Minnesota Statewide youth deer season returns Oct. 20-23

Statewide youth deer season returns Oct. 20-23

Minnesota’s youth deer season will take place statewide Thursday, Oct. 20, through Sunday, Oct. 23. The season coincides with statewide teacher workshops, so many Minnesota students don’t have school during the youth season. To participate, youth must be 10-17 years old and have a deer license. An adult parent, guardian, or mentor must accompany youth ages 10-13. Find other important regulations and information about the season on the DNR youth deer hunting webpage.

Reminder: Other hunters and trappers out during these hunt dates, including archery deer hunters, are required to wear blaze orange or pink. Check the blaze clothing requirements on page 33 of the Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations.

Early antlerless deer season is Oct. 20-23 in selected permit areas

Hunters can participate in an early antlerless-only deer season from Thursday, Oct. 20, through Sunday, Oct. 23. The season increases opportunities for hunters in areas where deer populations are above population goals or where there is an increased risk of chronic wasting disease. Permit areas open during the hunt are 209, 213, 214, 215, 218, 219, 221, 222, 223, 225, 227, 229, 236, 240, 277, 341, 342, 343, 604, 605, 643, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 661 and 701.

The DNR offers this opportunity to hunters in an effort to manage local deer herds. In changes this year, the bag limit has been reduced from five to three antlerless deer and hunters are no longer required to obtain an early antlerless permit to participate in the early antlerless season.

To participate, hunters must hunt in one of the 28 open deer permit areas and use a deer license that matches the weapon used during the season (for example, using a firearm for a firearms season license or archery equipment for an archery license). Hunters have the option of using their regular season parent license or can use early antlerless permits, bonus permits, or disease management permits (only in 600 series permit areas) to fill the limit.

Full information on the early antlerless season is available on page 84 of the Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations.

Photo courtesy of David Riewe