Minnesota DNR Staff Provide Insight on 2024 Deer Season Opener

MINNESOTA — The Minnesota 2024 deer season opener is just over a week away and the Department of Natural Resources is sharing what hunters need to know.

The DNR says coming off a mild winter, overall deer numbers will be on the rise. However, in the Northeast part of the state, numbers are struggling and well below goal. So, it could take several mild winters to rebuild the population. One of the most common hunting injuries is falling out of a deer stand. The DNR recommends making sure equipment works well, focus when climbing in and out of the stand, and wearing blaze orange. This year there is a new regulation in place.

“Hunters can take deer that are harvested in a CWD management zone or from outside of our state borders. They can bring the head, with the neck and the hide attached into the state or out of the CWD management zone as long as it’s delivered or brought to a licensed taxidermist in Minnesota within 48 hours,” said Erik Hildebrand, DNR Wildlife Health Supervisor.

DNR staff says deer hunting brings in not only meat for the winter but great economic impact to the state. It generates about one billion dollars for Minnesota.

“And one of the things that I love about deer season is you can really visibly see that economic impact when you see small communities across Minnesota flooded with hunters in their blaze orange. You see that impact that they’re having in the restaurants and the gas stations and places around their communities,” said Sarah Strommen, DNR Commissioner.

The deer hunting season officially starts the weekend of November 9th and 10th. The DNR recommends looking over all rules and regulations for in your area before heading out.