Mississippi
Low Mississippi River Barge Disruptions: Effects on Grain Barge Movement, Basis, and Fertilizer Prices – farmdoc daily
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A multi-year drought starting in late-summer 2020 has led to file low ranges within the Mississippi Basin. The Mississippi River stage in Memphis, Tennessee, fell to a file of –10.79 toes on Oct 17[2], beneath the earlier low set in July 1988. As river ranges fall, barge operators should scale back the draft, and thus the load of every barge. As well as, because the channels slim, operators should additionally scale back the dimensions of the tow (the variety of barges lashed collectively). A method channel operation or perhaps a full river closure additionally additional scale back the efficient capability of the river system, slowing the variety of turns a barge could make and limiting the amount it may possibly carry. This in fact will increase the price of transportation down the Mississippi River System. The aim of this text is to establish the financial results of the low Mississippi River disruption on farmer output and enter costs, with specific examination of the dynamics in foundation and Gulf vs inland value variations.
Source: Authors’ calculations utilizing information from USDA-AMS
Traditionally barge charges have hovered round $20 per a ton. At first of September, because the Mississippi River started to fall to file low ranges and closures and disruptions began to mount, barge charges quickly started growing upwards. The St. Louis barge spot price hit a file $106 per ton in the course of the week of Oct 11. This spot price had eased barely in the course of the second week of October, nevertheless picked up as soon as once more throughout the latest week of Oct 25 rising to $88 per ton. Ahead charges for barges have additionally picked up, however not as excessive because the spot charges, that means a number of the merchants that locked in forwarded contracts main up the river closures could have been partially shielded from the surging spot charges. At present the 1 month contract at St. Louis is $59 per ton whereas the three month is at $34 per ton—whereas these charges are a lot greater than earlier years, they’re additionally a lot decrease than the present spot charges suggesting there could also be some expectation that spot charges could ease over the upcoming months.
Variety of Grain Barges and Tonnage Motion Down in September and October
Grain barge actions are very unstable and it’s tough to evaluate the impacts of the low Mississippi points. In USDA-AMS barge motion information we observe that the variety of grain barges being unloaded in New Orleans by means of September and October had been down considerably, roughly 20-30 p.c decrease than current years. The slowdown throughout this era coincides with river closures (McWhirter, 2022) and restrictions on barge corporations that lowered the bar tow, usually 30-40 barges to 25 (Kennedy, 2022). Tonnage motion has been even weaker. Because the starting of September, tonnage going by means of Mississippi Lock-27, Ohio Lock-52, and Arkansas Lock-1 had been down considerably, greater than 40 p.c decrease than current years. The extra important decline noticed in tonnage could be in step with experiences of how barges have been compelled to cut back draft. Sometimes, barges are loaded to a 11-12 foot draft in the course of the fall, however corporations began imposing 9-foot barge draft restrictions in October, which might result in a discount of 10,000-15,000 bushels per barge (Wicks, 2022).
Tonnage seems to have picked up in early October following experiences of river reopening and easing of backlogs (Cavaliere, 2022), however the latest report (week of October 22, 2022), slowed down once more relative to the three 12 months common. We be aware that it isn’t straightforward to establish the impacts of the low Mississippi river points on grain barge actions. As an example, whereas we do see a big slowdown in September, the slowing tempo began declining again in August previous to the surge in barge charges. There may very well be different components resulting in the decrease barge motion, equivalent to grain provide and demand situations. In later sections of this text, we are going to focus extra of our evaluation on foundation results to establish the affect of the disruptions.
Source: Authors’ calculations utilizing information from USDA. Word 2021 not included as a consequence of Hurricane Ida disruption.
Source: Authors’ calculations utilizing information from USDA. Word 2021 not included as a consequence of Hurricane Ida disruption. USDA-AMS barge motion information relies on U.S. Military Core of Engineers info. The U.S. Military Corps of Engineers has just lately migrated its lock and vessel database and has famous the newest information could also be revised in coming weeks.
