Disabled veterans deer hunts

The 15th annual Tom Eckdahl Memorial DAV Chapter #28 and Olmsted County offer limited controlled hunting opportunities for veterans at Chester Woods Park and Oxbow Park. Please review the general information for the deer hunts.

Disabled Veterans (Shotgun) Deer Hunt (Chester Woods)

  • The Tom Eckdahl Memorial DAV Hunt at Chester Woods Park takes place November 12 through 15, 2026.
  • The mandatory safety meeting will be Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Check-in from 2 to 5 p.m. Meeting and dinner at 5 p.m.
  • Chester Woods Park will be closed to the general public during the hunt.

Disabled Veterans (Archery) Deer Hunt (Oxbow Park)

  • The DAV hunt at Oxbow Park takes place from October 30 through November 29, 2026.
  • The mandatory safety meeting will be October 24, 2026, at the Oxbow Park meeting room. Exact time to be determined.
  • Oxbow Park will remain open to the general public during the hunt. Please use caution while on the trails.

General Information

  • All applicants must be service-connected disabled veterans.
  • You may submit an application to either the Chester Woods or Oxbow Parks deer hunt but not both hunts.
  • 30 successful applicants for the Chester Woods hunt and 15 successful applicants for the Oxbow Park hunt will be selected by random digital lottery. There will also be a list of "backup hunters" drawn for each hunt if a selected hunter cannot participate.
  • All hunters will be issued a written permission slip allowing them to hunt and participate in the hunt.
  • Prior to hunting, all hunters are required to attend a mandatory safety meeting to be issued their permission slip to hunt.
  • Additionally, picture identification, a current year's deer license, and at least one diseased management harvest tag must be provided when picking up the permission slip.
  • For additional information, contact DAV, Chapter #28 at 507-258-3083 or email davsemn28@gmail.com. 

Register for deer hunt

Registration is open August 11 through September 11, 2026. Scan this QR code below or click on this link to complete the registration form.

QR code for 2026 deer hunt registration