Minnesota hunting seasons for 2026 and 2027 include archery, firearms, muzzleloader, youth, and waterfowl seasons, with specific dates varying by species and permit area.

Deer Hunting

Archery Season: Opens mid-September and runs through late December, with a pause during firearms season. Crossbows are legal for all hunters during this period huntingprime.com.
Firearms Season: Typically nine days in early-to-mid November. For 2026, the firearms opener is November 7-8, with mandatory Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) sampling in designated zones huntingmagazine.net.
Muzzleloader Season: Follows the firearms season, allowing only muzzleloading firearms.
Youth Deer Season: For hunters aged 10-17 with a licensed adult mentor, using firearms or archery.
Early Antlerless Season: Available in designated permit areas with high deer populations.
Permit Deadlines for 2026:

• Antlerless Permit Lottery: September 10, 2026
• Special Hunt Lottery: September 10, 2026
• Deer license sales begin in August 2026 huntingmagazine.net.
  Note: The traditional shotgun-only zone in southern Minnesota has been repealed starting in 2026, allowing legal centerfire rifles statewide, though some counties may maintain local restrictions huntingmagazine.net.

Turkey Hunting

• Spring Turkey Season: Typically runs from late April through early May.
• Fall Turkey Season: Usually in September and October, with dates varying by permit area.

Waterfowl Hunting

• Seasons vary by species and zone. The Minnesota DNR provides detailed start and end dates for ducks, geese, and other migratory birds, generally beginning in late September or early October and extending into December state.mn.us.

Other Game

• Black Bear: Seasons vary by zone, generally in September through October.
• Small Game: Includes squirrels, rabbits, and pheasants, with seasons starting in early September and extending into winter.
• Moose and Elk: Limited opportunities with specific permit requirements.

Licensing and Regulations

• Minnesota uses a zone-based system for deer and other species. Hunters must purchase a Small Game license ($22 resident / $102 non-resident) as a foundation, then add species-specific tags huntinglocator.com.
• Hunters born after December 31, 1979, must complete hunter education before purchasing licenses. Apprentice Hunter Validation provides a temporary workaround.
• Always check local ordinances and Deer Permit Area (DPA) regulations, especially for CWD zones and firearm restrictions huntingmagazine.net.
  For the most accurate and up-to-date information, including 2027 season dates, consult the Minnesota DNR hunting season page and official DNR maps state.mn.us.