Minnesota 2025-2026 Game & Hunting Timeline – Zones & Restrictions
Welcome to your complete guide for outdoor adventures in the Land of 10,000 Lakes! Whether you’re a local resident or planning your first trip to chase whitetails through aspen forests, this comprehensive resource covers everything you need to know about upcoming opportunities. From the rolling farmlands to pristine lake shores, Minnesota offers exceptional experiences for both novice and seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.
This guide covers all 2025-2026 dates, licensing requirements, bag limits, and zone information for major species including deer, bear, elk, turkey, upland birds, waterfowl, and furbearers. We’ve gathered the latest information directly from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to ensure accuracy.
📊 Key Species Summary Table for Minnesota Hunting
| Species | Season Opens | Season Closes | Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer (Archery) | Sept 13, 2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | Bow | Statewide |
| Deer (Firearm A-100) | Nov 8, 2025 | Nov 23, 2025 | Rifle | 100 Series zones |
| Bear | Sept 1, 2025 | Oct 19, 2025 | Firearm/Bow | Permit required |
| Turkey (Spring) | Apr 16, 2025 | May 31, 2025 | Various | Multiple periods |
| Pheasant | Oct 11, 2025 | Jan 4, 2026 | Shotgun | Roosters only |
| Ruffed Grouse | Sept 13, 2025 | Jan 4, 2026 | Shotgun | Statewide |
| Waterfowl | Sept 21, 2025 | Nov 19-Dec 26, 2025 | Shotgun | Zone dependent |
🦌 All Big Game: Archery & Rifle
Deer Opportunities 🎯
Minnesota’s whitetail population provides excellent opportunities across diverse habitats. The state uses a permit system with different zones and methods:
Archery Statewide:
- Dates: September 13 – December 31, 2025
- Method: Bow and arrow only
- Tags: Various permit types available
Youth Opportunities:
- Dates: October 16 – 19, 2025
- Ages: Special youth licenses available
- Zones: Statewide participation
Firearm Periods:
- Season A (100 Series): November 8 – 23, 2025
- Season A (200 & 300 Series): November 8 – 16, 2025
- Season B (300 Series): November 22 – 30, 2025
- Muzzleloader: November 29 – December 14, 2025
Early Antlerless:
- Dates: October 16 – 19, 2025
- Purpose: Population management in specific zones
Elk Hunt
🦌 Either-Sex (Zone 30)
- Season A
- Dates: September 13–21
- License Limit: 2 licenses available
- Hunting Zone: 30
🦌 Antlerless (Zone 30)
- Season B
- Dates: September 27 – October 5
- License Limit: 2 licenses available
- Hunting Zones: 30
Bear Adventures 🐻
Minnesota’s black bear population offers thrilling opportunities in the northern forests:
- Application Deadline: May 2, 2025
- License Purchase: Must complete by August 1, 2025
- Surplus Licenses: Available August 6, 2025
- Baiting Period: Begins August 15, 2025
- Primary Period: September 1 – October 19, 2025
- Zones: Both quota and no-quota areas available
- Bag Limit: One bear per licensed individual
Elk Expeditions 🦬
Limited elk opportunities exist through a lottery system:
- Application Period: May 10 – June 15, 2025
- Season A (Either Sex): September 21 – 29, 2025
- Season B (Antlerless): September 21 – 29, 2025
- Season C (Either Sex): September 21 – 29, 2025
- Lifetime Limit: One elk per individual
- Methods: Legal firearms or archery equipment
🦃 Turkey Season: Spring, Fall, Youth
Minnesota’s wild turkey population has recovered remarkably, offering quality opportunities across multiple periods:
Spring Turkey Periods 🌸
The WMA (Wildlife Management Areas) lottery deadline is February 21, 2025:
- Youth Period: April 16 – May 31, 2025
- Archery Period: April 16 – May 31, 2025
- Period A: April 16 – 22, 2025
- Period B: April 23 – 29, 2025
- Period C: April 30 – May 6, 2025
- Period D: May 7 – 13, 2025
- Period E: May 14 – 20, 2025
- Period F: May 21 – 31, 2025
Bag Limit: One bearded bird during spring periods
Fall Turkey Opportunities 🍂
Fall details will be announced by August 1, 2025. These typically focus on population management and offer either-sex opportunities.
