Several seasons open, more coming

Southeast Zone archery, statewide rabbit hunting begin next week

Unless you strictly hunt waterfowl, Mississippi now offers a little bit of everything for hunters — deer, small game and upland and shoreline birds — with more opportunities rapidly approaching.

Already open are the:

* archery season for deer in the Hill and Delta Zones.

* statewide squirrel season.

* second dove season in both the North and South Zones.

* gallinule and rail seasons statewide

* and, the raccoon season for food and sport.

Over the next few weeks, we will be able to add:

* Oct. 15, the archery season on deer in the Southeast Zone.

* Oct. 15, the fall turkey season in 24 counties.

* Oct. 18, the statewide rabbit season.

While the duck season does not open until late November, the drawing process for limited hunts at the Mississippi Wildlife Management Areas begins in October. The process involves four drawing periods, each about a month ahead of when the permits will be in effect. The first draw period will be open Oct. 20-Nov. 16 during which permits will be available for the Nov. 27-Dec. 14 period. For more information on waterfowl draws, visit http://mdwfp.com/media/203344/2013-14_draw_hunt_info_and_dates.pdf.