quick question on the 500ft rule

[Jordyn Kaufer]

So does the 500ft rule apply on water? Im always hearing different things, such as it applies to both water and field. Only field(which I know is true)....

Thanks,

Jordyn

[Quackaddict9]

It did not for me and the CO said I did nothing wrong but some guys will tell you it does. So I will just play it safe or email your local DNR/CO and save the conversation to have proof. I did and still do.

[Muthagoose]

Quacks double right I asked Fondie,Starr and Steen the Cos in the areas I hunt all said the same...A little pre conversation just let the Co know just in case some land owner calls them..

[RumRiverRat]

Does not apply on water.

[dan z]

500ft on water i think thats border line of being to close. i try to stay at least 200 yard plus away from all hunters. i dont like hunter any closer to me then that.

[RumRiverRat]

500ft on water i think thats border line of being to close. i try to stay at least 200 yard plus away from all hunters. i dont like hunter any closer to me then that.

What?

This is not about hunter spacing it is about the 500 foot rule as it relates to occupied structures.

[Gordie]

Does not apply on water.

unless your hunting diamond lake

[311Hemi]

Does not apply on water.

[RumRiverRat]

unless your hunting diamond lake

Right.

[Stringerless!]

South diamond

[Jordyn Kaufer]

What is a public right-of-way?

[HugoBox]

Not sure the exact letter of the law on public right of way but basically in this context public right of way means a lake that the public has access to. For example, on Big Marine you could set up in rushes in the lake within 500 feet of a structure as long as you are concealed. The lake is a public right of way.

In the case of a pond or body of water in which you don't have access you could not set up within 500 feet without permission.

Personally I would suggest calling the CO and/or the Sherrif if you think you are going to be close. First its good to get to know those folks (the White Bear area CO, Lisa Kruze, has been a good resource for me). Secondly if they do get a complaint it will just plain be better if they know that you're out. By no means am I saying we need to ask permission to legally hunt, I'm just saying that hunters and fisherman tend to get a lot of bad press by landowners and others so any chance you have to help your/our image its a good idea to do so.

Also, the 500 foot rule is a state rule - make sure to check the local municipalities as they pretty much can do what they want i.e. the Hugo City council caving to the demands of 5-6 lakeshore owners on Bald Eagle.

[311Hemi]

Not sure the exact letter of the law on public right of way but basically in this context public right of way means a lake that the public has access to. For example, on Big Marine you could set up in rushes in the lake within 500 feet of a structure as long as you are concealed. The lake is a public right of way.

What I posted from the regs says you cannot take game within 500' of a structure when in/on a public right of way, thus I am confused by your post saying you can set up within 500'?

[BoxMN]

Don't take anyones word for anything... but go ask a CO and they will tell you what you can do according to State law. And that is (in my word, haha!) that you CAN hunt within 500 when on water... UNLESS there is a more strict local ordiance, such as Hugo's.

I too didn't believe it, until I talked to two CO's and a call and emails to the St. Paul office to verify. Hence HugoBox advice to talk to CO and ALSO check on local ordinance. We all know the game laws are not written that well to be easily understood Some time spent talking to CO's has actually opened up more land/water for me to hunt, when I thought it would have been the other way around. Good luck all!

edit - oh yeah, and just to add more proof that local ordinances are important to know, and also goofy at times... you cannot hunt within 500' of a building "without permission" in Hugo... UNLESS you are on land you own or control. Then you CAN hunt/shoot even if the neighbor is less than 500' and the adjacent neighbor gives you permission... how's that for goofiness... So any of you Hugonians, you can (theoretically) legally shoot geese from your decks while 75' from your neighbor, if he okays it, but even if the next one down does not. At least that is how I read it, but I would not do it hehe at least not without talking to Hugo cop first

[RumRiverRat]

South diamond

Nope the one in Rogers/Dayton

[Stringerless!]

I think that is the one.