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Minnesota falconry dates and limits, 2026-27
Minnesota falconry seasons and rules for 2026-27.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Minnesota sets 5 dated rows for falconry hunts in 2026-27, running Sep 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027. Dates, limits, licenses, WMAs and the field rules are on this page.
How the booklet sums up falconry hunts
- Keep: Small game: 10 rabbits, 7 squirrels, 3 others; migratory: 3 combined.
- Dates in brief: Sept. 1-Feb. 28 (small game); migratory segments by zone to Jan. 20.
DNR source page (as of Sep 15, 2026), checked October 28, 2026.
Falconry season dates for 2026-27
Read the falconry rows by area: deer permit areas, bear areas, waterfowl zones or furbearer zones where they apply.
| Season | Where | Bag | Opens | Closes | Days | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falconry: non-migratory small game | Statewide | Limit table | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | 181 | |
| Falconry: ducks, coots, mergansers, gallinul | North Zone | Limit table | Sep 26, 2026 | Jan 20, 2027 | 117 | |
| Falconry: ducks, coots, mergansers, gallinul | Central Zone | Limit table | Sep 26, 2026 | Jan 20, 2027 | 117 | |
| Falconry: ducks, coots, mergansers, gallinul | South Zone | Limit table | Sep 26, 2026 | Jan 20, 2027 | 117 | |
| Falconry: woodcock, rails, doves and snipe | Statewide | 3 combined daily; 9 possession | Sep 1, 2026 | Dec 16, 2026 | 107 |
Falconry season notes
- Pheasants may not be taken before 9 a.m.
- Falconry: non-migratory small game, limit: 10 rabbits, 7 squirrels, other small game 3 combined (max 1 hen pheasant); possession double
- Segments: Sept. 26-Nov. 24; Dec. 12-Jan. 20.
- Falconry: ducks, coots, mergansers, gallinul, limit: 3 migratory game birds combined daily; 9 possession
- Segments: Sept. 26-Oct. 4; Oct. 10-Nov. 29; Dec. 12-Jan. 20.
- Falconry: ducks, coots, mergansers, gallinul, limit: 3 migratory game birds combined daily; 9 possession
- Segments: Sept. 26-Oct. 4; Oct. 17-Dec. 6; Dec. 12-Jan. 20.
- Falconry: ducks, coots, mergansers, gallinul, limit: 3 migratory game birds combined daily; 9 possession
From booklet p. 50, booklet p. 57, checked October 28, 2026.
What you may take and what it costs
| Group | Limit |
|---|---|
| Migratory birds (falconry) | 3 combined daily, 9 possession. |
booklet p. 50, checked October 28, 2026.
What to know afield for falconry hunts
Outside the firearms deer weeks, falconers are on the booklet list of groups that need no blaze; inside them, everyone afield wears orange or pink above the waist.
Seasons for falconry hunts run straight through the weekends.
booklet shooting hours, blaze rules, validation and registration, checked October 28, 2026.
Falconry weapons and hunting law
Laws that matter for falconry hunts
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Dogs | No dogs chasing big game; tracking dogs on a 30-ft leash to recover wounded deer/bear; no dog training on DNR land Apr. 16-July 14; no dogs while turkey hunting; raccoons and foxes may be run with dogs in closed season. |
booklet p. 35, checked October 28, 2026.
Legal species groups, with falconry hunts in mind
| Group | Species | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Big game (97A.015 subd. 3) | deer, moose, elk, bear, antelope, caribou | Open seasons only for deer, bear and elk; no open season on moose, antelope or caribou (booklet p. 32). |
| Small game (97A.015 subd. 45) | game birds, gray squirrel, fox squirrel, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, jack rabbit, raccoon, lynx, bobcat, short-tailed weasel, long-tailed weasel, wolf, re | No open season on lynx, wolf, cougar or wolverine. |
| Game birds (97A.015 subd. 24) | migratory waterfowl, ring-necked pheasant, ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, Canada spruce grouse, prairie chickens, gray partridge, bobwhite quail, wild turk | Bobwhite quail have no season (booklet p. 32). |
| Predators (97A.015 subd. 37) | wolf, coyote, fox, lynx, bobcat | Predator hunters are exempt from the small game blaze rule. |
From Minnesota Statutes 97A.015 and the DNR booklet, checked October 28, 2026.
Questions about falconry hunts
When can falconers take waterfowl (South Zone)?
Falconers may hunt waterfowl from Sep 26, 2026 to Jan 20, 2027 in this area. Segments: Sept. 26-Oct. 4; Oct. 17-Dec. 6; Dec. 12-Jan. 20. Limit: 3 migratory game birds combined daily; 9 possession
What are the falconry dates for waterfowl (Central Zone)?
Falconers may hunt waterfowl from Sep 26, 2026 to Jan 20, 2027 in this area. Segments: Sept. 26-Oct. 4; Oct. 10-Nov. 29; Dec. 12-Jan. 20. Limit: 3 migratory game birds combined daily; 9 possession
Is there a weekday rule for falconry hunts?
Yes. Neither the booklet nor chapter 97B closes Sundays, so falconry hunts may be hunted any day of the week.
When is the falconry season for woodcock, rails, doves and snipe, statewide?
Falconers may hunt woodcock, rails, doves and snipe from Sep 1 to Dec 16, 2026 in this area. Limit: 3 combined daily; 9 possession
What may a falconry hunter keep?
Small game: 10 rabbits, 7 squirrels, 3 others; migratory: 3 combined.
How long does the falconry season run?
The first legal day is Sep 1, 2026 and the last is Feb 28, 2027. Sept. 1-Feb. 28 (small game); migratory segments by zone to Jan. 20.
When is the falconry season for non-migratory small game, statewide?
Falconers may hunt non-migratory small game from Sep 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 in this area. Pheasants may not be taken before 9 a.m. Limit: 10 rabbits, 7 squirrels, other small game 3 combined (max 1 hen pheasant); possession double
What blaze rule applies to falconry hunts?
Outside the firearms deer weeks, falconers are on the booklet list of groups that need no blaze; inside them, everyone afield wears orange or pink above the waist.
How long is falconry for waterfowl in North Zone?
Falconers may hunt waterfowl from Sep 26, 2026 to Jan 20, 2027 in this area. Segments: Sept. 26-Nov. 24; Dec. 12-Jan. 20. Limit: 3 migratory game birds combined daily; 9 possession
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); mbarrison (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain).