<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3zxMPG_1H1iq97B00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3zxMPG_1H1iq97B00" width="1140" height="641" ><figcaption>Three generations of Hamacher’s. Drew Hamacher holds the horns of his 10 point buck, while his brother Dylan, dad Jer, and grandpa Doug inspect his harvest. The party has hunted together for years near the Santiago - Palmer township line.</figcaption></figure>The 2026 firearms deer hunting season is off to a strong start, buoyed by a strong deer herd and incredibly mild weather that has allowed hunters to stay afield longer during the opening weekend. According to the MN DNR, nearly 76,000 deer were registered across the state during the opening two days of the season this past weekend. This represents a fifteen percent increase over a year ago, and a twenty-eight percent increase over the state’s five-year opening weekend average. As of Tuesday this week, a total of 121,915 deer had been harvested in Minnesota so far in 2026, including the early-season, archery and firearms hunts. The strong opening success of hunters has led to speculation from some that when the totals for 2026 are counted at the end of the year, the deer harvest could eclipse the 200,000 animal mark. That would be an incredible level by modern standards, but would still be thirty-one percent lower than the all-time high of 290,525 deer harvested in the 2003 hunting season. Online One of the biggest changes to this year’s deer hunt was the DNR’s implementation of the new online license system, wherein hunters are able to eschew physical tags and licenses and instead use an app for everything from purchasing their permits to registering their deer. This reporter interviewed over two dozen hunters, with the feedback being overwhelmingly positive with the new online experience. The convenience factor was a common theme, which made purchasing the licenses more streamlined than in the past. Last year alone, nearly 140,000 deer hunting licenses were purchased in the two days leading up to the opener. This year, with the online option, the DNR reported a nine percent increase in license sales before the opener as compared to 2025. The earlier license purchases this year aligned with a strong early season harvest, as the archery and early season youth hunts combined for a twenty percent increase in deer registrations. In all, the 2026 season is seeing a nearly five percent increase year-over-year in licenses sold between archery and firearms seasons. Local ViewLocally, the deer harvest is mirroring the state’s upward trend with area 223 (most of Sherburne County minus the Sherburne Wildlife Refuge) showing a total of 2,049 deer harvested so far, including 1,369 with a firearm, 349 with a vertical bow and 323 with a crossbow. Area 224, which covers the Refuge, saw an additional 239 deer registered this year so far, including 177 taken with a firearm. “Hunters were out in full force as we had near perfect hunting conditions and the harvest appeared to be as successful as I have ever seen since transferring to the Big Lake Station in 2018,” says local DNR Conservation Officer Trent Seamans. “Several violations were encountered over the weekend, but most hunters were following the rules and enjoying quality time with family. Many of the violations were minor in nature and resulted in warnings.” Seamans also reported that he heard mostly positive feedback in regards to the online licensing system, while the few difficulties centered around getting logged into the system for the first time. “I strongly encourage folks to log in ahead of time, in an area with cell service or Wi-Fi,” Seamans noted. “I’ve had numerous hunters report that validating/registering their deer in the new app is quick and easy. Most hunters report that it takes less than 30 seconds.” For hunters who elect to have the “paper” license option, they then need to print the physical copy and not just have a screen shot of the license or a PDF. This can cause problems if the hunter did not download the app and then they have no way to validate the license as required by law. “I’d like to remind all hunters that you are legally required to validate your license prior to moving your deer from the kill site,” Seamans concluded. Buck Fever For those hunters or family members who have reported an unusually high incidence of “buck fever” this year, they might be on to something. So far, sixty-six percent of the deer shot on opening weekend were bucks. That is approximately nine percent higher than the percentage of bucks taken in the 2025 season in total. The percentage of bucks taken each year in Minnesota varies widely, but rarely rises above sixty-five percent. This can be caused by a variety of conditions, including hunters who pass on antlerless deer as they wait for a “wall mount worthy” animal. Safety First As the numbers continue to pour in during the season, it is important for hunters to take a minute to remind themselves of the four tenants of gun safety: Treat every gun as if it is loaded, Never point a gun at anything you are not willing to destroy, Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target and you have decided to shoot, and Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.</div></body>

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The 2026 firearms deer hunting season is off to a strong start, buoyed by a strong deer herd and incredibly mild weather that has allowed hunters to stay afield longer during the opening weekend. According to the MN DNR, nearly 76,000 deer were registered across the state during the opening...

Firearms deer season starts strong

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The 2026 firearms deer hunting season is off to a strong start, buoyed by a strong deer herd and incredibly mild weather that has allowed hunters to stay a

Firearms deer season starts strong

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