No range finders allowed for MN Turkey Hunting ??

[brittman]

On another thread there was a topic that cropped up.

The user posted that no range finders could be used for turkey hunting. While I do not use one ... it seems like a very poorly thought out rule.

Anyone confirm that this true and the reasoning behind the rule ?

[jentz]

Why would anyone need one?? Then with the extra movement who would want one?

[walleyeking19]

From the DNR page:

GENERAL RESTRICTIONS

• Wild turkeys may not be taken with the aid of any electronic device, except that red dot scopes and hearing aids or other devices designed to enhance hearing may be used.

Doesnt exactly say no rangefinders, so it's a gray area. I dont really know why they'd be illegal..

[brittman]

Why would anyone need one?? Then with the extra movement who would want one?

Any hunter in a blind.

Especially hunters new to turkey hunting to ensure they are in range.

Turkeys injured, but not retrieved most often occurs when birds are shot at out of range ?

If I have plenty of time to set up or set up in an "usual" spot - I use trees, downfalls, and large rocks as range points.

[rkhinrichs]

Im all for them! sometimes the size of a turkey can make you miss judge the distance.

[mnhunter2]

Would seem clear that range finders for turkey hunting are not legal!

[triggertrav]

am i a poacher because i use my rangefinder while archery hunting turkeys? 5 yards off on a bird with a bow and could mean a wounded bird.

seems like bad wording to the regs.

[triggertrav]

how about if i video tape it? that's an electronic device - not a real law, poor wording.

[bobbymalone]

how about if i video tape it? that's an electronic device - not a real law, poor wording.

i don't think it's that poorly worded. Does your video camera aid you in hunting? No.

I wouldn't say you are poacher if you want to use a rangefinder at 5 yards on a turkey, but I would say you should probably get some more confidence in your abilities and learn to eyeball short distances. Really we are talking about 30-40 yards here. I don't care about youtube videos of lucky shots at 85 yards.

For shotgunning too, I'm not sure why you would need a rangefinger for the distances you might shoot a turkey. If it's that far you out you should maybe just hold off pulling the trigger. I'm not good at estimating longer distances, but I'm pretty good about knowing where to point the gun and pull the trigger at shotgun ranges and when to not pull the trigger.

IMO rangefinders are for stuff out 100yds or more. Still I don't understand the need for the law if you want to rock that thing. I'd be 100% OK with rewriting it as a no electronic calls law.

[walleyeking19]

I think if you hunt in the woods where you have landmarks for distances it's not a big deal. But I mostly hunt fields for turkeys, so it's nice to have a rangefinder to make sure he's within range for an ethical shot. I want to make sure I can kill the bird quickly.

I guess I'll have to go out before my season and place rocks at certain distances in the dirt so I'm 100% on it all!

[IlliniWalli]

i'd say no electronic devices means no battery operated game calls or battery operated motion decoys. if i had a range finder i wouldnt be afraid of using it

i rarely use a blind and/or decoy setup but when i do i step off 20 yards to place the deeks then i know if the tom is halfway to the decoys, he's close enough to shoot

[Archerysniper]

It is not legal to use the range finder on the bird it self. You can use it to range objects around the bird however.

[not_nuf_time]

I'm pretty sure that idea would hold up well with a CO.

[DonBo]

Quote:

It is not legal to use the range finder on the bird it self. You can use it to range objects around the bird however.

Quote:

I'm pretty sure that idea would hold up well with a CO.

A CO told me this exactly. Use it to range objects around you and you're good to go.

[PurpleFloyd]

That seems to gray to me. I would think the law would be you can either have a rangefinder in your possession or not. Otherwise it is virtually impossible to enforce.

"No officer or Your honor, I was not using the range finder to range the bird, I was using it to range the blade of grass he is standing on"

[brittman]

This is another example of complex laws that are defined too vaguely in the DNR Hunting regulations.

The rangefinder should be legal for those wanting to use it on deer, turkeys or any other game animal.

1) Rangefinders do not attract game

2) Rangefinders allow a hunter to accurately determine if the quarry is in their effective kill range

3) May lead to some improvement in safety because the user is taking time to assess the whole situation.

I have no iron in this fire. Do not use a range finder and do not even own one. Take that back, I do use a range finder on the occassion that I am golfing with my older son.

[rbs]

Pretty sure there isn't any CO that is gonna give you grief about a rangefinder...stupid law

[bluehat28]

I agree with most of the statements on this thread, except for the fact the Game Warden at the State run turkey clinic I attended 4 years back brought it up and told us not to have a range finder in possession. I hunt mostly from a blind and set up early, I check the distance to objects ahead of time or if field hunting put small sticks up at given distances. I agree this needs to be law needs to be revised. I mentor lots of new turkey hunters and I think this saves some crippled and lost birds.

[bluehat28]

It looks like the legislature is addressing this issue in bill #HR2852 lines 15.20,15.21 and 15.22 lets hope it passes. blue

[Wanderer]

A CO told me this exactly. Use it to range objects around you and you're good to go.

My guess is the COs think it's a badly worded law too and have the discretion to allow a work around.

Unintended consequences through interpretation is the problem here.