The dates for the new October youth deer hunt in southeastern Minnesota, and this year's youth hunt in the northwest, were announced Monday by the Department of Natural Resources. The DNR had previously said it was going to hold a special youth hunt in the southeast as part of some major deer management changes there.
This from the DNR release:
Youth ages 10-15 are eligible to participate in the special deer season that runs Thursday, Oct. 21 to Sunday, Oct. 24, in 12 permit areas of southeastern and 15 deer permit areas of northwestern Minnesota.
"This youth-only season provides an opportunity for parents, guardians and mentors to schedule and plan a special deer hunt with youth," said Mike Kurre, DNR mentoring program coordinator.
Deer permit areas open to the hunt are 101, 105, 111, 114, 201, 203, 208, 209, 256, 257, 260, 263, 264, 267, 268, 338, 339, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349 and 601. Youth must meet all firearms safety requirement, purchase a license and use the appropriate firearm for the permit area in which they are hunting. Youth may take a deer of either sex. An adult mentor must accompany the youth but may not hunt or carry a firearm. The special season should occur when students are on school break. Public land is open as is private land, provided the youth hunter has landowner permission. Participating in the youth deer season 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. Mentored special youth deer hunts Young hunters have another, option, too: They can apply for one of 15 mentored deer hunts in October. They have until Aug. 20 to apply. More details from the DNR: Youth ages 12-15 may apply for one of 11 special firearms youth deer hunts at selected state parks and refuges. Youth ages 12-17 may apply for 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 the following hunts: ARCHERY · Camp Ripley Archery Hunt (open to youth 12-17), Archery, Morrison County, Oct. 8-10, 150 permits · Lake Alexander Preserve, Archery, Morrison County, Oct.8-10, 20 permits · Arden Hills Site A, Archery, Ramsey County, Oct. 21-22, 30 permits · Arden Hills Site B, Archery, Ramsey County, Oct. 23-24, 30 permits FIREARMS · Lake Bemidji State Park, Firearms, Beltrami County, Oct. 16-17, 20 permits · St. Croix State Park, Firearms, Pine County, Oct. 30-31, 90 permits · Rydell National Wildlife Refuge, Firearms, Polk Count, Oct. 23-24, 20 permits · Savanna Portage State Park, Firearms, Aitkin County, Oct. 30-31, 20 permits · Buffalo River State Park Hunt A, Firearms, Clay County, Oct. 23-24, 10 permits · Buffalo River State Park Hunt B, Firearms, Clay County, Oct. 310-31, 10 permits · Tettagouche State Park, Firearms, Lake County, Oct. 16-17, 10 permits · Itasca State Park, Firearms, Clearwater County, Oct. 16-17, 75 permits · Banning State Park, Firearms, Pine County, Oct. 30-31, 6 permits · Father Hennepin State Park Hunt A, Firearms, Mille Lacs County, Oct. 30-31, 3 permits · Father Hennepin State Park Hunt B, Firearms, Mille Lacs County, Dec. 4-5, 3 permits Youth must apply for the hunt of his or her choice, which 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.
