Hunts in Minnesota state parks

Many Minnesota state parks hold managed hunts as a way to help control the deer population in the parks. Our goal is to ensure healthy natural communities. When too many deer are in one area, the native plants and animals are negatively affected.

Access to the parks varies around the state during these hunts. Some state parks remain open to all visitors, some have limited public access, and some are open only to hunters with special permits.

This site provides information to non-hunters during the hunt season. If you are a hunter, you'll find more information here.

State parks and recreation areas open to public hunting

At some state parks and state recreation areas (SRA), all or a portion of the park are open to public hunting and/or trapping according to Minnesota regulations unless otherwise noted. Maps showing the areas where hunting and trapping is allowed within each of these units are available by contacting the park. 

• Big Bog State Recreation Area: Most of the northern portion of Big Bog SRA is open to public hunting and trapping. Hunting and trapping is not allowed on Ludlow Island and vicinity or the boardwalk.
• Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area: Much of Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is open to public hunting, but closed to trapping.
• Forestville Mystery Cave State Park: Approximately 430 acres of the park is open to public hunting but closed to trapping.
• Garden Island State Recreation Area: Much of Garden Island State Recreation Area is open to public hunting but closed to trapping.
• George H. Crosby Manitou State Park: The portion of the park which is east of the Manitou River and north of Minnesota Highway 61 (approximately 3,000 acres) is open to public hunting but closed to trapping.
• Greenleaf State Recreation Area: Open to archery deer hunting following general archery season regulations. No special permit required. 
• La Salle Lake State Recreation Area: Most of La Salle SRA is open to public hunting and trapping of protected species during open seasons. Hunting and trapping is not allowed in the vicinity of the campground and cabins.
• Split Rock Lighthouse State Park: Approximately 50 acres in the far northern part of the park is open to public hunting but closed to trapping.
• Temperance River State Park: Approximately 600 acres of Temperance River State Park is open to public hunting but closed to trapping. The area is located north of Minnesota Highway 61 and adjacent to the Cross River on both sides.
• Tettegouche State Park: Much of the southern half of the park (approximately 3,700 acres) known as the Palisade Valley unit is open to public hunting and trapping.