Handgun for Small game in MN?

[LucasMN]

Hey all,

Does anyone know if it is legal to hunt small game with a handgun in Minnesota? I looked through the reg book quickly but did not find anything.

I do have a permit to carry, don't know if that would make a difference. 9mm Glock is what I'd be using, it is a fairly short barrel.

How about carrying a handgun while using a .22 long rifle for small game?

Thanks in advance...

[knoppers]

I know you don't need a permit to carry while hunting. I have carryed mine while grouse hunting with a shotgun, but I think you cannot use it for birds. rabbits or squirels (spelling) I would think you could use one, since you can use a .22, but there may be a provision that you must use a rimfire, not a centerfire.

[workin4bait]

I talked to a person at the dnr office years ago,so something could have changed,but at that time they said," that there is not a restriction on caliber used to take rabbit or squirrels". I have personally taken quite a few with my .22 caliber handgun.

[Brad B]

the only things in the regs I could find was that you can only shoot a pheasant or partridge with a 22 caliber hand gun or rifle if you are not using a shot gun(page 36) and when hunting raccoons you can only use .17 or .22 rimfire ammo. this again is hand gun or rifle(page 40). personally using a 9MM would be over kill on squirrels and rabbits. it would ripe them to pieces. stick to a 22 hand gun or rifle. even shot guns can ripe them to pieces it they are to close. the one thing that makes me wonder is how would a taurus judge be looked at for hunting purposes. it's a hand gun but you can shot 410 shotshell out of it. so would it be considered a shotgun (short barreled one at that) or a handgun when used for hunting.

[Brad B]

Hey all,

Does anyone know if it is legal to hunt small game with a handgun in Minnesota? I looked through the reg book quickly but did not find anything.

I do have a permit to carry, don't know if that would make a difference. 9mm Glock is what I'd be using, it is a fairly short barrel.

How about carrying a handgun while using a .22 long rifle for small game?

Thanks in advance...

why not buy the .22 conversion for your glock. as for carrying, you can openly carry the glock in a holster when you are hunting(as long as you have a valid hunting license) but don't cover it (this would not apply to you since you have the carry permit and can carry openly or concealed). look at page 17 & 18 the handgun info is there.

[Dave S]

the one thing that makes me wonder is how would a taurus judge be looked at for hunting purposes. it's a hand gun but you can shot 410 shotshell out of it. so would it be considered a shotgun (short barreled one at that) or a handgun when used for hunting.

let's not give anyone any bright ideas using a Taurus Judge for small game. This will turn into another "I'm going to use my 9mm for deer threads". The pattern density/diameter for The Judge is about 3 ft when shooting at a target from 8 feet away.

[LucasMN]

I'm not worried about tearing them apart or anything, 9mm FMJ isn't going to do a ton of damage. For me to even hit them they pretty much need to be not moving.

The situation is that I'll be scouting for a new deer stand next weekend and figured I have the small game license and I always carry my handgun anyway, shooting a couple squirrels for supper would be icing on the cake.

If no one knows for sure I'll e-mail or call the DNR this week and post back with what they say.

[BobT]

Quote:

why not buy the .22 conversion for your glock. as for carrying, you can openly carry the glock in a holster when you are hunting(as long as you have a valid hunting license) but don't cover it (this would not apply to you since you have the carry permit and can carry openly or concealed). look at page 17 & 18 the handgun info is there.

Okay you sucked me in again but I just can't allow the spreading of false information. Covering it while hunting is not a problem permit or not. There is no law against this. The permit to carry in MN is a permit to carry. Concealment has ABSOLUTELY no bearing in MN period!!!!! Let's get it right, please.

Minnesota law says absolutely nothing about concealment. If it does, prove me wrong so I don't continue to spread falsehood.

[BobT]

Here's some additional information I will share from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension HSOforum regarding this subject.

I've heard it suggested that having a permit requires one must conceal their weapon. This is not true in Minnesota. The law merely allows you to carry a handgun in public places where otherwise prohibited without a permit. Be sure you know where those places are because you are still restricted from certain public places even if you do have a permit.

Quote:

PERMIT TO CARRY

Under Minnesota law, individuals must obtain a permit to carry a handgun in public. There is no stipulation in the law regarding whether that weapon must be concealed.

