Deer Permit Area 296, Minnesota
Unit info
- Game species
- White-tailed Deer
- Group
- Zone 200 — Central Minnesota
- Area
- 674 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
White-tailed Deer — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 606
Draw odds for White-tailed Deeraren't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
About this unit
AI-compiled · sourcedDPA 296 is a heavily agricultural deer permit area (~667 sq. mi.) in southwestern Minnesota, dominated by annual row crops (79%) with riparian habitat along the Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood, and Watonwan river corridors. Deer populations are near management goals and the area carries an either-sex one-deer limit with public hunting access available on WMAs and county-managed lands totaling about 7.8% of the unit.
Predominantly flat to gently rolling agricultural land (79% annual row crops) in southwestern Minnesota. Riparian corridors along the Cottonwood River, Little Cottonwood River, and Watonwan River provide the primary woody cover and deer habitat. Woody cover accounts for only 2% of land area; grassland and wetlands 12%; developed land 6%; open water 2%.
moderate
White-tailed deer is the primary big game species. The unit is dominated by row-crop agriculture with limited upland cover, making it less suitable for wild turkey, pheasant, grouse, bear, or moose as primary targets. Pheasant may be present in grassland/wetland margins given the agricultural character of southwestern MN, but deer is the designated focus of this permit area.
Either-sex one-deer limit (no antlerless lottery required) as of 2025. Deer populations near DNR management goal set in 2021 public process. Riparian corridors along three rivers concentrate deer in an otherwise open agricultural landscape. 2024 hunter success rate was 30% with ~3 hunters per sq. mi. CWD optional testing available. DNR contact: Brian Nyborg, 507-832-6017.
Questions, tips & discussion
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Boundaries: MN DNR official Deer Permit Areas. Community info last updated 23d ago.