🦫 Furbearers
Minnesota’s diverse furbearer population provides excellent trapping and pursuit opportunities:
Raccoon Opportunities 🦝
- North Furbearer Zone: October 18, 2025 – March 15, 2026
- South Furbearer Zone: October 25, 2025 – March 15, 2026
Bobcat Pursuits 🐾
- North Furbearer Zone: December 13, 2025 – January 18, 2026
- Bag Limit: Five bobcats (including trapping)
Badger & Opossum 🦡
North Zone: October 18, 2025 – March 15, 2026 South Zone: October 25, 2025 – March 15, 2026 Badger Limit: No restriction Opossum Limit: No restriction
Red & Gray Fox 🦊
Both zones follow similar timing patterns with extended periods through winter months for optimal pelt quality.
🐦 Upland Birds
Minnesota’s upland bird opportunities rank among the nation’s finest, particularly for ruffed grouse:
Grouse Species 🌲
Ruffed & Spruce Grouse:
- Statewide: September 13, 2025 – January 4, 2026
- Daily Limit: Five birds combined
- Possession: Fifteen birds combined
Sharp-tailed Grouse:
- Northwest Zone: September 13 – November 30, 2025
- Daily Limit: Three birds
- Possession: Nine birds
Pheasant Pursuits 🐓
- Statewide: October 11, 2025 – January 4, 2026
- Daily Limit: Two roosters (increases to three December 1st)
- Possession: Six roosters (increases to nine December 1st)
- Roosters Only: Hen protection measures in effect
🐰 Upland Animals
Rabbit & Squirrel 🐿️
Cottontail Rabbit:
- Statewide: September 13, 2025 – February 28, 2026
- Daily Limit: One rabbit
- Possession: Three rabbits
Gray & Fox Squirrel:
- Statewide: September 13, 2025 – February 28, 2026
- Daily Limit: Seven squirrels combined
- Possession: Fourteen squirrels combined
🕊️ Other Small Game
| Species | Dates | Daily Limit | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dove | Sept 1 – Nov 29, 2025 | 15 | 45 |
| Woodcock | Sept 20 – Nov 3, 2025 | 3 | 9 |
| Rail | Sept 1 – Nov 3, 2025 | 25 | 75 combined |
| Snipe | Sept 1 – Nov 3, 2025 | 8 | 24 |
| Crow | Sept 1 – Oct 31, 2025 | No limit | No limit |
| Crow (Winter) | Dec 15 – 31, 2025 | No limit | No limit |
🦆 Migratory Birds
Early Teal Opportunities
- Statewide: September 6 – 10, 2025
- Daily Limit: Six teal combined
- Possession: Eighteen teal combined
Youth Waterfowl Weekend
Special youth opportunities occur September 13-14, 2025, when accompanied by non-pursuing adults aged 18 and older.
