Minnesota Hunting Seasons 2023-2024 New Regulations & Dates!

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Discover the Minnesota Hunting Seasons for 2023-2024. Hunting is a beloved tradition in the state of Minnesota, and for good reason. There are plenty of chances for hunters to put their skills and patience to the test since there is an abundance of wildlife, including deer, beavers, bobcats, coyotes, and small game.

Understanding Minnesota’s hunting laws and regulations is essential to a successful and safe hunting trip, regardless of your level of expertise. We’ll cover all you need to know about Minnesota’s hunting seasons in this guide, including season dates, bag restrictions, licensing requirements, and more. This guide aims to provide you all the information you need to organize your next hunting trip.

Minnesota Hunting Season 2023-2024

Content Highlights

Minnesota has possibilities for hunting various species, including deer, beavers, bobcats, coyotes, and small game. However, owing to the diminishing population, shooting moose is prohibited. Both citizens and non-residents may purchase hunting permits from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), with pricing depending on the season and the species being hunted. There are many ways to obtain a license, including via DNR employees, the department’s St. Paul offices, phone, and online.

For the opportunity to hunt animals, including deer, bear, turkey, and wolves, hunters may also take part in lotteries. Hunters may readily register their catch online after a successful hunt.

MN Big Game Season

Deer Season

Deer Type	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Firearms Special Youth Deer Hunt Schedule
Either-sex	4-Nov-23	5-Nov-23	Afton State Park
Either-sex	28-Oct-23	29-Oct-23	Banning State Park
Earn-a-buck	18-Nov-23	19-Nov-23	Blue Mounds State Park
Earn-a-buck	28-Oct-23	29-Oct-23	Buffalo River State Park
Earn-a-buck	28-Oct-23	29-Oct-23	Camden State Park
Earn-a-buck	28-Oct-23	29-Oct-23	Kilen Woods State Park
Either-sex	20-Oct-23	22-Oct-23	Lake Bemidji State Park
Either-sex	14-Oct-23	15-Oct-23	Lake Bronson State Park
Antlerless only	18-Nov-23	19-Nov-23	Lake Shetek State Park
Either-sex	18-Nov-23	19-Nov-23	Minneopa State Park
Either-sex	28-Oct-23	29-Oct-23	Rydell National Wildlife Refuge
Either-sex	28-Oct-23	29-Oct-23	Savanna Portage State Park (No in person)
Either-sex	28-Oct-23	29-Oct-23	Sibley State Park (No in person)
Either-sex	28-Oct-23	29-Oct-23	St Croix State Park
Either-sex	20-Oct-23	22-Oct-23	Zippel Bay State Park (No in person)

Archery Special Youth Deer Hunt Schedule
Deer Type	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Either-sex	7-Oct-23	8-Oct-23	Camp Ripley Military Reservation

General Deer Season
Method	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Archery	16-Sep-23	31-Dec-23	Statewide
Firearm Option	4-Nov-23	19-Nov-23	Statewide (A) 100 Series and 604, 679 and 684
Firearm Option	4-Nov-23	12-Nov-23	Statewide (A) 200 Series and 661
Firearm Option	4-Nov-23	12-Nov-23	Statewide (A) 300 Series and all 600 series except 604, 679 and 684
Firearm Option	18-Nov-23	26-Nov-23	Late Southeast (B) 300 Series and all 600 series except 604, 661, 679 and 684
Metro Deer Management Zone	4-Nov-23	26-Nov-23	Metro Deer Management Zone (701) Statewide (A), Late Season (B) firearms license or muzzleloader license
Muzzleloader	25-Nov-23	10-Dec-23	Statewide
Youth Season open statewide	19-Oct-23	22-Oct-23	Statewide
Early Antlerless Season	19-Oct-23	22-Oct-23	Statewide
Late CWD Hunt	15-Dec-23	17-Dec-23	Areas 605, 643, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649 (More areas may be announced online)

ELK Seasons

Elk Type	Season	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Either-sex	A	9-Sep-23	17-Sep-23	20
Either-sex	B	23-Sep-23	1-Oct-23	20
Either-sex	C	7-Oct-23	15-Oct-23	20
Anterless	D	9-Sep-23	17-Sep-23	20
Anterless	E	23-Sep-23	1-Oct-23	20
Anterless	F	7-Oct-23	15-Oct-23	20
Either-sex	G	9-Sep-23	17-Sep-23	30
Either-sex	H	23-Sep-23	1-Oct-23	30

*Minnesota elk zones/Map Credit:www.dnr.state.mn.us*

Elk Terms

The Minnesota elk hunting season provides hunters with a distinctive and uncommon chance. It is an experience that will only come around once in a lifetime. Hunters must pick a season, zone, and kind of license and obtain a license code 625 to participate in this hunt.

