Understanding the MN Deer Hunting Zones: DPAs Explained
The phrase MN deer hunting zones is the hunter’s term for the Minnesota DNR’s Deer Permit Areas (DPAs). Minnesota is divided into roughly 130 of these specific areas, each meticulously drawn using natural features like rivers and roads to group similar characteristics.
The purpose of these MN deer hunting zones is smart, localized herd management. Wildlife managers use the DPAs to group regions with similar:
- Habitat and land uses (e.g., deep forest vs. agricultural prairie).
- Deer populations.
- Deer hunter distribution.
By making management decisions specific to each DPA, the DNR can precisely control the harvest to either increase, decrease, or maintain the deer population goal in that exact area. For you, the hunter, this means your hunting strategy, license choice, and bag limit are completely dependent on which one of the MN deer hunting zones you plan to hunt in.
The Four Major Zone Series: Season Dates by the Numbers
While DPAs are individual units (like 157 or 248), they are generally grouped into “series” or larger regional zones based on geography and season structure. Knowing which series your DPA falls into is the first step in planning your firearms season.
1. The 100 Series: The Northern & Extended Season Zones (Nov. 8–23)
The 100 series MN deer hunting zones are primarily located in the northern and central portions of the state, encompassing much of Minnesota’s deep coniferous and mixed forests.
- Firearms Season (Statewide A): November 8 – November 23, 2025.
- Key Characteristic: These zones typically have lower deer densities due to historical winter severity and habitat type, often resulting in a One-Deer Limit: Antlerless Permit Lottery designation.
2. The 200 & 300 Series: The Central & Southwestern Zones (Nov. 8–16)
These MN deer hunting zones are mostly found in the agricultural and mixed-habitat regions of central and southwestern Minnesota. The season here is shorter to help maintain herd goals.
- Firearms Season (Statewide A): November 8 – November 16, 2025.
- Note on the 300 Series: The 300 series is historically part of the late Southeast season, now covered by the new single statewide license. This includes the Late Southeast Firearms season (Nov. 22–30) for specific DPAs like 338 and 341.
3. The 600 Series: CWD and Metro Management Zones
The 600 series DPAs represent the state’s critical management areas, predominantly focused on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance, control, and elimination, as well as high-density metro areas. Successfully hunting in these MN deer hunting zones requires close attention to detail, as regulations can change year-to-year.
- New CWD Management Zones for 2025: DPAs 601 (Metro), 666, and 671 have been added as new CWD management zones.
- Seasons and Bag Limits: Seasons and bag limits in the 600 series can be extremely liberal, often offering Three-deer or Five-deer limits to achieve harvest goals.
- Mandatory Sampling: CWD sampling is mandatory for all deer one year and older harvested in CWD management and surveillance zones on the opening weekend of firearms season (Nov. 8-9).
4. Archery and Muzzleloader Seasons
Unlike the firearms season, both the Archery and Muzzleloader seasons are more uniform across all MN deer hunting zones (except for DPA 287—Itasca State Park).
- Archery Season (Statewide): September 13 – December 31, 2025.
- Muzzleloader Season (Statewide): November 29 – December 14, 2025.
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Simplifying 2025: Key Regulatory Changes
The Minnesota DNR has made several significant changes for the 2025 season designed to simplify licensing and streamline management across the various MN deer hunting zones:
The Single Statewide Firearms License
In 2025, the DNR has eliminated the need for separate A and B firearms licenses. Now, one Statewide Firearms License covers both the regular season (formerly ‘A’) and the Late Southeast season (formerly ‘B’). This is a major simplification, making it much easier to hunt across multiple MN deer hunting zones that have different season structures.
The Fate of the Shotgun Zone
For decades, the southern and western portions of Minnesota have been designated a “shotgun zone,” restricting hunters to shotguns using slugs, muzzleloaders, and handguns. While the Legislature voted to repeal this restriction, the repeal will not take effect until the 2026 season.
For 2025, the Shotgun Zone is still in effect, meaning you must adhere to the shotgun/muzzleloader/handgun restriction in the southern and western parts of the state.
MN Deer Hunting Zones and Bag Limits
A DPA’s designation directly corresponds to the hunting opportunity:
- Lottery: One deer limit. You must apply for an antlerless permit lottery by the early September deadline (Sept. 4, 2025) to take an antlerless deer. If you don’t draw the permit, you can only harvest a legal buck.
- Either-Sex: One deer limit. You can take either a legal buck or an antlerless deer without needing to enter a lottery.
- Two-Deer, Three-Deer, or Five-Deer Limits: These liberal limits are common in high-density areas, like the Metro and parts of the Central and Southeast regions, and in the CWD MN deer hunting zones. You may take antlerless deer using “Bonus Permits” purchased throughout the season.
Critical CWD Management in Your MN Deer Hunting Zones
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) continues to be the state’s primary herd health concern, and its management heavily influences the regulations in many MN deer hunting zones.
The 600 series zones, specifically the CWD Management and Surveillance Zones, have the most critical regulations.
- Late CWD Season: A special three-day season runs from December 19–21, 2025, in specific 600 series DPAs. New for 2025, the bag limit for the Late CWD season has been changed from unlimited to a five either-sex deer limit. This still provides exceptional opportunity while allowing better harvest monitoring.
- Carcass Movement Restrictions: If you harvest a deer in a CWD Management Zone, the whole carcass must remain in that particular zone until a “not detected” test result is confirmed. You can find a list of DNR-maintained dumpsters for carcass remains online.
Finalizing Your 2025 Deer Hunting Plan
Navigating the landscape of MN deer hunting zones—from the 100 series Northwoods to the high-density 600 series CWD zones—is key to a successful season. Before you head afield, always cross-reference your DPA number with the official DNR information.
For the most accurate, up-to-the-minute information on season dates, bag limits, and DPA boundaries, you must use the official resources provided by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
- Interactive Deer Map and DPAs: View the boundaries of all MN deer hunting zones and their specific regulations online: mndnr.gov/deermap.
- Official Deer Hunting Page: All regulations, license deadlines, and season updates are published here: mndnr.gov/hunting/deer.
- CWD Information: For mandatory testing schedules, sampling locations, and the latest CWD rules for your MN deer hunting zones: mndnr.gov/cwd.
By studying these MN deer hunting zones and paying close attention to the 2025 changes, you’ll be well-prepared to make the most of Minnesota’s outstanding deer hunting opportunities. Good luck, and hunt safely!