solid year as well.
Upcoming deer seasons
Delta, North Central, and Hills Deer Management Units
Special Velvet Season: Sept. 15 – 17 Legal Bucks Only. Special permit, mandatory reporting, and CWD sampling required. Private Land Only.
Sept. 30- Nov. 17 Either-Sex on private land, open public land, and Holly Springs NF
Youth Season (15 and under)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 17 Either-Sex on private lands and authorized state and federal lands.
Nov. 18 – Jan. 31 Either-Sex on private lands.
On open public lands, youth must follow below legal deer criteria.
Antlerless Primitive Weapon Nov. 6 – 17 Antlerless Deer Only on private lands.
Gun (with dogs) Nov. 18 – Dec. 1
Either-Sex on private land and Holly Springs NF.
Legal Bucks only on open public land.
Primitive Weapon Dec. 2 – 15 Either-Sex on private land, open public land, and Holly Springs NF.
Weapon of choice may be used on private land with an appropriate license.
Gun (without dogs) Dec. 16 – 23 Either-Sex on private land and Holly Springs NF.
Legal Bucks only on open public land.
Gun (with dogs) Dec. 24 – Jan. 17
Either-Sex on private land and Holly Spring NF.
Legal Bucks only on open public land.
Archery/Primitive Weapon Jan. 18 – 31 Either-Sex on private land and Holly Springs NF. Legal Bucks only on open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with an appropriate license.
Southeast Unit
Archery
Sept. 15 – 17 Legal Bucks Only. Special permit, mandatory reporting, and CWD sample.
Oct. 14 – Nov. 17 Either-Sex on private and open public land.
Youth Season (15 and under)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 17 Either-Sex on private lands and authorized state and federal lands.
Nov. 18 – Feb. 15 Either-Sex on private lands.
On open public lands, youth must follow below legal deer criteria.
Gun (with dogs) Nov. 18 – Dec. 1 Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land.
Primitive Weapon Dec. 2 – 15 Either-Sex on private and open public land.
Weapon of choice may be used on private land with an appropriate license.
Gun (without dogs) Dec. 16 – 23 Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land.
Gun (with dogs) Dec. 24 – Jan. 17 Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land.
Archery/Primitive Weapon Jan. 18 – 31 Either-Sex on private land. Legal Bucks only on open public land.
Weapon of choice may be used on private land with an appropriate license.
Feb. 1 – 15 Legal Bucks only on private and open public land.
Weapon of choice may be used on private land with an appropriate license.
Be the first to comment