Overview
Known For
Minnesota is one of the country’s premier ruffed grouse hunting destinations; plus its whitetail deer hunting opportunities are legendary. And given its large number of lakes, waterfowl hunting is paramount here.
Terrain
As a state with exceptional upland bird hunting, Minnesota has what upland birds want: large aspen forests and brushy swamp edges. The state’s general terrain is marked by gentle rolling hills formed as glaciers moved slowly over the landscape, which today also makes for rich agricultural farmlands. Of course, Minnesota wouldn’t be the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” without as many bodies of water.
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Minnesota Hunting Seasons
Permit and No-Quota Areas.
Bear baiting start date: 08/11/2023
100 Series permit areas, 604, 679, and 684
Firearm Option Statewide (A) 200 Series and 661
Firearm Option Statewide (A) 300 Series and all 600 series except 604, 679 and 684
Metro Deer Management Zone (701) Statewide (A), Late Season (B) firearms license or muzzleloader licenses are valid
Firearm Option Late Southeast (B) 300 Series and all 600 series except 604, 661, 679 and 684
waterfowl hunters age 17 and younger, when accompanied by a non-hunting adult (age 18 and older) may take ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, and moorhens
By draw only. Antlerless Zone 20.
By draw only. Either-sex. Zone 20.
By draw only. Either-sex. Zone 20.
Waterfowl hunters age 17 and younger, when accompanied by a non-hunting adult (age 18 and older) may take ducks, geese, mergansers, coots and moorhens
Bag Limit: 2 roosters (3 roosters Dec. 1 – Jan. 1)
Statewide
Minnesota Licenses, Permits and Regulations
Minnesota hunting licenses, permits, and regulations for resident and non-resident hunters can be purchased on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website. Click below to view the website.
Hunting GPS Maps
Every Minnesota hunter should have hunting GPS maps on hand. Minnesota hunting maps are available from onX Hunt. With a paid membership you can access Satellite, Topo, or Hybrid Basemaps, over which you can view maps of hunting zones, along with State, Forest Service, and other public and private property boundaries. You can view trails and roads, and even download maps to the Hunt App for use offline. Click below to get onX Hunt for Minnesota.
Hunting Zones
Minnesota’s hunting zones are generally designated as Zones 100, 200, 300, etc. And within those series of zones are individually numbered zone areas (for instance, Zone 230). While bow hunting, early antlerless, muzzleloader, and youth seasons stay the same across Minnesota, the firearms seasons vary depending on the hunting zone. Click below to view Minnesota’s hunting zones in more detail through an interactive map.
Hunting Layers
MN Private Lands
Over 2,200,000 parcels mapped by the onX team, this layer helps you know who the property owners are in Minnesota. Tap any parcel to learn more info about the owner and acreage.
MN Gov Lands
onX has the most accurate maps of Gov Lands, covering over 13,000,000 acres in Minnesota. Not all Gov Lands offer access opportunities, check regulations before recreating.
MN Hunt Areas
Minnesota Bear, Deer, Furbearer, Bobcat/Fisher/Marten and Turkey Permit Areas. Includes hunting Farmland/Forest Zones. Please hunt responsibly and obey all signage.
Includes 6 Sublayers
- Bear Permit Area
- Deer Permit Area
- Bobcat/Fisher/Marten Trapping Zones
- Furbearer Trapping Zones
- Turkey Permit Area
- Farmland/Forest Snaring Zones
MN Possible Access
onX has mapped 700,000 acres of possible access lands in Minnesota including timber companies and land conservation groups. Research rules on these private lands before recreating.
MN Walk-In Access
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Walk-In Access. All hunters are expected to know the rules of the program. Please hunt responsibly and have a safe legal hunt.
Forest Disturbance
Ruffed Grouse Management Areas
Minnesota Ruffed Grouse Management Areas
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