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Minnesota hunting regulations available for 2026 seasons
Minnesota hunting regulations available for 2026 seasons
July 27, 2026
Hunters will find major updates to electronic licensing, deer seasons and waterfowl regulations
Hunters can now review a variety of significant updates made in the 2026 Minnesota hunting and trapping regulations. Hunting and trapping licenses will be available to purchase starting Saturday, Aug. 1.
“We’re excited about fall being around the corner and we are asking hunters to carefully check the updated regulations as they prepare for upcoming seasons,” said David Trauba, wildlife section manager with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “What’s new this year will affect every hunter, and deer hunters in particular need to pay close attention because there are many significant changes applicable to them.”
Some key changes include:
- A four-year statewide rotational surveillance plan for chronic wasting disease.
- A new rule to make it easier to handle deer carcasses from CWD zones.
- Elimination of the state’s shotgun zone for deer hunting, with some county-enacted exceptions.
- Merging of the waterfowl hunting regulations book into the main hunting and trapping regulations book.
- A modernized electronic licensing system that changes how hunters buy licenses and validate harvests.
Rotational CWD surveillance
In response to evolving CWD management needs, the Minnesota DNR is moving to a four-year statewide rotational surveillance plan. To accomplish this plan, the state has been divided into four quadrants. Each year, hunters in one quadrant will be required to have all deer they harvest during firearms opening weekend that are one year old or older tested for CWD.
“We made this shift to get a clearer, more complete picture of where CWD is in Minnesota. Recent detections of CWD in new areas and endemic status in the southeast core make a broader approach necessary for both disease management and efficient use of resources,” said Patrick Hagen, DNR wildlife disease response coordinator. “While our past approach to sampling near areas of known disease has successfully monitored CWD spread in risk areas, nearly two-thirds of the state hasn’t had a targeted surveillance effort in more than 20 years.”
Hunters in the current surveillance quadrant will have multiple ways to test deer on opening weekend, including visiting a staffed or self-service sampling station, obtaining a free mail-in sampling kit before opening weekend, or visiting one of the taxidermists participating in the partner sampling program. Mandatory sampling will begin in southwest Minnesota in 2026, with the northwest in 2027, northeast in 2028 and the southeast in 2029. More information on this change, CWD testing station locations, and other important details, are in this year’s hunting and trapping regulations or at the DNR’s CWD webpage.
Hunters statewide will continue to have free, convenient ways to get their deer tested, such as mail-in kits, the Partner Sampling Program, and scheduling appointments at Minnesota DNR wildlife offices. These statewide options are all offered in addition to the mandatory sampling during firearms opening weekend in the current surveillance block.
Carcass disposal rule changes
This year hunters will be allowed to move carcasses from all deer harvested within a CWD management zone outside the zone under the condition that they must dispose of carcasses with their refuse hauler, at a local landfill or with a meat processor. Alternatively, if hunters harvest a deer on private property, they may leave the carcass on the private property where the deer was harvested with permission from the landowner. In the past, hunters had to quarter their deer to take meat out of the zone or wait for a not-detected test result to take the whole deer out. However, the requirement to quarter the deer remains in effect for deer harvested outside Minnesota that hunters want to import into the state.
As a result of the new carcass disposal rule, the DNR is eliminating its dumpster program. DNR-provided dumpsters will not be available to hunters starting in fall 2026.
“We do want people to be aware that we are not offering DNR-provided dumpsters this year for butchering remains,” Hagen said. “Coupled with the change, the new carcass disposal rule will give hunters more flexibility in handling and transporting their deer while promoting safe disposal methods.”
Shotgun zone changes
A law change in 2025 resulted in changes to the state’s former shotgun zone. Counties may adopt an ordinance to restrict weapon type and remain shotgun-only for deer hunting.
To date, 13 counties have passed ordinances that that are in effect for this season and apply to part of or all of the county and allow shotguns only: Brown, Clay (shotgun-only ordinance in part of county), Cottonwood, Dodge, Faribault, Houston, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Nobles, Pope, Rock, Watonwan, Wilkin (no changes from previous years; part of county remains shotgun-only). In all other counties in Minnesota, all legal shotguns, handguns, and rifles may be used to take deer during firearms seasons.
Details about county ordinances are listed in the respective counties’ websites with links available on the Minnesota DNR deer hunting webpage under the “news and notices” section.
