2025 special deer hunts

Deadlines

Youth hunts:Friday, Aug. 15 (unless noted otherwise)
Adult hunts:Thursday, Sept. 4 (unless noted otherwise)

Hunts, permit required


Area nameHuntPermitsDatesBagTypeAdditional info
Bemidji Regional Airport98620Sep. 13-Dec. 315Either-SexScott Schroeder; 218-333-1861; [email protected], Apply by Aug. 1, Fee $10
Carleton Game Refuge97240Nov. 27-Dec. 315Earn-a-buckApply by Oct. 1
City of Austin and Jay C. Hormel Nature Center97350Oct. 1-Dec. 31, Oct. 15-Dec. 313Earn-a-buckMandatory orientation, Luke Reese; 507-433-1881; [email protected], Apply by Sep. 12, Fee $25
City of Bemidji (NE)98522Sep. 13-Dec. 315Either-SexScott Schroeder; 218-333-1861; [email protected], Apply by Aug. 1, Fee $10
City of Bemidji (West)98522Sep. 13-Dec. 315Either-SexScott Schroeder; 218-333-1861; [email protected], Apply by Aug. 1, Fee $10
City of Blue Earth89716Sep. 13-Dec. 312Earn-a-buckMandatory orientation, Tharen Haugh; 507-526-5959; [email protected], Apply by Aug. 11, Fee $15
City of Canby98415Sep. 13-Dec. 312Antlerless onlyBrock Smith; 507-828-8192; [email protected], Apply by Sep. 5, Fee $10
City of Duluth980400Sep. 13-Dec. 313Either-SexMandatory orientation, Arrowhead Bowhunters Alliance; 111-111-1111 ext. 1111; [email protected], Apply by Jun. 30, Fee $40
City of East Grand Forks99612Nov. 15-231OtherMandatory orientation, Police Chief Michael Hedlund; 218-773-1104; [email protected], Apply by Sep. 15
City of Granite Falls98210Sep. 13-Dec. 311Antlerless onlyMike Thull; 320-564-2129; [email protected], Apply by Sep. 1
City of Hallock - Season A9925Sep. 13-Oct. 172Antlerless onlyMike Docken, Police Chief; 218-843-3434; [email protected]
City of Hallock - Season B9925Oct. 18-Nov. 212Antlerless onlyMike Docken, Police Chief; 218-843-3434; [email protected]
City of Hallock - Season C9925Nov. 22-Dec. 312Antlerless onlyMike Docken, Police Chief; 218-843-3434; [email protected]
City of Lake Benton92440Sep. 13-Dec. 312Earn-a-buckEileen Christensen; 507-368-4641 ext. 1; [email protected], Apply by Aug. 29, Fee $15
City of Mankato98140Sep. 13-Dec. 315Earn-a-buckMandatory orientation, Justin Lundborg; 507-387-8397; [email protected], Apply by Jul. 18
City of New Ulm97656Oct. 11-Dec. 313Double earn-a-buckDustin Fleck; 507-233-6750, Apply by Sep. 5, Fee $20
City of Ortonville98330Sep. 13-Dec. 315Earn-a-buckOrtonville City Clerk; 320-839-3428; [email protected], Apply by Aug. 1, Fee $20
City of Owatonna99031Oct. 19-Nov. 16, Nov. 17-Dec. 145Earn-a-buckMandatory orientation, Mary Jo Knudson; 507-774-7364; [email protected], Apply by Sep. 5, Fee $20
City of Red Lake Falls99810Sep. 13-Dec. 311Antlerless onlyKelly Brekke; 218-253-2996; [email protected], Apply by Sep. 1
City of Redwood Falls97820Sep. 13-Dec. 313Double earn-a-buckJim Doering; 507-616-7400; [email protected], Fee $20
City of Two Harbors89615Sep. 13-Dec. 312Earn-a-buckMandatory orientation, Corey Carlson; 218-340-0630; [email protected], Apply by Aug. 16
City of Warroad97410Sep. 13-Dec. 315Either-SexWade Steinbring; 218-386-2053; [email protected]
City of Windom97015Sep. 13-Dec. 312Antlerless onlyDevin Koppenrud; 507-831-6134; [email protected], Apply by Aug. 31, Fee $20
Lake Tamarack Unit of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum8952Oct. 25-Nov. 92Earn-a-buckSue Koepp; 612-301-1217; [email protected]
Pin Oak Prairie Scientific and Natural Area9268Oct. 1-Nov. 305Either-SexDon Ramsden ; 507-796-3284; [email protected], Apply by Aug. 28
River Bend Nature Center99730Nov. 13-163Earn-a-buckMandatory orientation, Brittany Smith; 507-332-7151; [email protected], Apply by Sep. 1
Vermillion Highlands Research, Recreation and Wildlife Management Area97560Sep. 13-Oct. 313Either-SexMandatory orientation, Tim Pharis; 651-322-4643; [email protected]


