Reporting by A.J. Kaufman, Special to the St. Cloud Times
As temperatures start to decrease across the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Central Minnesotans can turn their attention to football, hockey and, yes, hunting. Hunting season in Minnesota carries a deep tradition and offers abundant opportunities for nature lovers.
Indeed, Minnesota is a hunting paradise — especially as you leave the Twin Cities and move into Greater Minnesota — thanks to millions of acres of public hunting land.
From whitetails, ducks and black bears to turkeys, pheasants and small game, the state offers one of the broadest hunting calendars in the nation. However, hunters need to adhere to the dates, correct license, legal weapon and clothing requirements for the season they plan to hunt in.
Minnesota hunting seasons vary by species, with major seasons for deer, small game, waterfowl and other wildlife running from early September through late winter, depending on the species and zone.
However, there are several types of licenses necessary to obtain before you hunt. Most are valid for 12 months.
Hunting deer in Minnesota
Deer licenses went on sale in August and are valid immediately if purchased before legal shooting hours.
Minnesota is divided into Deer Permit Areas, each with its own rules. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website provides interactive maps to help hunters identify their zone. Check the site for the latest maps, zone boundaries and weapon restrictions, as these details can change each year.
Deer Archery hunters can hunt permit areas statewide, except in Itasca State Park, from Sept. 19 through end of 2026.
Youths, ages 10-17, can participate in a special deer season statewide, including in the Whitewater State Game Refuge, starting Oct. 15.
Specifically, archery deer hunting began in mid-September, while firearms commence Nov. 9, with various closing dates depending on location. Deer firearms season generally runs throughout November.
Muzzleloader hunting for deer starts Nov. 28 and has a short season, running through Dec. 13. The Minnesota DNR offers this opportunity to hunters to manage local deer herds.
Hunters harvested 186,000 deer during the 2025 hunting season in Minnesota, which is a statewide increase of 9% over the 2024 hunting season, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Roughly half of all deer harvest occurs over the first two weekends of the firearms season, Minnesota NR reports.
Badger, bear, pheasant hunting season in Minnesota
As for other animals, bear and pheasant hunting is underway and goes until Oct. 18. Badger season begins in mid-October and runs through March 15, 2027.
The Minnesota fall turkey hunting season offers hunters another thrilling way to experience the outdoors. Fall turkey season opens Oct. 3 and is available through Nov. 1. Fall turkey hunters may use a crossbow, bow or shotgun. Those licenses are available for purchase online, by phone or in person wherever Minnesota DNR licenses are sold.
The DNR maintains hunter walking trails as a convenient way to travel by foot through wildlife management areas, state and federal forests, and other public hunting lands. Hunter walking trails wind through prime habitat for woodcock, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and deer.
There are more than 600 miles of hunter walking trails throughout the northern half of Minnesota.
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times.
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