CWD testing during the late hunt is voluntary
CWD sampling during the late CWD hunt will be voluntary. Sampling stations listed below will be self-service only. Hunters also can also use the partner sampling program, hunter mail-in kits or make an appointment at a DNR wildlife office.
Due to the volume of samples received during mandatory sampling period for the opening weekend of firearms season, the DNR is able to calculate the prevalence and distribution of CWD in these deer permit areas.
The late CWD hunt is designed as a management tool to help achieve the goal of reducing deer densities around wild CWD positive deer. It remains an important tool in disease management, helping limit the spead of CWD.
- When & where
- What you need to know
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Valid license: A hunter may use any unfilled archery, firearms, muzzleloader or landowner deer hunting license. Unfilled bonus permits, disease management permits and early antlerless permits also may be used. The hunting method used must match the hunter’s deer license.
Shotgun zone repealed: Check county information to confirm firearms allowed for deer hunting.
Carcass disposal rules apply: Carcasses from all deer, including fawns, harvested within a CWD Management Zone may leave the zone immediately but must be disposed of through your refuse hauler, at your local landfill, or it may be left on the private property where the deer was harvested with permission from the landowner.
Disease management permits: Hunters also may use any unfilled disease management permits or they may purchase a disease management permit for $2.50. During this hunt, individuals using disease management permits may hunt by archery, firearms or muzzleloader and do not need any additional license or permit. Also, during this hunt only, disease management permits may be used to tag either a antlered buck or an antlerless deer.
Places to hunt: Hunters must obtain permission to hunt on private land but may hunt wildlife management areas and other public lands that are normally open to deer hunting within the designated deer permit areas. View the special public land access information below to hunt some areas normally closed to deer hunting.
Respect trails: Hunters using ATVs are reminded to not drive on designated snowmobile and cross-country ski trails.
Bag limit: The bag limit is five deer, which includes both antlerless and legal bucks during the late CWD season. The statewide bag limits for antlerless deer or legal bucks do not apply during this hunt. Unlike other hunts, disease management permits may be used to tag both antlered and antlerless deer. Bonus permits and early antlerless tags can only be used to tag antlerless deer.
CWD sampling: CWD sampling during the late CWD hunt will be voluntary. Hunters also can also use the partner sampling program, hunter mail-in kits or make an appointment at a DNR wildlife office.
- Special public land access
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Some public lands in southern Minnesota where deer hunting is not normally allowed will be opened to limited hunting. Special, no-cost permits to access these areas are required to limit the number of hunters.
Note: Great River Bluffs State Park and King's and Queen's Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) will be closed during the 2026 late CWD season.
Nontoxic ammunition must be used for most of these hunts. State law requires the use of nontoxic ammunition when hunting on scientific natural areas, state parks and lands managed by the DNR's parks and trails division.
Permits will be available from any DNR license vendor or online on a first-come, first-served basis starting at noon on Friday, Dec. 4, and ending Tuesday, Dec. 15, or until all permits are sold, whichever comes first. Use the listed hunt number when selecting a permit. The permit and a hunting license are required. When hunting in a state park, a state park permit is required.
Location ELS Number Permit Permits Allocated Nontoxic ammo required Notes Rushford Sand Barrens SNA N/A No N/A Yes Savage Fen SNA N/A No N/A N/A Archery only Cannon River Wilderness Area 809 Yes 50 N/A Archery only. Contact the Owatonna area wildlife office. Pin Oak Prairie SNA 803 Yes 4 Yes Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area No No N/A Yes Archery only within the Carver Rapids unit Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park and Prairie Creek Woods SNA 802 Yes 50 Yes Contact Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park Vermillion Highlands WMA is closed to public hunting during this hunt.