Minnesota Whitetail Hunting
Plan your Minnesota whitetail hunt with season dates, license options, and hunting opportunities organized by zone. Browse available private-land hunts and book access directly from landowners.
Last updated by Aricin Rotarius
Find Hunts by Unit
Browse private-land whitetail hunts across Minnesota, organized by zone, and book directly with landowners.
Minnesota Whitetail Seasons
These dates represent the “general” season dates. Check the individual hunting unit regulations for the most accurate season dates and regulations.
Archery
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Deer Youth Season
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Youth hunters
Open statewide except Itasca State Park. Youth may take 1 deer. Antlerless deer may be taken in any deer permit area not designated as Bucks-only. Legal bucks may be taken statewide but apply to the statewide bag limit of 1 legal buck. More information on page 37.
Early
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Firearms
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Rifle · Youth hunters
Statewide youth firearms deer season. Youth ages 10-17 may participate. Youth ages 10-13 must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian/mentor 18 or older. The adult does not need to be licensed. Party hunting is not allowed; youth must tag their own deer. Deer harvested count toward the youth's annual statewide bag limit. Crossbows may be used by youth who possess a youth firearms or archery license. An early antlerless deer license is not required for youth to participate.
Youth Deer Season
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Youth hunters
Youth season open statewide.
Statewide Firearms Season 200 Series
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Rifle
Applies to 200 series deer permit areas and DPAs 338, 341, 605, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 655, 661, 666, and 671.
Statewide Firearms Season 100 Series
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Rifle
Applies to 100 series deer permit areas and DPAs 604, 679, and 684.
Metro Management Zone Firearms
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Rifle
Metro management zone DPA 601.
Late Southeast Firearms
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Rifle
Applies to DPAs 338, 341, 605, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, and 649.
Muzzleloader
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Late Cwd
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Minnesota Whitetail Licenses
Resident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Bonus Permit | — | — | $18.00 |
Code 430. Bonus Permit. $1 of the fee goes to the venison donation program. $18. | |||
| Deer by Archery - Adult Age 18 and Over | — | Ages 18+ | $34.00 |
Code 213. Adult age 18 and over. Deer by Archery. $34. | |||
| Deer by Archery - Youth Age 13 to 17 | — | Ages 13–17; Youth hunters | $5.00 |
Code 209. Youth age 13 to 17. Deer by Archery. $5. | |||
| Deer by Firearms - Adult Age 18 and Over | — | Ages 18+ | $34.00 |
Code 212. Adult age 18 and over. Deer by Firearms. $34. | |||
| Deer by Firearms - Youth Age 13 to 17 | — | Ages 13–17; Youth hunters | $5.00 |
Code 210. Youth age 13 to 17. Deer by Firearms. $5. | |||
| Deer by Muzzleloader - Adult Age 18 and Over | — | Ages 18+ | $34.00 |
Code 203. Adult age 18 and over. Deer by Muzzleloader. $34. | |||
| Deer by Muzzleloader - Youth Age 13 to 17 | — | Ages 13–17; Youth hunters | $5.00 |
Code 204. Youth age 13 to 17. Deer by Muzzleloader. $5. | |||
| Deer Early Antlerless Season Tag | — | — | $8.50 |
Code 422. Early Antlerless Season. Deer Early Antlerless Season (no longer required, page 91). $8.50. | |||
| Disease Management Antlerless Tag | — | — | $1.50 |
Code 201. Disease Management Antlerless Tag for certain 600-series deer permit areas. See page 75. $1.50. | |||
| Resident Archery Deer License (Military - 100% Service-Related Disability) | — | Disabled hunters; Veteran | $0.00 |
Residents with 100% service-related disability may obtain 1 free archery deer license. State stamps not required. Also eligible for free firearms or muzzleloader deer license (choose one). | |||
| Resident Deer License (Active Military - Home on Leave or Recently Discharged) | — | Veteran | $0.00 |
