Rules for bringing pheasants across state line

[PL Sportsman]

I am hunting out of state this weekend (Iowa) but want to hunt my way there. I plan on hunting in MN first.

Does anyone know the regulations on bringing birds across the state lines?

Do I have to count these as part of my birds in Iowa?

Thanks,

[ribsey_77]

Nope MN birds Are MN birds and vise versa as long as you have both licenses

[Tom7227]

It's an interesting question. I can't think of a way to prove that your Minnesota limit were Minnesota birds. Seems to me that a CO could look at it either way and it could end up being trouble. The only thing I can think of would be to try and determine how fresh the kill was. If you were in southern Iowa and had a "Minnesota limit" that was still warm it could be trouble. I would be interested in hearing from others on this one.

[PL Sportsman]

Thanks Guys. I am concerned vs clarifying which state it was from. Iowa opens on Saturday so i would expect if I shoot 2 MN pheasants they may count them as IA pheasants on Sat. Which is no big deal I just don't want to break any laws.

Thanks,

Paul

[riverview]

You can only have a posession limit of the state you are hunting in. for a few years i hunted ducks in sask. and n.d and brought both possesion limits home. then one day talking to a fed. warden in the laundry mat i was told it was illegel. you can have oth posession limits in your home freezer but not transport both limits.

[castmaster]

It funny the different answers one gets when talking to different wardens. I was told by a Federal warden in ND that as long as we had receipts showing lodging dates in Sask that we were fine to be in possession of our Sask birds while hunting in ND on the way home. We also had paperwork from customs showing how many birds we brought back into the US from Canada.

I was also told the same thing by a MN warden in southern MN when we were hunting our way home from an Iowa trip, as long as we had our receipts "proving" our stay in Iowa we were fine to have our Iowa possession limit as well as some MN birds.

Where you might run into trouble is the fact if your hunting your way down you probably wouldnt have any lodging receipts to "prove" things in that context.

[Dilly]

I think your best bet would be to make a few phone calls and find out for SURE what the rules are...

[NWBuck]

As much corn as there is still in fields here in Iowa, I'm thinking most people won't be worrying much about being considered "over limit" this weekend

Although I feel bad for the harvest delays many of my farmer friends are having, it is going to make bird hunting down here best around Thanksgiving time, which I really like. Good luck.

NWBuck

[PL Sportsman]

NWBuck. I agree. I hope to get down to Iowa then as well.

I wasn't concerned about over limit. Only if I had a cold pheasant in the cooler Sat AM if I get checked by the DNR. Probably a non issue anyways. Probably won't chance it. Seems like to much trouble/hassle to hunt for a couple of hours. It should be easier than this.

Oh well!

Thanks all!

[CJH]

I'd email the DNR for clarification. (they usually respond w/in 24 hours) That way you will have the response in writing and can carry it with you.

If you do well in Iowa, I'd just fill up with gas locally and get a receipt so you can prove you were there.

[scoutWBL]

I had the same question last week. I hunt in MN but was staying on Spirit Lake in IA... felt a little uneasy driving through IA out of seanson with gun dogs and roosters in the back of the truck.