The chosen hunters are picked using a lottery method, with a greater probability of selection for those who choose a license without antlers.
Residents of Minnesota are eligible to apply either alone or with a partner. However, if two people apply together, they will each get one elk tag instead of two.
Friday briefings are required to educate hunters on how to hunt before each season.
For selected hunters, the license price is $288, and there is a $5 non-refundable application charge.
Landowners may also get one of the few available licenses. The landowner elk hunting website details the qualifications and how to apply.

Coyote Season

Minnesota Coyote Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Note
Coyote	Sunday, January 01, 2023	Sunday, December 31, 2023	Open all year. No limit.

Bear Season

Bear Season	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates
Permit areas & no-quota area	11-Aug-23
Permit areas & no-quota area	1-Sep-23	15-Oct-23

Upland birds

Grouse Season

Grouse Season	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limits	Possession Limits	Zones/Location
Ruffed and spruce grouse	16-Sep-23	1-Jan-23	5 combined	10 combined	-
Sharp-tailed grouse	16-Sep-23	30-Nov-23	3	6	Northwest zone only, east central closed

Partridge Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limits	Possession Limits
Hungarian partridge	16-Sep-23	1-Jan-23	5	10

Pheasant Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limits	Possession Limits
Pheasant	14-Oct-23	30-Nov-23	2 roosters	6 roosters
Pheasant	1-Dec-23	1-Jan-24	3 roosters	9 roosters

Pheasant Bag limit: From October 14 to November 30, only two roosters may be harvested every day, but you can keep six in your possession. From December 1 to January 1, the daily and possession limits increase to three and nine roosters, respectively. It’s crucial to remember that these limits may vary by location and activity legislation.

Prairie chicken Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limits	Possession Limits
Prairie chicken (by special permit only)	23-Sep-23	1-Oct-23	2 (season limit)	2 (season limit)

Dove Season

Dove Season	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limits	Possession Limits
Mourning doves	1-Sep-23	29-Nov-23	15	45

Sandhill cranes Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limits	Possession Limits
Sandhill cranes (northwest goose zone)	16-Sep-23	22-Oct-23	2	6

Woodcock Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limits	Possession Limits
Woodcock	23-Sep-23	6-Nov-23	3	9

Rail Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limits	Possession Limits
Sora and Virginia rail	1-Sep-23	6-Nov-23	25 combined	75 combined

Snipe Season

Snipe Season	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limits	Possession Limits
Common snipe	1-Sep-23	6-Nov-23	8	24

Crow Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limits	Possession Limits
Crow	1-Sep-23	31-Oct-23	No limit	No limit
Crow	15-Dec-23	31-Dec-23	No limit	No limit
Crow	1-Jan-24	15-Jan-24	No limit	No limit
Crow	1-Mar-24	31-Mar-24	No limit	No limit

Turkey Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limits	Possession Limits
Fall wild turkey	30-Sep-23	29-Oct-23	1 either sex (season limit)	1 (season limit)

Spring firearms season dates (2024)
A	17-Apr-24	24-Apr-24
B	24-Apr-24	30-Apr-24
C	1-May-24	7-May-24
D	8-May-24	14-May-24
E	15-May-24	21-May-24
F	22-May-24	31-May-24

MN Small Game Season

Non-migratory small game by falconry

Non-migratory small game by falconry	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limits	Zones/Location
Rabbits	1-Sep-23	1-Feb-29	10	Not before 9 am for pheasants
Squirrel	1-Sep-23	1-Feb-29	7
Other small game	1-Sep-23	1-Feb-29	3 combined

Furbearer Season

Fox Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Fox, Gray & Red	14-Oct-23	15-Mar-24	North furbearer zone
Fox, Gray & Red	23-Dec-23	15-Mar-24	South furbearer zone

Rabbit Season

Rabbit Season	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limits	Possession Limits
Cottontail rabbit and snow-shoe hare	16-Sep	Feb-29	10 combined	20 combined
Jack rabbit	16-Sep	Feb-29	1	3

