More than 400,000 deer hunters are preparing for the firearms deer season, which opens Saturday, Nov. 8. The season offers opportunities to spend time outdoors with friends and family, find adventure and put venison in the freezer.
Deer hunting is the primary tool Minnesota Department of Natural Resources uses to manage deer populations, and hunters help keep deer numbers in line with population goals across the state. Managing deer populations contributes to the overall health of Minnesota’s landscapes, natural systems and economy.
DNR wildlife staff report that there should be good opportunities to harvest deer in most areas.
Hunters should know the deer permit area number for where they plan to hunt prior to buying a license and ensure they understand chronic wasting disease regulations and sampling requirements and options for that area. Hunters can find these details using the DPA lookup tool (mndnr.gov/deerhunt). Hunters should also note that the shotgun zone remains in place for the 2025 deer season.
Deer hunters in all CWD management and surveillance zones are required to have deer one year or older sampled for chronic wasting disease during the opening weekend of the firearms A season Saturday, Nov. 8, through Sunday, Nov. 9, and during late CWD hunts Friday, Dec. 19, through Sunday, Dec. 21. In CWD management zones, carcass movement restrictions apply during the entire deer season. Additional information about CWD requirements and sampling can be found at the Minnesota DNR’s CWD webpage (mndnr. gov/cwd).
Southern deer report
Deer populations continue to increase in southern Minnesota, and deer fared well over last year’s mild winter. Prolonged summer-long flooding during the fawning and fawn rearing season likely had a negligible effect on the population but has had significant habitat impacts in floodplain habitat and has pushed deer to more upland areas.
Prior to 2024 and 2025 flooding, there were several years without a major flood, and now vegetation in river floodplains offers excellent woody cover for deer, which bodes well for deer hunters. Blufflands that overlook floodplains offer oak and other sources of nuts and seeds that saw a moderate to excellent crop in 2025, especially bur oak. Large areas of grass with embedded wetlands are also prime deer habitat. If water levels continue to lower between now and the firearms season, hunters will have easier access to this type of habitat.
