Deer remain robust Field reports: What Minnesota deer hunters can expect this season

By the Minnesota                                        Department of Natural Resources

More than 400,000 deer hunters are preparing for the firearms deer season that opens Saturday, Nov. 4. The season offers opportunities to spend time outdoors with friends and family, find adventure and put venison in the freezer.

Deer hunting is the primary tool used to manage deer populations, and hunters help keep deer numbers in line with population goals across the state. Managing deer populations contributes to the overall health of Minnesota’s landscapes, natural systems and economy.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ wildlife managers report that there should be good opportunities to harvest deer in most areas.

Hunters should know the deer permit area (DPA) number for where they plan to hunt prior to buying a license and ensure they understand chronic wasting disease regulations and sampling options for that area. Hunters can find these details using the DPA lookup tool on the Minnesota DNR’s make a plan for deer season webpage (mndnr.gov/deerhunt).

Deer hunters are required to have deer 1 year or older sampled for CWD in all CWD management and surveillance zones during the opening weekend of the firearms A season Saturday, Nov. 4, through Sunday, Nov. 5, and during late CWD hunts Friday, Dec. 15, through Sunday, Dec. 17. Additional information about CWD requirements and sampling options can be found at the Minnesota DNR’s CWD webpage (mndnr.gov/cwd).

Southern deer report

Deer populations are increasing in southern Minnesota, and deer fared well over the winter.

River floodplains offer some of the best deer habitat and deer hunting in southern areas of the state. Following several years without a major flood, vegetation in these floodplains has grown to the point of offering excellent cover for deer — which bodes well for deer hunters. Large areas of grass with embedded wetlands are also prime deer habitat and if water levels stay low, hunters will have easier access to this type of habitat.

Hunters in the southern part of the state will have increased opportunities to harvest deer, following the 2021 public deer population goal setting process. The goal-setting process increased harvest opportunities in response to growing deer populations in southern areas.

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