How to Get Your Minnesota Hunting License
Minnesota doesn't sell one general hunting license the way most states do. Instead, a Small Game License ($22 resident / $102 nonresident) covers most upland game, while deer, turkey, and bear each require their own separate license on top of it.
Minnesota requires a Firearms Safety Certificate for anyone born after December 31, 1979, before that person can purchase a license to hunt with a firearm. Licenses are sold through the DNR's Electronic Licensing System, by phone, or at authorized retailers statewide, and they run from March 1 through the last day of February the following year rather than a rolling 365-day window.
This guide walks you through how to get your Minnesota hunting license and Firearms Safety Certificate, step by step.
What Is a Hunting License in Minnesota?
A Minnesota hunting license isn't a single product; it's a species-specific system. The Small Game License covers birds and small mammals, while Deer, Turkey, and Bear each require their own license, and migratory bird hunters need additional stamps on top of whatever base license fits their target species.
The license itself is separate from your Firearms Safety Certificate. The certificate proves you completed a DNR-approved course and, once earned, it's recognized for life across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Each species license, by contrast, expires every February 28 (or 29) and has to be purchased again for the next license year.
Who Needs a Hunting License in Minnesota?
Minnesota requires a hunting license for anyone taking wild animals in the state, but the Firearms Safety Certificate requirement runs on a birth-year cutoff rather than a first-time-hunter rule. Age and birth date both play a role in what applies to you.
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 must complete a Firearms Safety Certificate course before hunting with a firearm, unless one of the following applies:
- Ages 12 and older, new to hunting: the Apprentice Hunter Validation ($3.50) lets you hunt for up to two license years under the direct supervision of a licensed adult while you work toward certification.
- Ages 10 to 12, taking deer or bear: youth licenses are free, and no Firearms Safety Certificate is required at this age to hunt under the applicable youth provisions.
- Ages 13 to 17: most species licenses drop to a flat $5 youth rate, though certification still applies if you were born after 1979.
- Active-duty military stationed outside Minnesota, home on leave: qualifies for a free small game, deer, or turkey license with proof of residency and leave papers.
Whichever category applies to you, keep your Firearms Safety Certificate and license on hand while hunting.
How to Get Your Minnesota Hunting License (Step-by-Step)
Getting licensed in Minnesota means confirming your Firearms Safety Certificate status first, since the requirement is tied to your birth date rather than your current age. Here's the full process from start to finish.
- Complete a Firearms Safety Certificate course through HunterCourse.com if you were born on or after January 1, 1980.
- Self-certify with the DNR online, pay the $7.50 course fee, and print your certificate.
- Purchase your species-specific license or licenses through the DNR's Electronic Licensing System, by phone, or at a retailer.
- Add stamps as needed: Migratory Waterfowl Stamp ($7.50), Pheasant Stamp ($7.50), or the Federal Duck Stamp ($27.50).
- Carry your license and Firearms Safety Certificate any time you hunt, either on paper or through the DNR's mobile licensing app.
Once you've completed these steps, you're fully licensed and ready for the field. The sections below cover the certification course and license purchase in more detail.
Step 1: Complete a Firearms Safety Certificate Course
Minnesota's certification requirement varies by age, which is worth knowing before you pick a format.
- Online course plus Virtual Field Day, age 16 and older: Complete the course online, finish the field day requirement virtually, and self-certify with the DNR, all without an in-person visit.
- Hybrid, ages 11 to 15: Complete the online course, then attend a required in-person Field Day with hands-on shooting scenarios.
- Traditional classroom, ages 11 to 15: Attend a minimum of four in-person class sessions, then finish with the same in-person Field Day.
However you get there, your certificate is added to the DNR's records for life and can even be added to your Minnesota driver's license as an endorsement.
Step 2: Purchase Your Species License
Once you have your Firearms Safety Certificate, or qualify under the Apprentice Hunter Validation, you can buy your license through the DNR's licensing system online, by phone, or at a retailer.
You'll need a government-issued photo ID or DNR customer number, proof of certification if required, and payment.
Step 3: Add Stamps and Go Hunting
A Small Game License doesn't cover everything. Deer, turkey, bear, and migratory birds each require their own separate license or stamp, purchased after your base license.
Once your license and any needed stamps are in hand, you're ready to hunt. Before you head out, review general hunting safety practices to make sure you're field-ready.
Minnesota Hunting License Requirements by Age
Let's look at the requirements for hunting licenses in Minnesota by age.
Minnesota Hunting License Requirements (by Age) | ||
| Age | Requirement | Supervision/Hunter Education |
| Under 10 | May not hunt deer or bear independently | Youth licenses generally begin at age 10 |
| 10–12 | Free youth Deer or Bear license | Firearms Safety Certificate not required at this age under youth provisions |
| 13–17 | Most species licenses at a flat $5 youth rate | Certificate required if born on or after Jan. 1, 1980 |
| 18–64 | Small Game License ($22) / Deer License ($34) / Turkey License ($26) | Firearms Safety Certificate required if born on or after Jan. 1, 1980 |
| 65 and older | Discounted Small Game License ($13.50) | Certificate still applies if born after the 1979 cutoff |
Species licenses and stamps: Bear ($44 resident / $230 nonresident) and Turkey ($26 / $96) each require separate purchase, along with the Migratory Waterfowl Stamp ($7.50), Pheasant Stamp ($7.50), and Federal Duck Stamp ($27.50) for waterfowl hunters age 16 and older.
