Deer Permit Area 223, Minnesota
Unit info
- Game species
- White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkey, Ruffed Grouse
- Group
- Zone 200 — Central Minnesota
- Area
- 387 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
White-tailed Deer — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 2,837
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. Wild Turkey, Ruffed Grouse also occur here — that data can be added as the community contributes.
About this unit
AI-compiled · sourcedDPA 223 is a 376-square-mile central Minnesota permit area centered on Sherburne County, featuring a productive mix of oak forest and agricultural land in the eastern two-thirds with open farmland in the west, interspersed with wetlands and lakes. It carries a three-deer limit with an Early Antlerless season, reflecting a high-recruitment deer herd managed for population control. Hunter density runs about 10 hunters per square mile with a 45% success rate, and public access is limited — roughly 15% of the land base — through WMAs, state forest, county land, and the Sherburne NWR.
Eastern two-thirds is oak forest and agricultural land with small and large wetlands and lakes scattered throughout; western third is predominantly open row-crop agricultural land. Approximately 28% woody cover, 28% grassland/wetlands, 28% annual row crops, 11% developed, 4% open water across 376 sq mi.
high
Deer are the primary target species with a robust population and liberal three-deer limit. Wild turkey are present in the oak forest/Big Woods habitat of central Minnesota and are huntable in this zone. Ruffed grouse occur in the woodier portions of the unit, especially in oak and mixed forest patches. Pheasants are not a notable species in this area given limited row-crop-only habitat relative to pheasant range farther south and west.
Three-deer limit with Early Antlerless season reflects strong deer recruitment. 2024 firearm success rate of 45% at 10 hunters per sq mi. Strong firearms and archery heritage. 2024 total harvest of 2,808 deer. CWD optional testing available; feed ban in Sherburne County.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about Deer Permit Area 223— 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 223.
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.