Hunting regulations, hunting licenses availableDeer hunters will have more ways to hunt in Minnesota this fall. And deer hunting licenses can be purchased now. We encourage all hunters to review the new hunting regulations and make a plan for hunting success. Here are some highlights of what’s new with the regulations this year.
Deer hunting specifics can be found on the Minnesota DNR website. Electronic copies of all 2023 Minnesota hunting regulations are available now online. This year the printed version of the regulations will be available later than expected, near the end August. To ensure hunters have the information they need to plan their hunt while awaiting printed regulations, the DNR sent materials to hunting license agents across the state to distribute to customers. These materials highlight upcoming deadlines that some hunters may need to meet before the printed regulations books will be delivered. |
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Deadlines and season datesThe deadline to apply for special archery hunts, the Camp Ripley archery hunt, the prairie chicken season and special youth hunts is Friday, Aug. 18. Hunters have through Thursday, Sept. 7, to apply for permits to harvest antlerless deer in antlerless lottery areas, and for special firearm or muzzleloader special hunts. Here’s a snapshot of deer season dates for 2023:
Photo courtesy of Ryan Dunlop |
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Overview of 2023 bag limitsAfter a tough winter, deer hunters in northern Minnesota might see fewer deer. In central and southern Minnesota, deer likely fared well. Hunters in most of Minnesota can expect a season similar to last year in terms of how many deer they can harvest. The lower bag limits in northeast and north-central Minnesota aim to allow deer populations to recover after back-to-back severe winters. Deer are resilient and we are hopeful deer populations there will gradually recover along with lower harvests, especially if we get some mild winters. The DNR increased the bag limit or lottery permits in 12 deer permit areas this year, 80 DPAs have the same designation as last year, and 38 DPAs have reduced bag limits or lottery permits. Information about specific DPA bag limits and other season information is available on the DNR website. Photo courtesy of Sara L. Giles, iNaturalist |
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CWD sampling continuesIt’s important for hunters to get their deer tested in CWD zones. This year, some DPAs were added to CWD zones and some were removed. Hunters should check the requirements and available sampling options for the DPAs where they hunt. Hunters can find this DPA-specific information by visiting the make a plan tool. Hunters are required to have their deer 1 year or older sampled for CWD in all CWD management and surveillance zones during the opening weekend of the firearms A season (Nov. 4-5). In all areas outside CWD management and surveillance zones, hunters will have other options to get their deer sampled for CWD. Sampling options include requesting a mail-in kit before hunting or utilizing kits obtained but not used last year. Hunters also may participate in sampling using partners, such as a taxidermist who is taking part in the DNR partner sampling program. Visit the DNR website throughout the deer season for the most up-to-date information, find sampling locations or request a mail-in sampling kit. |
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