New DNR Deer regs

[Pinnacle]

Hooray

.220 And above centerfire cals allowed next deer season - a real benefit for kids and recoil sensitive shooters.

Statewide Firearms Licensing with consolidated zones

Simplified license validation after harvest.

Finally something positive.

[rucker]

There's going to be a lot of ARs out there this fall

[hammAR]

Hooray

.220 And above centerfire cals allowed next deer season - a real benefit for kids and recoil sensitive shooters.

Statewide Firearms Licensing with consolidated zones

Simplified license validation after harvest.

Finally something positive.

.......well .223-AR15 in the woods, now will they allow FA too................

[Ramoel]

Don't you know if you shoot a deer with one of those "High Powered Assault Rifles" there won't be enough meat left to harvest?

I saw this stupid statement on some anti-gun rant a few years ago as an answer to someone who said you could hunt with an "assault rifle".

Here is what the DNR sent me in an email.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is making major
changes to simplify deer seasons and licensing for this fall, according
to Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game program coordinator.

The changes include allowing a person to individually purchase licenses
for regular firearms, muzzleloader and archery in any combination;
consolidating deer zones so that licensed firearms hunters can hunt
anywhere in the state; simplifying legal big game rifle calibers to
allow any center-fire that is at least .220 caliber; and eliminating the
need to validate the license when tagging an animal.

The changes are the result of recommendations of a citizens’ work
group convened by the DNR to recommend simplification of the deer
seasons. During late 2007, DNR organized a group of stakeholders to
provide recommendations to the DNR on how to streamline hunting while
not compromising the ability to manage deer. The team ultimately settled
on four primary recommendations, which were brought to the public and
the Minnesota Legislature for consideration. The group’s
recommendations were the subject of 12 public meetings held around the
state last spring. Legislative and rule changes made since that time
will allow for implementation of the recommendations this fall.

“Minnesota previously had more license types and options for deer
than any other Midwestern state, so the need for simplification was
apparent,” Cornicelli said.

DEER LICENSES

Hunters can now buy an archery, firearm and muzzleloader license
individually, or in any combination. Previously, a person who wanted to
hunt deer in both the regular firearms and muzzleloader seasons had to
buy the more expensive all-season license, valid for regular firearms,
muzzleloader and archery.

“We found that the vast majority of all-season license purchasers
were paying three times the single season license fee ($78), but were
only hunting in two seasons,” Cornicelli said.

This year, the system will be “a la carte,” meaning that hunters
can purchase licenses for only the seasons they want to hunt. Hunters
are advised by the DNR to know the bag limits in the area they hunt.
Even though hunters can buy three licenses, the general bag limit for
deer is one in lottery areas, two in managed areas, and five in
intensive areas (with some exceptions, such as early antlerless
seasons).

ZONE CONSOLIDATION

The traditional firearm zone licenses (1A, 2A, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B) have
been consolidated into two licenses types: A statewide Season Option
“A” and a Zone 3B (southeast Minnesota) season option “B”.
With the new system, hunters are no longer limited to a particular zone
boundary, but must adhere to the different open season dates in permit
areas within the zone. Zone 4 has also been eliminated and merged with
the Zone 2 nine-day season. A number of deer permit areas formerly in
Zone 4 will be renumbered.

Season “A” licenses are valid statewide in all “A” season areas
(Zones 1A, 2A, 3A), which opens Nov. 8. For example, by purchasing a
statewide “A” season license, a hunter could hunt an area in 3A
(seven-day season) opening weekend, move to an area in 2A (nine-day
season) the second weekend and finish up the season in 1A (16-day
season) on the third weekend.

In contrast, season “B” licenses are valid only during the Zone 3B
season (Nov. 22-30) in southeastern Minnesota. A regular firearm deer
hunter may purchase either an “A” or “B” season license, but not
both. However, anyone (including 3B hunters) can now buy a muzzleloader
license. Both license types will be valid in the Twin Cities metro area,
bovine TB area, and all early antlerless permit areas.

Lottery applications, muzzleloader hunters

In some areas of Minnesota, the deer population is below the goal so
antlerless permits have been reduced to very low levels. With the past
popularity of multiple zone licenses, the percentage of antlerless
harvest taken in the muzzleloader season has gone up dramatically. With
the new licensing system, lottery area hunters who purchase both a
regular firearms and muzzleloader license will need to apply for a
limited number of antlerless permits that will be valid for taking an
antlerless deer in either the regular firearms or muzzleloader season.

The number of muzzleloader-only hunters is low, so those who do not
purchase a regular firearms license can take deer of either sex in
lottery areas without an antlerless permit.

People who buy licenses for both the firearm and muzzleloader seasons
will need to apply in the lottery if they want to take an antlerless
deer in a lottery area. If successful, the permit will be valid for
either the firearm or muzzleloader season, provided the hunter has a
license for that season.

People who only muzzleloader hunt (no regular firearms license) may
take deer of either sex without applying in the lottery. Final details
will be released when the hunting regulations book comes out in early
August.

LEGAL CALIBERS

For 2008, the definition of legal calibers has been simplified to .220
centerfire or larger. Previously, the regulation had a larger minimum,
minimum case length, and numerous exceptions. The new regulation is
consistent with most of the midwestern states that allow centerfire
rifles.

“We understand there is a concern that hunters could use a type that
is not suitable for taking deer,” Cornicelli said. “But we are
confident that hunters can make an informed choice in regard to caliber
and bullet selection, and that they’ll use a bullet that is
appropriate for the big game they are pursuing. There is no substitute
for knowing the capabilities of a firearm and practicing,” Cornicelli
said.

LICENSE VALIDATION

The regulation requiring hunters to validate their deer license has
been eliminated. However, the tag must still be validated and site
tagging regulations have not changed, so hunters should familiarize
themselves with those regulations when the regulations handbook arrives
in stores.



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Thank you for your interest in the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources!

[JFettig]

I'm gonna bag me a deer with a .22 hornet

[EAJuggalo]

Does this mean that if one were so inclined they could hunt with .45ACP or 357Sig since both are centerfire and larger than .220?

[princewally]

Does this mean that if one were so inclined they could hunt with .45ACP or 357Sig since both are centerfire and larger than .220?

In a rifle, apparently, yes.

They are counting on a bit of common sense from the hunters.

[cobb]

They are counting on a bit of common sense from the hunters.

Ya right....

More lost animals because some yahoo will use a non expanding bullet.
And they expect the hunter to know the capabilities of their firearm and practice too, where have they been?

[DeanC]

More lost animals because some yahoo will use a non expanding bullet.

Or they will use varmint bullets that will explode on the outside hide like my f-law was doing with his .243.

[cobb]

More lost animals because some yahoo will use a non expanding bullet.

Or they will use varmint bullets that will explode on the outside hide like my f-law was doing with his .243.

Now should I act surprised?

I guy was asking me some questions when he was making some loads for his young son and his .243. He wanted to know if the 75 grain hollow points he had could be loaded down for less recoil and still expand.

[Rem700]

If the rules follow the same as in the past .25 auto loaded in a Jennings would be legal, That should make for one fine deer combination