When Is Duck Hunting Season in Minnesota? [2023-2024]

ByBuffalo Rifles Blog

When Is Duck Hunting Season in Minnesota?

Duck hunting is a popular pastime in Minnesota, and for good reason. The state is home to a variety of waterfowl species, including mallards, teal, and wood ducks. With its abundance of wetlands and waterways, Minnesota offers prime hunting conditions. But when is the best time to go duck hunting in Minnesota?

The duck hunting season in Minnesota typically runs from early September to late January. However, the specific dates vary depending on the species of duck you’re targeting. For example, the early teal season runs from September 1 to 15, while the regular duck season runs from September 16 to January 31.

If you’re planning a duck hunting trip to Minnesota, it’s important to do your research and make sure you’re familiar with the regulations. You can find more information on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the duck hunting season in Minnesota. We’ll discuss the different species of ducks that you can hunt, the best places to go hunting, and the gear you’ll need. We’ll also provide tips on how to improve your chances of success.

So whether you’re a seasoned duck hunter or you’re just getting started, read on for all the information you need to know about duck hunting in Minnesota.

Duck Hunting Season in Minnesota Waterfowl Species Dates
Duck Season Ducks, geese, and mergansers September 1 – January 31
Teal Season Teal September 1 – September 20
Mallard Season Mallards September 15 – January 31
Goose Season Geese October 1 – January 31
Merganser Season Mergansers September 1 – January 31

Duck Hunting Seasons in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates duck hunting seasons in the state. The general duck hunting season runs from September 25 to January 29, 2023. The early goose season runs from September 1 to September 25, 2023, and the late goose season runs from January 1 to January 29, 2023. The waterfowl conservation stamp season runs from September 1 to January 31, 2023.

General Season

The general duck hunting season in Minnesota runs from September 25 to January 29, 2023. During this season, hunters can take mallards, black ducks, pintails, green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, and wood ducks. The daily bag limit is six ducks, and the possession limit is 18 ducks.

Early Goose Season

The early goose season in Minnesota runs from September 1 to September 25, 2023. During this season, hunters can take Canada geese, white-fronted geese, and snow geese. The daily bag limit is three geese, and the possession limit is nine geese.

Late Goose Season

The late goose season in Minnesota runs from January 1 to January 29, 2023. During this season, hunters can take Canada geese, white-fronted geese, and snow geese. The daily bag limit is three geese, and the possession limit is nine geese.

Waterfowl Conservation Stamp Season

The waterfowl conservation stamp season in Minnesota runs from September 1 to January 31, 2023. During this season, hunters can take all waterfowl species, except for whooping cranes and sandhill cranes. The daily bag limit is three ducks, and the possession limit is nine ducks.

Duck Hunting Regulations in Minnesota

In addition to the seasons listed above, there are a number of other regulations that apply to duck hunting in Minnesota. These regulations include:

  • License requirements: All hunters must have a valid Minnesota hunting license and a waterfowl stamp.
  • Bag limits: The daily bag limit for ducks is six ducks, and the possession limit is 18 ducks.
  • Shooting hours: The shooting hours for ducks are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
  • Permitted methods: Hunters may use shotguns, bows, crossbows, or air guns to hunt ducks.

Duck hunting is a popular pastime in Minnesota, and there are a number of opportunities to enjoy this activity. By following the regulations, hunters can help to ensure that duck hunting remains a sustainable activity for generations to come.

Additional Resources

  • [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Duck Hunting](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/waterfowl/duck/index.html)
  • [Minnesota Duck Hunting Association](https://www.mda.org/)
  • [National Wild Turkey Federation: Duck Hunting](https://www.nwtf.org/hunting/waterfowl/duck-hunting)

When Is Duck Hunting Season In Minnesota?

Duck hunting season in Minnesota is open from September 1 through January 31. The season is divided into three periods:

  • Early duck season: September 1-15
  • Regular duck season: September 16-January 15
  • Late duck season: January 16-31

The early duck season is for ducks that migrate through Minnesota during the fall. The regular duck season is for ducks that stay in Minnesota during the winter. The late duck season is for ducks that migrate back through Minnesota in the spring.

The daily bag limit for ducks is six ducks per day. The possession limit is 18 ducks.

Duck Hunting Tips in Minnesota

Here are a few tips for duck hunting in Minnesota:

  • Scout for ducks. Before you go hunting, it’s important to scout for ducks. This will help you find out where the ducks are and what they’re feeding on. You can scout for ducks by looking for their droppings, by watching for them in the air, or by listening for their calls.
  • Call ducks. Calling ducks is a great way to attract them to your blind. There are a variety of duck calls available, so you can experiment until you find one that works for you. When you’re calling ducks, it’s important to be patient and to vary your calling.
  • Set up your blind. Your blind should be located in a spot where you can see ducks coming and going. It should also be camouflaged so that the ducks don’t see you. When you’re setting up your blind, it’s important to make sure that you have a clear shot at the ducks.
  • Shoot ducks. When you’re shooting ducks, it’s important to be patient and to wait for a good shot. Don’t shoot at ducks that are too far away or that are flying too fast. When you do shoot, make sure that you follow through with your shot.

