Minnesota Deer Hunting Season

Minnesota is hunting country and it is no wonder many hunters head to the woods here each fall. With a vast amount of wooded areas, the deer population is plentiful and the hunters come in search of big bucks.

Deer Found In Minnesota

In Minnesota, it is all about the whitetail. With a massive weight of 85-300 lbs. these deer are are plentiful around the state. Because Minnesota is full of forests, swamps and a great deal of prairie lands, there is abundant room for the whitetail to wonder and to find food. From November to early December the deer mate in the area. This allows hunters an opportunity to take advantage of the deer moving about. The bucks will travel far and wide in search of their female partner and while on the move this is usually when the hunters will make contact. The females are less desirable to the hunters, because they do not have antlers, but still good for meat. The females usually give birth within a period of seven months.

Minnesota Deer Hunting

Minnesota is like most states in that many methods can be used for deer hunting. The hunting season is divided into three specific times, archery, firearm and muzzleloader. Archery season runs from mid-September until mid-December. Antlerless Deer season will come in at the end of October and last until December. Those who are waiting for traditional firearm season will have to wait until November. Those who use their muzzleloaders will have to wait until the end of November and will only have approximately one month. More than 200,000 deer were harvested in 2011 alone and most were caught with firearms. There are more than enough deer for every hunter and chances are they won’t be too long in the woods to find one.

Hunting Licenses

The state of Minnesota will require a hunting license. Residents who choose to hunt with archery will pay $26.00. If a hunter wishes to add permission to hunt with firearms or muzzleloaders, which will be an additional permit that will cost $14.00. Non-residents will pay $140 for archery, $141 for firearms and $140 for muzzleloader permits. Permits can be purchased any time after March and are good through February of the next year.

Other Hunting Information

Because of the climate in Minnesota, the weather can change in an instant. Hunters are encouraged to keep a basic survival kit with them at all times. Items like matches, tent, knives, water and a rope can prove very necessary when faced with times of trouble.

Hunting Hot Spots

Minnesota is a great state to hunt deer in. For additional information and to see statistics from previous years, check out the website: www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/tips/safety.html. Most hunter envy those that get to hunt in Minnesota, as it is home to 50 difference species of game, plus an overpopulation of deer. There are so many places to hunt that a hunter has his pick of numerous public areas. The central part of the state not only has the most deer harvested, but there were record number of bucks harvested from this area as well. Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties have harvested the most deer than any other areas in the entire state. Houston County harvested the most bucks. It is clear that Minnesota is a hunter’s playground.