Squirrel Season

Squirrel Season	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limits	Possession Limits
Gray and fox squirrel	16-Sep-23	1-Feb-29	7 combined	14 combined

Badger Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Badger	14-Oct-23	15-Mar-24	North furbearer zone
Badger	21-Oct-23	15-Mar-24	South furbearer zone

Bobcat Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Bobcat	16-Dec-23	21-Jan-24	North of I-94 and U.S. Highway 10

Opossum Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Opossum	14-Oct-23	15-Mar-24	North furbearer zone
Opossum	21-Oct-23	15-Mar-24	South furbearer zone

Raccoon Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Raccoon	14-Oct-23	15-Mar-24	North furbearer zone
Raccoon	21-Oct-23	15-Mar-24	South furbearer zone

Beaver Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Beaver (Trapping Only)	28-Oct-23	15-May-24	North furbearer zone
Beaver (Trapping Only)	28-Oct-23	15-May-24	South furbearer zone

Muskrat Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Muskrat (Trapping only)	28-Oct-23	28-Feb-23	North furbearer zone
Muskrat (Trapping only)	28-Oct-23	28-Feb-23	South furbearer zone

Mink Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Mink (Trapping Only)	28-Oct-23	28-Feb-24	North furbearer zone
Mink (Trapping Only)	28-Oct-23	28-Feb-24	South furbearer zone

Otter Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Otter (Trapping only)	28-Oct-23	21-Jan-24	North furbearer zone
Otter (Trapping only)	28-Oct-23	21-Jan-24	South furbearer zone

Pine Marten Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Pine Marten (Trapping only)	16-Dec-23	24-Dec-23	North of I-94 & U.S. Highway 10

MN Waterfowl Season

Youth Waterfowl Hunt

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Youth Hunt	9-Sep-23	10-Sep-23	Statewide

Waterfowl Hunt Day

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Waterfowl Hunt	23-Sep-23	23-Sep-23	Statewide

Goose Season

Early Goose Season
Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limit	Zones/Location
Canada, White-fronted, Brant	2-Sep-23	17-Sep-23	5 combined	-
Snow, Blue snow, Ross's	2-Sep-23	17-Sep-23	20	-

Regular Goose Season - North Zone
Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limit	Zones/Location
Canada, White-fronted, Brant	23-Sep-23	22-Dec-23	5 combined	North Zone
Snow, Blue snow, Ross's	23-Sep-23	22-Dec-23	20	North Zone

Regular Goose Season - Central Zone
Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limit	Zones/Location
Canada, White-fronted, Brant	23-Sep-23	1-Oct-23	5 combined	Central Zone
Canada, White-fronted, Brant	7-Oct-23	27-Dec-23	5 combined	Central Zone
Snow, Blue snow, Ross's	23-Sep-23	1-Oct-23	20	Central Zone
Snow, Blue snow, Ross's	7-Oct-23	27-Dec-23	20	Central Zone

Regular Goose Season - South Zone
Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limit	Zones/Location
Canada, White-fronted, Brant	23-Sep-23	1-Oct-23	5 combined	South Zone
Canada, White-fronted, Brant	7-Oct-23	27-Dec-23	5 combined	South Zone
Snow, Blue snow, Ross's	23-Sep-23	1-Oct-23	20	South Zone
Snow, Blue snow, Ross's	7-Oct-23	27-Dec-23	20	South Zone

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates
Spring Light Goose	18-Feb-23	30-Apr-23
September Goose	2-Sep-23	17-Sep-23

Teal Season

Early Teal Season	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Bag Limit	Zones/Location
Blue-winged, Green-winged, Cinnamon teal	2-Sep-23	6-Sep-23	Allowed	Statewide

Ducks Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Ducks	23-Sep-23	21-Nov-23	North Zone
Ducks	23-Sep-23	1-Oct-23	Central Zone
Ducks	7-Oct-23	26-Nov-23	Central Zone
Ducks	23-Sep-23	1-Oct-23	South Zone
Ducks	7-Oct-23	26-Nov-23	South Zone

Coots Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Coots	23-Sep-23	21-Nov-23	North Zone
Coots	23-Sep-23	1-Oct-23	Central Zone
Coots	7-Oct-23	26-Nov-23	Central Zone
Coots	23-Sep-23	1-Oct-23	South Zone
Coots	7-Oct-23	26-Nov-23	South Zone