Source: Authors’ calculations utilizing information from USDA
The barge disruptions come at a very unhealthy time for U.S. soybeans. We’re at the moment in the important thing seasonal interval to export soybeans (60% of our exports happens in the course of the October-January window). The overwhelming majority of U.S. soybean exports get shipped out by means of the Gulf port, 94% of which depend on the Mississippi River barge system to get to Louisiana (Munch, 2022). Different transportation choices down the Gulf, equivalent to rail, are constrained and are available at the next price.
Newest grain export inspection information exhibits a normal slowdown within the current tempo of grain exports. Soybean exports had been significantly sluggish within the month of September. Exports picked up in October, however had been nonetheless usually down relative to the three 12 months common. Notably gulf exports have been down in current weeks whereas exports from non-Gulf ports have been up considerably. We be aware that U.S. grain exports face a number of headwinds that embrace each a robust greenback and tighter home provides. As an example, the newest October WASDE lower soybean, corn, and wheat exports (USDA-OCE, 2022). The barge concern just isn’t the principle issue behind the weaker export outlook; nevertheless, it’s going to amplify the challenges if the low Mississippi River issues don’t enhance.
Impacts on Foundation—Excessive Divergence Between Gulf and Inside Money Costs
For farmers, a key concern of the low Mississippi River points is the affect it’s having on the premise—the distinction between the worth paid to producers in a neighborhood market and the worth of close by futures contracts listed on the Chicago Board of Commerce (CBOT). A transportation disruption such because the one we’re experiencing now will weaken the premise if it will increase cargo price (both by means of greater barge charges or forcing native elevators to make use of various costlier cargo choices), main purchasers to cut back their money market bids.
Source: Authors’ calculations utilizing information from Bloomberg
Sometimes, right now of 12 months, inland soybean money costs alongside the river carry a foundation of -20 cents per bushel. The Gulf all the time carries a premium relative to Chicago given its export location; traditionally the Gulf foundation hovers round +60 cents per bushel right now of 12 months. The idea within the Gulf and inside markets had been each elevated by means of the summer season, seemingly as a consequence of anticipated sturdy export demand. Since August, soybean foundation within the inside markets sharply deteriorated. Foundation usually falls as we method harvest (traditionally about 30-40 cents per bushel from August to finish of September); nevertheless, this decline was a lot sharper than ordinary—a swing of roughly $2 per bushel in inside foundation and coinciding with the disruption alongside the river and surging barge charges. In distinction the soybean foundation within the Gulf remained sturdy and surged additional reaching a file $3 per bushel, subsiding extra just lately to $2.25 per bushel. The Mississippi River points have led to an excessive divergence between the Gulf and the inland foundation alongside the river, ($3 per bushel), a mirrored image of the excessive price of getting grain down the river and the sturdy premium available on the Gulf.
The affect on corn foundation has been related however much less extreme than soybeans. Corn is comparatively much less dependent upon exports (16% of U.S. manufacturing exported vs 43% for soybeans). Relative to corn, there may be extra advertising and marketing alternatives for ethanol and feed that aren’t accessible to soybeans. Additional, whereas soybeans are heading in the direction of the height cargo season, that is usually the low level of the 12 months of corn shipments out of the Gulf. Nonetheless, we’re nonetheless seeing excessive divergence between the corn foundation and inland markets. Corn foundation within the Gulf reached nearly $2 per bushel, the best foundation since 2000. At present the distinction between Gulf and inland foundation is $2 per bushel.
Source: Authors’ calculations utilizing information from Bloomberg and USDA
In idea, adjustments within the spatial variation in foundation mirror localized disturbances, whereby a transportation shock affecting one area ought to instantly transmit to a widening foundation proportionally to the dimensions of the price (e.g. barge price). Nevertheless, there could also be incomplete go by means of from the upper transportation prices if there are various choices of transportation. After we line up the current traits in barge charges, we discover that the surges instantly corresponds to the widening degree of Gulf vs inland foundation. For soybeans and corn, we are able to see that the distinction within the foundation between the gulf and at St. Louis was roughly $20 per mt previous to the low Mississippi concern—roughly the identical degree as St. Louis barge price. The truth is, we are able to see that the Gulf-St. Louis soybean & corn unfold strikes lock step with the Mississippi Barge price at St. Louis. In September, following the river closures we see that the magnitude of the Gulf-St. Louis unfold tracks the St. Louis barge price nearly precisely. At present each the soybean and corn Gulf-St. Louis foundation unfold is at roughly $90/MT, nearly precisely the present barge price, indicating roughly a 100% go by means of in barge price costs. We observe that for markets additional away from the Mississippi river, the Gulf premium is much less associated to the barge price actions. As an example, the gulf premium relative to Northwest Iowa was comparatively secure by means of September, reflecting this area’s weaker dependence upon the Mississippi distribution channel.
