Make a plan for deer season

A successful hunting season requires planning, this year more than ever. Here are some key things hunters should pay attention to this season:

1. Buy your license.
2. Get your deer tested for chronic wasting disease if you hunt in designated areas.
3. Know the regulations.
4. Know how you’ll process your deer.
5. Be safe.
6. Protect your health and keep others safe.
7. Enjoy your hunt!

See the full details and supporting hunter resources at mndnr.gov/deerhunt. Thank you for doing your part to keep Minnesota's deer hunting tradition strong.

We want to see your photos!

Share your deer camp and deer hunting photos with us, so we can share them back with all of you including on social media and in email updates! 

You can upload your photos on the DNR website.

Help out by providing CWD samples in designated areas

The DNR continues its aggressive management of chronic wasting disease by reducing deer densities, implementing feeding and attractant bans to reduce contact between deer, and restricting carcass movement. CWD sampling is voluntary this year to facilitate social distancing required during the COVID-19 pandemic, and hunters in CWD management zones, control zones or surveillance areas are strongly encouraged to drop off the head of deer 1 year of age or older at sampling stations.

Your samples are crucial in helping us understand the prevalence of CWD in these areas where CWD has been found in wild or captive deer and we appreciate your participation. For more details about sampling, visit the CWD webpage.

Make safety the first priority

Hunters should follow the basic rules of safe firearms handling: Treat every firearm as if it is loaded by keeping your finger off the trigger; always control the muzzle of the firearm; and be sure of the target and what is beyond it.

Tree stand accidents are the leading cause of injury to hunters, so it’s always important to wear a safety harness and follow other safety guidelines when using a stand.

Get hunting questions answered

Hunters can contact the DNR Information Center to get their deer hunting questions answered. Information consultants are available by phone at 888-646-6367 or email at info.dnr@state.mn.us. For immediate information, call instead of emailing, or check the DNR deer hunting page for information. Answers to common hunting questions are also available online.

Information Center business hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To report a violation in progress, call the Turn In Poachers (TIP) Line at 800-652-9093.

Register your deer

Deer hunters: Reminder that you are required to register every deer you harvest before processing, before antlers are removed and within 48 hours after taking the animal.

Register deer online, via phone or in person. Information from deer registration is essential to the DNR’s ability to track and manage deer populations. Detailed registration instructions for all methods is available on the DNR website.

Deer harvest map

Curious how many deer have been harvested and from where? Check out our interactive deer harvest map, which has been updated for this year, allowing you to select multiple deer permit areas.

Wolf input period extended 

People who want to share their opinions on wolf management in Minnesota will have additional time to do so.

The DNR announced last week it is extending its wolf management public input period until Nov. 20. The decision follows a decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the wolf from the federal threatened species list in Minnesota on Jan. 4, 2021. You can share your thoughts on the wolf plan section of the DNR's community engagement platform.