Area nameHuntPermitsDatesBagNontoxic ammoTypeAdditional info
Carver Park Reserve971100Nov. 15-165N/AEither-SexMandatory orientation, Steven Hogg; 763-694-7848; [email protected]
Cascade River State Park90045Nov. 8-231RequiredEither-Sex
Forestville Mystery Cave State Park93375Nov. 8-93RequiredEither-Sex
Frontenac State Park94060Nov. 22-233RequiredEither-Sex
Glacial Lakes State Park91920Nov. 13-161RequiredAntlerless only
Gooseberry Falls State Park90425Nov. 8-231RequiredEither-Sex
Great River Bluffs State Park and King's and Queen's Bluff Scientific and Natural Area96250Nov. 22-233RequiredEither-Sex
Hayes Lake State Park90850Nov. 8-232RequiredEither-Sex
Judge C.R. Magney State Park91125Nov. 8-231RequiredEither-Sex
Kilen Woods State Park99110Dec. 27-Jan. 42RequiredAntlerless only
Lake Bemidji State Park90930Nov. 8-112RequiredEither-Sex
Lake Bronson State Park91525Nov. 8-162RequiredEarn-a-buck
Lake Carlos State Park91320Nov. 8-111RequiredAntlerless only
Lake Louise State Park90325Nov. 15-163RequiredEarn-a-buck
Maplewood State Park916100Nov. 8-112RequiredEither-Sex
Miesville Ravine Park Reserve91740Nov. 8-165N/AEither-SexMandatory orientation, Scott Hagen; 952-891-7983; [email protected]
Old Mill State Park92210Nov. 8-111RequiredEither-Sex
Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge90140Nov. 15-231N/AEither-SexWalt Ford; 218-768-2402 ext. 100; [email protected]
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park90515Nov. 8-231RequiredEither-Sex
St. Croix State Park902350Nov. 21-231RequiredEither-Sex
Tettegouche State Park90625Nov. 8-231RequiredEither-Sex
Vermillion Highlands Research, Recreation and Wildlife Management Area92520Nov. 8-233N/AOtherMandatory orientation, Tim Pharis; 651-322-4643; [email protected], Apply by Sep. 4
Whitewater State Game Refuge934100Nov. 22-302N/AAntlerless onlyMandatory orientation, Christine Johnson; 507-796-3281; [email protected], Apply by Aug. 4
Whitewater State Park92750Nov. 22-233RequiredEither-Sex
Wild River State Park920100Nov. 8-92RequiredEither-Sex
William O'Brien State Park91450Nov. 15-162RequiredEither-Sex
Zippel Bay State Park91075Nov. 8-233RequiredEarn-a-buck
Zumbro Falls Woods Scientific and Natural Area92312Nov. 22-303RequiredEither-SexRyan Tebo; 507-206-2862; [email protected]
Zumbro Falls Woods Scientific and Natural Area92112Nov. 8-163RequiredEither-SexRyan Tebo; 507-206-2862; [email protected]