🦆 Ducks, Scaup, Mergansers, Geese
Minnesota’s waterfowl opportunities vary by zone to optimize flyway management:
Duck Periods 🦆
North Zone:
- Primary: September 21 – November 19, 2025
Central Zone:
- Split Period 1: September 21 – 29, 2025
- Split Period 2: October 5 – November 24, 2025
South Zone:
- Split Period 1: September 21 – 29, 2025
- Split Period 2: October 5 – November 24, 2025
Goose Opportunities 🪿
Early Goose (Statewide): September 1 – 15, 2025
Regular Periods:
- North Zone: September 21 – December 21, 2025
- Central Zone: Sept 21-29 & Oct 5 – Dec 26, 2025
- South Zone: Sept 21-29 & Oct 5 – Dec 26, 2025
Daily Limits:
- Canada/White-fronted/Brant: Five combined
- Snow/Blue Snow/Ross’s: Twenty combined
Scaup & Mergansers 🦆
Scaup Limits:
- Opening through October 10: One daily
- October 10 through close: Two daily
- Possession: Three times daily limit
Merganser Limits:
- Daily: Five mergansers
- Possession: Fifteen mergansers
🦢 Other Waterfowls
Sandhill Crane 🕊️
- Dates: September 13 – October 19, 2025
- Method: Shotgun only
- Limits: Check current regulations for specific quotas
Coot & Gallinule 🦆
- Daily Limit: Fifteen combined
- Possession: Forty-five combined
- Period: Follows regular waterfowl framework
🎯 More Games
Prairie Chicken 🐓
Limited opportunities exist for this special species:
- Application Required: Lottery system
- Period: Typically late September/early October
- Bag Limit: Two birds (lifetime limit)
Coyote & Fox 🐺
Coyote:
- Period: Year-round opportunities
- Limit: No restriction
- Methods: Various legal methods
More Species
🦊 Other Hunting Opportunities
Minnesota offers additional hunting opportunities for various species:
- Moose: Currently closed to hunting except for tribal members in certain areas
- Fox: October-March (exact dates vary by zone)
- Coyote: Year-round (no closed season)
- Crow: Seasons vary throughout the year
🗺️ Minnesota Hunting Zones Map
Minnesota is divided into various wildlife management zones based on species populations and habitat types. For detailed zone maps, visit the Minnesota DNR website where you can access interactive maps showing:
- Deer permit areas
- Waterfowl zones
- Turkey permit areas
- Bear management units
- Furbearer zones
🎟️ License Requirements and Fees
Resident Hunting Licenses
- Small Game: $22
- Deer (Firearms, Archery, or Muzzleloader): $34
- Bear: $44 plus $5 application fee
- Turkey: $26
- Waterfowl Stamp: $7.50 (required in addition to small game license)
- Pheasant Stamp: $7.50 (required in addition to small game license)
Non-Resident Hunting Licenses
- Small Game: $102
- Deer (Firearms, Archery, or Muzzleloader): $180
- Bear: $230 plus $5 application fee
- Turkey: $96
- Waterfowl Stamp: $7.50 (required in addition to small game license)
- Pheasant Stamp: $7.50 (required in addition to small game license)
Youth Licenses
- Residents under 18: Reduced fees for most licenses
- Youth Deer: $5
- Youth Turkey: $5
License Purchase Options
- Online through the Minnesota DNR website
- At DNR license agents throughout the state
- By telephone: 888-665-4236
- Mobile app (coming soon)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a separate tag for each deer I harvest?
A: Yes, each deer requires its own license/tag. In some permit areas, bonus tags may be available for additional antlerless deer.
Q: Can I hunt on public lands in Minnesota?
A: Yes, Minnesota offers millions of acres of public hunting land including state forests, wildlife management areas, and federal lands. Always check specific regulations for each area.
Q: Is night hunting allowed in Minnesota?
A: Night hunting is generally prohibited except for raccoon and fox during their open seasons, and for coyotes in certain circumstances. Check current regulations for details.
Q: Do I need to wear blaze orange when hunting?
A: Blaze orange or pink requirements apply during firearms deer seasons. A cap and outer clothing visible from all sides that is at least 50% blaze orange or pink is required.
Q: How do I report my deer harvest?
A: All deer must be registered within 48 hours of harvest. This can be done online, by phone, or at designated registration stations.
Related Resources
Looking for more information about hunting in Minnesota or other states? Check out these helpful links:
Final Thoughts
Minnesota’s rich wildlife resources provide exceptional opportunities for hunters of all experience levels. Whether you’re pursuing whitetail deer in the northern forests, waterfowl along the Mississippi Flyway, or upland birds in the prairies, the North Star State has something to offer.
Remember to always check the official Minnesota DNR regulations before heading out, as seasons and rules may change. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website at dnr.state.mn.us contains the most current information and any regulation updates. Purchase your licenses early, scout your hunting areas, and practice ethical hunting techniques to ensure future generations can enjoy these traditions.
Happy hunting in Minnesota’s great outdoors!
