Founded in 1980 by a small but passionate group of deer hunters in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association was built on a simple idea: hunters should have a voice in the future of Minnesota’s deer herd, habitat, and hunting traditions.

More than four decades later, that idea is still at the heart of everything we do.

MDHA remains proudly based in Grand Rapids to this day, grounded in the same northwoods values that inspired our founders. We are an independent, nonprofit organization, created by hunters, funded by hunters, and guided by hunters. We are not part of the Minnesota DNR or any other state agency — and that independence matters.

Independent — But Collaborative

While MDHA operates completely independently from state government, we strongly believe in collaboration when it benefits conservation and habitat. Over the years, we’ve partnered with the Minnesota DNR and other conservation groups on countless habitat, access, and wildlife projects that benefit deer, hunters, and all who enjoy Minnesota’s outdoors.

That balance — independent advocacy paired with cooperative conservation — allows MDHA to stay true to our mission while delivering real, on-the-ground results.

Grassroots at Our Core

MDHA is, and always has been, a grassroots organization. Our strength doesn’t come from a top-down structure — it comes from our members and local chapters spread across the state.

Every MDHA member belongs to a local chapter, and that chapter is the foundation of our organization. Members help decide:

• What projects matter locally

• Where conservation dollars are spent

• Which issues MDHA should engage on

• How the organization evolves over time

Those chapters then represent their members at our annual corporate gathering, where:

• Issues are openly discussed

• Resolutions and amendments are debated

• Votes are cast that directly shape MDHA’s direction

This process ensures that MDHA is member-driven, transparent, and accountable — just as our founders intended.

More Than an Organization — A Legacy

MDHA is about more than deer hunting. It’s about habitat conservation, youth education, protecting access, and preserving a way of life that has been passed down through generations of Minnesota families.

Personally, I am incredibly proud to be part of this organization. I’m proud of the volunteers who give their time, the members who believe in the mission, and the legacy that began in Grand Rapids over 40 years ago. Most of all, I’m proud that MDHA continues to stand for the same values today — and that we are committed to passing those values forward to future generations of Minnesota hunters.

Join Today. Help Lead the Way.

When you join MDHA, you’re not just buying a membership — you’re gaining a voice. You’re helping decide where this organization goes and how it serves hunters, habitat, and conservation across Minnesota.

Join today, get involved with your local chapter, and help drive MDHA in the direction you believe it should go — just as our founders envisioned back in 1980.

Together, we’ll ensure that Minnesota’s deer hunting heritage remains strong for generations to come.