According to the Department of Natural Resources, Youth ages 10-15 can participate in a special deer season that runs from Thursday, Oct. 19, to Sunday, Oct. 22 in the following SE Minnesota areas: 341, 342, 343, 344 (including Whitewater Game Refuge), 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, and 603. You can take a better look at the deer season map here.

Here are a few regulations to know for this hunt:

• An adult parent/guardian/mentor 18 or older must accompany the youth hunter at all times during the hunt. The adult does not need to be licensed.

• Blaze orange/pink requirements apply to all hunters, trappers and adult mentors in areas open during this season.

• The accompanying adult cannot hunt and party hunting is not allowed (youth must tag their own deer), except in early and late antlerless seasons with the correct license.

• Youth 12 years of age and older must have a firearm safety certificate or apprentice hunter validation. Participating youth must possess a valid firearm deer license. Youth age 10, 11, and 12 must possess a free license.

• Public land is open, and private land is open if the hunters have landowner permission.

• The bag limit is one deer only. Youth may use their regular license or a bonus permit if they take an antlerless deer, regardless of the management designation.

• Bucks must be tagged with the youth’s regular license.

• Participation does not affect eligibility for the regular deer season; however, the harvested deer counts against the youth’s annual statewide bag limit.

• Youth hunters in permit area 603 must have their deer tested for chronic wasting disease, in accordance with the CWD regulations, found here.

• Regulations and more information about the youth season can be found on page 34 of the 2017 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook and online at mndnr.gov/regulations/hunting.

Stop by with your kids and their Youth Season trophy deer so we can take their picture and add it to our Wall of Fame! We also sell the essential items that will make your hunting, camping, or fishing trip a success, including DNR licenses, State-Park approved firewood, groceries, gas, ice, camping supplies, bait and tackle. We wish all hunters the best of luck this season.

Live life. Live wild.