Deer Permit Area 252, Minnesota

Central Minnesota forest-to-agriculture transition zone. Rolling glacial till landscape with a mosaic of hardwood woodlots, brushy draws, wetland potholes, and open row-crop and hay fields. Northern portions carry more mixed hardwood-conifer cover (oak, aspen, birch) while southern reaches become increasingly agricultural. The area sits at the ecological border where the eastern deciduous forest grades into the farmland of the Minnesota River valley, creating productive edge habitat for deer and upland birds.

moderate

White-tailed deer are the primary big game species; 555 total deer harvested in 2024 across all seasons (407 firearms). Wild turkey are present throughout the area with good spring populations in the central MN turkey permit zones. Ring-necked pheasant occur in the agricultural southern portions of the DPA, particularly in Stearns, Meeker, and Kandiyohi county edges. Ruffed grouse are found in the mixed hardwood-conifer cover in the northern portions of the DPA (Morrison and Todd counties). Black bear are at the fringe of their range here; the northern edge of DPA 252 near Morrison County falls within or near the southern boundary of Minnesota bear range, but bear hunting opportunity is marginal and population densities are low in this area.

Either-sex OTC designation means no lottery entry is required to harvest an antlerless deer — any licensed hunter can take a buck or doe. The 2024 firearms season drew ~1,342 hunters across 715 sq mi (1.9/mi2), which is moderate pressure compared to more heavily hunted southern Minnesota DPAs. Deer densities are solid in edge and woodlot habitat. Stearns County is well-regarded for both deer and pheasant. Turkey hunting in central MN permit zones 507/508 covers this area with good spring populations. Pheasant numbers are present in the ag-heavy southern portions; ruffed grouse occur in the more forested northern reaches near the Morrison-Todd county line.