Minnesota 2026-28 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Minnesota's listed 2026-28 firearm deer season runs Nov 7-15, 2026.
Archery White-tailed Deer opens Sep 19, 2026 and closes Dec 31, 2026.
General Bear opens Sep 1, 2026 and closes Oct 18, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Minnesota DNR.
- firearm deer
- Nov 7-15, 2026
- archery deer
- Sep 19-Dec 31, 2026
- bear
- Sep 1-Oct 18, 2026
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Key seasons by species
How to read Minnesota's seasons
Deer permit areas and season designations drive it
Minnesota manages deer by permit area, and each area is designated for a specific season type (lottery, hunter choice, or managed) that governs antlerless harvest. The firearm zones (such as 3A/3B) also carry different dates.
Confirm your permit area's designation, zone dates, and license options with the official Minnesota DNR source.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Minnesota DNR before hunting.
Proposed 2026-27
federal openings
in Minnesota
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing hunting and fishing access changes at 6 stations in Minnesota. Public comment closes June 26, 2026.
- MN · NWR
Agassiz NWR
MinnesotaMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: OPEN + EXPAND - MN · NWR
Big Stone NWR
MinnesotaMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: OPEN + EXPANDFISHING: EXPANSION - MN · NWR
Glacial Ridge NWR
MinnesotaMIGRATORY BIRD: OPEN + EXPANDUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: OPEN + EXPAND - MN · NWR
Minnesota Valley NWR
MinnesotaUPLAND GAME: OPENINGBIG GAME: OPENING - IA · MN · NWRCA
Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWRCA
Iowa / MinnesotaMIGRATORY BIRD: OPEN + EXPANDUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: EXPANSIONFISHING: EXPANSION - MN · NWR
Rydell NWR
MinnesotaMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: OPENINGBIG GAME: OPEN + EXPAND
Deer
15 listed rowsWhite-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Youth
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Early Antlerless
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Firearm (Season A)
Zone: 200 & 300 Series permit areas
White-tailed Deer
Firearm (Season A)
Zone: 100 Series permit areas
White-tailed Deer
Firearm (Season B)
Zone: 300 Series permit areas
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Youth
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Early Antlerless
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Firearm (Season A)
Zone: 200 & 300 Series permit areas
White-tailed Deer
Firearm (Season A)
Zone: 100 Series permit areas
White-tailed Deer
Firearm (Season B)
Zone: 300 Series permit areas
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Zone: Statewide
Bear
Bear
General
Bear baiting start date 08/14/26
Zone: Permit areas & no-quota area
Bear
General
Bear baiting start date 08/13/27
Zone: Permit areas & no-quota area
Bear
General
Zone: Permit areas & no-quota area
Black Bear
General
Bear baiting start date 08/14/26. Bear hunt lottery deadline 05/1/26. Bear license purchase deadline 08/1/26. Surplus bear licenses available 08/5/26.
Zone: Permit areas & no-quota area
Black Bear
General
Bear baiting start date 08/13/27. Bear hunt lottery deadline 05/7/27. Bear license purchase deadline 08/1/27. Surplus bear licenses available 08/4/27.
Zone: Permit areas & no-quota area
Rabbit
Rabbit, Cottontail & Snowshoe Hare
General
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit, Cottontail and Snowshoe Hare
General
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit, Jack
General
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit, Jack
General
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Squirrel, Gray & Fox
General
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel, Gray & Fox
General
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
19 listed rowsBadger
General
Zone: North furbearer zone
Badger
General
Zone: South furbearer zone
Badger
General
Zone: North furbearer zone
Badger
General
Zone: South furbearer zone
Bobcat
General
Zone: South Furbearer Zone
Bobcat
General
Zone: North Furbearer Zone
Bobcat
General
Zone: North Furbearer Zone
Fox, Gray & Red
General
Zone: North furbearer zone
Fox, Gray & Red
General
Zone: South furbearer zone
Fox, Gray & Red
General
Zone: North furbearer zone
Fox, Gray & Red
General
Zone: South furbearer zone
Opossum
General
Zone: North furbearer zone
Opossum
General
Zone: South furbearer zone
Opossum
General
Zone: North furbearer zone
Opossum
General
Zone: South furbearer zone
Raccoon
General
Zone: North furbearer zone
Raccoon
General
Zone: South furbearer zone
Raccoon
General
Zone: North furbearer zone
Raccoon
General
Zone: South furbearer zone
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Minnesota Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Minnesota?
September 19, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for Minnesota; it is archery white-tailed deer Sep 19-Dec 31, 2026.
When is Minnesota's firearm deer season?
Nov 7-15, 2026 is the listed firearm deer window for Minnesota. Check zone and permit details with Minnesota DNR before hunting.
Do I need a license to hunt in Minnesota?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Minnesota hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Minnesota DNR.
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