Waterfowl regulations information merged
Waterfowl hunters will now find waterfowl regulations information in the hunting and trapping regulations booklet. The Minnesota DNR merged the waterfowl regulations with the main booklet to provide a single, comprehensive booklet for hunters and trappers.
New electronic licensing system
Changes in how hunters buy licenses, and validate and register harvests will be in place for all hunters in all seasons with the new electronic licensing system that the Minnesota DNR launched in June.
There are three ways to buy a license (mobile app, online, or in-person from a license agent) and three ways to carry it (paper, PDF, or stored in the app). Customers can access the new system on the Minnesota DNR website or by searching “Minnesota DNR Licensing” in the Apple or Google app stores.
Hunters who wish to buy licenses online or via the new mobile app will need to create their online account before buying a license. Anyone who has purchased a license online, by phone or in person in the past will need their nine-digit MNDNR number (visible on their latest license) when creating their account in the new system. A how-to video on signing in to the electronic licensing system is available on YouTube.
“As a first step for hunters, we recommend they purchase their license early this year,” Trauba said. “Sign in and create an online account, get acquainted with the system, and give yourself a bit of extra time this year to purchase that license.”
How hunters purchase a license — whether online, via the app or in-person at a license agent — will change how they will validate and register a harvest. The process on how to validate and register a harvest is detailed on pages 28-29 in the regulations booklet.
Hunters can find the Minnesota hunting regulations booklet on the Minnesota DNR hunting webpage. Print copies will be available wherever DNR licenses are sold. Hunters are advised to check the nearest license agent if they are choosing to register a harvest in person, so they know where to go. Regulations translated into Hmong, Karen, Somali and Spanish will be available on the DNR website in mid-September.
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Australia: Seven suspected bird flu cases found in native species, authorities are on high alert
A clutch of new suspected cases has experts worried about the spread of local transmission through vulnerable native species.
Andrew Stafford
AAP
1 Min Read
26 Jul 2026
Updated
26 Jul 2026
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Queensland’s first suspected bird flu case detected
(Source: 7NEWS)
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Session ID: 2026-07-28:726ad7efe88736826e50d11c Player Element ID:bc-video-6401986433112-0OKClose Modal DialogClick to unmuteA dead seabird found on Moreton Island has tested positive for avian influenza, marking Queensland’s first suspected case of bird flu.
Seven new suspected bird flu cases have been detected in a native species, placing the poultry industry on high alert.
The greater crested terns found in South Australia have been sent for testing for confirmation amid fears of a local transmission.
The seven birds were found in SA’s southeast, including five at Southend.
Of the five birds collected from Southend, four were sick and one was dead.
While Australia has 20 confirmed cases across SA, Western Australia, NSW and Queensland, only one has been discovered to date in an Australian native, non-migratory bird species.
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South Australia’s primary industries minister, Clare Scriven, said that while there had been no detections in poultry or the broader agricultural industry, the sector was on high alert.
“There is a very high possibility that it will eventually get into poultry,” she told reporters in Adelaide.
“What we have been focused on with industry is that they will be as prepared as possible.”
Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said at this stage there had been no mass mortalities and the risk to human health remained low.
“The states and territories have been doing an enormous amount of triaging and testing right across the country and we have obviously had these detections all along the coast at this point in time.”
Greater crested terns are a common and widely distributed species on the Australian coastline.
They are approaching the breeding season, which increases the risk of transmission as the birds gather in close-knit colonies of thousands.
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“We need to focus on the surveillance and monitor what’s happening in those populations,” SA chief veterinary officer Skye Fruean told reporters in Adelaide on Monday.
“Until we get to the point of it being confirmed that we have local birds spreading it between each other, the situation doesn’t change.”
She said it was impossible to stop the spread of the disease within wild birds, with containing it the only option.
Study reveals halving human population gradually could help Earth
Important dates to help plan your August
idfg-cliess
Monday, July 27, 2026 – 8:27 AM MDT
From tags sales to general season openers, here’s a partial list of what’s happening in August.
From tags sales to general season openers, there’s a lot happening in Idaho during August that you should be aware of. Staying in the loop can be the difference between applying for that coveted controlled hunt tag and watching from the sidelines.
Be sure to stay up to date on all Fish and Game happenings. Here are some important dates you should know to help you plan.
