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Youth ages 10-15 are eligible to participate in a special deer season that runs from Thursday, Oct. 18, to Sunday, Oct. 21, in 28 permit areas of southeastern and northwestern Minnesota, plus the 601 area of the metro area, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

"School is out in many communities during this long weekend," said Mike Kurre, DNR mentoring program coordinator. "The extended break is an ideal time to put aside your gun and plan a hunt with and for a youth."

Deer permit areas open to the hunt are 101, 105, 111, 114, 201, 203, 208, 209, 256, 257, 260, 263, 264, 267, 268, 338, 339, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 601 and 602 area in the Pine Island area.

Youth must meet all firearms safety requirements, purchase a license and use the appropriate firearm for the permit area in which they are hunting. Youth may take a deer of either sex. An adult mentor must accompany the youth but may not hunt or carry a firearm.

Public land is open as is private land, provided the youth hunter has landowner permission.

Participating in the youth deer season does not preclude the youth from participating in the regular firearms deer season, but any deer harvested do count against the youth's season bag limit.[[In-content Ad]]

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