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Minnesota › Hunting › Deer Special Hunts

Deer Special Hunts

Last Updated: Spring 2024

Deadlines

Youth hunts:Friday, Aug. 18 (unless noted otherwise)
Adult hunts:Thursday, Sept. 7 (unless noted otherwise)

Hunts, permit required

Adult archery

Area nameHuntPermitsDatesBagTypeCWD samplingAdditional info
Cannon River Wilderness Park80950Dec. 15-17UnlimitedNAMandatoryOwatonna Area Wildlife Office; 507-414-6200; email
Lake Tamarack Unit of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum8955Oct. 21-Nov. 52Earn-a-buckDon't knowSue Koepp; 612-301-1217; email
City of Two Harbors89615Sep. 16-Nov. 302Earn-a-buckNot applicableManadtory orientation; Andy Aug; 218-310-6869; email; Apply by Aug. 15
City of Blue Earth89720Sep. 16-Dec. 312Earn-a-buckVoluntaryTharen Haugh; 507-525-0080; email; Apply by Aug. 7; Fee $15
City of New Ulm92356Oct. 14-Dec. 313OtherDon't knowDustin Fleck; 507-233-6750; Apply by Sep. 8; Fee $20
City of Lake Benton92440Sep. 16-Dec. 312Earn-a-buckNot applicableEileen Christensen; 507-368-4641 ext. 1; email; Apply by Aug. 31; Fee $15
Pin Oak Prairie Scientific and Natural Area9268Oct. 1-Nov. 305Either-SexDon't knowDon Ramsden ; 507-796-3284; email
City of Windom97015Sep. 16-Dec. 312Antlerless onlyNot applicableDevin Koppenrud; 507-831-6134; email; Apply by Sep. 1; Fee $20
Camp Ripley Military Reservation9712500Oct. 27-292Either-SexNot applicableDr. Bill Faber; 800-933-0346 ext. 8082; email; Apply by Aug. 18; Fee $14
Carleton Game Refuge97240Nov. 23-Dec. 315Earn-a-buckDon't knowApply by Oct. 1
City of Austin and Jay C. Hormel Nature Center97360Oct. 1-Dec. 313Earn-a-buckVoluntaryMandatory orientation; Dave Merrill; 507-433-1881; email; Apply by Sep. 11; Fee $25
City of Warroad97410Sep. 16-Dec. 315Either-SexNot applicableWade Steinbring; 218-386-2053; email; Apply by Sep. 7
Vermillion Highlands Research; Recreation and Wildlife Management Area97560Sep. 16-Oct. 273OtherMandatoryManadtory orientation; Tim Pharis; 651-322-4643; email; Apply by Aug. 11
City of Red Wing977UnlimitedSep. 16-Dec. 315OtherNot applicablePatrick Ramaker; 651-385-3674; email; Fee $20
City of Redwood Falls97820Sep. 16-Dec. 313OtherDon't knowPaul Parsons; 507-401-0469; email; Fee $20
City of Duluth980400Sep. 16-Dec. 313Either-SexNot applicableMandatory orientation; Arrowhead Bowhunters Alliance; 111-111-1111 ext. 1111; email; Apply by Jun. 30; Fee $25
City of Mankato98140Sep. 16-Dec. 315Earn-a-buckVoluntaryMandatory orientation; Justin Lundborg; 507-387-8397; email; Apply by Aug. 1; Fee $15
City of Granite Falls98210Sep. 16-Dec. 311Antlerless onlyNot applicableMike Thull; 320-564-2129; email; Apply by Sep. 1
City of Ortonville98330Sep. 16-Dec. 15Earn-a-buckNot applicableJason Mork; Big Stone County Deputy Sheriff; 320-839-3428; email; Apply by Aug. 1; Fee $20
City of Canby98420Sep. 16-Dec. 312Either-SexNot applicableBrock Smith; 507-828-8192; email; Apply by Aug. 18; Fee $5
City of Bemidji (NE)98522Sep. 16-Dec. 315Either-SexDon't knowRachelle Barckholtz; 218-759-3575; email; Apply by Jul. 28; Fee $10
City of Bemidji (West)98522Sep. 16-Dec. 315Either-SexDon't knowRachelle Barckholtz; 218-759-3575; email; Apply by Jul. 28; Fee $10
Bemidji Regional Airport98620Sep. 16-Dec. 315Either-SexDon't knowRachelle Barckholtz; 218-759-3575; email; Apply by Jul. 28; Fee $10
Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area987UnlimitedSep. 16-Dec. 311Either-SexNot applicableKristy Rice; 320-753-0326; email
City of Baxter958UnlimitedSep. 16-Dec. 315Either-SexVoluntaryChief James Exsted; 218-454-5090; email
City of Owatonna99034Nov. 20-Dec. 17; Oct. 22-Nov. 195Earn-a-buckVoluntaryMandatory orientation; Mary Jo Knudson; 507-774-7364; email; Apply by Sep. 1; Fee $20
City of Hallock - Season B9925Oct. 21-Nov. 242Antlerless onlyDon't knowMike Docken; Police Chief; 218-843-3434; email
City of Hallock - Season A9925Sep. 16-Oct. 202Antlerless onlyDon't knowMike Docken; Police Chief; 218-843-3434; email
City of Hallock - Season C9925Nov. 25-Dec. 312Antlerless onlyDon't knowMike Docken; Police Chief; 218-843-3434; email
River Bend Nature Center99730Nov. 9-122Earn-a-buckMandatoryMandatory orientation; Brittany Smith; 507-332-7151; email; Apply by Sep. 7
City of Red Lake Falls99810Sep. 16-Dec. 311Antlerless onlyMandatoryBrad Johnson; 218-253-2996; email; Apply by Sep. 1

