The early antlerless season in Minnesota is a special deer hunting season that allows hunters to harvest antlerless deer before the regular firearms deer season opens. This season was established to help manage deer populations in certain areas of the state by increasing doe harvest. Here are some key facts about Minnesota’s early antlerless deer season:
When is the early antlerless season?
The early antlerless deer season typically takes place for two weekends in mid-October, prior to the regular firearms deer season opening in early November. The 2023 dates are October 14-15 and October 21-22.
Where is the early antlerless season offered?
The early antlerless season is only offered in deer permit areas where the deer population can withstand additional antlerless deer mortality. As of 2023, it is available in deer permit areas 213, 215, 219, 259, 338, 339, 368, and 387 in north-central and northeast Minnesota.
What can be hunted during the early antlerless season?
Hunters with valid early antlerless permits can harvest antlerless deer of any age, including fawn and adult does. Bucks or male fawns with antlers may not be taken during this season.
What license and permits are required?
To participate in the early antlerless deer season, hunters must have a valid hunting license and an early antlerless permit for one of the open deer permit areas. The early antlerless permit must be used during the early season and is not valid during the regular firearms season. There is an application process to obtain the permits.
What methods can be used to hunt antlerless deer?
Legal firearms and archery equipment as specified in the Minnesota hunting regulations may be used during the early antlerless season. This includes shotguns, muzzleloaders, rifles, handguns, bows, and crossbows. Handguns must have a minimum barrel length of 4 inches and be .22 caliber or larger.
What are the hunting hours?
Legal shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset each day. For 2023, sunrise/sunset times on October 14 are 7:10 am/6:40 pm, and on October 22 are 7:37 am/6:17 pm.
Can baiting be used?
Yes, baiting is allowed during the early antlerless season as long as it follows Minnesota’s baiting regulations. Bait may be placed up to 10 yards in front of a raised platform or ground blind that has hunter orange visible from all sides. Other bait sites up to 1 acre are allowed on private land with landowner permission.
Are there any special regulations?
Hunters age 18 and older must wear blaze orange clothing during the early antlerless season. The orange must be visible from all sides. Deer stands must also be marked with hunter orange. Other general deer hunting regulations for licensing, tagging, transporting, and reporting harvest apply.
What is the purpose of the early antlerless season?
The purpose is to provide additional opportunities to harvest antlerless deer in areas where the deer population can sustain the additional mortality. By reducing the number of does, population growth can be slowed to help keep the herd in balance with habitat resources. This protects deer health and reduces human conflicts.
How is a deer permit area chosen for the early season?
Minnesota DNR biologists determine which permit areas can support additional antlerless deer mortality by analyzing deer population trends and habitat conditions. Areas where the population is above goal or increasing may be recommended. Public input from hunters and landowners is also considered.
How many early antlerless permits are available?
The number of permits varies based on the deer population in each permit area opened for the early season. For 2023, around 6,800 permits total were offered across the 8 open areas through a lottery drawing. Permit numbers ranged from 100 in area 219 to 2,200 in area 338.
| Deer Permit Area | Early Antlerless Permits |
|---|---|
| 213 | 500 |
| 215 | 800 |
| 219 | 100 |
| 259 | 400 |
| 338 | 2,200 |
| 339 | 600 |
| 368 | 1,000 |
| 387 | 1,200 |
What are the odds of getting an early antlerless permit?
Since the number of permits is limited, the odds of being selected through the lottery depend on the number of applicants. In recent years, success rates have ranged from 25% to 60% in the different permit areas. Areas with more permits available generally have higher success rates.
How much does an early antlerless permit cost?
For resident hunters, the permit fee is around $12. There are also fees for the required hunting licenses. Nonresident permit fees are higher at around $90, plus nonresident license fees.
When can you apply for the early antlerless permits?
Applications are open from early May through early June each year, about 4-5 months before the season opens. Permits are awarded through a preference and lottery system. Applicants who are unsuccessful in the lottery may be able to obtain remaining permits on a first-come-first-served basis in August.
Is hunter orange required during the early antlerless season?
Yes, blaze orange requirements apply during the early antlerless season. All hunters age 18 and older must wear orange clothing visible from all sides. Orange camouflage meets this requirement. Deer stands must also be marked with orange visible from all sides.
What time does hunting start and end each day?
Legal hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset. In 2023, sunrise is around 7:10-7:40 am and sunset around 6:15-6:40 pm during the two early antlerless weekends. Shooting hours end at sunset.
What is the bag limit during the early antlerless season?
The bag limit is determined individually by each early antlerless permit. In most cases the limit is one antlerless deer per permit, but some areas have a two-deer bag limit. Additional antlerless deer may be taken during the regular firearms season if desired.
Can you use dogs to hunt antlerless deer during the early season?
Yes, dogs can be used to hunt antlerless deer during the early season where allowed. However, dogs cannot be used to hunt deer in the metro deer permit areas 338 and 339. Deer tracking with dogs is allowed after harvest.
Is baiting allowed during the early antlerless season?
