- 1. Buy your license
Before you can buy a deer hunting license, you need to decide where you're going to hunt. Although a deer hunting license can be used throughout the state, you must declare the deer permit area (DPA) in which you intend to hunt. Once purchased, you can hunt in any DPA and do not need to update your initial declaration of location.
Tools to help
Click above for a video tutorial from our Learn to Deer Hunt webinars
- 2. Know the regulations
Whether you can shoot a doe or a buck and how many deer you can harvest can change from year to year in any permit area. Know the regulations for your DPA and understand how harvested deer must be handled and transported to help prevent the potential spread of disease.
- Find deer seasons questions and answers.
- Deer hunting regulations:
- Log your deer sightings.
- You must tag and register your deer online or use another method.
- Harvesting, transporting and importing deer and other cervids.
Click above for a video tutorial from our Learn to Deer Hunt webinars
Individual elk have been observed this fall in Clay, Norman, Polk, Clearwater, Stearns, Meeker, Watonwan, Nobles and Brown counties. Know the difference so you don't mistakenly shoot one.
- 3. Process your deer
Some processors may not accept deer from hunters. Contact the processor you plan to use before your hunt to ensure your field-dressed deer will be accepted.- Every deer – even those destined for a processor – must be field dressed.
- Want to butcher elsewhere? Simply quarter your deer.
- Don't have a processor? Butcher your own deer.
Please utilize all the useable parts of your deer and properly dispose of what's left. Disposal is allowed:
- On private land with the landowner's permission;
- Through your refuse hauler after checking how to properly bag the carcass; or
- At a landfill.
Throwing away or dumping a harvested deer is considered wanton waste. View details in the hunting regulations booklet. If you have a deer that you believe can't or shouldn't be processed or butchered, contact a conservation officer.
If you're concerned about chronic wasting disease, you can collect a lymph node sample and pay a small fee for a private test. View the complete video instructions on how to properly collect a lymph node sample and laboratory information.
- 4. Be safe
Always know your target and what's beyond before you aim.- Practice firearms safety.
- Know tree stand safety.
- Wear blaze clothing.
- Follow safe OHV and ATV tips.
- Report suspicious activity.
- 5. Enjoy your hunt
Have fun, make memories and do your part to keep Minnesota's deer hunting tradition strong.- Share your deer camp and deer hunting photos with us so we can share them back with all of you.
- Use the hashtags #DeerCampMN and #HuntMN in all your social media posts.
- Tag @Minnesota Wildlife in your deer camp and deer hunting posts on Facebook.
- Brush up on your skills or help someone new learn to deer hunt.
