Deer Permit Area 126, Minnesota
Unit info
- Game species
- White-tailed Deer, Black Bear, Ruffed Grouse
- Group
- Zone 100 — Northern Minnesota
- Area
- 978 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
White-tailed Deer — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 125
Draw odds for White-tailed Deeraren't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
Season & harvest data is published for White-tailed Deer so far. Black Bear, Ruffed Grouse also occur here — that data can be added as the community contributes.
About this unit
AI-compiled · sourcedDPA 126 covers a large portion of Cook County in northeastern Minnesota, encompassing boreal forest, rocky ridges, and thousands of lakes within the Superior National Forest including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Deer populations have declined over the past decade due to severe winters and wolf predation, resulting in conservative bucks-only regulations. This is remote, wilderness-oriented hunting country best suited for hunters comfortable navigating deep woods with minimal pressure and no road grid.
Boreal forest dominated by spruce, birch, and aspen with rocky ridges, dense understory, and thousands of interconnected lakes and wetlands. Much of the area lies within the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Timber cuts along forest roads between Ely and Isabella create young aspen regrowth that concentrate both deer and grouse.
low
Deer season is bucks-only (antlerless lottery permits were eliminated after 2022 due to population declines from severe winters and wolf predation). Antlerless harvest requires a special lottery tag which has not been issued in recent years. Black bear are present throughout with a September-October season. Ruffed grouse are abundant - Minnesota leads the nation in ruffed grouse production and Cook County is considered prime habitat. No elk or turkey present in this region.
One of the most remote and wild deer hunting settings in the lower 48, with access to the BWCAW by canoe for true wilderness hunts. Young aspen regrowth in 5-15 year old timber cuts along forest roads concentrates deer and grouse. Excellent bear and ruffed grouse hunting alongside deer season. Low competition compared to agricultural zones despite vast public land.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about Deer Permit Area 126— or drop a tip or trick: access points, where game holds, glassing spots, conditions, crowding, gear that worked. This is where the unit's species-specific intel gets built, hunter by hunter.
Nothing posted yet about Deer Permit Area 126.
Be the first — ask a question (“Best public access on the north end?”) or share a tip (“Glass the burn scars off the main ridge at first light”).
Boundaries: MN DNR official Deer Permit Areas. Community info last updated 23d ago.