SE Minnesota State Parks to Allow Deer Hunting in 2025
The Minnesota firearm deer hunting season officially opens on Saturday, November 8th, 2025, following an archery season that began in mid-September and an upcoming muzzleloader season. This year, a notable development is that certain Minnesota State Parks will permit deer hunting, a change that introduces important considerations for park visitors.
State Parks Hunting Access and Visitor Safety
While many areas across Minnesota are open to deer hunting, the decision to allow hunting within select state parks has raised attention. Not every park is participating, and each has its own designated hunting schedules and regulations. Some parks will restrict access solely to hunters during hunting periods, while others will remain partially or fully open to the general public.
It is crucial for visitors, especially non-hunters, to understand these conditions to avoid safety risks during hunting activities.
2025 Southeast Minnesota State Parks Hunting Status
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides a detailed list, but here are the key Southeast Minnesota state parks allowing deer hunting in 2025 along with their visitation rules during hunting windows:
- Beaver Creek Valley State Park – Open to visitors; muzzleloader hunting allowed December 6-7
- Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park – Open to visitors; firearm hunting November 8-9
- Frontenac State Park – Closed to public except hunters; firearm hunting November 22-23
- Great River Bluffs State Park – Open to visitors; firearm hunting November 22-23
- Lake Louise State Park – Open to visitors; firearm hunting November 15-16
- Myre-Big Island State Park – Open to visitors; muzzleloader hunting December 6-7
- Nerstrand Big Woods State Park – Closed to public except hunters; muzzleloader hunting December 6-7, firearm hunting (CWD) December 19-21
- Rice Lake State Park – Open to visitors; muzzleloader hunting December 6-7
- Whitewater State Park – Closed to public except hunters; firearm hunting November 22-23
Expert Commentary and Wildlife Context
From a wildlife management perspective, the integration of deer hunting in state parks helps maintain balanced deer populations, which is essential for ecological health and preventing habitat degradation. White-tailed deer, prevalent throughout Minnesota, can alter forest composition if densities become too high, affecting biodiversity.
However, park settings differ from traditional hunting grounds due to higher human traffic and ecological sensitivities. The controlled time frames and park closures serve as measures to balance public safety with conservation goals. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) considerations are evident in hunting allowances, such as Nerstrand Big Woods State Park’s specialized firearm season to manage disease risk.
Visitor Safety Recommendations During Hunting Periods
Visitors planning trips to these state parks during active hunting seasons should take these precautions seriously to reduce risk and promote coexistence:
- Familiarize yourself with the specific park hunting schedule and maps indicating active hunting zones.
- Wear blaze orange or highly visible clothing to ensure you are clearly recognizable to hunters.
- Stay on marked trails and respect any temporary closures or signage within the parks.
- Keep pets on leash and under control since they can disturb wildlife and hunters alike.
These guidelines help protect visitors and support responsible wildlife management during critical hunting seasons.
Additional reporting and sources from: SE Minnesota State Parks Allowing Deer Hunting in 2025loading…loading…loading…
