Minnesota Adult Hunter Safety Course


Small Game (small mammals)

Small game animals usually have a shorter life span than big game. They will give birth at least once a year, and give birth to more offspring at a time. In most cases it is nearly impossible to tell the males of the species from females. This category is very diverse, and includes animals such as rabbits, squirrels, fox and bobcat, to name a few. Small game animals can be found in almost any type of habitat, including highly-urbanized areas.

Small game hunters will learn to notice and distinguish the game animal’s tracks. Bag limits for small game animals are typically much higher than for big game. Always consult local regulations to determine which animal can be legally hunted, seasons and bag limits.

Again, the Minnesota Hunting Regulations Handbook is extremely useful to all hunters, to learn more about hunting regulations and seasons for different small game species. Much like big game, most small game species cannot be hunted at night. However, some exceptions do apply. Hunting raccoon, for instance, can be done at night, provided you follow certain specifications. Consult the handbook for more information.

You can obtain a copy of Minnesota's Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook at your local Electronic License System (ELS) agent or go online at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/hunting/index.html.