Deer Permit Area 642, Minnesota
Unit info
- Game species
- White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkey, Ruffed Grouse
- Group
- Zone 300 — Southern Minnesota
- Area
- 374 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
White-tailed Deer — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 2,095
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 642 sits in the Driftless Area of southeastern Minnesota, covering parts of Winona, Olmsted, and Fillmore counties — rugged bluff country with 500-foot elevation relief, hardwood ridges, and river corridors that produces some of the state's best whitetail genetics and body weights. It falls within Minnesota's CWD management zone, requiring mandatory testing on opening firearm weekend and imposing carcass movement restrictions, but antler point restrictions are lifted and the five-deer bag limit makes it one of the most liberal harvest areas in the state. Public land access is substantial via Whitewater WMA (27,400+ acres), Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest, and surrounding smaller WMAs, though private agricultural and timber land dominates the broader landscape.
Driftless Area bluff country — unglaciated, rugged terrain with steep ridges, deep coulees, hardwood-dominated hillsides (oak, maple, basswood), and river floodplains along the Whitewater and Root Rivers. Elevation changes of up to 500 feet create diverse micro-habitats. Agricultural fields in valleys and upland meadows provide food sources.
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White-tailed deer are the primary target; the Driftless bluff country is regarded as producing the state's best antler growth and body weights. Wild turkey are well-established and require a permit (spring season draw, fall OTC in many zones). Ruffed grouse are present in hardwood and mixed forest corridors. Pheasant populations are low in the rugged terrain; not a primary game species here. No bear or moose in this region.
One of the best whitetail genetics areas in Minnesota — deer in the southeast bluff country compete with Iowa-caliber body weights and antler growth. Five-deer bag limit (no antler point restrictions due to CWD zone designation) allows aggressive harvest. Whitewater WMA hosts an estimated 500,000 annual visits and is a top destination for deer and turkey hunters. Late CWD season (Dec 19-21) provides additional opportunity. Mandatory CWD testing on firearm opening weekend (Nov 8-9). Carcass movement restrictions apply — bone-out or await 'not-detected' result before transporting out of zone. Deer feeding and attractant bans in effect in surrounding counties.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about Deer Permit Area 642— 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 642.
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.