Deer Hunting
Dakota County manages deer populations in its parks by using controlled hunts. Controlling deer populations contributes to natural reforestation and reduces damage to agricultural crops and landscaping.
Reducing deer populations also improves the parks’ habitat for other wildlife that benefit from diverse ground and shrub layer plants.
2026 deer hunting options
- Lebanon Hills Regional Park (archery): Register through Metro Bowhunters Resource Base
- Nov. 16-18 and 23-25
- Miesville Ravine Park Reserve (shotgun and muzzleloader): Register through Department of Natural Resources.
- Shotgun hunt: Nov. 7-15
- Muzzleloader hunt: Dec. 5-13
- Spring Lake Park Reserve (archery): No deer hunt in 2026.
No other deer hunting is allowed in Dakota County Parks.
Parks closed during controlled deer hunts
Lebanon Hills Regional Park and Miesville Ravine Park Reserve will be closed to the public during controlled deer hunting dates.
Important information and changes for 2026
- The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will be processing registrations for the Miesville Ravine deer hunts. Find out more about the Miesville hunt.
- Dakota County is partnering with Metro Bowhunters Resource Base to manage the Lebanon Hills archery hunt. Find out more about the Lebanon Hills hunt.
- There will not be a hunt at Spring Lake Park Reserve in 2026.
- The Miesville hunts will continue to be nontoxic ammunition only hunts. No lead ammunition is allowed.
Chronic Wasting Disease in Dakota County
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources released new Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) regulations for 2026. For more information, go to the DNR's Chronic Wasting Disease page.
For more information, contact: