News and notes from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
ANTLERESS DEER LOTTERY DEADLINE IS SEPT. 10
Firearm and muzzleloader hunters who want to harvest antlerless deer in a deer permit area that is designated as antlerless permit lottery must purchase their license by Thursday, Sept. 10.
Hunters who purchase their license (mndnr.gov/buyalicense) by Sept. 10 are automatically entered into the lottery for the DPA they declare.
Successful applicants will receive a postcard in the mail from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources authorizing them to take an antlerless deer using their regular license in that antlerless permit lottery area. The authorization will be valid for both the firearm and muzzleloader season; however, hunters must still have a valid license for the season they plan to hunt.
No application is needed to take antlerless deer in permit areas with either-sex, two-deer limit, three-deer limit, or five-deer limit designations.
The application deadline for adult special firearms hunts is also Sept. 10. New this year, hunters can apply to both the antlerless permit lottery and special hunts.
In the past, hunters were only allowed to apply to one or the other.
More information about special hunts is available on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/hunting/deer/special-deer-hunts.html) and on page 101 in the Minnesota hunting regulations book.
Hunters who wish to buy licenses online or via the new mobile app (mndnr.gov/buyalicense) will need to create their online account before buying a license. Anyone who has purchased a license online, by phone or in person (mndnr.gov/licenses/agents-map.html) in the past should use their nine-digit MNDNR number (visible on their latest license) to input when creating their account in the new system where possible, to ensure the smoothest experience. A how-to video about signing in to the electronic licensing system is available on YouTube (youtu.be/s5ETb-FV8fXo).
STATE PARK LICENSE PLATE DESIGN CONTEST UNDERWAY
In the 2026 Minnesota legislative session, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources was authorized to hold a new design contest for a second state parks and trails specialty license plate — with a few specific requirements.
The winning design must “celebrate the North Shore and Lake Superior agate; not be created in whole or in part using artificial intelligence; be created by a resident of Minnesota; and be selected no later than December 18, 2026.”
Start designing now! Entries will be accepted through a digital submission form Sept. 15 through Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. After a DNR panel narrows down submissions to the top three finalists, you will decide the winner by a public vote in December 2026. For more information on contest rules, visit the DNR website.
