Minnesota › Species › Plains Pocket Gopher
Unprotected
Plains Pocket Gopher hunting in Minnesota, 2026-27
Taking plains pocket gophers in Minnesota: lights, vehicles, WMAs and trespass.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Minnesota law puts plains pocket gophers on the unprotected list, so they may be taken in any month; trespass, discharge and WMA rules still apply.
Pocket gopher rules in one list
- Limit: No limit.
- Seasons in short: Any time, any manner except lights or vehicles.
- Also: Unprotected.
DNR source page (as of Sep 15, 2026), checked October 28, 2026.
Plains Pocket Gopher calendar by unit and zone
1 season line for plains pocket gophers, opening to closing.
| Hunt | Applies to | Limit | Start | End | Days | Open now? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous | Statewide | No limit | All year | Year-round |
What the pocket gopher rows add
- No license required for residents or nonresidents to take unprotected species, including coyote. On WMAs unprotected animals only Sept. 1-end of February unless hunting a protected species.
From booklet p. 65, checked October 28, 2026.
Plains Pocket Gopher: hours, blaze and registration
Plains pocket gophers may be taken at any time and in any manner, except with artificial lights or by motor vehicle, and no license is required.
The booklet requires blaze from every hunter and trapper afield during the firearms and muzzleloader deer seasons, pocket gopher hunters included.
Sundays are open for plains pocket gophers: the booklet and chapter 97B set no day-of-week limits.
booklet shooting hours, blaze rules, validation and registration, checked October 28, 2026.
What the law allows for plains pocket gophers
Other rules for pocket gopher hunters
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Duty to render aid | A person who believes a shot injured someone must check and give reasonable help. |
booklet p. 16, checked October 28, 2026.
Plains Pocket Gopher: statutory classes
| 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). |
| 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). |
| Fur-bearing animals (97A.015 subd. 22) | mammals that are protected wild animals, except big game | Seasons for raccoon, foxes, badger, opossum, weasels, bobcat, fisher, pine marten, mink, muskrat, beaver, otter. |
| Unprotected wild animals (97A.015 subd. 53; booklet p. 32) | coyote, plains pocket gopher, porcupine, red/pine squirrel, striped skunk, woodchuck, unprotected birds | May be taken at any time in any manner except with artificial lights or by motor vehicle; no license needed. Booklet adds red squirrel and woodchuck. |
From Minnesota Statutes 97A.015 and the DNR booklet, checked October 28, 2026.
Alternatives to plains pocket gophers this season
| Species | Season | Where | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodchuck | Unprotected | Statewide | All year | |
| Badger | Hunting (north) | North Furbearer Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 |
| Badger | Hunting (south) | South Furbearer Zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 |
| Badger | Trapping (north zone) | North Furbearer Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 |
| Badger | Trapping (south zone) | South Furbearer Zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 |
| Red Squirrel | Unprotected | Statewide | All year | |
| Striped Skunk | Unprotected | Statewide | All year |
DNR booklet, checked October 28, 2026.
What hunters ask about plains pocket gophers
Are plains pocket gophers legal on wildlife management areas?
Yes, with a date limit: WMAs allow unprotected animals such as plains pocket gophers only Sept. 1 to the end of February unless a protected species is being hunted.
Can I shoot plains pocket gophers on someone else’s land?
Yes, trespass law covers plains pocket gophers too: permission needed on posted or agricultural land; may not return for a year after being told to leave; no discharging a firearm within 500 ft of an occupied building or livestock on another’s land without written permission.
Is a light allowed when taking plains pocket gophers?
The rule that applies to plains pocket gophers: no shining while possessing a weapon; no shining from 2 hours after sunset to sunrise; no shining posted land or fenced agricultural land, residences or building sites from a vehicle.
Do nonresidents need a license for plains pocket gophers?
No license required for residents or nonresidents to take unprotected species, including coyote.
Is Sunday hunting allowed for plains pocket gophers?
No day of the week closes the pocket gopher season in Minnesota.
Is a remote caller legal for plains pocket gophers?
The rule that applies to plains pocket gophers: no drones or radios/cell phones to take big or small game (including recovery); radios allowed for unprotected animals; no electronic or motorized deer decoys; remote callers allowed for crows, furbearers and unprotected animals.
Is there a daily limit on plains pocket gophers?
The booklet says: No limit.
What months are plains pocket gophers legal?
Yes, year-round. Any time, any manner except lights or vehicles.
Do I need a license for plains pocket gophers?
No license is needed for plains pocket gophers; they may be taken at any time in any manner except with artificial lights or by motor vehicle.
Can I wear camo for plains pocket gophers?
The booklet requires blaze from every hunter and trapper afield during the firearms and muzzleloader deer seasons, pocket gopher hunters included.
Other photos on this page: Jim, the Photographer (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); PierreSelim (CC BY 3.0); ilouque (CC BY 2.0).