Minnesota Applications for Fall Youth Deer Hunts Due August 16
Minnesota youth have until Friday, Aug. 16, to apply for 18 mentored deer hunts this fall, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Youth ages 12-15 may apply for one of 15 special firearms youth deer hunts at selected state parks and refuges. Youth ages 12-17 may apply for three special archery youth deer hunts. Participating in a youth deer hunt does not preclude the youth from participating in the regular firearms deer season, but any deer harvested do count against the youth’s season bag limit.
A limited number of either-sex permits are available for each hunt. New hunts are available at Twin Lakes Scientific and Natural Area, Blue Mounds State Park, Camden State Park and Lake Shetek State Park.
ARCHERY
- Camp Ripley (open to youth 12-17), Morrison County, Oct. 11-13,
175 permits. - Lake Alexander Preserve (open to youth 12-17), Morrison County, Oct. 11-13,
20 permits. - Twin Lakes SNA (open to youth 12-17), Isanti County, Oct. 19-20, three permits.
FIREARMS
- Afton State Park, Washington County, Nov. 9-10, 20 permits.
- Banning State Park, Pine County, Nov. 2-3, 6 permits.
- Blue Mounds State Park, Rock County, Dec. 7-8, 5 permits.
- Buffalo River State Park, Clay County, Nov. 9-10, 14 permits.
- Camden State Park, Lyon County, Nov. 2 -3, 10 permits.
- Great River State Park, Winona County, Oct. 26-27, 30 permits.
- Itasca State Park, Clearwater County, Oct. 12-13, 75 permits.
- Lake Bemidji State Park, Beltrami County, Oct. 19-20, 20 permits.
- Lake Shetek State Park, Murray County, Oct. 19-20, 10 permits.
- Rydell National Wildlife Refuge, Polk County, Oct. 19-20, 20 permits.
- St. Croix State Park, Pine County, Nov. 2-3, 100 permits.
- Savanna Portage State Park, Aitkin County, Oct. 26-27, 20 permits.
- Sibley State Park, Kandiyohi County, Oct. 26-27, 10 permits.
- Tettegouche State Park, Lake County, Oct. 19-20, 10 permits.
- Zippel Bay State Park, Lake of the Woods County, Oct. 12-13, 20 permits.
A youth must apply for the hunt of his or her choice, which costs $1 and can be done at any DNR license agent; the DNR License Center, 500 Lafayette Road, in St. Paul; or online at www.mndnr.gov/buyalicense.
If the number of applications exceeds the number of permits, a lottery will be conducted. Youth may only apply for one archery hunt and one firearms hunt.
An adult parent or guardian must accompany the youth at all times while hunting but only the youth may hunt. Youth and their mentor must attend a mandatory pre-hunt orientation session. Successful applicants also must meet all firearms safety requirements, purchase all appropriate licenses and follow hunting regulations. More information on these hunts is available by following the youth deer hunt link at www.mndnr.gov/discover.