AUGUST 2026
8/1 – DEADLINE to purchase controlled hunt tags (except unlimited and January hunts) (Learn more)
8/3 – ON SALE: Sage-grouse and sandhill crane tags at 10 a.m. MDT (Learn more)
8/5 – OPEN: Second application period for deer, elk, pronghorn, and fall bear controlled hunts
8/5 – ON SALE: Leftover early-season controlled hunt tags at 10 a.m. MDT
8/6 – ON SALE: Second tag and returned tag sale at 10 a.m. MDT
8/10 – DEADLINE to apply for second Super Hunt drawing
8/15 – CLOSED: Second application period for deer, elk, pronghorn, and fall bear controlled hunts
8/18 – OPEN: Fall Chinook salmon season (Learn more)
8/25 – ON SALE: Leftover controlled hunt tag sale at 10 a.m. MDT (if available)
8/30 – OPEN: General archery season for deer and elk in most of the state
8/30 – OPEN: Cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare seasons; fall turkey season in most of Idaho; forest grouse season
8/31 – DEADLINE: Art submissions for 2027 IDFG hard card licenses (Learn more)
Note: Hunters, anglers and trappers should always double check the seasons and rules booklets to confirm opening and closing dates, as well as restrictions and rules pertaining to individual species.
Lack of winter mortality should make for good hunting season
Scientists warn ‘greatest risk to civilisation’ coming sooner than thought
Scientists warn ‘greatest risk to civilisation’ coming sooner than thought
Scientists warn ‘greatest risk to civilisation’ coming sooner than thought
532.5K Followers
Story by Claudia Trotman & Jane Lavender
• 15h •
2 min read
An aerial view of a devastated cityscape is depicted. In the background, several ruined buildings emit plumes of smoke, suggesting a catastrophic event. The foreground is cluttered with debris and rubble, and an electrical pole stands amidst the wreckage. The sky above is overcast, with the setting sun casting a warm, hazy light over the scene.© Getty Images/iStockphoto
Scientists have issued a stark warning about when humanity could begin to see the collapse of civilization – and the clock is ticking faster than we think.
Previously, Elon Musk claimed that declining birth rates pose the “greatest risk to the future of civilisation.” Currently, the fertility rate in the US hovers at 1.62, a figure that appears to trouble Elon. As of 2022, the UK registers even lower at 1.57. Research suggests nations need a fertility rate of 2.7 children per woman to sustain population levels.
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Experts are now cautioning that within just two decades, we could be staring down the barrel of societal collapse. Previously, academics thought roughly 2.1 was adequate to ward off long-term extinction. However, the research team contended the original calculation didn’t adequately factor in crucial elements such as mortality rates, sex ratio distribution, the reality that some adults choose not to have children, and natural fluctuations in family size. It comes after the late Professor Stephen Hawking predicted the exact date of the apocalypse.
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Musk, who regularly claims to be “banging on the baby drum” has been sounding the alarm on this alleged crisis for years. He claimed it would become “the biggest problem the world will face in years,” reports the Daily Star.
He added that declining birthrates would also trigger fewer workers, mounting debt, overstretched healthcare and pension systems. He even suggested it might spark complete social chaos.
A yellow warning sign against a stormy sky with a lightning bolt in the background, displaying the text© Getty Images/iStockphoto
Diane Cuaresma, one of the study’s authors, said in the report: “Considering stochasticity [unpredictability] in fertility and mortality rates, and sex ratios, a fertility rate higher than the standard replacement level is necessary to ensure sustainability of our population.”
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The research team emphasized that maintaining population sustainability requires consistently achieving specific fertility targets each year. They contend that languages, ancestral lineages, diversity and cultural heritage all depend on meeting these demographic thresholds.
In their paper published in the journal Plos One, the researchers noted: “The underpopulation crisis has been a serious threat to the sustainability of developed countries.”
Several newborns are lying in incubators, which are enclosed in transparent glass enclosures, arranged in a row.© Stoke Sentinel
They added: “The worldwide total fertility rate – the number of children per woman – has dropped from 5.3 in the 1960s to 2.3 in 2023.”
Currently, the Republic of Korea has the world’s lowest fertility rate at just 0.87. BBC News reports that specialists point to high living expenses, intense workplace expectations, and increasing desires for better work-life balance as contributing factors.
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In the UK, birth rates have fallen dramatically over the past ten years. Latest figures connected to the ‘baby bust’ reveal that some boroughs have seen a 60% decline in women having babies since 2013.
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