Deer Permit Area 605, Minnesota

Minnesota River bottom corridor with hardwood floodplain timber, agricultural uplands (corn and soybeans), wetland complexes, and scattered oak savanna. Flat to gently rolling topography typical of southern Minnesota glacial till plains. The Minnesota River creates a defined travel corridor for deer movement.

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White-tailed deer are the primary target species with a robust population augmented by agricultural food sources. Wild turkey are present throughout the river corridor and agricultural mosaic and are huntable. Ring-necked pheasant occupy agricultural uplands and grassland edges, especially in WIA program fields. Ruffed grouse, bear, and moose are not present in this southern metro-fringe zone.

Part of the CWD management zone — mandatory CWD sampling on opening weekend of firearms season, carcass movement restrictions apply. Antler point restrictions are suspended in this zone. Up to five-deer bag limit with inexpensive disease management antlerless permits ($2.50). Late CWD firearms hunt (late November) provides additional season opportunity. Minnesota Valley NWR units offer walk-in public access along the river corridor. The suburban/agricultural edge habitat produces large-bodied deer but hunting slots on public land fill fast.