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Oct. 30, 2025

Stay informed! Here’s a summary of upcoming wildlife and habitat management activities and ways you can discover, explore and experience Minnesota’s outdoors.

Deer hunters: know before you go

More than 400,000 deer hunters are preparing for the firearms deer season that opens Saturday, Nov. 8. The season offers opportunities to spend time outdoors with friends and family, find adventure and put venison in the freezer.

Deer hunting is the primary tool the DNR uses to manage deer populations, and hunters help keep deer numbers in line with population goals across the state. Managing deer populations contributes to the overall health of Minnesota’s landscapes, natural systems and economy.

DNR wildlife staff report that there should be good opportunities to harvest deer in most areas. Want to know what to expect in the region where you hunt? Check out the deer season field reports.

Here are some other places to find information on the DNR website as you plan your hunt: 

• Deer hunting page – quickly get all the information you need for hunting.
• Plan your hunt tool – use your deer permit area to walk through the hunting regulations, deer processing considerations, chronic wasting disease sampling, hunter safety and making the most of your hunt.
• CWD testing options are here for hunters outside CWD zones, or after the mandatory sampling period. Important: Be aware CWD sampling stations are only available Nov. 8-10 in CWD zones this year. Hunters wishing to get their deer tested outside of that timeframe may use mail-in kits, the partner sampling program, or by making an appointment with an area wildlife office. Not sure if your DPA has required or optional testing? Use the DPA lookup tool to step through what is required for you.

• Successful hunting starts with safety – Hunting is a safe activity that leads to lifelong memories when hunters prepare ahead and take safety precautions.

• Register your deer – required for every deer taken before processing and before removal of antlers, and within 48 hours after the deer was taken. Hunters can register deer online, via phone or in person. Information from deer registration is essential for the DNR to track and manage deer populations.
• The shotgun zone is the same in 2025. Changes are coming in 2026.
• Online field log – report wildlife seen while deer hunting. The DNR uses the information to supplement its model-generated population estimates, which are important tools for managing wildlife.
• Know the difference between deer and elk. For quarterly updates about elk in Minnesota, sign up for our Elk Notes newsletter!

Share your deer hunting stories!

Deer hunting can bring experiences, laughs and special moments that are shared around the campfire year after year and generation to generation. 

From wildlife sightings in the stand to helping a youngster get that first harvest, deer hunting offers incredible experiences that should be remembered.  

Take a minute to use the Deer Tales form to share your story and a photo from the hunt. Stories will have the chance to be featured on the DNR website, social media, emails and more.

Hunter walking trails provide access in northern Minnesota

The DNR maintains hunter walking trails as easy ways to travel by foot through wildlife management areas, state and federal forests, and other public hunting lands. Hunter walking trails wind through prime habitat for ruffed grouse, woodcock, wild turkey and deer. There are more than 600 miles of hunter walking trails located throughout the northern half of the state. Many of the trails are gated, allowing foot traffic only.

Because not all hunter walking trails are listed on the hunter walking trail tool, hunters are encouraged to call area wildlife offices for more information about trails, as well as hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities and tips.

Waterfowl hunters, sign up for migration report updates

“Shot this beautiful drake wood duck on Sunday morning” courtesy of Katie Torgerson

How has waterfowl season been going? We’d love to see the memories you made! You can submit your waterfowl hunting photos through our uploader for a chance to be featured in DNR communications. 

Still looking to get out to the marsh? We have a weekly waterfowl migration report posted on our website. By signing up with your email address, you can be notified via email when there are new updates posted on the page.

Pheasant season in full swing

Courtesy of earnoodles, iNaturalist

Pheasant hunting is in full swing, and you can keep at it all the way until Jan. 4, 2026. If you’re curious about pheasant hunting and want to give it a try sometime, or know somebody who does, check out our learn to hunt page on hunting pheasants, or our pheasant hunting 101 webinar.

We also have pheasant hunting information, regulations, and this year’s roadside survey report and hunting prospects map, on the DNR pheasant hunting page.

Winner chosen for pheasant and turkey stamp contests

The DNR chose winners for the Minnesota pheasant and turkey stamp contests on Oct. 2.

Lakeville artist Stephen Hamrick won the Minnesota pheasant stamp contest with an acrylic painting of a pheasant. The winner was selected from eight eligible submissions. Second place was Matt Linz of Ramsey and third place was Taylor Leback of Thief River Falls. The winning artwork will be featured on the 2026 pheasant stamp. 

Vernon Center artist Al Steinberg won the Minnesota turkey stamp contest with an acrylic painting of a wild turkey. The winner was selected from six eligible submissions. Second place was Micah Hanson of St. Charles and third place was Matt Linz of Ramsey. The winning artwork will be featured on the 2027 turkey stamp.

The pheasant stamp and turkey stamp can be purchased in combination with hunting licenses or as collectables.

Help prevent wildfires this season

As you head out this fall, remember that preventing wildfires starts with you. Keep campfires small, never leave them unattended, and make sure they’re completely out before you leave. Avoid parking vehicles or ATVs on dry grass, and check that your equipment and exhaust systems are spark-free. A little extra care keeps our natural spaces, wildlife, and hunting traditions safe for years to come. Fire danger can change quickly. Stay current on the fire danger and burning restrictions before you start a fire. Learn more at the DNR wildlife prevention page. 

Bears in a feeding frenzy before winter

Courtesy of Dianna Johnson

As temperatures cool into fall, the annual feeding frenzy begins. This phenomena, called hyperphagia, drives bears to forage up to 20 hours a day. Bears will need about 4 inches of fat and to gain between 20% to 50% of their summer body weight before winter arrives. This will allow them to live off their fat reserves during hibernation. Wild foods that are on the menu include acorns, hazelnuts and dogwood berries.

Since bears are actively looking to feast, fall is a good time to make sure your home is BearWise. You don’t want to teach bears that people’s homes are buffets.

Wildlife highlight: ‘the butcher bird’

Courtesy of Alyssa Sheffield

Still need a Halloween costume? Go as the “the butcher bird.” They may be small, but northern shrikes are all predator. These unassuming songbirds come to Minnesota in the winter. They stalk through brushy habitats, hunting mice and other birds with ambush attacks. They save food for later by impaling it on spikes, thorns and barbed wire.

Are you into birding or just like birds and wildlife in general? This northern shrike highlight was originally posted on the Facebook page of DNR’s Nongame Wildlife Program, which helps Minnesota’s rare and vulnerable wildlife species. Give them a follow for more!

You can also follow our Minnesota Fish & Wildlife Facebook page for ecology, recreation, and conservation work for Minnesota’s fish and wildlife.

Let’s talk about wildlife

Hunters, trappers and wildlife watchers benefit from the management, habitat and oversight work of the Minnesota DNR’s area wildlife office staff. Have question, comment or concern? Area wildlife staff are happy to talk with you!

Find hunting and trapping regulations, harvest registration, how to contact a conservation officer and information about pursuing a variety of species at the DNR hunting page. New to hunting? Check out the DNR learn to hunt page.