Minnesota 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Minnesota's 2026-27 firearm deer season opens November 7, 2026 in every zone and closes between November 15, 2026 and November 22, 2026 depending on zone.
Archery deer season runs Sep 19-Dec 31, 2026.
Duck season opens September 26, 2026 in every zone and runs in split segments through December 6, 2026; the dates for each zone are in the table below.
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; later in some zones
- archery deer
- Sep 19-Dec 31, 2026
- duck
- opens Sep 26, 2026; split dates by zone
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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.
New 2026-27
federal openings
in Minnesota
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened or expanded hunting and fishing access at 6 stations in Minnesota. The final rule took effect August 31, 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
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
Early Antlerless
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Youth
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
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed DeerEarly Antlerless · Statewide | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerYouth · Statewide | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerMuzzleloader · Statewide | Upcoming |
Turkey
17 listed rowsWild Turkey
Spring - Youth
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring - Archery
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring - Season A
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring - Season B
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring - Season C
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring - Season D
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring - Season E
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring - Season F
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring - Youth
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring - Season A
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring - Archery
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring - Season B
Zone: Statewide
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Wild TurkeySpring - Season C · Statewide | Closed | |
| Wild TurkeySpring - Season D · Statewide | Closed | |
| Wild TurkeySpring - Season E · Statewide | Closed | |
| Wild TurkeySpring - Season F · Statewide | Closed | |
| Wild TurkeyFall · Statewide | Closed |
Bear
Bear
General
Bear baiting start date 08/13/27
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
Bear
General
Zone: Permit areas & no-quota area
Bear
General
Bear baiting start date 08/14/26
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
Waterfowl
18 listed rowsCanada Goose, White-fronted Goose, Brant
Regular Goose Season
Zone: North
Canada Goose, White-fronted Goose, Brant
Regular Goose Season
Zone: Central
Canada Goose, White-fronted Goose, Brant
Regular Goose Season
Zone: South
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Regular Season
Zone: North
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Regular Season
Zone: Central
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Regular Season
Zone: South
Snow Goose, Blue Snow Goose, Ross's Goose
Regular Goose Season
Zone: North
Snow Goose, Blue Snow Goose, Ross's Goose
Regular Goose Season
Zone: Central
Snow Goose, Blue Snow Goose, Ross's Goose
Regular Goose Season
Zone: South
Blue-winged, Green-winged, Cinnamon Teal
Early Teal
Shooting cannot begin until sunrise.
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose, White-fronted Goose, Brant
Early Goose Season
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose, White-fronted Goose, Brant
Regular Goose Season
Zone: Central
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Goose, White-fronted Goose, BrantRegular Goose Season · South | Closed | |
| Ducks, Coots, MergansersRegular Season · Central | Closed | |
| Ducks, Coots, MergansersRegular Season · South | Closed | |
| Snow Goose, Blue Snow Goose, Ross's GooseEarly Goose Season · Statewide | Closed | |
| Snow Goose, Blue Snow Goose, Ross's GooseRegular Goose Season · South | Closed | |
| Snow Goose, Blue Snow Goose, Ross's GooseRegular Goose Season · Central | Closed |
Dove
Mourning Dove
General
2026 season
Zone: Statewide
Pheasant
Ring-Necked Pheasant
General
2026 season
Zone: Statewide
Grouse
Ruffed & Spruce Grouse
General
2026 season
Zone: Statewide
Sharp-Tailed Grouse
General
2026 season
Zone: Northwest zone
Rabbit
Rabbit, Cottontail & Snowshoe Hare
General
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit, Jack
General
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit, Cottontail and Snowshoe Hare
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
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
Raccoon
General
Zone: North furbearer zone
Raccoon
General
Zone: South furbearer zone
Bobcat
General
Zone: North Furbearer Zone
Badger
General
Zone: North furbearer zone
Fox, Gray & Red
General
Zone: North furbearer zone
Opossum
General
Zone: North furbearer zone
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| BadgerGeneral · South furbearer zone | Upcoming | |
| BobcatGeneral · South Furbearer Zone | Closed | |
| BobcatGeneral · North Furbearer Zone | Upcoming | |
| Fox, Gray & RedGeneral · South furbearer zone | Upcoming | |
| OpossumGeneral · South furbearer zone | Upcoming | |
| RaccoonGeneral · North furbearer zone | Upcoming | |
| RaccoonGeneral · South furbearer zone | Upcoming |
Migratory Birds
Common Snipe
General
2026 season
Zone: Statewide
Sora and Virginia Rail
General
2026 season
Zone: Statewide
American Woodcock
General
2026 season
Zone: Statewide
Other
Hungarian Partridge
General
2026 season
Zone: Statewide
Crow
General
2026-27 season, segment 2 of 4
Zone: Statewide
Crow
General
2026-27 season, segment 3 of 4
Zone: Statewide
Crow
General
2026-27 season, segment 4 of 4
Zone: Statewide
Crow
General
2026-27 season, segment 1 of 4
Zone: Statewide
Greater Prairie Chicken
General
2026 season
Zone: Prairie chicken quota areas
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Minnesota Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Minnesota?
Archery deer season runs Sep 19-Dec 31, 2026. Firearm deer season opens November 7, 2026 in every zone and closes between November 15, 2026 and November 22, 2026 depending on zone. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Minnesota DNR.
When is Minnesota's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season opens November 7, 2026 in every zone and closes between November 15, 2026 and November 22, 2026 depending on zone. Check zone and permit details with Minnesota DNR before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Minnesota?
Spring turkey season runs Apr 14-May 31, 2027. Youth and other special hunts, where listed, open earlier.
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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