Minnesota DNR Urges Deer Hunters to Buy Licenses Early Under New Electronic System

(KNSI) – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wants deer hunters to buy their licenses well before the firearms opener this year, as they get used to a new electronic licensing system.

The DNR launched the system in June. DNR deer coordinator Paul Burr says it’s working well, but it’s different enough that a hunter’s first purchase may take a little longer. Some hunters who had more than one record in the old system will also need help from the DNR License Center to move their history into a new account.

The firearms deer season opens Saturday, November 7th, and more than 400,000 hunters are expected to take part. Last year, hunters bought nearly 140,000 licenses on the Thursday and Friday right before the opener. Burr suggests buying a couple of weeks to a month ahead to avoid a last-minute crunch.

Licenses can be bought through the Minnesota DNR Licensing app, online at mndnr.gov/buyalicense, or in person from a license agent. Hunters can carry the license on paper, as a PDF, or in the app. Anyone buying in person should check that their usual store is still selling licenses this year; the DNR has a map of 2026 agents at mndnr.gov/licenses/agents-map.html.

Hunters planning to take part in the youth deer season or the early antlerless season, both running October 15th through 18th, should buy ahead too. Muzzleloader season runs November 28th through December 13th.

___