Regulation Question....

[luv2fish]

I have rifled hunted for 20 years in zone 2. This year my son and I will be archery hunting in a different zone/area. I plan on asking a CO friend of mine this Saturday to make sure I have this completely right. But I just got done reading the regs. The Rifle zone is Hunters Choice and the Archery zone is the metro zone. Here is what I understand.... Let me know where I messed up.

- I can only take 1 buck period in the state of MN regardless of zone/weapon.

- If I take a Buck in Archery season, I can still use my rifle tag to take a Doe.

- If I take a Buck in Rifle season, I can still take a Doe in the metro zone without buying an antlerless tag (use my main archery tag)

Is this how you more seasoned archery guys read it? FYI - I don't plan on taking more than 1 or 2 deer between my sons and myself. I just want to make sure I completely understand the law before I head to the woods. And I will ask a CO this weekend, just curious of everyone else's read of the regs.

[BoxMN]

(editted out my comments, I think I was wrong....)

Will be interesting to see if anyone says that is incorrect, because I am in same situation, but I also bow hunt in a different hunters choice, so once i shoot any deer outside of the metro, or a buck in metro, I am done with both bow and rifle the way I read it.

edit - actually I read it again like you listed and that does seem correct the way you are reading it, so I think I am wrong. Will wait for others to see what they say, but now I think you are correct

[harvey lee]

If I take a Buck in Archery season, I can still use my rifle tag to take a Doe.

Only one I would question is the one listed above. Don't u have to have a doe permit to harvest a doe during gun season unless you are a mgmt. area or intensive harvest area?

I did not think one could harvest a doe in a zone during gun season unless you have a doe permit, maybe I am wrong but that is how I thought it worked.

[ANYFISH2]

Luv2fish, it first glance your points are correct. You can still use both main tags.

Harvey, hunters choice is either sex, one deer, using your main tag, so yes he could shoot a doe with either weapons main tag.

[luv2fish]

If I take a Buck in Archery season, I can still use my rifle tag to take a Doe.

Harvey - This really depends on what zone/s.... If you hunt (archery and rifle) in a Hunters choice area, then no you cannot. Most of the state is Buck only, Lottery (doe permit), or Hunters choice (1 or the other). If you hunt in any one of these types of zones this year, my understanding is that you get 1 deer.... Archery or Rifle. Even if they are different Hunters Choice zones.

Just my understanding....

[ANYFISH2]

(editted out my comments, I think I was wrong....)

Will be interesting to see if anyone says that is incorrect, because I am in same situation, but I also bow hunt in a different hunters choice, so once i shoot any deer outside of the metro, or a buck in metro, I am done with both bow and rifle the way I read it.

edit - actually I read it again like you listed and that does seem correct the way you are reading it, so I think I am wrong. Will wait for others to see what they say, but now I think you are correct

Box,

If you use your main tag in the metro, you will not be able to hunt hunters choice or lottery areas with THAT WEAPON(unless party hunting).

You can still shoot antlerless deer in the metro using bonus tags regardless of what you shoot and tag with your main tag in a hunters choice.

If you shoot an early buck with the BOW in the metro, you could still hunt and tag a doe with your main RIFLE tag in a hunters choice.

If you shoot an early doe with the BOW in the metro (and for some reason use your main tag). You could still hunt and tag a doe or buck in hunters choice with your RIFLE tag.

If you shoot a doe in hunters choice with the BOW, you can still tag a buck or doe with your main RIFLE tag in the metro zone.

[luv2fish]

Page 71 of the reg book is where I am getting most of my info. Here is the parts I am referring to...

Statewide Bag Limits for Deer

A hunter may tag one legal buck per year, without exception. Although

hunters can buy all three licenses, the bag limits may not allow all three tags to

be filled in a single deer area. It is the hunter’s responsibility to know the bag

limit for the areas they hunt. The statewide bag limit for deer is five.

Bucks-only Deer Areas—The bag limit is one legal buck total per year

(see page 72), regardless of license type or season. No antlerless deer may be

harvested, by anyone, in a bucks-only area. If you take a deer in a bucks-only

deer area, you cannot take another deer in another bucks-only, lottery or

hunter choice deer area. However, you can take antlerless deer in managed

or intensive deer areas, as well as some special hunt areas with a valid permit,

provided you adhere to the regulations and bag limits for those areas. Bonus

permits are not valid in bucks-only deer areas.

Lottery Deer Areas—The bag limit is one deer total per year, regardless of

license type. An either-sex permit is required to take antlerless deer in lottery

deer areas. If you take a deer in a lottery deer area, you cannot take another

deer in another bucks-only, lottery or hunter choice deer area. However, you

can take deer in managed or intensive deer areas, as well as some special hunt

areas with a valid permit, provided you adhere to the regulations and bag

limits for those areas. Bonus permits are not valid in lottery deer areas.

Hunter Choice Deer Areas—The bag limit is one either-sex deer total per

year, regardless of license type. If you take a deer in a hunter choice deer area,

you cannot take another deer in another bucks-only, lottery, or hunter choice

deer area. However, you can take deer in managed or intensive deer areas, as

well as some special hunt areas with a valid permit, provided you adhere to

the regulations and bag limits for those areas. Bonus permits are not valid in

hunter choice deer areas.

[luv2fish]

Anyfish - That is how I read it too....

[ANYFISH2]

Harvey - This really depends on what zone/s.... If you hunt (archery and rifle) in a Hunters choice area, then no you cannot. Most of the state is Buck only, Lottery (doe permit), or Hunters choice (1 or the other). If you hunt in any one of these types of zones this year, my understanding is that you get 1 deer.... Archery or Rifle. Even if they are different Hunters Choice zones.