Yes, baiting deer is allowed with some restrictions. Bait can be placed up to 10 yards in front of an elevated stand marked with hunter orange. On private land, up to 1 acre of bait is allowed with landowner permission. All bait must be removed after 10 days and when hunting is done.
What safety tips should be followed during the early antlerless season?
Some key safety tips include:
- Treat every firearm as if it is loaded
- Always point your muzzle in a safe direction
- Be sure of your target and what is beyond
- Wear blaze orange clothing
- Don’t climb into or out of tree stands with a loaded firearm
- Use a safety harness when in a tree stand
What is considered an antlerless deer?
An antlerless deer is defined as a deer without antlers or a deer with antlers less than 3 inches long. This includes adult female deer (does) and male fawns. Male fawns can be distinguished from females by the knobs and buttons where antlers will grow.
Can you use an early antlerless permit on public land?
Yes, early antlerless permits are valid for taking an antlerless deer on both private and public lands that are open to deer hunting within the permit area. This includes state and national forests, wildlife management areas, and other public lands.
Can you use archery equipment during the early antlerless season?
Yes, archery equipment such as bows and crossbows may be used to harvest antlerless deer during the early season. Arrows must conform to Minnesota hunting regulations. Deer harvested with archery equipment must be tagged just like those taken with firearms.
What deer permit areas are open for the early antlerless season in 2023?
For 2023, the early antlerless season is open in deer permit areas 213, 215, 219, 259, 338, 339, 368, and 387. These areas are mainly located in the northern part of Minnesota. See the DNR website for maps of the open permit areas.
How many deer are typically harvested during the early antlerless season?
The harvest during the two weekends of the early antlerless season varies by year and permit area. In recent years, total harvest has ranged between 2,000-4,000 antlerless deer. Given around 6,800 permits available in 2023, harvest could reach 3,000-4,000 if success rates are typical.
Is there an early antlerless season for youth hunters?
There is no separate early antlerless season specifically for youth hunters. However, youth ages 10-15 can obtain early antlerless permits through the lottery process and participate during the regular early season weekends.
Can you harvest an antlerless deer on the opening day of regular firearms season with an early antlerless permit?
No. The early antlerless permits are only valid during the specially designated early antlerless deer season prior to the regular firearms season opening. After those dates, the early permits are not valid even if the hunter did not harvest a deer.
Are there any exceptions to the blaze orange requirement for the early antlerless season?
The only exception is for hunters taking antlerless deer by archery outside firearms range in an area not open to firearms hunting. However, it is recommended to still wear orange when retrieving deer or walking to/from stands.
Do you have to apply for an early antlerless permit each year?
Yes, the early antlerless permit application process happens annually. Hunters interested in hunting the early season must apply each year. Past success in drawing a permit does not guarantee future success.
Can residents and nonresidents both get early antlerless permits?
Yes, both resident and nonresident hunters can apply for early antlerless permits. Separate quotas are available for residents and nonresidents in each open permit area. Permit fees are higher for nonresidents.
Can you hunt antlerless deer on private land without an early antlerless permit?
No, the early antlerless permit is required to harvest antlerless deer during the early season time period, even on private lands. Landowner preference does not apply to the early antlerless permits.
What is the deadline for applying for the early antlerless permits?
The application deadline is generally in early June each year, around 4-5 months before the early season opens. Applications must be submitted online or by phone before the deadline. Check the DNR website for the exact dates.
Where can you find application information for the early antlerless permits?
Detailed information on applying, including application deadlines, permit fees, and regulations, is available on the Minnesota DNR website. Most hunters apply online, but a telephone application hotline is also available.
Can you use leftover antlerless permits from the regular season during the early season?
No. The early antlerless permits are only valid during the designated early antlerless season dates in October. Regular season antlerless permits cannot be used until the regular firearms deer season opens in November.
Are there any special restrictions on firearm calibers for the early antlerless season?
There are no special caliber restrictions, but all firearms used for deer hunting in Minnesota must be high power centerfire rifles .22 caliber or larger. Shotguns must be 10 gauge or smaller. Handguns must be .22 caliber or larger with a 4-inch minimum barrel length.
Can you hunt antlerless deer on Youth Deer Hunting Weekend with an early antlerless permit?
No. The early antlerless permits are only valid during the designated early antlerless season. They cannot be used during the regular firearms deer season or youth deer season.
Can you use a muzzleloader during the early antlerless season?
Yes, muzzleloaders are legal firearms for the early antlerless season as long as they meet Minnesota’s muzzleloader requirements of being .44 caliber or larger. Both traditional and modern in-line muzzleloaders can be utilized to harvest an antlerless deer.
Conclusion
The early antlerless deer season in Minnesota provides additional opportunities to harvest does and antlerless deer on selected permit areas during October. With proper management, the season helps control deer populations in areas where they exceed goals. Interested hunters must apply for early antlerless permits each year and follow specific regulations for the season. Checking the Minnesota DNR website provides full details on permit areas, application dates, and requirements for participating in the early season.