Season dates vary by species, weapon type, and Deer Permit Area, so check the current listing before you plan a hunt.
Hunter Safety Course: Format and Cost
Minnesota stands out for letting hunters age 16 and older complete their Field Day entirely online, through a Virtual Field Day, with no in-person visit required at all. The chart below offers a quick overview of those formats.
Minnesota Hunter Safety Course Formats Comparison | ||||
| Format | Provider | Cost | Time | Exam |
Online + Virtual Field Day (age 16+) | HunterCourse | $7.50 DNR certification fee | A few hours online | Final exam online. Self-certify with the DNR. |
Hybrid, ages 11–15 | HunterCourse.com plus DNR instructors | $7.50 DNR certification fee | Online course, plus an in-person Field Day | Final exam plus live-fire skills check at Field Day |
Traditional classroom, ages 11–15 | DNR volunteer instructors | $7.50 DNR certification fee | Minimum four sessions, plus Field Day | Skills check and exam at Field Day |
Whichever format you choose, the certificate you earn is good for life and works across the country. Only your species license needs renewing, and in Minnesota that happens every year on March 1.
What to Bring When Buying Your License
Make sure you have the right documentation handy to purchase your Minnesota hunting license. You'll need:
- Government-issued photo ID or DNR customer number
- Firearms Safety Certificate, if required for your birth year
- Payment (credit or debit card online, or check or card in person)
- Social Security number, which the DNR collects for non-commercial licenses
Minnesota Hunting Laws and Penalties
Hunting without a required license in Minnesota is a misdemeanor under Minnesota's hunting and trapping regulations, carrying a fine of up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both.
Hunting big game specifically without the required license carries an added consequence: a conviction bars that person from obtaining any big-game license for three years.
What About Reciprocity?
Minnesota recognizes firearms safety and hunter education certificates from any other U.S. state, since the state's own program is built to meet national safety standards. A Minnesota Firearms Safety Certificate is likewise accepted across all 50 states, Canada, and Mexico.
The hunting license itself, however, is not transferable. Hunters visiting from out of state still need to purchase Minnesota's nonresident species licenses.
What Out-of-State Visitors Need to Know
Non-residents can hunt in Minnesota with a Small Game License ($102), a Deer License ($185), a Turkey License ($96), or a Bear License ($230) if selected in the lottery draw. Non-resident youth ages 13 to 17 qualify for the same $5 flat rate as resident youth on most species licenses.
Start Your Minnesota Hunter Safety Course Today
The HunterCourse Minnesota course is a Hunter-Ed partner, approved by the DNR, available online, and pairs with a Virtual Field Day for hunters 16 and older. Complete the course, self-certify with the DNR, and get your lifetime Minnesota Firearms Safety Certificate.
Approved by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) | Last verified August 11, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need a hunting license in Minnesota?
A: Yes, anyone hunting in Minnesota needs the license that matches their target species, such as a Small Game License or a Deer License. There's no single umbrella hunting license; each species requires its own separate purchase.
Q: How old do you have to be to get a Minnesota Firearms Safety Certificate?
A: Minnesota requires firearms safety certification for anyone 12 or older who was born after December 31, 1979, and the youngest students can begin the course at age 11. The certificate itself doesn't become valid until age 12, even if the course was completed earlier.
Q: How much does a Minnesota hunting license cost?
A: A resident Small Game License in Minnesota costs $22, and a resident Deer License costs $34. Non-residents pay considerably more, with a Small Game License at $102 and a Deer License at $185.
Q: Does a Minnesota hunting license expire?
A: Yes. Minnesota hunting and fishing licenses run from March 1 through February 28 (or 29) of the following year, so every license expires at the end of February regardless of when during the year you bought it.
Q: Can I complete Minnesota firearms safety certification entirely online?
A: Yes, if you're 16 or older, since Minnesota lets adults finish their Field Day requirement virtually with no in-person visit. Hunters ages 11 to 15 still need to attend an in-person Field Day to complete certification.
Q: Do I need a Firearms Safety Certificate in Minnesota?
A: Yes, if you were born on or after January 1, 1980 and want to hunt with a firearm. Hunters born before that date are exempt, and new hunters of any qualifying age can hunt under the Apprentice Hunter Validation before completing certification.
Q: What's the penalty for hunting without a license in Minnesota?
A: Hunting without a required license in Minnesota is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to $1,000 in fines, up to 90 days in jail, or both. Hunting big game specifically without a license adds a three-year ban on obtaining any big-game license going forward.
