DNR shares hunting info on public lands and more
News | Published on October 7, 2021 at 2:16pm EDT | Author: Chad Koenen
0Public land open to hunting includes wildlife management areas (WMAs). A subset of WMAs have an online Accessibility Sheet that provides greater detail on available services and facilities for people with disabilities, including photos and maps. All interested hunters can call the area wildlife manager for current conditions WMAs of interest.
Hunters can also go online to find information about how to get a permit to use “other power-driven mobility devices” (OPDMDs) on state-administered lands, including on WMAs.
Fall turkey hunting
opens soon
The Minnesota fall turkey hunting season offers hunters a challenge and another way to experience the outdoors in October. Fall turkey season is open from Oct. 2-Oct. 31.
Hunters are allowed to take one turkey of either sex during the fall season. Fall turkey hunters may use a crossbow, firearm or archery equipment afield; however, hunters who are hunting both turkey and deer with archery equipment must observe the deer archery season restrictions on their equipment.
Only hunters age 60 or older, or hunters who have a valid crossbow permit, may use crossbows during the deer archery season with an archery license. Youth may use a crossbow on a firearms license during the youth deer season.
Fall turkey licenses are available for purchase online, by telephone by calling
888-665-4236 or in person anywhere DNR licenses are sold. More information about fall turkey hunting is available on the DNR website.
Statewide youth deer
season returns Oct. 21-24
Minnesota’s youth deer season will continue statewide for its third year, from Oct. 21-24. 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. Participant numbers are not limited and there is no special permit, so parents should purchase or obtain a regular deer hunting license for the youth who will be hunting.
An adult parent, guardian, or mentor must accompany youth ages 10-13. All youth hunters and mentors must follow blaze orange/pink clothing requirements. Adults may not hunt, unless they are in an area open during the early antlerless season and have the corresponding license. Complete youth season details are available on the DNR youth deer hunting page.
Early antlerless-only deer season is Oct. 21-24
Hunters can participate in an early antlerless-only deer season from Oct. 21-Oct. 24. The DNR has expanded the early antlerless deer season to include more deer permit areas in central and southeastern Minnesota. The season increases opportunities for hunters in areas where deer populations are above population goals or where there is an increased risk of CWD spreading.
Permit areas open during the hunt are 213, 214, 215, 221, 227, 236, 277, 341, 342, 343, 604, 605, 643, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 655 and 701.
The DNR offers this opportunity to hunters in an effort to manage local deer herds. Hunters need an early antlerless permit to participate and the limit is five deer, which is in addition to the statewide bag limit. Deer hunting regulations are available on the DNR early antlerless hunt page.