Eligible for 1 free deer license, valid for either sex, except in bucks-only areas. Applies to residents home on leave or discharged from active service outside the country in the past 24 months. Discharged residents must provide current MN driver's license or public safety ID, proof of residency, and official discharge papers. | |||
| Resident Firearms Deer License (Military - 100% Service-Related Disability) | — | Disabled hunters; Veteran | $0.00 |
Residents with 100% service-related disability may obtain 1 free firearms deer license. State stamps not required. Also eligible for free muzzleloader or archery deer license (choose one). | |||
| Resident Muzzleloader Deer License (Military - 100% Service-Related Disability) | — | Disabled hunters; Veteran | $0.00 |
Residents with 100% service-related disability may obtain 1 free muzzleloader deer license. State stamps not required. Also eligible for free firearms or archery deer license (choose one). | |||
| Youth Archery Deer - Age 10 to 12 | — | Ages 10–12; Youth hunters | $0.00 |
Code 246. Youth age 10 to 12. Youth Archery. Free. | |||
| Youth Firearms Deer - Age 10 to 12 | — | Ages 10–12; Youth hunters | $0.00 |
Code 247. Youth age 10 to 12. Youth Firearms. Free. | |||
| Youth Muzzleloader Deer - Age 10 to 12 | — | Ages 10–12; Youth hunters | $0.00 |
Code 248. Youth age 10 to 12. Youth Muzzleloader. Free. | |||
Nonresident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Deer Archery License (Nonresident, Age 18+) | — | Ages 18+ | $185.00 |
Code 223. $185 license for nonresident adult age 18 or over for deer archery. | |||
| Adult Deer Firearms License (Nonresident, Age 18+) | — | Ages 18+ | $185.00 |
Code 222. $185 license for nonresident adult age 18 or over for deer firearms. | |||
| Adult Deer Muzzleloader License (Nonresident, Age 18+) | — | Ages 18+ | $185.00 |
Code 237. $185 license for nonresident adult age 18 or over for deer muzzleloader. | |||
| Bonus Permit (Nonresident Deer) | — | — | $91.00 |
Code 431. $91 Bonus Permit for nonresident deer. Includes $1 venison donation. | |||
| Deer Early Antlerless Season License (Nonresident) | — | — | $45.00 |
Code 423. Early Antlerless permit, no longer required per page 91. $45 for nonresident. | |||
| Disease Management Antlerless Tag (Nonresident Deer) | — | — | $1.50 |
Code 202. $1.50 Disease Management Antlerless Tag for nonresident deer. For certain 600-series deer permit areas only, see page 75. | |||
| Youth Archery Deer License Age 10-12 (Nonresident) | OTC | Ages 10–12; Youth hunters | $0.00 |
Youth age 10 to 12. Youth Archery Deer. Free. Code: 246. | |||
| Youth Deer Firearms License (Nonresident, Age 13-17) | — | Ages 13–17; Youth hunters | $5.00 |
Code 231. $5 license for nonresident youth age 13 to 17 for deer firearms. | |||
| Youth Deer Muzzleloader License (Nonresident, Age 13-17) | — | Ages 13–17; Youth hunters | $5.00 |
Code 236. $5 license for nonresident youth age 13 to 17 for deer muzzleloader. | |||
| Youth Firearms Deer License Age 10-12 (Nonresident) | OTC | Ages 10–12; Youth hunters | $0.00 |
Youth age 10 to 12. Youth Firearms Deer. Free. Code: 247. | |||
| Youth Muzzleloader Deer License (Nonresident, Age 10-12) | — | Ages 10–12; Youth hunters | $0.00 |
Code 248. Free license for nonresident youth age 10 to 12 for deer muzzleloader. | |||
Other Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disease Management Permit | OTC | — | $2.50 |
Hunters may purchase disease management permits for $2.50 each to take antlerless deer in areas where the bag limit allows more than 1 deer to be taken. | |||
| Firearm Deer License (Youth, Free) | OTC | Ages 10–12; Youth hunters | $0.00 |
Youth ages 10, 11, and 12 must possess a free firearm deer license to participate in the youth deer season. Youth age 12 and older must also have a firearms safety certificate or apprentice hunter validation. | |||
| Landowner Deer License | OTC | Landowner | $0.00 |
Free license allowing the taking of 1 additional antlerless deer in either-sex, 2-deer limit, 3-deer limit, and 5-deer limit permit areas. Available to residents, tenants, and nonresident owners with at least 80 acres of farmed or grazed land. Valid during any open season with the correct weapon. Limit of 1 per person per year. Only valid on the owner's land in the designated deer area. Can be transferred to a spouse or dependent. Can be used to purchase bonus permits where allowed. Landowners must allow public hunting on their land except the first Saturday and Sunday of the season. | |||
