Minnesota Needs No License for Crows and Sets No Limit, but Hunting Is Only Legal in Four Windows From September to March
November 15, 2026
Crow hunting season in Minnesota 2026-27 has no license, no stamp, and no daily limit. That sounds wide open, and in one way it is. In another, the season is chopped into four separate windows, and a miscalculated date or a mistaken raven can turn an easy day into a citation.
This article walks you through the dates, hours, legal gear, public land access, and the rules for taking crows outside the season. It also covers the practical stuff: calls, decoys, scouting, and what to do with a crow once it is on the ground.
Pro Tip: Print the four season windows and tape them inside your shell box. The gaps between windows are easy to miss, especially from November 1 to December 14.
Crow Hunting Season Dates in Minnesota 2026-27
Minnesota’s crow season is split into four windows. According to the Minnesota DNR crow hunting page, the 2025-26 schedule ran Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, Dec. 15 to Dec. 31, Jan. 1 to Jan. 15, and March 1 to March 31. The state’s small game page lists the 2026-27 crow season as statewide, including a Dec. 15 to Dec. 31 window.
The rule behind these dates is Minnesota Rules 6240.2300. The Legal Information Institute shows the version effective May 1, 2026, which allows take on January 1 to 15, March 1 to 31, September 1 to October 31, and December 15 to 31. Older rule text on the Minnesota Revisor’s site still shows the former July 15 to October 15 and March 1 to 31 dates, so work from the dated 2026 version.
| Window | Dates |
|---|---|
| Fall | September 1 to October 31, 2026 |
| Early winter | December 15 to December 31, 2026 |
| Midwinter | January 1 to January 15, 2027 |
| Late winter | March 1 to March 31, 2027 |
Crow Hunting Days of the Week in Minnesota
Minnesota places no weekday restriction on crow hunting in the sources reviewed. The season runs every day within each window, so Monday scouting trips count as much as Saturday ones.
That daily access helps, because crows are wary and pressure builds fast on popular fields. A midweek hunt on a quiet farm often beats a crowded weekend.
Crow Hunting Closures During Deer Season and Nesting in Minnesota
The crow season has a built-in gap that lines up with deer season. From November 1 through December 14, crows cannot be hunted under the season rule, which keeps you out of the woods during the busiest firearm deer weeks. Between January 16 and the end of February, the season is also closed.
The nesting protection is separate and constant. Minnesota’s rule on crow nests states that crow nests and eggs may not be disturbed at any time. That applies even when you are dealing with a damage problem.
If you plan to hunt during deer season in other states or on mixed-use land, remember that blaze orange rules can apply to small game hunters. The DNR notes that small game hunters must wear at least one visible article of blaze orange or pink in most instances.
Crow Hunting Hours in Minnesota
Shooting hours run from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. The DNR lethal techniques page confirms this, and the crow hunting page links to its sunrise and sunset tables.
In practice, that means being set up in the dark. Crows leave roosts early, so a decoy spread that is still half-built at sunrise has already cost you the best flight.
Hunting License, HIP and Stamp Requirements for Crows in Minnesota
You do not need a license to hunt crows during the open season. The DNR states that crows can be taken without a license during the season or anytime they are causing or about to cause damage. The state rule says residents and nonresidents may take crows with legal firearms, bow and arrow, and falconry without a license.
That also means no state waterfowl stamp requirement for crows, since crows are not a waterfowl species. The sources reviewed do not list a separate HIP registration for crow-only hunting, so check the DNR’s current regulations booklet if you are combining crows with doves, rails, or ducks on the same trip.
Nonresident Crow Hunting in Minnesota
Nonresidents get the same deal as residents. Minnesota’s crow rule says that residents and nonresidents may take common crows with legal firearms, bow and arrow, or falconry without a license.
That makes Minnesota an easy add-on for out-of-state hunters passing through during September or March. You still need landowner permission on private ground and must follow local rules on public land.
Crow Bag and Possession Limits in Minnesota
There is no limit. The DNR’s small game page lists crow limits as no limit for both daily and possession.
One rule does apply to what you take. Crows must be retrieved and removed from the field, according to the state’s crow season rule. Leaving birds where they drop is not legal.
Legal Firearms, Bows and Falconry for Crow Hunting in Minnesota
Three method types are legal. The DNR says crows may be taken with a legal firearm, which it defines as a shotgun not larger than 10 gauge, a rifle, or a handgun, plus bow and arrow or falconry.
For most hunters, a 12 gauge with modified or improved cylinder chokes handles decoyed crows well. A .22 rimfire or a small centerfire rifle works for long, open-field shots, but check your backstop and local discharge ordinances first.
| Method | Allowed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Yes | No larger than 10 gauge |
| Rifle | Yes | Any legal rifle per DNR |
| Handgun | Yes | Legal handgun per DNR |
| Bow and arrow | Yes | Hard in practice; crows are wary |
| Falconry | Yes | Requires falconry credentials |
Nontoxic Shot and Shotgun Rules for Crows in Minnesota
The only shotgun limit stated for crows in the sources reviewed is the 10 gauge maximum. The sources do not list a general nontoxic shot mandate for crows.
Shot requirements can still change based on where you hunt. Many public lands and waterfowl production areas have their own shot rules, so confirm with the managing agency before you load shells for a WMA hunt. Steel is a safe default if you are unsure, since it is legal nearly everywhere.
Electronic Calls, Decoys and Baiting Rules for Crow Hunting in Minnesota
Electronic calls are legal. The DNR says electronic calls or sounds may be used for crow hunting, and a remote-controlled animal noise caller is also allowed.
