Experts Share What Minnesota Deer Hunters Can Expect For 2025 Season

An unofficial fall holiday in Minnesota is coming fast. The 2025 Minnesota deer hunting season is quickly on its way, with the firearm deer season opening statewide on Saturday, November 8 this year.

As this year's Minnesota firearms deer season approaches, the Minnesota DNR is sharing some information about deer populations in regions around the state, as well as important information to be aware of in several places statewide.

Statewide CWD Information

One of the big things for hunters in a variety of areas across the state to know about is whether or not you are hunting in a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) zone. For 2025, there are several deer permit areas that are categorized as either CWD Management or CWD surveillance zones.

The map above lays out the areas that are either classified as a management or surveillance zone. You can also see the interactive Minnesota DNR CWD map here for additional detail.

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CWD testing is mandatory opening weekend in both the management and surveillance zones, and is optional in the remaining zones across the state.

What's the difference between a management and surveillance zone? The Minnesota DNR explains:

CWD Surveillance Zones: These areas (designated in gray) are places where CWD hasn't been found in wild deer, but there is a risk of the disease in these zones due to CWD being found in farmed deer in the area. See more about surveillance zones here.

CWD Management Zones: These areas (marked in yellow) are places where CWD has been found in wild deer, and additional deer regulations and increased hunting opportunities are in place to help stop the spread. See more about management zones here.

Northeastern Minnesota Deer Report

The Minnesota DNR says deer populations in Northeastern Minnesota remain low, with the best opportunities in the southernmost parts of the region, where deer counts are higher.

Mixed-habitat locations are reported as the best spots to find deer. Places with a combination of field and forest space together seem to have the best numbers.

Northwestern Minnesota Deer Report

The mild conditions of the last couple of winters have helped the deer population in Northwestern Minnesota rebound after a couple of rough winters in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.

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Lots of reports of births earlier this year and a good food supply are promising signs for a good deer population across the region staying strong into the winter.

Central Minnesota Deer Report

The Minnesota DNR says the deer population in Central Minnesota "remains robust and highly productive", being helped by a mild winter last year.

The strong populations mean many deer permit areas offer the opportunity to harvest multiple deer. Check the regulations for your specific hunting zone for more information.

Southern Minnesota Deer Report

The DNR reports that deer populations continue to grow in numbers, being helped by last year's mild winter.

The rainy weather during fawn-rearing season, when there was some flooding in the region, isn't expected to have had any major impacts on the population despite some vegetation damage.

Even with some ground-level vegetation damage from flooding, the DNR says there still remains a lot of food and habitat, highlighting large areas of grass with embedded wetlands being prime deer habitat.

You can see more about regulations, CWD, and other deer hunting information on the Minnesota DNR's deer hunting site.