Minnesota DNR Announces 2026 Deer Hunting Regulation Updates

Minnesota's 2026 firearms deer season opens Saturday, November 7, with more than 400,000 hunters expected statewide. In an October 26 announcement, the Department of Natural Resources urged hunters to review changes to licensing, deer regulations and chronic wasting disease (CWD) sampling rules.

CWD sampling is mandatory November 7–8 for deer at least one year old harvested in the designated southwest Minnesota surveillance permit areas. Hunters should check their specific deer permit area, since those boundaries do not always match county lines. Deer must be registered before sampling, and hunters may use approved staffed stations, participating processors or taxidermists, or qualifying mail-in kits.

Local help: The Redwood Falls County Highway Department at 1820 E. Bridge Street is a staffed CWD sampling station on November 7–8 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Monday, November 9, from 9 a.m. to noon. The DNR also eliminated the statewide shotgun zone for deer hunting, though counties may adopt their own restrictions; hunters should check local rules.

Why it matters: Anyone hunting around Redwood County should confirm sampling and licensing requirements before heading out, so they are ready to comply on opening weekend.

DNR announcement: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news/2026/10/26/minnesota-dnr-provides-deer-hunting-outlook-and-regulation-reminders
CWD station list: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/cwd/surveillance-block.html