Proposed Reg changes for shooting from roads...

[lichen fox]

The way I read it...you could still use #5-6-7-8 & 9 shot and hunt from the road...Just wondering what others think of these proposed changes...

Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.055, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Restrictions related to highways. (a) A person may not discharge a firearm or an arrow from a bow containing No. 4 buckshot or larger diameter shot or single projectile ammunition on, over, or across, or within the right-of-way of an improved public highway at a big game wild animal. A person may not discharge a firearm or an arrow from a bow and arrow on, over, across, or within the right-of-way of an improved public highway at a big game wild animal. The commissioner may by rule extend the application of this subdivision to the taking of migratory waterfowl in designated locations.

[Jameson]

There must be some sort of enforcement nightmare to be contemplating this change. I suppose keeping the law the way it is leaves a loophole for someone to say they were shooting rabbits with their 30.06.

[lichen fox]

Yes you're right...currently you can shoot at a "small game" animal from a road right of way with a high-power rifle, a .22 rimfire, muzzeloader, shotgun with any load or bow...This new proposed legislation makes shooting any wild animal from or in a road right of way illegal...that includes skunks, coyotes, pheasant, grouse, striped gophers...and yes rabbits too! While it may not make much difference on roads that border private property, where the landowner controls access to the center of the road...I'm wondering how it will affect hunting the ditches...or "right of ways" on public lands? How far from the center of the road is considered "right of way" on a forest road for example? I don't walk roads much anymore for birds so it will not make a big effect on my bird hunting, but it will change varmint hunting when I have to clear the right of way before I start shooting at coyote! Especially if the ditch is full of snow!!

[fivebucks]

Actually you could still use anything less than #4 buckshot so BB, T, 2 shot, 4 shot and so on would all be legal. It would make all rifles and even a pellet gun unlawful.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

Actually you could still use anything less than #4 buckshot so BB, T, 2 shot, 4 shot and so on would all be legal. It would make all rifles and even a pellet gun unlawful.

That's how it reads to me.

[Tom7227]

I can't find the bill when searching the legislative HSOforum. Do you have a senate or house file number? I am not sure what the proposal is attempting to do but it seems to me that there's a problem with enforcement. How would a CO know what size pellet you shot? I've got some old rounds that the labels have worn off and i don't think you could tell what it was just by looking at the hull.

[lichen fox]

H.F.2171

[Tom7227]

That looks like what is known as the omnibus natural resources bill and i think it most often is supported by the DNR. This provision makes very little sense to me.

[Tom7227]

I guess that I'm not up on my politics. Rep. Hackbarth is the author. Is he supportive of the DNR or does he throw stuff out there to stir things up? BTW there is no similar bill in the Senate and so I doubt that this boat is going to float.

[fivebucks]

I can see the sense in it. It would still allow shotguns for bird hunters but would eliminate rifles or slugs - the things that travel further. It would make no difference shooting away from the road but I bet he would want to eliminate shooting along the road - say at a deer 200 yards up the ditch from you. I would rather they amend the wording to you cannot shoot at an animal within 20 yards of a road with a rifle etc. Anyhow as you say it probably won't go thru so this is just morning talk before work starts

[PurpleFloyd]

Looks like that would put a dent in my striped gopher hunting. IMHO that will hurt the townships as they can be a real problem if not kept in check.

I wonder how much of it might be caused by the wild west- no ho;ds barred coyote hunting that happens in the winter.In some locations it is getting pretty aggressive with the high powered rifles and vehicles running around after them.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

I wonder how much of it might be caused by the wild west- no holds barred coyote hunting that happens in the winter.In some locations it is getting pretty aggressive with the high powered rifles and vehicles running around after them.

Yeah it's getting pretty bad. I know one group of guys that was bragging after a bar hunt that the only time they got out of the truck was to pick up the yotes they shot out the window running and gunning. Happens too often and people are starting to shut down land access due to it; both eastern SD and western MN.

I'm curious what the state's definition of "improved highway" is? Does that mean paved roads? Gravel roads with ditches?

[Eric Wettschreck]

I'm really not up on politics. Did this go through?

[lichen fox]

I checked the statute and it did not change...so, the answer is...No! it did not pass...so everything is the same as last year...it only applies to shooting at "big game animals" and "decoys"...