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Planning Updated Jan 29, 2026

Minnesota Hunting Season Dates

Complete hunting calendar for Minnesota including deer, elk, turkey, and more.

Minnesota Hunting Season Calendar

Find all hunting season dates for Minnesota including deer, elk, turkey, and waterfowl. Filter by species and hunting method.

MN regulations 5 species Split seasons shown Zone info included
MN

Coming Up in Minnesota

Seasons opening in the next 60 days

Turkey Any Legal Method

Apr 15 - May 31, 2026

Opens in 43 days

Complete Season Calendar

All Minnesota hunting seasons organized by species

Deer 3 seasons

Method Dates Zone Status Notes Add to Calendar
Archery Sep 13 - Dec 31, 2025 Statewide Closed Extended archery
Rifle/Firearm Nov 8-23, 2025 Statewide Closed Firearms season
Muzzleloader Nov 29 - Dec 14, 2025 Statewide Closed Muzzleloader season

Turkey 1 season

Method Dates Zone Status Notes Add to Calendar
Any Legal Method Apr 15 - May 31, 2026 Statewide Upcoming Spring season - multiple periods

Bear 1 season

Method Dates Zone Status Notes Add to Calendar
Any Legal Method Sep 1 - Oct 13, 2025 Statewide Closed Lottery hunt

Moose 1 season

Method Dates Zone Status Notes Add to Calendar
Any Legal Method Sep 27 - Oct 12, 2025 Statewide Closed Very limited permits

Pheasant 1 season

Method Dates Zone Status Notes Add to Calendar
Shotgun Oct 11, 2025 - Jan 3, 2026 Statewide Closed Regular season

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MN

Minnesota Hunting Regulations

License year, species, and agency information

License Year
Mar 1, 2025 - Feb 28, 2026
Available Species
  • Bear
  • Deer
  • Moose
  • Pheasant
  • Turkey
Hunting Methods
  • Archery
  • Rifle/Firearm
  • Muzzleloader
  • Any Legal Method
  • Shotgun
Official Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
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This information is for reference only. Always verify regulations with your state wildlife agency before hunting or fishing.

Last verified: January 2026

Important Note for Minnesota

Minnesota has zone-specific deer regulations and antler restrictions.

Hunting Method Legend

Archery Bow & Crossbow
Rifle/Firearm Modern rifles
Muzzleloader Black powder
Shotgun Shotguns only
Any Legal All methods

Minnesota Hunting FAQ

Common questions about hunting seasons in Minnesota

What are the hunting season dates for Minnesota?

Minnesota offers hunting seasons for Bear, Deer, Moose, Pheasant, Turkey. The license year runs from Mar 1, 2025 to Feb 28, 2026. Check our complete calendar above for specific dates by species and method.

When does deer season start in Minnesota?

Deer season in Minnesota typically begins with archery season starting Sep 13, 2025, followed by firearms/rifle season starting Nov 8, 2025.

Does Minnesota require a draw for hunting?

Minnesota offers general season licenses for some species and may require draws for others like elk, moose, or pronghorn. Check specific requirements for your target species.

What hunting seasons are open now in Minnesota?

The next season to open is Turkey starting Apr 15, 2026.

What should I know about hunting in Minnesota?

Minnesota has zone-specific deer regulations and antler restrictions.

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Minnesota License Info

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