REMINDER: DEER LOTTERY APPLICATION DEADLINE IS SEPT. 4
Firearm and muzzleloader hunters who want to harvest antlerless deer in a deer permit area with an antlerless permit lottery designation must purchase their license by Thursday, Sept. 4.
Hunters who purchase their license by Sept. 4 are automatically entered into the lottery for the DPA or special hunt area they declare. Successful applicants will receive a postcard in the mail authorizing them to take an antlerless deer using their regular license in that antlerless permit lottery area.
No application is needed to take antlerless deer in permit areas with either-sex, two-deer limit, three-deer limit, or fivedeer limit designations. Hunters should note that DPA 183 has been split into two smaller DPAs (153 and 154), and these DPAs have last year’s designation of lottery with a one-deer limit.
Hunters who want to participate in special firearm or muzzleloader deer hunts also need to apply for permits issued through a lottery. That application deadline is also Sept. 4. More information about how to apply for special hunts is available on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/hunting/deer/special- deer-hunts.html).
Further information about designations and regulations for deer permit areas, as well as details about special hunt opportunities, are available on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/ hunting/deer) and in the 2025 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook, which is available online and in print wherever Minnesota DNR licenses are sold.
WALK-IN ACCESS LANDS OPEN SEPT. 1
Walk-In Access areas will be open for public use beginning Monday, Sept. 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026, with the purchase of a $3 Walk-In Access validation.
The Walk-In Access program pays landowners to allow public access to their property without additional landowner contact. This year, there are around 30,000 acres of private land at more than 280 Walk-In Access sites in west, central and southern Minnesota.
Of the 30,000 acres enrolled in the program, more than 20,000 acres will be open to public uses in addition to hunting, such as bird watching, nature photography and similar compatible uses. To search for Walk-In Access sites, identify sites open to all compatible uses, find digital maps for individual sites, and get more information, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website (mndnr.gov/walkin). Additionally, all Walk-In Access sites are shown on the DNR Recreation Compass (mndnr. gov/maps/compass.html).
Current funding for the program includes a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Walk-In Access validations purchased by hunters, a surcharge on nonresident hunting licenses and donations from hunters.
WATERFOWL HUNTING SEASONS ON THE HORIZON
Minnesota waterfowl seasons are around the corner, and hunters have a wide variety of opportunities to look forward to in 2025, with seasons starting Saturday, Sept. 6. Early teal season runs Saturday, Sept. 6 through Wednesday, Sept. 10, with shooting hours from sunrise to sunset.
“Hunters should review the regulations and hunting season dates this year. As usual, scouting and preparation will be key to success,” said Nate Huck, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources migratory gamebird specialist. “We have high water this year in many places, so hunters will have lots of ways to get duck boats through wetlands this year.”
The Waterfowl Hunting Regulations handbook is available wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold and on the Minnesota DNR waterfowl hunting webpage (mndnr.gov/ hunting/waterfowl).
Early teal season reminders The Minnesota DNR reminds waterfowl hunters who plan to take part in the early teal hunting season or early goose season (Sept. 6-21) to be aware of and cautious around wild rice beds.
Wild rice is an important natural and cultural resource that typically ripens in early September. Wild rice harvesters may be active in beds if the rice is ready to be collected. In addition, wild rice plants are susceptible to damage during this time, even if active harvest is not underway.
All waterfowl hunters who plan to hunt within the boundaries of the Mille Lacs, Leech Lake or White Earth reservations are advised to contact the appropriate reservation for more information: Information to help hunters properly identify waterfowl is available in an illustrated guide that begins on page 21 of the 2025 Minnesota Waterfowl Hunting Regulations (mndnr. gov/regulations/hunting). Access to complete information on Minnesota’s waterfowl hunting seasons is available from the Minnesota DNR’s waterfowl hunting webpage (mndnr.gov/ hunting/waterfowl).
Reminders about federal duck stamp and goose permit As a reminder, electronically issued federal stamps are valid for the entire season. Each stamp purchase includes a validation available immediately for hunting and a pictorial stamp that is mailed to the purchaser after the close of waterfowl seasons.
Federal duck stamps are available through the Minnesota DNR electronic licensing system, in person or online (mndnr.gov/buyalicense), and cost $30 per stamp.
Federal duck stamps are required for all hunters age 16 and older. Waterfowl hunters must also possess a small game license, state waterfowl stamp and Harvest Information Program certification. The state waterfowl stamp requirement is for residents age 18 to 64 and nonresidents age 16 and older. As a reminder, an early goose permit is no longer required for goose hunters. Hunters may still need a small game license, state waterfowl stamp, federal duck stamp and HIP certification, and hunters can find more information about these requirements on pages 6-7 of the waterfowl hunting regulations available on the Minnesota DNR’s waterfowl hunting webpage (mndnr.gov/hunting/ waterfowl).
Waterfowl season dates and youth reminders Hunting season dates for ducks, mergansers, coots, and moorhens are: Saturday, Sept. 27 through Tuesday, Nov. 25, in the north zone; Saturday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 5, and Saturday, Oct. 11, through Sunday, Nov. 30, in the central zone.
Saturday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 5, and Saturday, Oct. 18, through Sunday, Dec. 7, in the south zone.
Hunting season dates for geese are: Early goose season is Saturday, Sept. 6 through Sunday, Sept. 21; Saturday, Sept. 27 through Friday, Dec. 26, in the north zone; Saturday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 5, and Saturday, Oct. 11, through Wednesday, Dec. 31, in the central zone; Saturday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 5, and Saturday, Oct. 18, through Wednesday, Jan. 7, in the south zone.
Youth waterfowl weekend is Saturday, Sept. 13 through Sunday, Sept. 14, when waterfowl hunters 17 and younger can hunt if accompanied by a nonhunting adult 18 years of age or older. Regulations for this hunt are available on page 12 of the waterfowl hunting regulations (mndnr.gov/regulations/ hunting).
