Four Tips for First-Time Deer Hunters

If you are new to the sport of deer hunting and are planning your first hunt in Northern Minnesota, the following tips will help you prepare for opening day.

Rules and Regs, Licenses and Permits
Check out the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website for up-to-date information on dates for yearly hunting seasons (there are several, including bow and muzzle loader), as well laws such as how many deer you can harvest and what types of permits and licenses are required.

Safety First
Plan to spend some time at the shooting range before the season opens and, if you haven’t done so already, take a firearms safety course. Remember the fundamental firearm safety rules: ACTT.

• Assume all guns are loaded
• Control the muzzle (keep it pointed in a safe direction at all times)
• Trigger – keep your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot
• Target – be sure of your target and what lies beyond

Another important safety point is to wear blaze orange as required by law. Commit these rules to memory and make sure those you hunt with do the same.

Where to Hunt
While some hunters have access to private land, most look for public acreage. Luckily, Minnesota has 1,440 public wildlife areas with 1.29 million acres of habitat across the state. You can find maps and other details about huntable land on the DNR website.

Plan Ahead
In addition to knowing when and where you are hunting (season dates and public lands), you should have your gear ready in advance. A fun day in the woods can quickly be made miserable by boots that don’t fit, a jacket that’s not warm enough or a lack of essentials. If you have a portable tree stand, set it up before you leave so you know how it works and can use it safely.
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With pre-planning, a knowledge of state regulations and a hefty dose of safety foresight, a first-time hunter can have a successful hunt that results in memories to last a lifetime.

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