Minnesota Deer Season: New Rules and Digital Shifts

Minnesota’s statewide firearms deer season begins Saturday, November 7.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) expects more than 400,000 hunters to take part in this year’s season. The agency advises hunters to purchase licenses early because the state switched to a new electronic licensing system in June. Some first-time transactions may take longer, and hunters whose records are being moved from the old system might need assistance from the DNR’s License Center. Last year, nearly 140,000 deer licenses were sold on the Thursday and Friday before the opener. Licenses are available through the DNR website, a mobile app, or license agents, and can be kept on paper, as a digital copy, or within the app.

Jamie Gangaware, the project executive for the DNR’s electronic license system, urged hunters to prepare their paperwork before heading into the woods. “Buy your license early rather than waiting until a day or two before opener; know how you will validate and register harvests; and, before you leave for your hunt, either sign into the app or get that paper license printed,” Gangaware said. The app allows a single sign-in to last for 30 days and saves harvest information while a hunter is out of cell service, uploading the data once service returns. A new online quick registration option is also available for those who buy in person, requiring no login or app.

Hunters must register every deer within 48 hours of harvest and before processing or antler removal. Those using the app can validate and register simultaneously. Paper license holders can validate the animal and register later online or in person. In southwest Minnesota, a new rule requires hunters to test any deer at least one year old for chronic wasting disease during opening weekend, November 7 and 8. DNR-staffed sampling stations will operate from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on November 7 and 8, and from 9 a.m. to noon on November 9. Hunters can also use self-service stations, mail-in kits, or taxidermists and meat processors in the Partner Sampling Program.

Testing remains voluntary in other parts of the state. Archery season runs through December 31, while muzzleloader season is scheduled from November 28 through December 13. Closing dates for the firearms season vary by deer permit area. The DNR updates preliminary harvest numbers for 2026 on its deer statistics page each Monday and Thursday.