As publishedSept. 26-Oct. 4, 2026
Special-permit/lottery hunt, Minnesota residents only (21+, 60-day residency requirement).No small game license required for this hunt. Application deadline was Aug. 14, 2026 -- already passed as of this 2026-08-18 research pass, so permits for this season have already been drawn/assigned. 9 permit zones (803A-813A), 117 total permits statewide, up to 20% reserved for qualifying landowners/tenants.
MN DNR (Charlotte Roy) runs a dedicated annual spring lek-count survey (fieldwork mid-March-early May), with editions confirmed 2023-2025; the 2025 edition (files.dnr.state.mn.us/recreation/hunting/prairiechicken/2025-survey.pdf) recorded 102 booming grounds and 955 male prairie-chickens. A fresh search this pass found no 2026 edition yet. A limited-permit hunting season continues (an actively hunted population, not a closure-driven conservation-only case).