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Minnesota hunting regulation reforms

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-02 02:34 UTC → 2026-08-26 01:34 UTC · added removed

In late July 2026 2026, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) opened a public comment period on an optional three‑duck‑per‑day three-duck-per-day bag limit for waterfowl hunting, citing hunting. Citing a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service study that study, the option agency suggested the simplified limit could attract beginners by reducing the need for complex species identification. Migratory-gamebird consultant Nate Huck noted that “duck identification can be difficult and reduce harvest of sensitive species. could prevent potential hunters from getting into waterfowl hunting.” A week later later, the agency issued its comprehensive 2026 hunting and trapping regulations, the most sweeping update in recent years. The package introduced a four‑year four-year rotational surveillance plan for chronic wasting disease (CWD), mandated starting in southwest Minnesota this fall, which mandates testing of harvested deer in rotating quadrants, and aged one year or older during the firearms opening weekend. The reforms also eliminated the statewide shotgun zone in favor of county‑level ordinances. It also county-level ordinances, with thirteen counties adopting shotgun-only rules for the 2026 season. Additionally, the DNR merged waterfowl rules into the main hunting booklet and launched an electronic licensing system. Subsequent clarification confirmed that the CWD plan requires hunters in system accessible via a designated quadrant to test all deer aged one year mobile app or older during the firearms opening weekend. online portal. New carcass‑disposal carcass-disposal rules now permit whole deer to be removed from CWD zones via refuse haulers, landfills landfills, or meat processors, ending the previous dumpster program. Thirteen counties have adopted shotgun‑only ordinances for In August, the 2026 season, DNR announced a September 10 deadline for firearm and muzzleloader hunters to enter the electronic licensing platform antlerless deer permit area lottery. A new provision allows licenses hunters to be purchased apply for both the antlerless lottery and stored through a mobile app or online portal. special hunts simultaneously. The bear hunting season is scheduled to open on September 1, with advisories to avoid shooting bears marked for research.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-26 01:34 UTC Minnesota hunting regulation reforms
  2. 2026-08-02 02:34 UTC Minnesota hunting regulation reforms
  3. 2026-07-29 04:05 UTC Minnesota hunting regulation reforms

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