Minnesota Hunting Seasons & Prices
2026 big-game season dates and license/tag prices.
Minnesota offers 2026 hunting seasons for black bear, whitetail, and turkey across any method, archery, firearm, and muzzleloader methods. Seasons run from September 1 through December 31, 2026. A deer license (firearm or archery) costs $34 for residents and $185 for nonresidents.
Planning reference only — always confirm dates and prices with the state wildlife agency before applying, buying a license, or hunting.
Season dates
Whitetail
| Season | Method | Opens | Closes | Notes | Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Archery | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Youth | Firearm | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Firearms (A season) | Firearm | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 100-series zones Nov 7-22; 200-series zones Nov 7-15. | 🔔 |
| Late Southeast Firearms | Firearm | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 300-series (southeast) zones. | 🔔 |
| Muzzleloader | Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | 🔔 |
Black bear
| Season | Method | Opens | Closes | Notes | Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting | Any method | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 🔔 |
Turkey
| Season | Method | Opens | Closes | Notes | Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Any method | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 🔔 |
License & tag prices
| License | Resident | Nonresident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer License (firearm or archery) | $34 | $185 | |
| Youth Deer License (ages 13-17) | $5 | $5 |
A deer license (firearm or archery) is sold per season/method. Youth 10-12 hunt deer free; 13-17 pay a reduced rate.
Source: Minnesota DNR license fees (dnr.state.mn.us)
Minnesota hunt units
Explore harvest history, success rates, and draw odds by unit.
10 Black bear11 Black bear12 Black bear13 Black bear14 Black bear22 Black bear24 Black bear25 Black bear27 Black bear28 Black bear31 Black bear41 Black bear
Browse all Minnesota harvest data →Minnesota hunting FAQ
- When does whitetail season open in Minnesota in 2026?
- Minnesota's 2026 whitetail archery season opens September 19 and runs through December 31. Always confirm exact dates with the state wildlife agency before hunting.
- What big-game species can you hunt in Minnesota?
- In 2026, Minnesota has hunting seasons for black bear, whitetail, and turkey.
- How much is a Minnesota hunting license for nonresidents?
- A deer license (firearm or archery) in Minnesota is $185 for nonresidents and $34 for residents.