Public land access: In addition to Wildlife Management Areas, some State Parks, Scientific and Natural Areas, and other public lands will be open to hunting. Those with limited permits will be available on a first-come, first serve basis from license vendors beginning December 3. Permits will be available until the limit for the hunt is reached or until the Tuesday before the hunts begins (December 14 or 28), whichever occurs first. There is a limit of one of these special permits per hunter. The permit is required in addition to a hunting license and is no cost. A state park pass is required for vehicles.

To apply for special firearms and muzzleloader hunts, you must purchase a deer license. Participation in a special hunt does not preclude hunters from taking a deer in a regular deer permit area, although statewide bag limits and license requirements apply. Hunters in deer permit areas designated as antlerless permit lottery must choose between applying for an antlerless deer tag or a special hunt, they cannot apply for both.

Permits

Special hunt permits are required to hunt deer in places where the number of hunters must be limited to control the harvest or for safety.

Special hunt permit areas are listed on the DNR website at mndnr.gov/hunting/deer.

Those who receive a special hunt area permit may also hunt deer outside that special hunt area during the season indicated on the license. Parties of up to four may apply.

The DNR strongly encourages the use of non-lead ammunition in state park special hunts.

Earn-a-buck regulations

Some special hunts have earn-a-buck regulations, which require the harvest of one or more antlerless deer before the hunter can take an antlered deer. Details on these rules are available from the hunt administrator or online at mndnr.gov/hunting/deer.

Special firearm deer hunts

The complete list of special firearm deer hunts including updates and corrections
is available online at mndnr.gov/deer. This online list includes additional hunt details including contact information. Bonus permits may be used to tag deer in special hunts where antlerless deer may be taken. Any deer harvested as part of a special deer hunt should be registered using the special hunt number, if assigned. Secondarily, hunters should use the surrounding Deer Permit Area number.

How to apply for archery special area permits

An application for an archery special area permit must be made on a form supplied separately by each special hunt area. No other form of application will be accepted. Send your request for an application form to the hunt administrator listed for the special area where you wish to hunt or as directed. A person may apply for more than one archery special hunt area, but not more than once for
a specific hunt. There may be restrictions regarding applications. Please read material carefully before applying.

Please refer to the website mndnr.gov/hunting/deer for details and hunt administrator contact information. All questions related to archery special hunts should be directed to the municipality or area conducting the hunt.

Prior to submitting an application, please check with the location you are interested in hunting. Different special hunt areas have different regulations such as requiring bonus permit use, taking an antlerless deer first, written permission, and/or proficiency tests.

Any deer harvested as part of a special deer hunt should be registered using the Special Hunt Number, if assigned.

Archery Special Hunt Areas

Firearm Special hunt Areas

Muzzleloader Special Hunt Areas

Muzzleloader special hunt areas

Special muzzleloader deer hunts (apply wherever hunting licenses are sold by Thursday, September 9.)

The following are special hunts open during the muzzleloader season. The complete list of special muzzleloader deer hunts including updates and corrections is available online at mndnr.gov/hunting/deer. Bonus permits may be used to tag deer in special hunts where antlerless deer may be taken.

Any deer harvested as part of a special deer hunt should be registered using the Special Hunt Number, if assigned. If no special hunt number is assigned, hunters may use the surrounding Deer Permit Area number.