Source: Authors’ calculations utilizing information from Geograin
We could observe from the premise maps above that the Gulf to Inland value variations are fairly stark in comparison with final October, the place all inland markets have costs a lot weaker this 12 months. The 2022 maps present Gulf to Inland value variations are significantly weak alongside the Mississippi river, with money costs within the decrease Mississippi river space being quoted at a $3 per bushel low cost relative to Gulf for soybeans and $2.50 per bushel low cost for corn. Areas alongside the higher Mississippi river are additionally promoting at steep low cost, however barely much less extreme than within the decrease parts. In distinction, Gulf to Inland value variations tends to be much less extreme in Central and Western Iowa in addition to Northern Illinois, seemingly as a result of decrease affect of the river on foundation and the supply of extra home crushing amenities, ethanol crops, and feed mills. Market indicators from the appreciable low cost to the Gulf means that rail and trucking choices come at severely costlier degree if not price prohibitive.
The final time we expertise the same degree of weakened foundation was in the course of the U.S. China Commerce conflict (Adjemian et al. 2019). Retaliatory tariffs imposed in the course of the summer season of 2018 by China on broad vary of agricultural commodities, together with a 25% responsibility on soybeans, had led to break down of export demand. Much like what we’re experiencing now, there was a extreme deterioration in soybean foundation, nevertheless again then the PNW area was way more affected. What’s completely different this time round is that the premise weakening is concentrated alongside the Mississippi river, and moreover there was a notable surge within the Gulf foundation. The idea divergence with the Gulf clearly softens the additional away we get from the Mississippi. As we are able to see above, the premise is holding up higher within the Dakotas, which has higher entry to the Pacific Northwest export routes. Inland areas of Kansas and Nebraska are faring higher together with Japanese manufacturing areas of america that don’t depend upon the Mississippi river.
Larger Enter Costs Upriver
The Mississippi river points can also be resulting in challenges for fertilizers and different inputs which might be shipped up river from the Gulf. Proper now just isn’t essentially a pivotal time for fertilizer imports from the Gulf. Most nitrogen fertilizer is imported by means of the spring and overwhelming majority of potash will get railed in from Canada; nevertheless a good portion of imported DAP & MAP fertilizer is required by means of the autumn. Roughly 25-40% of U.S. consumption of DAP & MAP strikes by means of the Mississippi; a few third of urea consumption. Much like grains, we’ve seen an rising disconnect in costs inside and the Gulf, with greater costs upriver relative to down river. Whereas DAP costs quoted out of the Gulf have fallen $30-$40 per mt since September, value upriver have elevated $10-$30 per mt. Urea Gulf costs have fallen by about $100 per mts, whereas costs up river have fallen by solely half that. This widening value premium recommend farmers could also be paying $50 extra per mt than what they might have been paying earlier than the barge disruption concern. We be aware the quantity is analogous in magnitude to the dimensions of the widening Gulf premium for soybeans and corn.
Source: Authors’ calculations utilizing information from Inexperienced Markets
Lord Prepared and the Creek Don’t Rise
When will the state of affairs normalize? We might count on the disruption to ease as rains begin filling the depleted river. It isn’t clear when this may happen, however we do we expect it’s useful to be aware of the seasonality of the river’s levels.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
File-Low Mississippi River Phases Set in October 2022
Gauge Location | 2022 Minimal Stage | Earlier File and Date |
New Madrid, Missouri | -5.51 toes on October 15 | -5.32 toes on August 30, 2012 |
Caruthersville, Missouri | -1.82 toes on October 16 | -0.82 foot on August 30, 2012 |
Osceola, Arkansas | -11.66 toes on October 17 | -10.30 toes on July 11, 1988 |
Memphis, Tennessee | -10.79 toes on October 17 | -10.70 toes on July 10, 1988 |
Greenville, Mississippi | +5.26 toes on October 24 | +6.70 toes on January 4, 1964 |
October is the seasonal low of the Mississippi and this 12 months it has reached file lows. The Mississippi River stage at Memphis, Tennessee, has fallen to -5.00 toes or beneath in 23 particular person years since 1954 – about as soon as per 3 years. A few of these low ranges have occurred in “couplets,” with drought within the autumn of first 12 months being adopted by drought- and ice-lowered ranges early within the second 12 months.
