Hunters in portions of southeastern Minnesota can harvest antlerless deer in an early antlerless season from Thursday, Oct. 15, to Sunday, Oct. 18, in deer permit areas 346 and 349 in Winona, Houston and Filmore counties.
“There are high deer densities in localized areas of southeastern Minnesota, and in these areas there will again be an early antlerless hunt,” said Steve Merchant, wildlife populations and regulations manager for the Department of Natural Resources. “Numerous private landowners in these areas are experiencing deer damage to agricultural crops, and they may need help from hunters to harvest additional antlerless deer.”
Hunters should be aware that public land is limited in the early antlerless hunt areas. Hunters need to ask permission to hunt private lands.
This is the third year the DNR has implemented an early antlerless season in specific portions of southeastern Minnesota. Again this year, the early antlerless season coincides with the four-day special youth deer season. Unlike last year, deer permit areas 346 and 349 will be open in their entirety.
In the early antlerless hunt, only antlerless deer may be taken, and hunters may use up to five early antlerless permits. Deer harvested during the special season do not count toward a hunter’s statewide limit during the regular season. Early antlerless permits cost $7.50 for residents and may be purchased wherever hunting licenses are sold.
All deer harvested during this season must be tagged with an early antlerless permit. Hunters also must have a valid archery, firearms or muzzleloader deer license.
For more information on deer hunting, see www.mndnr.gov/hunting/deer.
DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 5, 2015
Media contact: Steve Merchant, wildlife populations and regulations manager, 651-259-5220,
[email protected].