Adult firearm

Area nameHuntPermitsDatesBagNontoxic ammoTypeCWD samplingAdditional info
Franz Jevne State ParkN/AUnlimitedNov. 4-193RequiredEither-SexNot applicable
Itasca State Park287UnlimitedNov. 4-121RequiredEither-SexNot applicable
Cascade River State Park90075Nov. 4-191RequiredEither-SexNot applicable
Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge90140Nov. 11-191N/AEither-SexNot applicableWalt Ford; 218-768-2402 ext. 100; email
St. Croix State Park902300Nov. 16-191RequiredEither-SexVoluntary
Lake Louise State Park90325Nov. 11-123RequiredEarn-a-buckMandatory
Gooseberry Falls State Park90435Nov. 4-191RequiredEither-SexDon't know
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park90530Nov. 4-191RequiredEither-SexNot applicable
Tettegouche State Park90660Nov. 4-191RequiredEither-SexNot applicable
Scenic State Park90725Nov. 4-191RequiredEither-SexNot applicable
Hayes Lake State Park90850Nov. 4-192RequiredEither-SexDon't know
Lake Bemidji State Park90930Nov. 4-72RequiredEither-SexMandatory
Zippel Bay State Park91075Nov. 4-193RequiredEarn-a-buckNot applicable
Judge C.R. Magney State Park91145Nov. 4-191RequiredEither-SexNot applicable
Lake Carlos State Park91320Nov. 4-71RequiredAntlerless onlyNot applicable
William O'Brien State Park91450Nov. 11-122RequiredEither-SexNot applicableApply by Aug. 16
Lake Bronson State Park91530Nov. 4-122RequiredEarn-a-buckNot applicable
Maplewood State Park916100Nov. 4-72RequiredEither-SexNot applicable
Miesville Ravine Park Reserve91740Nov. 4-125N/AEither-SexMandatoryMandatory orientation; Scott Hagen; 952-891-7983; email
Glacial Lakes State Park91920Nov. 9-121RequiredAntlerless onlyNot applicable
Wild River State Park92075Nov. 4-52RequiredEither-SexDon't knowApply by Aug. 16
Lawrence Unit of the Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area92130Nov. 11-122RequiredEither-SexDon't know
Old Mill State Park92210Nov. 4-71RequiredEither-SexNot applicable
Vermillion Highlands Research; Recreation and Wildlife Management Area92520Nov. 4-173N/AOtherVoluntaryMandatory orientation; Tim Pharis; 651-322-4643; email
Whitewater State Park92750Nov. 18-193RequiredEither-SexDon't know
Forestville Mystery Cave State Park93375Nov. 4-53RequiredEither-SexMandatory
Whitewater State Game Refuge934100Nov. 18-262N/AAntlerless onlyMandatoryMandatory orientation; Jaime Edwards; 507-796-3281; email
Frontenac State Park94060Nov. 18-193RequiredEither-SexDon't know
City of Baxter948UnlimitedNov. 4-195N/AEither-SexMandatoryChief James Exsted; 218-454-5090; email
City of Baxter955UnlimitedOct. 19-225N/AAntlerless onlyVoluntaryChief James Exsted; 218-454-5090; email
Great River Bluffs State Park and King's and Queen's Bluff Scientific and Natural Area96250Nov. 18-193RequiredEither-SexMandatory
Carver Park Reserve976110Nov. 11-125N/AEither-SexDon't knowMandatory orientation; John Moriarty; 763-694-7842; email
Kilen Woods State Park99110Dec. 23-Jan. 12RequiredAntlerless onlyNot applicable

