DNR reminds license buyers to make sure youth have their licenses early
Minnesota offers a perfect opportunity for experienced deer hunters to share their knowledge and traditions with youth ages 10-17 during the statewide youth deer season.
The four-day season will take place statewide Thursday, Oct. 15, through Sunday, Oct. 18, and coincides with statewide teacher workshops, when many Minnesota schools are closed for fall break.
“Youth have this awesome opportunity that’s set up just for them to succeed and get a great introduction to deer hunting,” said Paul Burr, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources deer coordinator. “The season is popular, with around 20,000 youth participating each year.”
Temperatures in the middle of October are generally warmer than those during the regular November firearm deer season. Snow hasn’t typically fallen yet, and deer are moving more during the daylight hours. These factors create an ideal environment for youth interested in deer hunting.
Minnesota’s youth deer season began in 2004 in northwest Minnesota, and the Minnesota DNR expanded the season statewide in 2019, a move with support from hunters and deer management interest groups. Since 2019, harvest by this age group has averaged about 6,700 deer each season.
A 2025 survey of Minnesota deer hunters showed a large majority of hunters (80%) agreed that the youth season helps recruit youth into deer hunting and that it strengthens family and community connections. The survey results are available on the Minnesota DNR website with youth deer season results on page 32.
Buy licenses early
Youth hunters, or the adults purchasing licenses for them, should buy licenses early. The Minnesota DNR launched a new electronic license system in June. The new system is functioning well, but as with any new technology, users may find their first transaction takes a little more time as they acclimate. In addition, some individuals who had multiple records in the old system will require customer assistance from the DNR License Center to transfer their history and establish their account in the new system. For these reasons, hunters are encouraged to leave plenty of time for their license purchase.
“We are reminding people to please buy that license early to help avoid any last-minute delays,” Burr said. “Once you purchase the license, it’s much easier to focus on enjoying the hunt, or helping a young hunter be safe and successful.”
Youth hunters use a standard youth license for youth deer season — the same deer license they use for other deer seasons such as regular firearms, archery or muzzleloader.
Importantly, the new electronic license system is different and setting up a youth account might take a little more time. For children 12 and under, their account must be linked to an adult’s account. If the child is 13 or older, they can create their own account, or an adult may create the account and link it to their own.
A helpful guide on how to link a youth account to an adult account, and on how to add a child’s firearms safety certification to their account, is available on the Minnesota DNR FAQ page for the new electronic license system.
CWD sampling available
Testing for chronic wasting disease is available statewide but is optional for the youth deer season. Hunters statewide have three options to get their deer tested voluntarily for CWD. These three options are making an appointment with an area wildlife office, requesting a mail-in kit and visiting a partner within the partner sampling program. Further details and other important information on CWD testing is available on the Minnesota DNR CWD webpage.
Additionally, carcasses are now permitted to leave a CWD management zone immediately after harvest if the hunter chooses to do so. However, carcass disposal rules apply for deer harvested and moved out of CWD management zones during all seasons for all deer, including fawns.
Hunters in deer permit area 236 north of Stillwater have the additional option of using one of several self-service stations available in the area for CWD sampling. The Minnesota DNR is collecting additional samples in DPA 236 following a recent discovery of a CWD-positive wild deer near Stillwater. Self-service sampling locations are available on the Minnesota DNR CWD webpage.
Shotgun zone repeal
The shotgun zone has been repealed, and counties in the former shotgun zone have the option of passing an ordinance to remain shotgun-only. More information on counties that have notified the state that they have passed shotgun‑only ordinances is available on the Minnesota DNR website. People planning to hunt in the former shotgun zone are advised to check with the county where they’ll be hunting to ensure they have the most current information.
Early antlerless season coincides
The early antlerless-only deer season coincides with youth deer season from Oct. 15-18. Both adult and youth hunters can participate in early antlerless season in DPAs 213, 214, 215, 218, 219, 221, 222, 223, 225, 227, 229, 236, 240, 277, 341, 601, 605, 642, 643, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 661 and 685. More information is available on the Minnesota DNR website.
Safety and license information online
General information about requirements for youth hunters and their accompanying adults is available on the Minnesota DNR youth deer season webpage. Firearms safety information is available on the Minnesota DNR firearms safety webpage. General deer hunting information is available on the Minnesota DNR deer hunting webpage.