Late CWD hunts

Disease hunts are an important tool in disease management, helping limit the disease spread and showing where disease is more prevalent through CWD testing of harvested deer.

Although the bag limit for this hunt is unlimited and designed to encourage participation in the management hunt, experience indicates few successful hunters will take more than two deer. In 2021, 98% of successful hunters during the late CWD hunts took two deer or fewer.

When & where

Dates

  • Friday, Dec. 16, through Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022
What you need to know

Valid license: A hunter may use any unfilled archery, firearms, muzzleloader or landowner deer hunting license. Unfilled bonus permits and early antlerless permits also may be used. The hunting method used must match the hunter’s deer license.

Shotgun zone remains: The shotgun zone remains in place during the late hunt.

Disease management permits: Hunters also may use any unfilled disease management permits or they may purchase a disease management permit for $2.50. During this hunt, individuals using disease management permits may hunt by archery, firearms or muzzleloader, and do not need any additional license or permit.

Places to hunt: Hunters must obtain permission to hunt on private land but may hunt wildlife management areas and other public lands that are normally open to deer hunting within the designated deer permit areas. View the special public land access information below to hunt some areas normally closed to deer hunting.

Respect trails: Hunters using ATVs are reminded to not drive on designated snowmobile and cross-country ski trails.

Bag limit: There are no restrictions on the number of deer that a hunter may take. Unlike other hunts, disease management permits may be used to tag both antlered and antlerless deer. Bonus permits and early antlerless tags can only be used to tag antlerless deer.

CWD sampling: CWD sampling is mandatory. Harvested deer one year and older must be taken to a staffed or self-service station. Staffed sampling stations will be open 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the hunt. Stations also will be open from 9 a.m. - noon on the Monday following the hunt.

Special public land access

All permits have been sold

Some public lands in southern Minnesota where deer hunting is not normally allowed will be opened to limited hunting. Special, no-cost permits to access these areas are required to limit the number of hunters. These permits will be available from any DNR license vendor or online on a first-come, first-served basis starting at noon on Friday, Dec. 2, and ending Sunday, Dec. 13. Use the listed hunt number when selecting a permit.

Areas opened to hunting are:

LocationHunt TypePermitsHunt number
Beaver Creek Valley State ParkFirearms25807
Cannon River Wilderness AreaArchery50809
Forestville Mystery Cave State ParkFirearms75801
Great River Bluffs State Park and King's and Queen's Bluff SNAFirearms50805
Nerstrand Woods State Park and Prairie Creek Woods SNAFirearms50802
Pin Oak Prairie SNAFirearms4803

Vermillion Highlands WMA is closed to public hunting during this hunt. No additional public lands where deer hunting is not normally allowed will be open in DPA 184.

Sampling stations

Click on the list containing the permit area you plan to hunt

DPA 184

Carcass movement restrictions are not in place but hunters are encouraged not to move harvested deer out of the area without properly boning and quartering the meat.

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  • Staffed sampling stations will be open from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16 – Sunday, Dec. 18 and have self-service facilities on Monday, Dec. 19.
  • Self-service stations remain available through Monday, Dec. 19
CityLocationAddressStatus
BagleyDNR forestry office36452 State Highway 92Self-service
BecidaBecida Bar and Grill13718 County Road 9Staffed
Bemidji - SouthCenex Station120 Convenience Lane SE (Highway 2 and 71)Staffed
Bemidji - NorthBeltrami County Fairgrounds7223 Fairgrounds Road NWStaffed
BlackduckTimberline Sport 'n' Convenience209 Summit Ave. WSelf-service
Cass LakeMnDOT rest area105 U.S. Highway 2Self-service
Itasca State Park, North EntranceRock Creek General Store16879 N. Entrance DriveSelf-service
Lake GeorgeLake George Community Park37110 U.S. Highway 71Staffed
PuposkyThe 89 Bar and Grill8083 Old Long Lake Road NWSelf-service
TenstrikePour Willies122 Main St.Self-service
WalkerU.S. Forest Service201 Minnesota Ave. ESelf-service
DPA 605

Carcass movement restrictions are in place. Available dumpsters (D) and quartering stations (QS) are listed in the the Dumpster column.

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  • Staffed sampling stations will be open from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16 – Sunday, Dec. 18 and have self-service facilities on Monday, Dec. 19.
  • Self-service stations remain available through Monday, Dec. 19
CityLocationAddressDumpsterStatus
Cannon FallsLake Byllesby Goodhue County Park5001 Highway 19 Blvd.NoneSelf-service
FaribaultRice County Fairgrounds1814 2nd Ave. NWD • QSSelf-service
HastingsLake Rebecca Park415 Lock and Dam RoadNoneSelf-service
LonsdaleRice County Highway Department shop110 5th Ave. NWD • QSSelf-service
New Market/LakevilleNew Market Township Hall8950 230th St. ENoneSelf-service
New PragueSkluzacek's Quality Meats400 Main Street WestNoneSelf-service
NorthfieldNorthfield Archery Range10353 Hall Ave.NoneSelf-service
RosemountDNR wildlife office15325 Babcock Ave. ED • QSStaffed
DPAs 643, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 655

Carcass movement restrictions are in place. Available dumpsters (D) and quartering stations (QS) are listed in the the Dumpster column.

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  • Staffed sampling stations will be open from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16 – Sunday, Dec. 18 and have self-service facilities on Monday, Dec. 19.
  • Self-service stations remain available through Monday, Dec. 19
CityLocationAddressDumpsterStatus
CaledoniaDNR forestry office805 N Highway 44D • QSNo sampling
CaledoniaHouston County Fairgrounds1316 E. Washington St.NoneSelf-service
ChatfieldMagnum Sports20 Main Street SouthNoneSelf-service
HoustonBP Gas Station801 E. Cedar St.NoneSelf-service
KassonHardware Hank11 4th Street SENoneSelf-service
La CrescentLa Crescent Joint Public Works facility450 South Chestnut StNoneStaffed
MabelSteam Engine Days Park90 E. Alpine Ave.NoneSelf-service
PrestonDNR forestry office912 Houston St. NWD • QSStaffed
RochesterDNR shop, Gordon Yeager WMA280 Energy Parkway NED • QSSelf-service
RushfordDNR Shop305 Industrial DriveD • QSStaffed
RushfordPam's Corner Convenience107 MN-16, RushfordNoneSelf-service
Spring ValleyCity lot across from Spring Valley Public Utilities101 South Section StD • QSSelf-service
St. CharlesWinona County Fairgrounds518 W. 6th St.D • QSSelf-service
StewartvilleBear Cave Park800 10th St. NWD • QSSelf-service
WilsonWilson Truck and Trailer Repair29622 County Road 12D • QSSelf-service
WinonaFleet Farm920 US-61DStaffed
Using self-service sampling stations

Learn what to expect and how to use a self-service sampling station.

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