Minnesota deer hunting rules to become more complicated

Minnesota's hunting regulations for antlerless deer will more complicated this fall.

The Department of Natural Resources says over-the-counter, either-sex permits will be valid in significantly fewer areas, especially in parts of northern and southwestern Minnesota. So hunters who typically did not need to apply for an either-sex permit will need to do so.

Another major change: All muzzleloader hunters must apply for an either-sex permit if they want to kill an antlerless deer in a lottery permit area. In past years, muzzleloader hunters who did not buy a regular firearms license could take an antlerless deer in a lottery area without a permit.

The DNR advises hunters to review the regulations prior to the Sept. 10 application deadline.