Mississippi Changed Supplemental Deer Feeding Rules

The state now allows broadcast feeding while maintaining bans in Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zones.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Hunting

Screen-print poster illustration of a mechanical deer feed spreader resting on a forest floor, evoking Mississippi wildlife management policy. — The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks now permits hunters to broadcast feed on the ground, a shift intended to mitigate the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease by reducing animal contact. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has updated its deer feeding regulations, permitting hunters to broadcast feed on the ground. Hunters may now distribute feed via hand-spreading or mechanical spreaders, provided it is not piled up.

Why it matters

Spreading feed instead of using concentrated troughs reduces animal-to-animal contact, which is a key strategy for mitigating the transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease. This shift allows for more flexible hunting practices while continuing to protect the health of the states estimated 1.75 million deer.

Hunters must maintain a 100-yard distance from property lines when distributing feed, and baiting remains strictly prohibited on public land. These rules do not apply in designated CWD Management Zones where all supplemental feeding is banned.

The players

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

This state agency is responsible for the management and conservation of Mississippi's fish and wildlife resources.

The details

The new guidelines replace the former requirement for stationary covered feeders outside of restricted areas. Hunters are permitted to use vehicle-mounted mechanical spreaders to evenly distribute feed, as creating piles is now against state policy.

In 2025, deer were responsible for 17,830 acres of damage to cotton, corn, and soybean crops.
The new supplemental deer feeding rules are in effect for the 2026 deer season.

Culture Shift

This regulatory shift reflects an ongoing transition in wildlife management from static, high-density feeding practices toward distributed feeding methods designed to curb disease spread. By moving away from centralized troughs, the state aligns its hunting culture with modern epidemiological standards for deer health.

Hunters across the state must verify if their land is within a CWD Management Zone before utilizing broadcast feeding methods to avoid a Class 2 violation. Those on private land outside of these zones should ensure they maintain the required 100-yard distance from property lines when spreading feed.

The takeaway

Hunters should prioritize the even distribution of feed to comply with state requirements and prevent the accumulation of waste. Adhering to these new protocols helps balance the management of deer populations with essential disease prevention efforts.