Based on seasonal patterns, the Mississippi rises by means of the winter after which picks up considerably with spring rain and snowmelt. Traditionally, river flows are sometimes lowest in autumn, however these minima could be pushed into the winter if 1) drought persists and a couple of) chilly climate locks up water within the higher a part of the basin as a consequence of ice formation. Nevertheless, within the absolute worst-case situation, the river will most actually need to rise by March. An annual minimal degree beneath -5.00 toes at Memphis has by no means occurred after February 7; the low for 1977 occurred on that date with a stage of -6.00 toes. So, whereas we’re all hoping to obtain adequate rain a lot earlier than then, on the very least, there’s a backstop (no later than March 2023) to this worst-case situation. Nevertheless, this may increasingly present little consolation to farmers, significantly soybean producers, as Spring would be the time Brazil begins ramping up its soybean exports; additional, even when the rivers rise, the backlog in delivery could take a while to unwind.
Source: Authors’ calculations utilizing information from america Geological Survey
Month of Mississippi River Low-Water Phases Beneath -5.0 Toes in Memphis
July | 1988 |
August | 2005, 2006 |
September | 1976, 2002, 2012 |
October | 1991, 1999, 2007, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2022 |
November | 1987 |
December | 1980, 2008 |
January | 1956, 1964, 1981, 2000, 2001 |
February | 1977, 2003 |
Abstract
The file low Mississippi river has led to a extreme disruption within the barge transportation system very important for the cargo of grains and farm inputs. Barge charges have turn into extraordinarily elevated. The variety of grain barges and tonnage motion despatched all the way down to the Gulf have been decrease in September and October. We proceed to look at an excessive divergence between the Gulf and areas alongside the river, with Gulf premiums fetching file premiums of $3 per bushel for soybeans and $2.50 per bushel for corn or $50 per MT. This rise in Gulf premiums (or deteriorating inland costs) follows very carefully the surge in barge charges, with nearly full pass-through from a number of the noticed greater charges to widening Gulf-Inland spreads. Soybean foundation within the Low Mississippi area has deteriorated probably the most severely, adopted by the Higher Mississippi; foundation adjustments ease transferring away from the river. Imported inputs, equivalent to DAP, MAP, and urea fertilizers have additionally turn into extra expensive, promoting at an extra premium relative to Gulf upwards of $50 per metric ton. Farmers, significantly these inside the draw of Mississippi River, are more likely to proceed to face decrease grain money costs and better fertilizer costs within the close to time period that will be anticipated to be eased by no later than early Spring.
Notes
[1] The findings and conclusions on this article are these of the authors and do symbolize the U.S. Division of Agriculture.
[2] a zero datum worth for a river gauge just isn’t essentially referenced to the depth of the riverbed, and is usually referenced to a different acknowledged datum.
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Mississippi
Vicksburg’s Raymond Elledge set to enter Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame – The Vicksburg Post
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Vicksburg’s Raymond Elledge set to enter Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame
Published 4:30 pm Tuesday, September 3, 2024
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During two decades of playing disc golf, Raymond Elledge has only won one big tournament.
“I don’t even remember what year it was,” he said.
Nonetheless, Elledge is a legend in the sport in Mississippi. He’s worked tirelessly to maintain courses, been a member of several local and state players associations, and taught people young and old the joys of it. That level of dedication led to Elledge’s recent election to the Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame. He’ll officially be inducted Oct. 12 in Starkville.