Mergansers Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Mergansers	23-Sep-23	21-Nov-23	North Zone
Mergansers	23-Sep-23	1-Oct-23	Central Zone
Mergansers	7-Oct-23	26-Nov-23	Central Zone
Mergansers	23-Sep-23	1-Oct-23	South Zone
Mergansers	7-Oct-23	26-Nov-23	South Zone

MN Waterfowl Daily Limits for All Species (excluding goose)

Species	Limit
Combined Daily Limits for All Species (excluding goose)	6

Early Teal Season Daily Limit
Species	Limit
Blue-winged, Green-winged, Cinnamon	6 combined

Ducks Season Daily Limits
Species	Limit
Mallard	4 (2 hens)
Wood duck	3
Redhead	2
Canvasback	2
Black duck	2
Pintail	1
All others	6

Scaup Season Daily Limits
Dates	Limit
Zone opening day - Oct. 12	1
Oct. 12 - Zone closing day	2

Coots & Moorhen (Gallinule) Season Daily Limits
Species	Limit
Coots & Moorhen (Gallinule)	15

Mergansers Season Daily Limits
Species	Limit
Mergansers	5 (no more than 2 of which may be hooded mergansers)

MN Trapping Season

Species	Hunting Start Dates	Hunting End Dates	Zones/Location
Badger	14-Oct-23	15-Mar-24	North furbearer zone
Badger	21-Oct-23	15-Mar-24	South furbearer zone
Beaver	28-Oct-23	15-May-24	North furbearer zone
Beaver	28-Oct-23	15-May-24	South furbearer zone
Bobcat	16-Dec-23	21-Jan-24	North of I-94 and U.S. Highway 10
Fisher	16-Dec-23	24-Dec-23	North of I-94 & U.S. Highway 10
Fox, Gray & Red	14-Oct-23	15-Mar-24	North furbearer zone
Fox, Gray & Red	23-Dec-23	15-Mar-24	South furbearer zone
Mink	28-Oct-23	28-Feb-24	North furbearer zone
Mink	28-Oct-23	28-Feb-24	South furbearer zone
Muskrat	28-Oct-23	28-Feb-23	North furbearer zone
Muskrat	28-Oct-23	28-Feb-23	South furbearer zone
Opossum	14-Oct-23	15-Mar-24	North furbearer zone
Opossum	21-Oct-23	15-Mar-24	South furbearer zone
Otter	28-Oct-23	21-Jan-24	North furbearer zone
Otter	28-Oct-23	21-Jan-24	South furbearer zone
Pine Marten	16-Dec-23	24-Dec-23	North of I-94 & U.S. Highway 10
Rabbit, Jack	16-Sep-23	28-Feb-24	Statewide
Rabbit, Cottontail & Snowshoe Hare	16-Sep-23	28-Feb-24	Statewide
Raccoon	14-Oct-23	15-Mar-24	North furbearer zone
Raccoon	21-Oct-23	15-Mar-24	South furbearer zone
Squirrel, Gray & Fox	16-Sep-23	29-Feb-24	Statewide

Minnesota Licenses, Permits & Hunting Regulations

A hunting license or permit, as well as information on hunting rules, may be obtained online through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The website is available to everyone in and outside of Minnesota. Please use the following learn more button to access the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website.

Resident Licenses

Resident Licenses	Fee	Code
Apprentice Hunter Validation	$3.50	199
Bear - youth no quota 13 to 17 (r)	$5.00	642
Bear - license (r)	$44.00	660
Bear - lottery application (r)	$4.00	662
Bear - Lottery License 13 to 17 (r)	$5.00	643
Bear - military/on leave (r)	None	663
Bear - no quota (r)	$44.00	224
Bear - surplus (r)	$44.00	664
Bear - youth lottery 10 to 12 (r)	None	659
Bear - youth no quota 10 to 12 (r)	None	676
Bear - youth surplus 10 to 12(r)	None	674
Bear - youth surplus 13 to 17 (r)	$5.00	644
Deer - military archery/on leave(r)	None	233
Deer - antlerless lottery	None	665
Deer - antlerless surplus lottery	None	675
Deer - archery (r)	$34.00	213
Deer - bonus firearm/archery/muzzleloader (r)	$18.00	430
Deer - Camp Ripley hunt A application	$14.00	668
Deer - Camp Ripley hunt B application	$14.00	669
Deer - Disease Management - Code (R-201 / NR-202)	$1.50	-
Deer - Early Antlerless (r)	$8.50	422
Deer - firearm (r)	$34.00	212
Deer - license upgrades season change	Varies	-
Deer - military discharged archery (r)	None	238
Deer - military discharged firearm (r)	None	239
Deer - military discharged muzzleloader (r)	None	249
Deer - military firearm/on leave (r)	None	232
Deer - military muzzleloader/on leave (r)	None	234
Deer - muzzleloader license (r)	$34.00	203
Deer - youth 10 - 12 (archery-246/firearm-247/muzzleloader-248)	None	-
Deer - youth 13 to 17 (archery-209 / firearm-210 / muzzleloader-204) (r)	$5.00	-
Disability permit - crossbow for taking big game or turkey (r)	None	-
Disability permit - hunt from standing motor vehicle (r)	None	-
Disability permit - muzzleloader with a non-magnifying scope (r)	None	-

