REGIONAL— A third straight mild winter this past year across most of Minnesota is allowing the Department of Natural Resources to increase bag limits for the 2026 deer season in about a third of deer permit areas in the state.
A total of 43 permit areas will see more generous bag limits, while the allowable harvest in 87 permit areas will remain the same. No permit area in the state will see reduced bag limits for the 2026 season, which kicks off Sept. 19 with the start of the archery season.
The regular firearms season in Zone 1 (northeastern and north-central Minnesota) runs from Nov. 7-22.
While many areas will see increased harvest opportunities, deer populations continue to vary across Minnesota. Much of north-central and northeastern Minnesota will remain under conservative bag limits, primarily with a very limited number of antlerless permits, or bucks-only designations, as deer populations in the region remain below population goals. Even so, signs are pointing to a gradual recovery in deer numbers, even in the north-central and northeast.
Hunters can see the new 2026 regulations at www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/hunting/index.html and can plan their hunt using information available on the DNR’s deer hunting webpage at www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/deer/index.html.