“When he first told me last year I was nominated, I told him, ‘Man, you’re making my heart hurt.’ You don’t realize the emotions you can get. Stuff can just tear you up, and it did because I was just so excited,” the 62-year-old Vicksburg resident said. “You go years and years, and you’re out here busting your butt trying to maintain the course and showing everybody what you can.”
Disc golf is played the same as traditional golf, except with plastic discs that resemble frisbees. Players take aim at a steel basket several hundred yards away, with the goal of getting it in there in as few throws as possible.
Elledge first played disc golf in 2002, on a private course built in the backyard of Vicksburg resident Herman Cochran. One of the people playing with Elledge made a hole-in-one, and the excitement over the feat hooked him instantly.
“I seen this little old fella, he was 21 or 22 but he looked like he was 12, and he made an ace. I was hooked. I’ve got to do it,” Elledge said. “I don’t go anywhere on vacation without taking my disc golf bag. I just love the game.”
Elledge added that the simplicity of the sport is something he enjoys. A starter kit of three discs — a driver, mid-range disc and putter, all of which have different densities and flight characteristics — can be purchased for about $25.
The courses are easily found at many parks in Mississippi. There is an 18-hole course at Halls Ferry Park. Players of all ages and shapes can play it as long as they can walk the course. Elledge had quadruple bypass heart surgery eight years ago and playing disc golf helps him stay in shape.
“It’s something anybody can do,” he said. “I’ve trained kids from 5 to 50, and the oldest one I’ve helped train to play this game is 71 years old now. He still comes out and plays. This is a sport that any age can play.“
With his passion for disc golf comes a sense of responsibility. He’s helped clear brush around parts of the Halls Ferry Park course to keep it playable, and done the same while working with associations like the Vicksburg Disc Golf Association and Jackson Union of Disc Golf Enthusiasts.
He’s also eager to teach the game to newcomers.
“I’ve never quit teaching how to play the game,” he said. “They used to have something called the World’s Biggest Disc Golf Weekend and I won it three years in a row. What it is, is whoever takes the most players out to a certain disc golf course gets the T-shirt and a disc.”
His service to the sport led to a nomination for the Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame in 2023, but he didn’t make the final cut. This year he did, and he said it was better than winning any tournament.
“You play a lot of tournaments. You do a whole lot for the sport itself, such as numerous work days working on the course to maintain it. Teaching the kids and when we have tournaments helping move baskets around to new spots,” Elledge said. “Then somebody will nominate you and there’s a lot of votes from the clubs. If you get enough votes from everybody you’re in. You find out how much you’re appreciated by everybody for all that you’ve done.”
Mississippi
Arizona State vs Mississippi State picks, odds: Who wins Week 2 college football game?
Arizona State forces 3 turnovers in win over Wyoming to start 2024
All offseason, coach Kenny Dillingham preached getting turnovers. Forty seconds into the season’s first game, the defense produced its first one.
The Arizona State Sun Devils host the Mississippi State Bulldogs in a Week 2 non-conference college football game on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.
Which team will win the game?
Check out these picks and predictions for the game, which is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. MST and can be seen on ESPN (stream with this free trial from FUBO).
Arizona State is coming off a 48-7 win against Wyoming. Mississippi State beat Eastern Kentucky in its season opener, 56-7.
ASU football is a 6.5-point favorite over Mississippi State in the game, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
The Sun Devils are -250 on the moneyline. The Bulldogs are +200.
The over/under for the game is set at 56.5 points.
This is the first meeting between the two college football programs.
Dimers.com: Arizona State 30, Mississippi State 24
It writes: “According to our analysis, Arizona State is more likely to beat Mississippi State in CFB action at Mountain America Stadium on Saturday.”
Sports Chat Place: Bet ASU football to cover vs Mississippi State
It writes: “I’m going with Arizona State. This should be a fun matchup though, and you could make a case either way. The Sun Devils posted 499 total yards (241 rushing), 7.0 yards per play, 27 first downs and no turnovers in their blowout win Saturday. Defensively they were great as well with 118 yards allowed (78 passing), eight first downs, three turnovers and a 3-of-13 rate on third downs.”
