All Season deer licence in a lottery zone-beware

[BLACKJACK]

Just went out and bought my deer license at lunch time and the license agent pointed out to me that even though I would be getting three deer tags - two antlerless and one buck tag - with the license, one of the deer would need to be shot in a Managed or Intensive zone. He even produced a chart sent out by the DNR that proved his point. I don't know why they didn't include that chart in the Rules and Regs book, probably because the DNR has had so many questions that they developed the chart later.

So be aware of your exact options when buying the All Season license. In my case I contemplated just buying a firearms license and an archery license, but the All Season gives me more flexibility and that’s what I went with.

[snapcrackpop]

Unless you are using a bow or muzzleloader during those seasons, then you can use all three in "all open deer areas".

[Froggy4371]

Sorry Blackjack but I have to disagree with you here. I looked at the regs and spoke with a warden (since there was 7 having a meeting in my town today). We are in a lottery area and the ONLY way you can shoot ONE doe is to get drawn. You can also shoot ONE buck. You can shoot the other doe during the ML season or Bow and Arrow season. So you were kind of right by not being able to use it during the Firearms season but you do not have to go to a different area to shoot the second doe.

Froggy

[chucker34]

As you may have read from an earlier post, I contacted the DNR several times on this to understand and the conclusion that was drawn (finally) was that with the all-season license in a lottery area, you can take one buck during firearms season and one doe IF you get drawn for a permit. Otherwise, you have to go elsewhere (non-lottery areas) to get a doe(s). So in that case, an all-season license would make no sense.

But, I checked and was reassured several times that you can take 3 deer (one buck plus two does) during bow or muzzleloader seasons with the all-season license in a lottery area. Kind of a confusing situation (and a little perplexing)if you ask me. But at least they're doing something to try and manage deer by specific areas versus one blanket policy.

[harvey lee]

This is one of the reason that I quit hunting Minnesota.You need to read and call to understand all the laws and rules.To much to understand and follow.It use to be easy to hunt deer.

[gorrilla]

Harvey lee, is the other reason you quit is that you live in Arlington. I grew up in Glencoe and I don't miss all the road hunters and black desert myself...

[BLACKJACK]

All I know is the chart that was sent to the license guy BY THE DNR specifically listed only two deer if you were in a lottery zone.

[BLACKJACK]

From the DNR HSOforum under deer hunting regs/lottery areas:

All-Season Deer: If hunting with a bow or muzzleloader, a hunter can use the antlerless portion of their license to take an antlerless deer without applying in the lottery. Firearm hunters must apply for the lottery if they want to take an antlerless deer. Successful lottery applicants may use the antlerless portion of their license to tag the deer. There is a two deer limit in lottery areas for All-Season Deer License holders.

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note the part about the 2 deer limit! You guys do what you want, but I'll be shooting one of my deer in a Managed deer area.

[BLACKJACK]

harveylee, my in-laws live in Wisconsin and several times I've picked up the Wisconsin deer regs, they're twice as hard to understand!!! Part of it is what you're used to.

[Outdoors_guy]

The 2 deer limit they are talking about is during slug hunting in the lottery area. If you apply for a doe tag and get it then you can take a doe and a buck during shotgun. If you don't apply you can only take a buck during shotgun. So if you get the permit you get to take 2 deer a buck and a doe during slug hunting and if you just tag a buck you can still take 2 deer in bow or muzzle loading seasons. Total of 3 deer. If you don't get the permit all you can shhot is 1 buck and you can take 2 doe during bow or muzzle loading seasons. Total of 3 deer. The only thing different is the permit which allows for one of the 2 does you can shoot to be taken during slug hunting. That is specifically what the Dnr agent said when i called and asked them about it.

[lcornice]

In lottery areas during the firearm season, the limit is 2 deer and you MUST apply by Sept. 7th if you want to take that second deer. You can add the third by hunting archery or muzzleloader. the problem with lottery areas is the vast majority of antlerless harvest occurs during the gun season, so that one is regulated more closely. Archery and muzzleloader, while increasing, still represents a small percentage of the total kill.

In actuality the flowchart you're describing does have an error in the all-season box. You can kill 3 deer in lottery areas, you just have to do it in more than one season. The regulations book is correct for all areas. Also, in managed and intensive areas, you can use that buck tag on an antlerless deer. It's now an either-sex tag so don't feel compelled to blast a forkhorn and then complain about no big bucks in Minnesota. Take a doe instead.

Post if that doesn't clear it up.

[BLACKJACK]

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In actuality the flowchart you're describing does have an error in the all-season box.

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That would explain why the licence agent was so adament that you could only shoot two deer in a lottery area. lcornice, how do you know that there is an error in the flowchart? Is that your interpretation or did someone from the DNR tell you that?

[Mark Christianson]

Yeah Blackjack!

Whats that lcornice guy know about deer????

Kiddin'!!!!! I have a hunch he knows a bunch o' stuff...........

[lcornice]

Quote:

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Quote:

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In actuality the flowchart you're describing does have an error in the all-season box.

