Special White-Tailed Deer Archery Hunts

 

The City of Bemidji will be accepting applications for permits to participate in any of the special white-tailed deer archery hunts within the City through August 2, 2024.  The hunts follow the regular Minnesota deer archery season, which runs September 14 through December 31, 2024. 

 

• The Bemidji Regional Airport hunt will take place on airport property (outside the fenced areas).  Hunting will be allowed by City permit and only 20 permits will be issued. 
  
• The Ward 5 – Northeast Lake Bemidji hunt will take place in designated areas situated in the northeast section of Bemidji (Ward 5) on private and public property.  
• The Ward 4 – West Bemidji hunt will take place in designated areas situated in west and southwest sections of Bemidji (Ward 4) on private and public property.  

 

Hunters must indicate an order of preference for a public location (Airport, Ward 5 or Ward 4). Hunters will be granted a permit for ONE public site only, however hunters may apply to hunt both private and public land if they have been granted permission from private property owner. A lottery drawing will be held to determine location and site assignment for public permits, site requests will not be allowed.

 

Since these are all considered special archery hunts, the State will allow participants to harvest up to five (5) deer. Hunt participants are responsible for purchasing the appropriate State Hunting Licenses and permit(s) to participate in the hunt. Note: Statewide bag limits apply so if you harvest a buck in this hunt, you have reached your buck limit (1) Statewide.

 

All State hunting and trespass regulations and laws, City ordinances, and special hunt regulations will apply. Hunters must be of legal hunting age, pass a criminal background check and successfully complete an archery proficiency test.  Hunters who have participated in previous City of Bemidji archery hunts must reapply each year.  Hunters who have passed an archery proficiency test in the past three years are not required to be tested this year, but must still submit an application and be approved to hunt.  Hunters who have not passed a proficiency test must be tested and provide such documentation to the City.  Hunters must schedule their own archery proficiency test by calling John’s Bow Shop (218-444-2046) or Ridge Top Outdoors (218-444-8700) or another approved facility. 

 

All applicants are required to pay a $10.00 non-refundable application fee per site. All applications and fees must be received at City Hall by 4:00 p.m. Friday, August 2, 2024. Late applications will not be accepted. 

Applications will be available July 2, 2024.