Just my understanding....

I agree also.

One deer in hunters choice/lotto/bucks only, TOTAL.

[Hoyt4]

[Jameson]

...

- I can only take 1 buck period in the state of MN regardless of zone/weapon.

- If I take a Buck in Archery season in the metro, I can still use my rifle tag to take a Doe in a hunter choice area.

- If I take a Buck in Rifle season in hunter choice area, I can still take a Doe in the metro zone without buying an antlerless tag (use my main archery tag)...

I added the red text just for clarification. Pretty sure you would be legal.

[luv2fish]

Thanks for adding that for me, yes I think I am good too.

[Powerstroke]

I would most certainly check with the CO. Based on the regulations stating statewide bag limits, if you took a buck in the metro on your archery tag then you are done hunting in any other 1 deer zone. The regulations clearly state that weapon choice does not matter anymore.

In other words, if you shoot a buck with your bow (it doesn't matter what zone you shoot it in) then you are done hunting in all of the 1 deer zones. You are no longer allowed to hunt a 1 deer zone because you have already filled your 1-deer limit.

*The only exception to this rule may be for party hunting. I would double check.

It has been the same in the past few years. Once you fill a regular weapon tag the count starts.

This rule prevents people from taking 1 deer in each zone that allows one deer.

If you're getting tripped up on the metro zone, remember that the only special rule about the metro zone is the unlimited antlerless tags. Since you didn't ask about filling an antlerless tag first, you asked about a buck, then you would NOT be allowed to gun hunt for a doe.

[Hoyt4]

Correct powerstroke

[ANYFISH2]

I would most certainly check with the CO. Based on the regulations stating statewide bag limits, if you took a buck in the metro on your archery tag then you are done hunting in any other 1 deer zone. The regulations clearly state that weapon choice does not matter .

Not saying your wrong, however where do you read this?

I didn't see a rule change stating this. For years, I could tag two in a managed zone and still tag one in a hunters choice. 3 total to statewide limit of 5.

Buck in metro + 1 (doe) in hc equals two toward state wide limit. But still falls within area limits.

[luv2fish]

I did talk to a CO and you are incorrect (I was told that the CO would double check to make sure). You are only allowed to take 1 deer in ANY 1 deer zone with ANY weapon. You were also correct that the weapon of choice does not matter, but ONLY in 1 deer zones. But since the Metro is not a 1 deer zone I can take a buck in the metro and then use my rifle tag to take a doe up in rifle season. If you see something in the regs I am missing, please let me know the page and section.... or copy and paste like I did before.

Thanks!

[Jameson]

I would most certainly check with the CO. Based on the regulations stating statewide bag limits, if you took a buck in the metro on your archery tag then you are done hunting in any other 1 deer zone. The regulations clearly state that weapon choice does not matter anymore.

In other words, if you shoot a buck with your bow (it doesn't matter what zone you shoot it in) then you are done hunting in all of the 1 deer zones. You are no longer allowed to hunt a 1 deer zone because you have already filled your 1-deer limit.

*The only exception to this rule may be for party hunting. I would double check.

It has been the same in the past few years. Once you fill a regular weapon tag the count starts.

This rule prevents people from taking 1 deer in each zone that allows one deer.

If you're getting tripped up on the metro zone, remember that the only special rule about the metro zone is the unlimited antlerless tags. Since you didn't ask about filling an antlerless tag first, you asked about a buck, then you would NOT be allowed to gun hunt for a doe.

incorrect.

We are allowed one deer from one-deer zones. If we shoot a deer in a managed, intensive, or metro zone then we are NOT done in one-deer zones.

Powerstroke I know you applied to be a CO not long ago. Where are you getting your regulations from? If they are in the normal regulation book that everyone gets to see please share the regulation page.

[harvey lee]

The way I understand this law is, I can take more than one doe in the metro zone with my bow and I can still hunt in a 1 deer zone for a buck.

Now, If I shoot a buck in the metro, than I cannot shoot another in any zone, got my 1 buck for the season in mn.

If I am wrong, please correct me.

[TattooedHunter]

Once your main tag is used. You cannot hunt in any one deer zones, as you cannot use Bonus tags in one deer zones. Pages 81, 82 & 91 of the Regs book.

[ANYFISH2]

Harvey, my understanding is if you shoot a buck in the metro (assuming bow) you could not shoot any deer in HC, LOTTERY, or BUCKS ONLY with your BOW. Because you main tag is used. ( Party hunting excluded).

However, you could still shoot a DOE in HC or LOTTERY (if drawn) with rifle or muzzy.

[Hoyt4]

One deer only on your main tag either a buck or doe. Once that tag is filled you cannot take another deer unless party hunting. You can shoot a doe or more in the metro with getting extra bonus tags. You cannot get more then one deer off one main tag.

[harvey lee]

The way I understand this law is, I can take more than one doe in the metro zone with my bow and I can still hunt in a 1 deer zone for a buck.

Now, If I shoot a buck in the metro, than I cannot shoot another in any zone, got my 1 buck for the season in mn.

If I am wrong, please correct me.

I should restate what I said.

Can I shoot a doe in the metro with my bow, then also shoot a buck in my lottery zone or a doe if I have a doe tag with my shotgun?

[Powerstroke]

removed due to incorrect info'

powerstroke

[Powerstroke]

Removed

Powerstroke

[harvey lee]

Quick call to the DNR and I have my answers.

I can use my archery license in the Metro zone to harvest a doe and can get extra rags for doe's. I can then also hunt my lottery zone with my gun license for a buck and or a does if I were to draw a doe tag.

I could also get a Metro gun doe tag and fill that and then also take a buck in my lottery zone with my slug gun.