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That would explain why the licence agent was so adament that you could only shoot two deer in a lottery area. lcornice, how do you know that there is an error in the flowchart? Is that your interpretation or did someone from the DNR tell you that?

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Would the answer "trust me, I just know" be acceptable? If so, lets go with that one.

[chucker34]

The archery section of the regs specifically states:

"LOTTERY DEER AREAS

Archery hunters can take a deer of either-sex in the lottery deer areas listed on page 69. All-seaon hunters may take up to three deer during the archery season but only two can be antlerless. Bonus permits are not valid in lottery deer areas."

The muzzleloader section contains a similar provision for the muzzleloader season.

Believe me, it is confusing and very irritating to figure out. I called 5 people - yes 5 - at the DNR before I got a friendly and helpful gentleman who said they've been getting a lot of calls on this but you can take up to 3 deer in a lottery area provided you follow the confusing regs and use the right weapons to do so.

[Mark Christianson]

I keep telling myself I need to get my nose in the regs and figure it out, but I find myself saying "I'll do it tomorrow".

[BLACKJACK]

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"trust me"

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Thats what I tell my wife too!!!!

Thanks for the info. I guess the concensus is that three deer CAN be shot in a lottery area. I don't know why I'm worried though, I end up eating 'tag soup' quite a few years anyway.

Went out to the DNR site yesterday looking for that flowchart that was sent to the license agents, couldn't find it, does anyone know if it has been posted on the DNR site. It might answer a lot of questions for people....

One more question that I have, in a lottery area with the All season licence, can I shoot all three deer with my bow, or does one of them HAVE to be shot with a gun?

[chucker34]

I'm pretty sure all 3 can be bow. I am thinking about getting a smokepole here soon and would like to go for the trifecta - one with each weapon. I know my wife will be extremely pleased about this. But she actually encouraged me to go on an out of state deer hunt guided by an outfitter. You should do it know, she said, because in a couple of years and a few kids later, you won't be doing it. We're not loaded by any means, but she's just that kind of gal. I thought about it and told her I'd rather buy some hunting equipment like a smokepole and a nice buddy stand, etc., that I can use for the next 20 years. I should get my trophy in that time period. She backed herself into that corner.

[Kodiak]

"this is the email that i got back from the dnr i am hunting in southwestern minnesota, i dont know how much this will help but whatever".

With the all season license, you can shoot a buck by archery and up to 2 antlerless deer by firearms, because you will be hunting in a managed area. You are limited to one buck. You can use the tags in any order.

Suellen Rau, Supervisor

Information Center

MN Department of Natural Resources

Bureau of Information & Education

500 Lafayette Rd

St. Paul, MN 55155-4040

651/296-6157

[email protected]

[lcornice]

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"trust me"

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Thats what I tell my wife too!!!!

Thanks for the info. I guess the concensus is that three deer CAN be shot in a lottery area. I don't know why I'm worried though, I end up eating 'tag soup' quite a few years anyway.

Went out to the DNR site yesterday looking for that flowchart that was sent to the license agents, couldn't find it, does anyone know if it has been posted on the DNR site. It might answer a lot of questions for people....

One more question that I have, in a lottery area with the All season licence, can I shoot all three deer with my bow, or does one of them HAVE to be shot with a gun?

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The previous question was can three deer be shot in a lottery area during the firearm season and the answer is no. However when you mix and match seasons OR hunt just the archery and/or muzzleloader seasons, the answer is yes. Unfortunately, the legislature changed the wording on the license last year when they added the three tags, which has led to some of the confusion. My guess is it'll get worked out next session. For example, in managed and intensive areas, why can't you just take 3 does in the firearm season? The short answer is the statute specificially forbids it. So, you have to mix and match seasons to make it work. I realize it's difficult to explain but realistically, the third deer and what you can do really doesn't impact a lot of people. Harvest data shows that 75% of people kill 1 deer, 20% kill 2, and 5% kill 3 or more.

I'm done. Any more explaining and I'll just make it more confusing!

[snapcrackpop]

So... you cannot shoot 3 DOES, just 2 does and a buck.

The confusing part is the "either sex" tag. Really it is a buck only tag.

You CAN tag an anterless with the "either sex" tag ONLY if you don't use both "anterless" tags.

Wow, thanks for the clarification.

Right?

[Mark Christianson]

Good stuff I say lcornice!

Its a bear to try and read some of the stuff with a really open mind, and make sense of it.

[BLACKJACK]

Thanks for answering my questions lcornice!!!

Bow opener in 16 days!!!!!!!

[bigbucks]

The way I look at it, is if it gets to be mid to late December & I still haven't filled my buck tag & a doe (heck maybe even a fawn, depends on how cold it is) walks by I can just go ahead & whack her & call it a season...

This is assuming my other 4 doe tags have been used, which chances are they won't all be used, but I think it did happen once maybe, at least prior to December. I'm just as likely to be hunting with no buck tag instead. Gotta be honest, personally I've never seen a buck while hunting in December, but I don't usually hunt more than 2-3 times in December either.

[BLACKJACK]

By December those fawns are pretty good sized too!! And tasty eating!