Adult muzzleloader

Area nameHuntPermitsDatesBagNontoxic ammoTypeCWD samplingAdditional info
Schoolcraft State Park179UnlimitedNov. 25-Dec. 101RequiredEither-SexNot applicable
Beaver Creek Valley State Park91825Dec. 2-33RequiredEither-SexMandatory
McCarthy Beach State Park92910Nov. 25-Dec. 101RequiredEither-SexNot applicable
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park and Prairie Creek Woods Scientific and Natural Area93050Dec. 2-35RequiredEarn-a-buckMandatory
Rice Lake State Park93220Dec. 2-33RequiredAntlerless onlyMandatory
Jay Cooke State Park93575Dec. 2-62RequiredEither-SexNot applicable
Crow Wing State Park93625Dec. 2-62RequiredEither-SexVoluntary
Lake Vermilion - Soudan Underground Mine State Park93720Nov. 25-Dec. 102RequiredEither-SexNot applicableMandatory orientation
Hayes Lake State Park93850Nov. 25-Dec. 102RequiredEither-SexDon't know
Myre Big Island State Park93950Dec. 2-35RequiredAntlerless onlyNot applicable
City of Baxter941UnlimitedNov. 25-Dec. 105N/AEither-SexVoluntaryChief James Exsted; 218-454-5090; email
Sibley State Park94260Dec. 2-32RequiredAntlerless onlyNot applicable
Miesville Ravine Park Reserve94340Dec. 2-105N/AEither-SexMandatoryMandatory orientation; Scott Hagen; 952-891-7983; email
Vermillion Highlands Research; Recreation and Wildlife Management Area94420Nov. 25-Dec. 103N/AOtherVoluntaryMandatory orientation; Tim Pharis; 651-322-4643; email
Lake Bemidji State Park94730Dec. 1-32RequiredEither-SexMandatory
Savanna Portage State Park94830Nov. 25-Dec. 32RequiredEither-SexNot applicable
St. Croix State Park949100Nov. 28-Dec. 31RequiredEither-SexVoluntary
Lake Maria State Park96025Dec. 8-102RequiredEarn-a-buckNot applicable
Afton State Park96430Dec. 5-72RequiredAntlerless onlyDon't knowApply by Aug. 16

