Hunting Seasons & Licensing · MN
Minnesota Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonMinnesota has approximately 500,000 deer hunters and a strong tradition of waterfowl and upland hunting. The state manages over 1,400 Wildlife Management Areas totaling more than 1.3 million acres open to public hunting. Minnesota is a premier destination for duck and goose hunting along the Mississippi Flyway, and offers good white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, and ruffed grouse hunting. The firearm deer opener in November is one of the state's cultural traditions.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery | Sep 13 – Dec 31, 2025 | Varies by permit area | Bow and arrow, crossbow |
| White-tailed Deer | Firearms | Nov 8 – Nov 23, 2025 | 1 buck + antlerless by lottery permit area | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader |
| White-tailed Deer | Muzzleloader | Nov 29 – Dec 14, 2025 | 1 deer | Muzzleloader only |
| Black Bear | General | Sep 1 – Oct 19, 2025 | 1 bear per year | Rifle, shotgun, bow, muzzleloader |
| Moose | General | Oct (varies) | 1 moose | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
White-tailed Deer (Firearms): Shotgun or muzzleloader only in some zones
Black Bear (General): Permit by lottery. Baiting permitted. Wait time 2–6 years depending on zone.
Moose (General): Very limited permits by lottery. Once in a lifetime. Northeastern Minnesota only.
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | Spring | Apr 15 – May 31, 2026 | 1 bearded turkey per period | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Fall | Oct 4 – Oct 19, 2025 | 1 turkey either sex | Shotgun, bow, rifle |
Wild Turkey (Spring): Multiple time periods — assigned by lottery
Wild Turkey (Fall): Select areas only
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring-necked Pheasant | General | Oct 11 – Jan 4, 2026 | 2 daily (roosters only) / 6 possession | Shotgun |
| Ruffed Grouse | General | Sep 13 – Jan 4, 2026 | 5 daily / 10 possession | Shotgun |
| Sharp-tailed Grouse | General | Sep 20 – Nov 30, 2025 | 3 daily / 9 possession | Shotgun |
Ruffed Grouse (General): Northern Minnesota is one of the best ruffed grouse regions in the country
Sharp-tailed Grouse (General): Northwestern Minnesota
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Sep through Nov | 6 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
| Geese | General | Sep through Dec (varies by zone) | Varies by species | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required. Mississippi Flyway. Minnesota is a top waterfowl state.
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | General | Sep 13 – Feb 28, 2026 | 5 daily / 10 possession | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
| Fox/Gray Squirrel | General | Sep 13 – Feb 28, 2026 | 5 daily / 10 possession | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Firearms Deer License | $34 | — |
| Non-Resident Firearms Deer License | $176 | — |
| Resident Archery License | $34 | — |
| Non-Resident Archery License | $176 | — |
| Small Game License (resident) | $16 | — |
| Non-Resident Small Game License | $90 | — |
| Youth (under 18) | Reduced fees | Free apprentice license available |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $25 | Required for waterfowl |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
Minnesota deer licenses are generally available over the counter. Antlerless permits in some areas require a lottery application. Bear permits are allocated by lottery — wait times range from 2 to 6 years depending on the bear management unit. Moose permits are extremely limited (approximately 50 per year) and are once-in-a-lifetime by lottery. Spring turkey permits are allocated across multiple time periods through a lottery drawing. Applications for bear and moose are typically due in May.
Harvest Reporting
Minnesota requires mandatory registration for all deer, bear, and turkey through the electronic registration system. Deer must be registered by midnight the day after harvest. Bear and moose must be registered within 48 hours. CWD testing is available at self-service sampling stations and is mandatory in designated CWD management zones.
Minnesota Wildlife Resources
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: Turn In Poachers (TIP): 1-800-652-9093
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.