Arizona State football predictions: Game-by-game picks for Sun Devils in 2024 season
Picks and Parlays: Arizona State 35, Mississippi State 21
Cameron Ross writes: “Both teams come in a week two undefeated as each will look to continue to roll. Arizona State will have the edge however as they are on their home field and have a top tier defense. Look for the Sun Devils to keep it rolling as they pick up a win and cover at home against the SEC opponent.”
Clarion Ledger: Arizona State 27, Mississippi State 26
Sam Sklar writes: “This game kicks off at 9:30 p.m. CT against an Arizona State team that should be improved under second-year coach Kenny Dillingham. The Sun Devils offense averaged just 17.7 points per game in part due to injuries at quarterback and offensive line. Redshirt freshman transfer Sam Leavitt is ASU’s new quarterback.”
ASU football schedule: Dates, times, TV channels for Sun Devils’ 2024 season
ESPN: Sun Devils have a 56.5% chance to defeat Bulldogs in Week 2
The site’s matchup predictor gives Mississippi State a 43.5% chance to beat Arizona State at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Saturday.
STREAM THE GAME: Watch ASU football vs Mississippi State live with FUBO (free trial)
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Mississippi
Mississippi deer season 2024-25: Here’s what hunters need to know
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Up-to-date information on deer season 2024-25 in Mississippi including CWD, season dates, bag limits, antler restrictions and more.
Watch: Black bear family turns a tree and back porch into a jungle gym
It was playtime for a family of black bears in this North Carolina backyard.
Deer season is almost here and will kick off this month with the early, buck-only archery season followed by the traditional archery season in October then the early primitive weapon season and gun season in November. For thousands in Mississippi, it’s the most exciting time of the year.
But, as has been the case in many years, there have been some changes. Here’s what hunters need to know about chronic wasting disease, bag limits, harvest reporting and season dates for the 2024-25 deer season.
Deer hunting season dates
North Central, Delta and Hills deer management units
- Archery: Sept. 13-15, One legal buck. Special permit, mandatory reporting and CWD sampling required. Private land and authorized state and federal lands.
- Archery: Oct. 1-Nov. 22, Either sex on private land, open public land, and Holly Springs National Forest.
- Youth: Nov. 9-22, Either sex on private lands and authorized state and federal lands.
- Youth: Nov. 23-Jan. 31, Either sex on private lands. On open public lands, youth must follow below legal deer criteria.
- Antlerless primitive weapon: Nov. 11-22, Antlerless deer only on private lands.
- Gun with dogs: Nov. 23-Dec. 1, Either sex on private land and Holly Springs National Forest. Legal bucks only on open public land.
- Primitive weapon: Dec. 2-15, Either sex on private land, open public land, and Holly Springs National Forest. Weapons of choice may be used on private land with the appropriate license.
- Gun without dogs: Dec. 16-23, Either sex on private land and Holly Springs National Forest. Legal bucks only on open public land.
- Gun with dogs: Dec. 24-Jan.22, Either sex on private land and Holly Spring National Forest. Legal bucks only on open public land.
- Archery, primitive weapon: Jan. 23-31, Either sex on private land and Holly Springs National Forest. Legal bucks only on open public land. Weapons of choice may be used on private land with appropriate license.
Black bears in Mississippi: How many are there and how big do they grow?
Southeast Deer Management Unit
- Archery: Sept. 13-15, One legal buck. Special permit, mandatory reporting and CWD sampling required. Private land and authorized state and federal lands.
- Archery: Oct. 15-Nov. 22, Either sex on private or open public land.
- Youth: 15 years and under, Nov. 9-22, Either sex on private land and authorized state and federal land.
- Youth: 15 years and under, Nov. 23-Feb. 15, Either sex on private land. On open public land, youth must follow legal deer criteria.
- Gun with dogs: Nov. 23-Dec. 1, Either sex on private land. Legal bucks only on open public land.
- Primitive weapon: Dec. 2-15, Either sex on private or open public land. Weapons of choice may be used on private land with 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. 22, Either sex on private land. Legal bucks only on open public land.
- Archery, primitive weapon: Jan. 23-31, Either sex on private land. Legal bucks only on open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with the appropriate license.
- Archery, primitive weapon: Feb. 1-15, Legal bucks only on private and open public land. Weapon of choice may be used on private land with the appropriate license.