Nonresident Licenses

Nonresident License Types	Fees	Code
Apprentice Hunter Validation	$3.50	199
Bear - license (nr)	$230.00	661
Bear - lottery application (nr)	$4.00	662
Bear - no quota (nr)	$230.00	225
Bear - surplus (nr)	$230.00	667
Bear - youth lottery 13 to 17 (nr)	$5.00	646
Bear - youth noquota 13 to 17 (nr)	$5.00	645
Bear - youth surplus 13 to 17 (nr)	$5.00	647
Deer - antlerless lottery	None	665
Deer - antlerless surplus lottery	None	675
Deer - archery (nr)	$185.00	223
Deer - bonus firearm/ archery/muzzleloader (nr)	$91.00	431
Deer - Camp Ripley hunt A application	$14.00	668
Deer - Camp Ripley hunt B application	$14.00	669
Deer - Disease Management - Code (R-201 / NR-202)	$1.50	N/A
Deer - Early Antlerless (nr)	$45.00	423
Deer - firearm (nr)	$185.00	222
Deer - license upgrades season change	Varies	N/A
Deer - muzzleloader license(nr)	$185.00	237
Deer - youth 10 - 12 (archery-246/firearm-247/muzzleloa	None	N/A
Deer - youth 13 to 17 (archery-230 / firearm-231 / muzz	$5.00	N/A
Duplicate licenses	Varies	N/A
Federal Duck Stamp	$27.50	10
Furbearer/Racoon/Bobcat (nr)	$183.00	228
Landowner Deer License	None	342
Lifetime NR Angling/Small Game	Varies	N/A
Lifetime small game renewal (nr)	None	416
Sandhill Crane Permit	$3.00	250
Small game - 72 hour (nr)	$75.00	145
Small game - youth 16 - 17 (nr)	$5.00	206
Small game 18 and older (nr)	$102.00	221
Stamp - migratory waterfowl (validation & pictoral)	$8.25	245
Stamp - migratory waterfowl	$7.50	226
Stamp - pheasant (validation & pictorial)	$8.25	244
Stamp - pheasant validation	$7.50	229

Learn More

FAQs related to Minnesota Hunting Seasons

How many deer can I hunt in Minnesota?

Regular hunters may tag one deer of either gender with their basic license when they use bows, firearms, or muzzleloaders. You are allowed to take up to three deer in regions having a three-deer cap.

Is it legal to bait deer in Minnesota?

The practice of “deer baiting,” which involves placing food close to deer stands or clearings in an effort to draw the animals so that you may kill them, has been prohibited in Minnesota since 1991.

Can I hunt squirrels in Minnesota?

You may hunt rabbits, hares, and squirrels, or you can create traps to capture them.

Can I hunt over a salt lick in Minnesota?

No, it is unlawful to use a salt or mineral product for hunting if it contains anything other than salt or minerals. Numerous products, including more recent liquid, powder, and block forms, include foods or attractants such grains, fruits, and derivatives of sugar (glucose, dextrose, and fructose). You may only use mineral products or simple salt.

Dates & Regulations Source: DNR Minnesota

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John Lewis

John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.

1 thought on “Minnesota Hunting Seasons 2023-2024 New Regulations & Dates!”

Kevin Mathena

October 5, 2023 at 10:32 am

I’m looking for transportation rules for deer in our area 684. Some yahoo is trying to tell me that before you transport your deer home you have to skin and quarter it. I find that hard to believe.