Mandatory deer harvest registration

deer in forest

Every deer taken must be registered and antlers must remain attached until the deer is registered. In all cases, the deer must be registered within 48 hours after the deer was taken and before the deer is processed either privately or commercially. Deer may be transported out of the area where taken without first being registered, after site validation. Note that harvest registration is a separate process from CWD testing.

There are three ways to register harvested deer in Minnesota. They are:

  1. Walk-In Big Game Registration Stations

    This process is unchanged from previous years. Registration stations display large, orange "Big Game Registration" signs. The person whose tag is on the deer must personally present the deer at an official registration station and receive a big game possession tag. The tag must be attached to the hind leg, ear, or antler where the site tag was attached. You can find a complete list of all stations at any DNR wildlife office or on the DNR website.

  2. Online

    Connect to mndnr.gov/buyalicense and click on the "Harvest registration" link to register your deer. You will receive a confirmation number.

  3. MN DNR Licensing mobile app

    Log into the app, select "Harvest Validation/Registration" and complete the steps. Online and mobile app harvest registration options will not be available until the site validation is completed for that harvested animal. Site validation must be completed (mobile app or paper) prior to transporting a harvested animal. Big game possession tags are no longer issued after registration. When registering, the categories are as follows:

    • Adult male: male deer with one antler at least 3 inches long.
    • Fawn male: 6-month-old male deer, commonly known as a "button buck," weighs less than 75 pounds dressed. Register deer with antlers less than 3 inches or shed antlers as fawn male.
    • Adult female: doe at least 18 months old. Longer nose and larger body (over 75 pounds dressed weight) than younger antlerless deer.
    • Fawn female: 6-month-old female deer. Shorter nose, weighs less than 75 pounds dressed.

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