Area nameHuntPermitsDatesBagNontoxic ammoTypeAdditional info
Afton State Park96430Dec. 9-112RequiredAntlerless onlyMandatory orientation
Beaver Creek Valley State Park91825Dec. 6-73RequiredEither-Sex
Crow Wing State Park93630Dec. 6-102RequiredEither-Sex
Hayes Lake State Park93850Nov. 29-Dec. 142RequiredEither-Sex
Jay Cooke State Park93575Dec. 6-102RequiredEither-Sex
Lake Bemidji State Park94730Dec. 5-72RequiredEither-Sex
Lake Maria State Park96025Dec. 5-73RequiredEarn-a-buck
Lake Vermilion - Soudan Underground Mine State Park93720Nov. 29-Dec. 142RequiredEither-Sex
McCarthy Beach State Park92915Nov. 29-Dec. 142RequiredEither-Sex
Miesville Ravine Park Reserve94340Dec. 6-145N/AEither-SexMandatory orientation, Scott Hagen; 952-891-7983; [email protected]
Myre Big Island State Park93950Dec. 6-75RequiredAntlerless only
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park and Prairie Creek Woods Scientific and Natural Area93060Dec. 6-75RequiredEarn-a-buck
Rice Lake State Park93220Dec. 6-73RequiredAntlerless only
Sakatah Lake State Park89415Dec. 6-73RequiredEarn-a-buckTodd Dailey; 507-698-7851; [email protected]
Savanna Portage State Park94830Nov. 29-Dec. 72RequiredEither-Sex
Scenic State Park90715Nov. 29-Dec. 142RequiredEither-Sex
Sibley State Park94260Dec. 6-72RequiredAntlerless only
St. Croix State Park949150Dec. 2-71RequiredEither-Sex
Vermillion Highlands Research, Recreation and Wildlife Management Area94420Nov. 29-Dec. 143N/AEither-SexMandatory orientation, Tim Pharis; 651-322-4643; [email protected]


Area nameHuntPermitsDatesBagNontoxic ammoTypeOrientation
Afton State Park95130Nov. 8-92RequiredEither-Sex11/01/2025, Orientation required to participate in the special youth hunt. Hunt orientation may be in person at the park Visitor Center or through mailed orientation packets.
Banning State Park9658Nov. 1-22RequiredEither-Sex10/31/2025, Oct. 31 - In conjunction with St. Croix Orientation.
Baxter, City of961≤5Oct. 16-195N/AEither sexReview hunt information
Blue Mounds State Park96610Nov. 22-231RequiredEither-SexMore information will be mailed out concerning orientation, etc. Generally it is held at 6pm the Friday prior to the hunt at the park office.
Buffalo River State Park95912Oct. 25-262RequiredEarn-a-buck10/24/2025, Mandatory orientation will be held at MSUM Regional Science Center on October 24th at 6pm
Camden State Park96712Oct. 25-262RequiredEarn-a-buckMore information will be mailed out concerning orientation, etc. Generally it is held at 6pm the Friday prior to the hunt at the park shop.
Kilen Woods State Park9636Nov. 1-22RequiredEarn-a-buckMore information will be mailed out concerning orientation, etc. Generally it is held the Friday prior to the hunt at the Windom DNR office.
Lake Bemidji State Park95420Oct. 17-192RequiredEither-Sex10/16/2025, Mandatory orientation will be held at Lake Bemidji State Park Visitors Center Oct 16th, 6pm
Lake Bronson State Park96910Oct. 25-261RequiredEither-Sex10/24/2025, Mandatory orientation will be held at Lake Bronson State Park Visitors Center Oct 24th, 6pm
Lake Shetek State Park96815Nov. 1-22RequiredAntlerlessMore information will be mailed out concerning orientation, etc. Generally it is held the Friday before the hunt, at 6pm at the Zuya Group center dining hall.
Minneopa State Park89912Nov. 15-162RequiredEither-Sex11/14/2025
Savanna Portage State Park95825Oct. 25-262RequiredEither-Sex
Sibley State Park95210Oct. 25-261RequiredEither-SexMore information will be mailed out concerning orientation, etc., to successful applicants.
St. Croix State Park95690Nov. 1-21RequiredEither-Sex10/31/2025, Must attend and orientation unless you have attended a past orientation at St. Croix.
Zippel Bay State Park95320Oct. 17-192RequiredEither-SexNo in person orientation. Orientation packet will be mailed to successful applicants. Confirmation of reviewed packet required by successful applicants.


