Minnesota DNR Adding 2 Extra Weekends in December for Deer Hunters

Harvesting deer across a broad area is intended to lower populations locally and remove males because they can move the disease longer distances. This helps reduce the opportunity for deer to spread the disease across a larger geographic area and potentially removes CWD-positive animals from areas where the disease exists.

• CWD testing is mandatory for all deer, regardless of age.
• Deer must stay inside the hunt boundary until a not-detected test result is received.
• The hunt is open to both residents and non-residents.
• Blaze clothing is required.
• Hunt is either-sex and there is no bag limit.
• Cross-tagging for bucks, commonly called party hunting, is allowed.
• The antler point restriction regulation is not in effect.
• Landowner permission is required to hunt on private land.
• Forestville State Park and the Pin Oak Scientific and Natural Area will be open to a limited number of hunters who possess a special permit for these lands. Specific rules apply. See the ‘Where can I hunt?’ section for complete information.
• A hunter with an unfilled 2018 deer license may use it for the weapon type designated by that license. A hunter with a firearm or muzzleloader license may use a shotgun, muzzleloader, legal pistol or crossbow. A hunter with an archery license must use archery equipment. Centerfire rifles are not allowed.
• Any hunter may purchase disease management permits, which allow harvest of deer of either sex. These permits are available to residents and non-residents and allow for the use of any legal firearm for zone 3 deer permit areas.
• You do not need a 2018 deer hunting license to hunt with a disease management permit.
• Disease management permits are available online and wherever DNR hunting licenses are sold. The $2.50 cost covers the cost of issuing the permit.
• Hunters may purchase an unlimited number of disease management permits.
• Any unfilled bonus permits may be used for antlerless deer only.
• Each deer harvested must be presented at one of four registration stations within 24 hours of harvest or by 10 a.m. the Monday following the hunt, whichever comes first.
• Each deer, including fawns, needs a special DNR-issued carcass tag.
• CWD test results will take four to five business days from the date of sampling. Inclement weather and holidays may cause additional delays.
• Results can be checked online at mndnr.gov/cwdcheck or by calling the DNR Information Center at 888-646-6367. In both instances, you will need to know your nine-digit DNR number.

To learn more, visit the Minnesota DNR website.