Early Antlerless Deer Season to Open October 16 In Limited Areas Of Minnesota; Get Map Here

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has announced that hunters in portions of southeastern Minnesota can harvest antlerless deer in an early antlerless season from Thursday, Oct. 16, to Sunday, Oct. 19, according to the Department of Natural Resources.

“The early antlerless season addresses high deer densities in localized areas,” said Leslie McInenly, big game program leader. “Hunters should be aware that there is little public land within the early antlerless hunt areas, which consist of parts of deer permit areas 346 and 349 in Winona, Houston and Filmore counties.”

Areas open during the season are identified on the fold-out map that accompanies the DNR Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook. The map is also available by clicking on this link.  Hunters are encouraged to review the maps and rules to identify opportunities prior to the season.”

“This is the second year we have implemented an early antlerless season in specific portions of southeastern Minnesota,” McInenly said. “We are continuing to evaluate the approach as an additional tool to manage deer at a geographic scale below that of the deer permit area.”

This year, the early antlerless season coincides with the four-day special youth deer season.

In the early antlerless hunt, only antlerless deer may be taken, and hunters may use up to five early antlerless permits. Deer harvested during the special season do not count toward a hunter’s statewide limit during the regular season. Early antlerless permits cost $7.50 for residents and may be purchased wherever hunting licenses are sold.
All deer harvested during this season must be tagged with an early antlerless permit. Hunters must also have a valid archery, firearms, or muzzleloader license. Legal firearms or archery gear may be used as long as the appropriate parent license is in possession.