2025 Minnesota DNR Take A Kid Hunting Weekend Details

Each year, the Minnesota DNR promotes a handful of free hunting and fishing events, with the ultimate goal of introducing a kid to these outdoor activities.

A couple of examples include the summer "Take a Kid Fishing" weekend, usually hosted in June, and the winter "Take a Kid Ice Fishing" weekend, usually hosted in January.

Another such weekend the Minnesota DNR has on its calendar is the annual "Take a Kid Hunting" weekend, which is in late September.

Now that the small game season is open in Minnesota for things like squirrel and rabbit, as well as grouse and other seasons opening soon, the DNR is setting aside this coming weekend as a chance to provide young hunters with a chance to try out the sport.

The Minnesota DNR says small game hunting is a great way to introduce kids to hunting, as well as teach them about wildlife, legally accessing hunting land, and safe and proper firearms handling.

For 2025, Minnesota's Take a Kid Hunting Weekend is this weekend, September 20 and 21.

During these two days, adult Minnesota residents can hunt without a license if accompanied by a young hunter under the age of 16. The whole goal is that the adults use these days to teach the young future hunters about the sport.

While a hunting license isn't necessary for these two days if you're accompanied by a young person under the age of 16, all other regulations, seasons, and limits still apply. You can see the specifics about seasons, limits, and other regulations on the Minnesota DNR's hunting regulations online guide.

In addition, the Minnesota DNR's 2025 Hunting Regulations book has other information about youth hunting rules and opportunities. It can be found starting on page 37 of the PDF guide.