Minnesota deer season regulations are released

Hunters can start planning ahead for significant changes to deer season regulations, including a youth deer season that’s expanded statewide, expanded bans on deer feeding and attractants, and other updates related to managing chronic wasting disease.

The 2019 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping regulations handbook is now available on the DNR’s deer hunting page at mndnr.gov/hunting/deer. Hunting licenses went on sale Thursday, Aug. 1, and are available at any DNR license agent, by telephone at 888-646-6367, or online at mndnr.gov/buyalicense.

The dedicated, statewide youth season runs Thursday, Oct. 17, through Sunday, Oct. 20, for youth hunters ages 10-17. In the past, the youth season was available only in the southeast, northwest and Twin Cities metro permit areas.

Several changes to the numbering of deer permit areas will clarify where CWD management and surveillance take place. Deer permit areas within a CWD management zone, in southeast and north-central Minnesota, will now be part of a 600-series permit area.