ST PAUL, Minn. — Deer hunters should find plenty of opportunity for harvest this fall as Minnesota opens gun season Nov. 9.
The Minnesota DNR offered a preview of the season Monday which the agency estimates will deliver more than 400,000 deer hunters to zones across the state ranging from forests and fields to floodplains. It is a tradition that offers the opportunity to spend time with family and friends, while potentially harvesting some venison to put in the freezer.
DNR wildlife managers say deer hunting is Minnesota's primary tool to manage the state's herd and keep numbers within population goals. Managing the population, staffers say, contributes to the overall health of Minnesota's landscapes and natural systems.
The bottom line on this year's preview is that there should be good opportunities to harvest deer in most areas of the state. Here's the breakdown on what hunters will see by region.
Southern Minnesota
Populations continue to increase as deer fared well over the mild, relatively snowless winter of 2023-24. The DNR says prolonged flooding during the spring fawning and fawn-rearing season likely had little impact on the population.
"River floodplains offer some of the best deer habitat and deer hunting in southern areas of the state," DNR wildlife staff wrote in the preview. "Prior to flooding this year, there were several years without a major flood, and vegetation in these floodplains has grown to the point of offering excellent cover for deer, which bodes well for deer hunters."
"Bluff lands that overlook floodplains offer oak and other sources of nuts and seeds that saw a moderate to excellent crop in 2024. Large areas of grass with embedded wetlands are also prime deer habitat. If water levels continue to lower, hunters will have easier access to this type of habitat."
Central Minnesota
Conservation personnel say deer populations remain robust and highly productive, with deer thriving in mild conditions over winter. Populations are so strong that hunters can harvest as many as three deer in many Deer Permit Areas (DPAs) in central Minnesota, and as many as five deer in CWD management zones and the Twin Cities metro zone.
There are multiple DPAs in central Minnesota that have been designated as DWD management zones and are subject to unique regulations.
DNR wildlife managers are encouraging hunters to take advantage of opportunities to harvest antlerless deer.
Northeast Minnesota
Despite the mild winter of 2023-24, the northeastern regions of Minnesota continue to struggle when it comes to deer population. The DNR says several severe winters in previous years took a toll on herd numbers that will take multiple years to recover.
Field agents say the best hunting is expected in areas of mixed habitat of open fields and forest. Scouting for local pockets of deer will improve hunter success.
Hunters in far northern areas will again have fewer opportunities to harvest antlerless deer, and in some areas hunters will only be allowed to harvest bucks.
Northwest Minnesota
Deer numbers rebounded robustly in the northwest following a series of severe winters, with many reports of does having twins or triplets this spring and summer. DNR wildlife staffers say that will lead to continued recovery of the herd.
While the acorn crop has been spotty, grass and forbs, various food plot crops and hay fields have remained green throughout much of fall, which helps deer in the northwest region enter winter in good shape.
The DNR reminds hunters that they should know the deer permit area number for the zone they plan to hunt prior to buying a license, and need to understand chronic wasting disease regulations and sampling options for that area. Hunters can find these details using the DPA lookup tool.
Additional information about CWD requirements and sampling options can be found at the Minnesota DNR’s CWD webpage.