Mississippi Is Now a Full Crossbow Inclusion State

[Meat Hunter]

At 3:17 pm, Monday, March 18, 2013, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed SB 2048 into law.

As of July 1, 2013, it will be legal for all residents and non-residents to hunt on private and leased land with a crossbow in the early archery season and in all deer, turkey and small game seasons. (Crossbows were already legal for everyone on state lands).

In addition, the two crossbow permitting system has been removed. All one has to now is to purchase a single Sportsman's license or other appropriate hunting license.

The reference to Mississippi Code Section 49-7-31.1 on line (2) is a reminder that archers must wear hunter orange when hunting in all gun seasons.

Below is the exact wording of the bill as it was signed by Governor Bryant.
________________________________________________________

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
By: Senator(s) Ward, Gollott, Massey, Moran

Senate Bill 2048
(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-38, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT PERSONS EXEMPT FROM LICENSING AND PERSONS LICENSED TO HUNT DEER WITH A BOW OR PRIMITIVE WEAPON MAY HUNT WITH A BOW DURING ANY OPEN SEASON ON DEER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 49-7-38, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-7-38. (1) * * * Any person who is exempt from having a hunting license and any person licensed to hunt deer with a bow or primitive weapon may hunt with a crossbow or bow and arrow during any open season on deer, turkey or small game.

(2) * * * When hunting during any gun season on deer, the hunter must comply with Section 49-7-31.1.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.

[vixenmaster]

Very good i will be huntin down home in Dec. wid me nephew

[Meat Hunter]

Vixenmaster,

Come on down. We can shoot our Vixen's together. I live in the Raymond area.

[vixenmaster]

I knowed where its at, went to Hinds Jr college there. My nephew & his wife own several hundred acres over on the Big Black south of Bovina

[Raymond]

Congrats to Mississippi. One more on the books and makes it that much more easy for the rest.
Raymond

[Hoagy]

Congrats to all the xbow hunters in ole miss.
Enjoy, Hoagy

[j.krug]

Good news for sure!! Happy hunting.

[georgiaboy]

CONGRATS to my southern brothers in the great state of mississippi!!!

[Meat Hunter]

It has been two full hunting seasons since Mississippi fully included crossbows in all deer and turkey hunting seasons.

After the first flurry of rhetoric, the sky did not fall and there has been no measurable impact on the deer herd.

It has been awhile since I last posted and thought that I would drop in and say hello. Other than a titanium hip, a plastic shoulder and now three herniated discs, not much has been happening in the life of this ol' 71 year old other than driving from Mississippi to Burning Man last year and going back again in August.

[foofoo]

way to go!

[xcaliber]

Congrats to all the xbow hunters in ole miss.
Enjoy, Hoagy

Yep, what he said!

[bubba]

This will be my 2nd, season to hunt with a crossbow in Mississippi, the first filled my freezer with deer and hog... And added some great memories.. Looking forward to the season opener Oct 15 th. gonna spend a full month hunting on a few different spots, south, central east, and north of Mississippi state college, Where my grand daughter starts her freshman year. Cant wait.....

[wildcatter]

Great news,,,, and they just keep open it up!!!!! Being from Ohio I laways took it for granted a bow was a bow, but since turning to a crossbow the last few years I can't believe how many were being discriminated against,,,,,, but were slowly get'n that changed everywhere!!!!! Congrats Mississippi!!!

[DaveShooter]

Congrats to ole Miss

[flinthead]

Very nice... congrats to the bow hunters there! I hunt in SC and NC,,, fortunately they got on board early with crossbows.