Youth ages 10-15 are eligible to participate in a special deer season that runs from Thursday, Oct. 17, to Sunday, Oct. 20, in 28 permit areas that encompass portions of southeastern and northwestern Minnesota.

“This youth-only season provides an opportunity for parents, guardians and mentors to schedule and plan a special deer hunt with youth,” said Mike Kurre, mentoring program coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Deer permit areas open to the hunt are 101,105, 111, 114, 201, 203, 208, 209, 256, 257, 260, 263, 264, 267, 268, 338, 339, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 601 and 602. Whitewater Game Refuge also is open to taking either sex deer by eligible youth. Youth must meet all firearms safety requirement, possess a license and use the appropriate firearm for the permit area in which they are hunting. They may take a deer of either sex.

Licenses for youth ages 10, 11 and 12 are free. Licenses for youth ages 13-17 cost $5. All youths must pay a $1 issuing fee when obtaining a license.

An adult mentor must accompany the youth but may not hunt or carry a firearm. The special season should occur when students are on school break. Public land is open as is private land, provided the youth hunter has landowner permission.

Participating in youth deer season does not preclude the youth from participating in the regular firearms deer season but any deer harvested do count against the youth’s season bag limit.