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 2023, 88% of successful hunters in the late CWD season took just one deer, and 98% of successful hunters took two or fewer deer.
- When & where
- What you need to know
Valid license: A hunter may use any unfilled archery, firearms, muzzleloader or landowner deer hunting license. Unfilled bonus permits, disease management 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 CWD season.
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. Self-service sampling stations will be available on Monday, Dec. 22, following the hunt.
- Special public land access
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.
Nontoxic ammunition must be used for most of these hunts. State law requires the use of nontoxic ammunition when hunting on scientific natural areas, state parks and lands managed by the DNR's parks and trails division.
Permits will be available from any DNR license vendor or online on a first-come, first-served basis starting at noon on Friday, Dec. 5, and ending Tuesday, Dec. 16, or until all permits are sold, whichever comes first. Use the listed hunt number when selecting a permit. The permit and a hunting license are required. When hunting in a state park, a state park permit is required.
Areas opened to hunting will be listed here.
Learn what to expect and how to use a self-service sampling station.