Where to Duck Hunt in Minnesota

There are a number of great places to duck hunt in Minnesota. Here are a few of the best spots:

  • Mille Lacs Lake: Mille Lacs Lake is one of the best places to duck hunt in Minnesota. The lake is home to a variety of ducks, including mallards, pintails, and scaup.
  • Lake of the Woods: Lake of the Woods is another great place to duck hunt in Minnesota. The lake is located on the border of Minnesota and Canada, and it’s home to a variety of ducks, including redheads, canvasbacks, and buffleheads.
  • Chequamegon Bay: Chequamegon Bay is a large bay on Lake Superior. The bay is home to a variety of ducks, including scoters, eiders, and goldeneyes.
  • The Mississippi River: The Mississippi River is a great place to duck hunt in Minnesota. The river is home to a variety of ducks, including mergansers, wood ducks, and teal.

Duck hunting is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and to get some exercise. It’s also a great way to put food on the table. If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding hunting experience, then duck hunting in Minnesota is the perfect option for you.

When is duck hunting season in Minnesota?

Duck hunting season in Minnesota typically runs from early September to late January, with specific dates varying by region. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sets the dates for each season based on factors such as waterfowl population levels and weather conditions.

What are the different types of duck hunting licenses available in Minnesota?

There are three different types of duck hunting licenses available in Minnesota:

  • Resident waterfowl license: This license is valid for residents of Minnesota and allows you to hunt ducks on any public or private land in the state.
  • Nonresident waterfowl license: This license is valid for nonresidents of Minnesota and allows you to hunt ducks on any public land in the state.
  • Senior waterfowl license: This license is valid for residents of Minnesota who are 65 years of age or older and allows you to hunt ducks on any public or private land in the state.

What are the requirements for getting a duck hunting license in Minnesota?

To get a duck hunting license in Minnesota, you must be at least 16 years of age and have a valid Minnesota hunting license. You must also have completed a hunter education course or have a valid hunter safety certificate from another state.

What are the daily bag limits for ducks in Minnesota?

The daily bag limit for ducks in Minnesota varies by species. The following is a list of the current daily bag limits for ducks in Minnesota:

  • Mallard: 6
  • Pintail: 3
  • Green-winged teal: 6
  • Wood duck: 2
  • Gadwall: 3
  • American widgeon: 3
  • Canvasback: 2
  • Redhead: 2
  • Ring-necked duck: 2
  • Lesser scaup: 2
  • Greater scaup: 2
  • Bufflehead: 15
  • Hooded merganser: 5
  • Common merganser: 5
  • Red-breasted merganser: 5

What are the shooting hours for ducks in Minnesota?

Duck hunting is allowed from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.

What are the safety precautions I should take when duck hunting in Minnesota?

When duck hunting in Minnesota, it is important to take the following safety precautions:

  • Wear a brightly colored hat and vest to make yourself visible to other hunters.
  • Always keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction.
  • Be aware of your surroundings and the location of other hunters.
  • Never shoot at a duck that is flying over someone else’s property.
  • Never shoot at a duck that is swimming in someone else’s decoy spread.
  • Be sure to clean up your hunting area after you are finished.

    Duck hunting season in Minnesota is a time-honored tradition for many people. It’s a chance to get outdoors, enjoy nature, and maybe even bag a few ducks. But before you head out to the marsh, it’s important to know when duck hunting season is in Minnesota.

Duck hunting season in Minnesota typically runs from early September to late January. However, the exact dates vary depending on the species of duck you’re hunting. For example, the season for mallards and black ducks runs from September 1 to January 31, while the season for wood ducks runs from October 1 to January 31.

In addition to knowing the dates of duck hunting season, it’s also important to be aware of the regulations. Each state has its own set of rules and regulations governing duck hunting. In Minnesota, you must have a valid hunting license and a permit to hunt ducks. You must also follow the state’s bag limits and hunting hours.

By following these guidelines, you can enjoy a safe and successful duck hunting season in Minnesota.

Here are some key takeaways to remember:

  • Duck hunting season in Minnesota typically runs from early September to late January.
  • The exact dates vary depending on the species of duck you’re hunting.
  • You must have a valid hunting license and a permit to hunt ducks in Minnesota.
  • You must also follow the state’s bag limits and hunting hours.
  • By following these guidelines, you can enjoy a safe and successful duck hunting season in Minnesota.

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