Dakota County has managed 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.

2018 deer hunting options

• Lebanon Hills Regional Park (archery)
• Nov. 5–7, Nov. 12–14, Nov. 19–21; Monday, all day; Tuesday and Wednesday, 5 a.m.–noon
• Orientation meetings are on Oct. 10, 6-7:30 p.m. or Oct. 18, 10­–11:30 a.m.
• Spring Lake Park Reserve (archery)
• Nov. 8–11, Nov. 15–18; all day (Schaar’s Bluff area will remain open)
• Orientation meetings are on Oct. 10, 6-7:30 p.m. or Oct. 18, 10– 11:30 a.m.
• Miesville Ravine Park Reserve (shotgun and muzzleloader) Buy a permit.
• Nov. 17–25, all day for the shotgun hunt (This is during the 3B season)
• Dec. 1–9, all day for the muzzleloader hunt
• Orientation meetings are on Nov. 1, 6-7:30 p.m. or Nov. 8, 10–11:30 a.m.

***If you are selected, you must attend one of the orientation meetings for your hunt.

Changes for 2018

• The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will be processing registrations for the Miesville Ravine deer hunts. Find out more.
• Lebanon Hills and Spring Lake deer hunts will continue to be processed  by Dakota County Parks. Find out more.

2018 deer hunt registrations now closed.

Deer hunt maps

Lebanon Hills Regional Park (Deer hunt map)
Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve (Deer hunt map)
Miesville Ravine Park Reserve (Deer hunt map)

Hunt requirements

To be eligible for hunting, you must complete an online application, and you must obtain a valid hunting license from the Minnesota DNR prior to the hunt.