An average Joe is able to own, carry, and use a pistol under the following guidelines without a permit.

Quote:

When is a permit to carry not required?

A permit to carry is not required of a person: (Minnesota Statute 624.714 Subd. 9)

To keep or carry about the person's place of business, dwelling house, premises or on land possessed by the person a pistol; To carry a pistol from a place of purchase to the person's dwelling house or place of business, or from the person's dwelling house or place of business to or from a place where repairing is done, to have the pistol repaired;

To carry a pistol between the person's dwelling house and place of business;

To carry a pistol in the woods or fields or upon the waters of this state for the purpose of hunting or of target shooting in a safe area;

To transport a pistol in a motor vehicle, snowmobile or boat if the pistol is unloaded, contained in a closed and fastened case, gun box, or securely tied package.

One thing for permit holders to remember. If you do have a permit you must have it with you at all times while you have your handgun with you.

Quote:

Do I need to have my permit with me when carrying my pistol?

Yes, the permit holder must have the permit card and a valid driver’s license, state identification card, or other government-issued photo identification in immediate possession at all times when carrying a pistol and must display the permit card and identification document when requested by a peace officer.

The following is very similar to how we used to have to transport rifles and shotguns prior to the case law change two years ago.

Quote:

How can I legally transport a firearm from one place to another without obtaining a permit to carry?

Transporting firearms without a permit requires the person to have the firearm unloaded and fully enclosed in a case made to contain a firearm. For full details on transporting firearms, refer to Minnesota Statute 97B.045, Transportation of Firearms.

Quote:

If I have a permit to carry a pistol do I have to conceal the pistol?

No. Minnesota’s Personal Protection Act is a permit to carry law, not a conceal and carry law. The pistol does not need to be concealed, but can be concealed.

The whole point is this. If you are a Minnesota resident carrying a handgun where it is legal for you to carry your handgun in MN such as while hunting or target shooting where it is legal to use a handgun for said purpose then you do not need a permit and you do not need to conceal it nor are you prohibited from concealing it. For example, I do not have a permit but where I hunt deer it is legal for me to use a handgun to hunt deer and I am within my rights to carry a handgun to hunt deer whether I carry it in the palm of my hand, in a hip holster as I do, or in a shoulder holster under my coat, which at times I do to protect it from the elements when necessary.

I have yet to find any law that prohibits me from carrying it under my coat while using it for legal purposes such as hunting or target shooting. If I am wrong, I would like be corrected and please cite the statutes that apply so I can look them up.

I hope this is helpful.

[LucasMN]

Uh..Thanks for all that I guess? Might be informative for someone? I know the laws regarding the carry permit.

My question was if it's legal to take small game with a handgun in MN, which has not been answered and I could not find in the regulations book. I wasn't asking about the legalities of carrying a handgun.

[lotsofish]

Yes it's legal. The caliber restrictions only apply to large game and now wolves (and some shot-size restrictions that I'm not exactly sure of.)

You would not be allowed to shoot small game with your 9mm 5 days before and 2 days after firearms deer season. As a carry permit holder, you could bring it with you into the woods "for the purpose authorized".

[Dave S]

Uh..Thanks for all that I guess? Might be informative for someone? I know the laws regarding the carry permit.

My question was if it's legal to take small game with a handgun in MN, which has not been answered and I could not find in the regulations book. I wasn't asking about the legalities of carrying a handgun.

If you read back through the posts, Bob wasn't posting in reply to you. Yes you asked a simple question but some bad information was given and Bob simply posted the correct info. No harm done.

[LucasMN]

Yes it's legal. The caliber restrictions only apply to large game and now wolves (and some shot-size restrictions that I'm not exactly sure of.)

You would not be allowed to shoot small game with your 9mm 5 days before and 2 days after firearms deer season. As a carry permit holder, you could bring it with you into the woods "for the purpose authorized".

Thank you.

[Tom7227]

Answer to the posed question is yes.

[mnclayshooter]

First off, I know this is an older thread, I also realize that I'm not directly answering the original question posted but I'd like to throw out a couple of things to highly consider to anyone who searched and found this just like I did.

1) If I offered a suggestion that started with - why would you consider taking legal advice from an internet posting board? what would your response be? If I were you, I would call the DNR and the county Sheriff where you'll be possibly hunting with your handgun to check with them. The other hunters on here won't be writing you tickets or taking you to jail, but the the CO's and LEO's might. They're probably the best resource. Just my opinion though.

