Minnesota’s statewide youth deer season begins Thursday, Oct 16 through Sunday, Oct. 19. The youth hunt is scheduled to coincide with Minnesota teacher workshop when Minnesota schools are closed for fall break.

Youth ages 10 to 17 may participate in the hunt, but youth 10 to 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

The accompanying adult does not need to be licensed and cannot legally hunt in most areas of the state. Youth are required to tag their own deer. Adults may hunt as part of the early antlerless season if hunting in one of the 25 deer permit areas (DPA) open to the early antlerless season. Brown County nor any of the surrounding counties have a DPA on the early antlerless list.

Participating youth must possess a valid firearm deer license. Youth age 10, 11, and 12 must possess a free license. Youth age 12 and older must also have a firearms safety certificate or apprentice hunter validation.

Participating in the youth hunt will not affect eligibility for the regular deer season; however, deer harvested during the youth season count toward the youth’s annual statewide bag limit.

Youth possessing a firearms license may use a crossbow. Youth hunting under an archery license may also use a crossbow during the entire archery season as well as the four-day youth deer season.

General deer hunting information, including how to get a deer tested for chronic wasting disease and carcass movement restrictions, can be found on the Minnesota DNR deer hunting webpage (mndnr.gov/hunting/deer).