The agency specifically points out that great horned owl calls work well, because crows mob the sound. It also notes that owl decoys can be used with the calls to boost the mobbing response, per the DNR lethal techniques page.
The sources reviewed do not address baiting for crows, so avoid putting out feed or carcasses to draw birds until you have confirmed the rule with the DNR.
Crow Hunting Zones and Closed Areas in Minnesota
There are no crow zones. The state rule says crows may be taken statewide during the prescribed dates and hours, and the 2026-27 small game listing shows crow as statewide.
Closed areas come from land management, not crow zones. Individual WMAs, refuges, or parks can be closed to hunting, so a legal crow day still ends at the boundary of a closed property.
Where to Hunt Crows in Minnesota: Public Land, WMAs, Refuges and Private Land
Private farmland is the best bet. Crows feed in harvested fields, feedlots, and around manure piles, and a quick call to a landowner often gets you access with a thank-you for removing nuisance birds.
Public options exist too. Under state rules, crows may be taken on wildlife management areas and federal waterfowl production areas that are open to hunting. State game refuges open to small game hunting also allow crow take, except refuges closed to waterfowl hunting.
The DNR crow page adds that crows may be taken on WMAs during established seasons unless the WMA is specifically closed.
Crow vs Raven Identification in Minnesota
This is where careful hunters earn their keep. The American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is a large, black, slightly iridescent bird found across Minnesota, and the DNR’s crow damage management sheet says it looks like a raven but differs in size, call, flight pattern, flocking behavior, and habitat.
Ravens are not on the crow list. Minnesota’s season rule covers common crows only, and ravens are protected, so a wrong ID is a real problem.
- Size: Ravens are noticeably larger and heavier-billed.
- Call: Crows give a clear caw. Ravens make a deeper, croaking sound.
- Flight: Crows flap steadily. Ravens soar and glide more often.
- Tail: A raven’s tail looks wedge-shaped in flight. A crow’s looks more fan-shaped.
- Company: Crows flock in numbers. Ravens often travel alone or in pairs.
Common Mistake: Shooting at a single large black bird on a ridge or roadside carcass. If you are not sure, hold fire and wait for the flock behavior to confirm.
Taking Crows Outside the Season: Depredation and Nuisance Rules in Minnesota
You can act outside the four windows, but only in specific cases. The DNR explains that crows are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, yet may be taken out of season without a permit when caught committing or about to commit damage to ornamental or shade trees, crops, livestock, or wildlife.
The same page says lethal control can also be used when crows gather in large numbers, such as communal roosts, and become a nuisance. Legal methods of take are the same as during the hunting season.
The state also has a separate rule, part 6240.2500, covering taking common crows in depredation situations. Nests and eggs stay off limits no matter the situation.
Tagging, Transporting and Possessing Crows in Minnesota
No tag is required. Crows are not tagged game, and with no possession limit there is no counting system to track.
The rule you do need to follow is retrieval. Crows taken must be retrieved and removed from the field, so bring a bag or a cooler. Handle carcasses with gloves, and double-bag anything you plan to dispose of at home.
Best Time to Hunt Crows in Minnesota
Early morning is the standard answer. Legal shooting starts a half hour before sunrise, and crows leave roosts and begin feeding soon after.
By season, September and October offer open fields and naive young birds. March can be strong too, since crows are restless, vocal, and responsive to owl calls as nesting approaches. December and January hunts are cold and quiet, but flocks stack up around feed sources, which makes a well-placed setup productive.
Crow Hunting Tips: Calls, Decoys and Scouting in Minnesota
Scouting beats gear. Watch where crows fly in the morning and where they return at dusk, then set up along the flight line near cover that breaks up your outline.
- Scout a field edge or tree line at least one day before the hunt.
- Arrive in the dark and set decoys in the open, with a great horned owl decoy as the focal point.
- Hide in dense cover with a full camo layer, including a face mask and gloves.
- Start with a quiet distress or owl call, then raise volume only if nothing responds.
- Move to a new location after a few shots, since survivors learn fast.
Pro Tip: The DNR says crows are difficult to hunt because of their wariness. Keep calls short and sit still. Movement spooks them more than noise does.
Cleaning and Eating Crow in Minnesota
Crow meat is dark, lean, and strong, and the DNR admits that crow recipes can be found with a simple internet search. Most cooks use only the breast.
To clean a crow, pluck or skin it, then slice the breast meat off the keel with a sharp knife. Rinse the meat, soak it in salted water or buttermilk for several hours, then braise, slow cook, or use it in stew. Cook it thoroughly, and follow basic food safety practices for any wild game.
Crow Hunting Season in Minnesota 2026-27: Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Need a License to Hunt Crows in Minnesota?
No. Minnesota allows crow hunting without a license during the season, and for damage control anytime crows are causing or about to cause damage, according to the DNR.
When Does Crow Season Start in Minnesota?
The first window opens September 1, 2026, and runs through October 31. Three more windows follow: December 15 to 31, January 1 to 15, and March 1 to 31.
Is There a Limit on Crows in Minnesota?
No. Both daily and possession limits are listed as none.
Can You Use Electronic Calls for Crows?
Yes. Electronic calls and remote-controlled animal noise callers are both allowed for crow hunting.
Can You Hunt Crows on WMAs?
Yes, unless the WMA is specifically closed. Waterfowl production areas open to hunting also allow crow take.
Can You Shoot Ravens in Minnesota?
No. The crow season covers common crows only. Ravens are protected, so identify every bird before you shoot.
What Time Can You Start Hunting Crows?
One-half hour before sunrise. Shooting ends at sunset.
For more state-by-state season breakdowns, see our guides on pheasant hunting in Colorado, deer hunting in Iowa, and deer hunting in South Dakota.