Deer harvest numbers available online
People who are interested in deer harvest data can find preliminary current and final past harvest information on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ deer reports and statistics webpage. The page also features an interactive map and graph that visualize the data.
In Minnesota, archery deer season began Sept. 13 and continues through Wednesday, Dec. 31. The statewide firearms deer season begins Saturday, Nov. 8, with various closing dates depending on a hunter’s deer permit area. Muzzleloader season begins Saturday, Nov. 29, and continues through Sunday, Dec. 14.
Deer carcass movement restrictions in place for 17 deer permit areas
Deer carcass movement restrictions are in place for 17 deer permit areas located in southeastern, western, and north-central Minnesota, and the metro area.
Hunters are not allowed to take whole deer carcasses outside of chronic wasting disease management zones that cover deer permit areas 601, 604, 605, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 655, 661, 666, 671, 679 and 684 until a “not detected” CWD test result is received. The restrictions apply to all deer, including fawns. Hunters are allowed to move whole deer carcasses between contiguous disease management zone DPAs, such as DPAs 601 and 605, and the block of DPAs in southeast Minnesota.
In CWD management zone DPAs, sampling is mandatory during opening weekend of firearms season, Nov. 8-9. If hunters harvest a deer before or after the opening weekend of firearms season and choose not to submit a sample from their deer or want to transport a deer outside CWD management zones before getting a test result, they must debone or quarter their deer, properly disposing of the head and spinal column inside the zone. Meat and quarters with the main leg bone can leave the zone immediately.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provides dumpsters in some areas for hunters to use to help facilitate carcass disposal. In addition to these dumpsters, carcasses may be disposed of on private land with the permission of the landowner, through a refuse hauler by following the hauler’s instructions, or at a local landfill. Carcasses cannot be left on public land, including wildlife management areas, state forests, and road rights-of-way, or in any waterbody.
Hunters who harvest a deer within Minnesota’s CWD management zones are allowed to take intact heads from deer with or without the cape and neck attached outside of CWD management zones if they are delivered to a licensed taxidermist within 48 hours of leaving the zones.
Carcass movement restrictions are part of a comprehensive strategy to keep Minnesota’s deer, elk and moose healthy by limiting the spread of disease. Hunters can find details for the DPA in which they hunt, including locations of dumpsters and instructions for carcass disposal, by visiting the Minnesota DNR’s CWD webpage and using the “find the requirements for your DPA” tool.
Hunters should be aware that self-service testing stations are only available within CWD zones during opening weekend of firearms season and during CWD late hunts this year. After opening weekend or outside of CWD zones, hunters can choose to get their deer tested for CWD using mail-in kits or the partner sampling program, or by making an appointment with an area wildlife office. Information on testing options is available on the DNR website.