Hunting in Minnesota: Five Things to Know About Urban Deer Hunting in Cities and Suburbs

Deer populations near major Minnesota metro areas have boomed in recent years. For this reason, hunting in Minnesota isn't just reserved for the wilderness. Many cities and suburbs across the state have turned to urban hunting as a solution to cull deer herds that become a nuisance as they grow in numbers.

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The DNR and the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety reported that about 20,000 accidents in Minnesota each year are related to deer, according to a 2011 article by the Pioneer Press. The article also reported that deer cause $1 Billion in damages to cars across the United States each year. 

Deer can destroy gardens, trees and flowerbeds in search of food. These animals also present a health risk because they carry deer ticks – which are known to spread Lyme Disease.

If you want to hunt deer in Minnesota's cities and suburbs, here are six things you need to know:

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1. Hunting on private property is not allowed unless you first obtain permission from the homeowner or landowner. This rule applies to land that is not posted.

2. Urban hunts are only open to bow hunters. Many cities have laws in place restricting firearm usage near homes, schools and businesses.

3. Just like in rural areas, hunters are not permitted to shoot deer from a motor vehicle or use bait to entice deer.

4. Deer can be hunted from one half-hour before sunrise until sunset. Artificial light is not allowed as an aid in targeting a deer.

5. Bow hunters enjoy major success in urban and suburban areas. Statewide, the average bow hunter kills a deer every 7 ½ years. In a city like Duluth, on the other hand, the average hunter kills two deer per year. 

If you want to participate in an urban deer hunt, contact your Minnesota DNR office for more information on which cities allow hunting and when those seasons open.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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