New for 2026
Lead-free ammunition is required for all youth hunters.
Deadlines
| Youth hunts: | Applications open July 20 - Aug. 14. |
| Adult hunts: | Details available by Aug. 1 |
Hunts, permit required
Special hunt permits are required to hunt deer in places where the number of hunters must be limited to control the harvest or for safety. Before submitting an application, check with the location you are interested in hunting. Different special hunt areas have different regulations such as requiring bonus permit use, taking an antlerless deer first, written permission, and/or proficiency tests.
Youth firearm
| Area name | Hunt | Permits | Dates | Bag Limit | Lead-free ammo | Type | Orientation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afton State Park | 951 | 30 | Nov. 7-8 | 3 | Required | Either-Sex | Oct. 31 |
| Banning State Park | 965 | 6 | Oct. 31- Nov.1 | 2 | Required | Either-Sex | Oct. 31 |
| Baxter, City of | 961 | Oct. 15-18 | ≤5 | N/A | Either sex | ||
| Blue Mounds State Park | 966 | 10 | Dec. 5-6 | 2 | Required | Either-Sex | Dec. 4 |
| Buffalo River State Park | 959 | 12 | Oct. 24-25 | 2 | Required | Earn-a-buck | Oct. 23 |
| Camden State Park | 967 | 12 | Oct. 24-25 | 2 | Required | Earn-a-buck | Oct. 23 |
| Kilen Woods State Park | 963 | 6 | Oct. 31 - Nov.1 | 2 | Required | Either sex | More information will be mailed out concerning orientation, etc., to successful applicants. |
| Lake Bemidji State Park | 954 | 10 | Oct. 16-18 | 2 | Required | Either-Sex | Oct. 15 |
| Lake Bronson State Park | 969 | 10 | Oct. 24-25 | 1 | Required | Either-Sex | Oct. 23 |
| Lake Shetek State Park | 968 | 15 | Nov. 21-22 | 2 | Required | Antlerless only | Oct. 20 |
| Minneopa State Park | 899 | 12 | Nov. 14-15 | 2 | Required | Either-Sex | Mandatory orientation |
| Savanna Portage State Park | 958 | 25 | Oct. 24-25 | 2 | Required | Either-Sex | |
| Sibley State Park | 952 | 10 | Oct. 24-25 | 1 | Required | Either-Sex | More information will be mailed out concerning orientation, etc., to successful applicants. |
| St. Croix State Park | 956 | 45 | Oct. 31 - Nov. 1 | 1 | Required | Either-Sex | Must attend orientation unless you have attended a past orientation at St. Croix. |
Youth hunt information
Youth hunters must meet the following age requirements to participate in youth special hunts: 12-15 years of age for firearms youth special hunts; 12-17 years of age for archery youth special hunts.
- 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.
- Lead-free ammunition is required for all hunts.
- Online
- In person at a DNR license sales agent or the DNR License Center (located at 500 Lafayette Road in St. Paul, open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday).
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.
- 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.