Area nameHuntPermitsDatesBagTypeOrientation
Camp Ripley950100Oct.10-122Either sexOct. 10
Sand Prairie WMA (Sherburne County): Open during the regular archery deer season for youth ages 10 through 17. Regular archery deer rules apply.

Youth hunt information

Age and license requirements
  • Applicants for youth firearms or archery special deer hunts must be 12-15 years old at the time of the hunt.
  • Archery and firearms participants must have a firearms safety certificate and must obtain a license for taking deer by firearms (or archery for youth archery hunts), valid for any zone or season option, by the beginning date of the respective hunt.
  • An apprentice hunter license will be valid in lieu of a firearms safety certificate for these hunts.
  • Blaze orange/pink requirements are in effect in areas open during firearms youth deer hunts.
  • The rifle-shotgun boundary is in effect.
  • Nontoxic ammunition is required for all hunts except the Rydell National Wildlife Refuge.
How to apply

Applicants may only apply for one youth archery hunt and one youth firearms hunt. Group applications and party hunting are not allowed. A drawing will be held if applications exceed available permits for each hunt. Unsuccessful applicants will receive preference for future youth hunt lotteries of the same type.

Each hunter must purchase their hunting license in addition to applying for the special youth hunt. Hunting licenses go on sale Aug. 1 each year.

Participation in a youth hunt does not affect one’s eligibility to participate in the regular deer seasons, but harvested deer count toward a youth’s annual statewide bag limit.

Youth and adult attendance required
  • All participating youth must attend orientation as required by the hunt administrator prior to the hunt (details will be included in notices to successful applicants).
  • An adult mentor, who may not hunt, must accompany participants during the orientation and the hunt.

Hunts, no permit needed


Area nameHuntPermitsDatesBagNontoxic ammoTypeAdditional info
City of East Gull LakeArchery880UnlimitedSep. 13-Dec. 315Antlerless onlyLaura Christensen; 218-828-9279; [email protected]
City of JacksonArchery928UnlimitedSep. 13-Dec. 312Antlerless onlyShawn Haken; 507-847-4420; [email protected]
Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area- Carver Rapids Unit & Thompson Ferry Unit ArcheryArchery979UnlimitedSep. 13-Dec. 315Either-Sex


Area nameHuntPermitsDatesBagNontoxic ammoTypeAdditional info
City of Grand RapidsFirearms931UnlimitedNov. 8-233N/AEither-Sex
Schoolcraft State ParkFirearms912UnlimitedNov. 8-231RequiredEither-Sex


Area nameHuntPermitsDatesBagNontoxic ammoTypeAdditional info
City of Grand RapidsMuzzleloader946UnlimitedNov. 29-Dec. 143N/AEither-Sex
Itasca State ParkMuzzleloader287UnlimitedNov. 29-Dec. 141RequiredEither-Sex
Schoolcraft State ParkMuzzleloader912UnlimitedNov. 29-Dec. 141RequiredEither-Sex

Information

If permit applications exceed the number of permits available, computerized drawings will be used to issue permits.

  • Drawings for antlerless deer or special area permits are based on a preference system. Hunters accumulate preference by applying without getting drawn. Applicants receiving an antlerless deer or special hunt area permit lose their accrued preference.
  • Preference is not affected by applying for a different area than the year before or by not applying for one or more years.
  • Preference for group applications is based on the member with the fewest points.
  • Only successful applicants will be notified.
  • Information about the drawings and individual applications is available by the end of September on the lottery page.

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