Youth firearm

Area nameHuntPermitsDatesBagNontoxic ammoTypeOrientation
Afton State Park95130Nov. 4-52Remains removalEither sexOct. 28
Banning State Park9656Oct. 28-292RequiredEither sexOct. 27
Blue Mounds State Park96610Nov. 18-192Remains removalEarn-a-buckNov. 17
Buffalo River State Park95912Oct. 28-292RequiredEarn-a-buckOct. 27
Camden State Park96712Oct. 28-292Remains removalEarn-a-buckOct. 27
City of Baxter9616Oct. 19-222N/AEither sexChief James Exsted; 218-454-5090; [email protected]
Kilen Woods State Park9636Oct. 28-292Remains removalEarn-a-buckOct. 27
Lake Bemidji State Park95420Oct. 20-222RequiredEither sexOct. 19
Lake Bronson State Park96910Oct. 14-151RequiredEither sexOct. 13
Lake Shetek State Park96815Nov. 18-192Remains removalAntlerlessNov. 17
Minneopa State Park89912Nov. 18-192Remains removalEither sexNov. 17
Rydell National Wildlife Refuge95715Oct. 28-293N/AEither sexOct. 22
Savanna Portage State Park95825Oct. 28-292RequiredEither sexNo in person
Sibley State Park95210Oct. 28-291Remains removalEither sexNo in person
St. Croix State Park95690Oct. 28-291RequiredEither sexOct. 27
Zippel Bay State Park95320Oct. 20-222RequiredEither sexNo in person

Youth archery

Area nameHuntPermitsDatesBagTypeOrientation
Camp Ripley950175Oct.7-82Either sexMandatory orientation; Jan Ekert; 320-339-9927; email
Sand Prairie WMA (Sherburne County): Open during the regular archery deer season for youth ages 10 through 17. Regular archery deer rules apply.

Hunts, no permit needed

Archery

Area nameHuntPermitsDatesBagNontoxic ammoTypeAdditional info
City of Jackson928UnlimitedSept. 16-Dec. 312N/AAntlerless onlyShawn Haken; 507-847-4420; email
Carver Rapids and Thompson Ferry Units of the Minnesota Valley SRA979UnlimitedSept. 16-Dec. 315RequiredEither-sex
Greenleaf Lake SRA987UnlimitedSept. 16-Dec. 311RequiredEither-sexKristy Rice; 320-753-0326; email

Firearm

Area nameHuntPermitsDatesBagNontoxic ammoTypeAdditional info
Schoolcraft State Park912UnlimitedNov. 4-191RequiredEither-sex
City of Grand Rapids931UnlimitedNov. 4-195N/AEither-sexMandatory CWD sampling; DNR wildlife office 218-328-8860
Franz Jevne State Park105UnlimitedNov. 4-193RequiredEither-sex
Itasca State Park287UnlimitedNov. 4-121RequiredEither-sexLouis Peterson 218-308-2290

Muzzleloader

Area nameHuntPermitsDatesBagNontoxic ammoTypeAdditional info
Itasca State Park287UnlimitedNov. 25-Dec. 101RequiredEither-sexIncludes Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary; Louis Peterson 218-308-2290.
City of Grand Rapids946UnlimitedNov. 25-Dec. 105N/AEither-sexMandatory CWD sampling; DNR wildlife office 218-328-8860
Schoolcraft State Park679UnlimitedNov. 25-Dec. 101RequiredEither-sex

Information

If permit applications exceed the number of permits available, computerized drawings will be used to issue permits.

  • Drawings for antlerless deer or special area permits are based on a preference system. Hunters accumulate preference by applying without getting drawn. Applicants receiving an antlerless deer or special hunt area permit lose their accrued preference.
  • Preference is not affected by applying for a different area than the year before or by not applying for one or more years.
  • Preference for group applications is based on the member with the fewest points.
  • Only successful applicants will be notified.
  • Information about the drawings and individual applications is available by the end of September on the lottery page.
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