2025 lottery deer hunt at Chester Woods Park

The Olmsted County Parks and Trails department will open Chester Woods to a limited number of deer hunters during the shotgun season between November 22 and November 30, 2025. The purpose of the hunt is to harvest enough animals to keep the herd healthy and manageable. Eighty hunters will be selected by lottery, and each will be required to obtain at least one disease management harvest tag allowing the taking of additional antlerless deer.

The lottery drawing will be held on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 8 a.m. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by mail or email.

Registration forms for the drawing are available beginning September 2, 2025, at 7:30 a.m. on the official Olmsted County website at: 2025 Deer Hunt Lottery Registration form or by calling 507-328-7070. Applications must be received by the Parks and Trails department no later than 4 p.m. on September 19, 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact the Olmsted County Parks and Trails department at 507-328-7070.