Youth deer and early antlerless seasons are open from Oct. 15 to Oct. 18. Participating youth must have a valid youth firearms deer hunting license.
Youth age 10, 11 and 12 must possess a free license. Youth age 12 and older must also have a firearms safety certificate or apprentice hunter validation. If the youth uses the tag from their youth firearms license to tag a deer, they can purchase a bonus permits and harvest additional antlerless deer in managed, intensive or unlimited antlerless areas during the November season.
Youth hunters could also use bonus permits or disease management permits to harvest antlerless deer in any 600-series area. They could also party hunt during the November season, although adults are not allowed to take antlerless deer for youth under 18.
A youth can harvest a buck in any permit area. The youth must tag the buck using their youth license tag. They would not be allowed to harvest another buck with a regular firearm for the remaining deer seasons. The youth could harvest additional bucks under an archery or muzzleloader license in deer permit areas 643, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649 and 655.
The season is open statewide except for Itasca State Park, which is closed during this season. The Whitewater Game Refuge is open for youth hunting, but closed to adults hunting the early antlerless season.
Complete youth season details are available online.
Hunters participating in the early antlerless-only deer season Oct. 15 through Oct. 18 will note the season has expanded to include more deer permit areas in central and southeastern Minnesota.
Permit areas open during the hunt are 213, 214, 215, 341, 342, 343, 344, 604, 605, 643, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649 and 655. Details and regulations are available on the DNR deer hunting page.
Hunters must have an early antlerless permit in addition to their main license, whether it is an archery, firearm or muzzleloader license. With the correct license, adults with youth hunters participating in the statewide youth deer season may hunt in an early antlerless DPA if they have the appropriate license and early antlerless permit.
Adults may party-hunt with other adults during the early antlerless season, but adult members of a party cannot take antlerless deer for youth under age 18.
Hunters are asked to be aware of chronic wasting disease regulations. For the 2020 season, the DNR has shifted to voluntary sampling for all designated CWD areas. Hunters planning to transport harvested deer should familiarize themselves with the deer carcass movement restrictions in place for certain areas of the state.