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Deer bag limits
- Delta DMU: The bag limit for antlered deer is one per day, three per annual season. The antlerless bag limit is five.
- Hills DMU: The bag limit for antlered deer is one per day, three per annual season. The antlerless bag limit is five.
- North Central DMU: The bag limit for antlered deer is one per day, four per annual season. The limit for antlerless deer is 10 on private lands.
- Southeast DMU: The bag limit for antlered deer is one per day, three per annual season. The bag limit for antlerless deer is one per day, three per annual season.
- U.S. Forest Service National Forests: The bag limit for antlered deer is one per day, three per annual season. The bag limit for antlerless deer is one per day, five per annual season except in the Southeast DMU where the antlerless limit is one per day, three per annual season.
Antler requirements
- Delta DMU: 12-inch inside spread or 15-inch main beam
- Hills DMU: 10-inch inside spread or 13-inch main beam
- North Central DMU: No antler restrictions apply to this zone. Hunters may harvest bucks with any hardened antler.
- Southeast DMU: 10-inch inside spread or 13-inch main beam
- Youth hunters: For youth hunters 15 years of age and younger, hunting on private land and authorized state and federal lands, all of the buck bag limit may be any antlered deer.
- Buck of choice: In the Delta, Hills and Southeast DMUs, hunters may harvest one buck that does not meet antler requirements on private land and Holly Springs National Forest.
- Public lands: Antler requirements vary among public lands. Hunters should check regulations for the specific public land they plan to hunt before hunting.
Blaze orange
Hunters have traditionally been required to wear 500 square inches of unbroken blaze orange while deer hunting as a safety measure, but this year they have an alternative. A bill passed in the 2024 Legislative session allows hunters to choose between blaze orange or pink.
CWD testing
Testing deer for CWD, a disease that is considered always fatal for deer, is not mandatory other than during the early archery season, but the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks urges hunters to provide tissue samples of harvested deer for testing.
According to the department, knowing where the disease exists and how prevalent it is helps in managing and slowing the spread of the disease.
Although there has been no known case of it spreading to humans, the CDC warns against consuming infected deer. So hunters should know if their deer is infected as well.
Since the disease was first detected in Mississippi in 2018, there have been 318 cases found in the state as of September 2024.
For convenience, MDWFP has provided freezers at locations across the state where hunters can leave deer heads with six inches of neck attached for testing. The agency has also partnered with a number of taxidermy businesses that will have deer tested at the customer’s request.
CWD management zones
Counties in CWD management zones have changed with some added and a zone added this year. Within these zones, special regulations are in place to slow the spread of the disease such as a supplemental feeding ban and carcass transportation restrictions.
North CWD Management Zone
The North CWD Management Zone includes all portions of the following counties:
- Alcorn County
- Benton County
- Desoto County
- Lafayette County
- Marshall County
- Panola County
- Prentiss County
- Tate County
- Tippah County
- Tishomingo County
- Union County
Portions of Coahoma, Quitman, and Tunica counties are also included and are defined as:
- Areas south of MS 4
- Areas east of Old Highway 61 to the intersection of US 49
- Areas east of US 49 to the intersection of US 278
- Areas north of US 278
- Areas west of MS 3
Issaquena CWD Management Zone
- Claiborne County
- Sharkey County, east of the Mississippi River and south of MS 14
- Warren County
Harrison CWD Management Zone
Portions of Hancock and Harrison counties are included and defined as:
- All portions of Harrison County west of US 49
- All portions of Hancock County east of MS 53, MS 603 and MS 43
- All portions of Hancock County east of Nicholson Avenue
What is banned in a CWD management zone?
- Salt licks
- Mineral licks
- Supplemental feeding
- Transportation of deer carcasses outside the zone
What parts of a deer can be taken out of a CWD zone?
- Cut/wrapped meat
- Deboned meat
- Hides with no head attached
- Bone-in leg quarters
- Finished taxidermy
- Antlers with no tissue attached
- Cleaned skulls or skull plates with no brain tissue
- Hunters may transport deer heads to permitted taxidermists participating in the CWD collection program. A CWD sample number must be obtained from a participating taxidermist prior to transporting a deer head outside of the CWD management zone.
Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.
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