2) If I could offer one piece of advice from someone who legally hunts (yes, I do get the irony)with a pistol for small game... hollow points, man... hollow points. Ricochets happen with ALL ammo. Hollow points at least cut down the distance and impact energy after a ricochet or more likely a clean through-shot on small game. FMJ are fine for target shooting into a bullet trap or sand/dirt berm, but man, they skip a long ways off of rocks or water or even edges of trees/branches... I sure would hate to be the guy on the other end of your trail with my shotgun and bird shot or sitting in the living room of a cabin sipping a cocktail taking a stray round from your 9mm. Just a thought. I personally carry a .22 pistol for small game which is more than enough bang, but that's just my preference.

Have fun... be safe/legal. There's a lot of us out in those woods sometimes... I'd like to believe that the others out there are thinking more about safety than filling a game tag.

[BobT]

Regarding point #2, why is this any more of a concern than it would be using high-powered rifles, black powder rifles, black powder handguns, or arrows? I'm not arguing the potential danger as you mention but the point I am trying to make is this. Why turn something into a handgun issue that has nothing to do with it being a handgun as opposed to any other type of weapon?

[GSP4EVER]

I know Im really late to the party, but are the use of FMJ while hunting even legal. I dont have a regulations book infront of me, but doesn't it say in there the ammunition has to be an expandable type bullet.

[mnclayshooter]

You're absolutely right, Bob. I was only referring to handguns because of the original poster's question about hunting with a handgun... and because I found this thread by searching google for "hunting small game in Minnesota with a handgun". I figured someone else might also stumble into it that way.

[mnclayshooter]

I believe it says expanding bullets for BIG GAME, not really any prescriptive requriements for small game that I could find. Again, I wouldn't rest on the legal expertise of me or anyone else on here... I would follow up with the DNR if you are considering hunting with a rifle/pistol for small game just to make sure.

[magnum mike]

FYI - the 9mm restriction does not apply since it is NOT a legal cartrige for big game.

[Old Dewjabber]

FYI - the 9mm restriction does not apply since it is NOT a legal cartrige for big game.

This is a wrong answer!

22-250, .223, .243, 270,30-06, Aren't legal for deer here either. But you better beware of when you can have them out in the field.

[GSP4EVER]

This is a wrong answer!

22-250, .223, .243, 270,30-06, Aren't legal for deer here either. But you better beware of when you can have them out in the field.

I believe both of these to be wrong! The restrictions for big game is .22 caliber or larger and centerfire for handgun or rifle. So, the 9mm would be leagl for big gam as well as the calibers you listed if your using a pistol (such as T/C Encore or Contender) if your talking about the shotgun zone. With that being said, the original question was about handguns for small game not big game.

Since my last post, I looked around and can't find anything against using FMJ.

[Old Dewjabber]

I'm not wrong!!

Page 18

No person may possess a firearm or ammunition outdoors during the period beginning the fifth day before the open firearms season and ending the second day after the close of the season within an area where deer may be legally taken by firearms, except:

• A person who has a valid firearms big game license in possession may hunt big game during the open season with a firearm and ammunition authorized for big game.

• Possession is also legal under these conditions:

a) An unloaded firearm that is cased or in a closed trunk of a

motor vehicle.

A shotgun and shells containing No. 4 buckshot or smaller diameter lead shot or nontoxic shot.

c) A .22 caliber rimfire handgun or rifle with .22 caliber short, long, or long rifle cartridges, .22 magnum or .17 caliber rimfire.

d) Handguns possessed by a person with a carry permit.

e) On a target range or under a target range permit issued by a conservation

[mainbutter]

22-250, .223, .243, 270,30-06, Aren't legal for deer here either.

Did you mean "Are" instead of "Aren't"?

All those centerfire calibers ARE legal for deer in MN..

[Whoaru99]

Perhaps the poster making that statement is from the shotgun-only zone and is unaware of the legality of using centerfire rifle in the upper portion of the state, VERY GENERICALLY North of a diagonal line from Taylor's Falls to Moorhead.

More specifically to the point though, the hunting regulations must be checked because there are some small game specifics based on the critter you're going after.