Minnesota Youth ages 10-15 can participate in a special youth deer season that runs from Thursday, Oct. 16, to Sunday, Oct. 19.
This youth deer hunt will take place in 27 permit areas of southeastern and northwestern Minnesota, including the 601 Twin Cities metro permit area. The participating zones are listed below.
“Youth can hunt with a mentor in a special season that’s all about putting the attention on the youth during the whole hunting experience,” said Mike Kurre, mentoring program coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Deer permit areas open to the hunt are: 101, 105, 111, 114, 201, 203, 208, 209, 256, 257, 260, 263, 264, 267, 268, 338, 339, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349 and 601. In certain portions of permit areas 346 and 349 in Winona, Houston, and Filmore counties, there will also be an early antlerless season for all licensed hunters who purchase early antlerless permits.
Youth must meet all firearms safety requirements, purchase a license and use the appropriate firearm for the permit area in which they are hunting. Youth may take a deer of either sex and may only take one deer during the youth season.
An adult mentor must accompany the youth but may not hunt or carry a firearm and does not need a license. However, in the early antlerless sub-permit areas of 346 and 349, the adult can participate in the early antlerless hunt while being a mentor. Hunters and mentors must meet blaze orange requirements.
Public land is open as is private land, provided the youth hunter has landowner permission.
Participating in the youth deer season does not affect eligibility of youth to participate in the regular firearms deer season but any deer harvested do count against the youth’s season bag limit. For more information, see the page 34 of the DNR Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook under the heading Special Youth Deer Season, found online.
This is a great opportunity to get the kids in the woods for the first time with fewer hunters so be sure to check with your local State DNR office to find out the dates for the youth deer season in your state.