Was drawn (first time) for MN Spring turkey lottery - can I use a bow?

[zumbromuskie]

I've been bow hunting deer for years but never turkey hunted before. The regs are confusing and obviously I plan to attend a couple seminars soon. Am I allowed to use my bow for the MN Spring Lottery hunt? I assume I could use a firearm or my bow (not both obviously). Am I correct?

[dhuth]

Yes.

[NWBuck]

If it's like Iowa, there's no reason you couldn't have both along if you choose to.

[Borch]

As long as you meet the legal requirement for each there's nothing in the regs that say you can't carry both. That's a lot of stuff to carry though.

[tedl]

I thought archery tags for turkey were over the counter. isn't the lottery only for shotgun?

[Archerysniper]

No you can draw a tag and use your bow,drawing a tag gets you out earlier in the season. I always apply for the first week and hunt with my bow and if I don't get drawn then I buy the over counter archery tag. It states the legal means for turkey hunting in the winner notification booklet and on the dnr HSOforum

[mechanictim]

As previously stated, during a lottery hunt you have your choice of using either shotgun or bow. As a first time turkey hunter the best advice I can give you is to hunt with an experianced hunter if you can. Scouting the area you plan to hunt is a way to locate huntable birds and find some good areas to set up or call.

A lot of archery hunters use portable blinds and decoys and set up on known turkey feeding/strutting areas which can be very productive. I have more fun runnin' an gunnin' and trying to call birds that I hear gobbling into range. With a bow that means trying to call birds out of fields into wooded/brushy areas where there is some cover to conceal the drawing of a bow.

Turkey hunting with a bow is a lot of fun if you enjoy a challenge. Good luck and stay safe.

Tim

[Powerstroke]

Also, attend one of the DNR turkey clinics advertised in their booklet. There are many more if you check the DNR HSOforum.

[zumbromuskie]

I appreciate all the help and advice. I'm planning to attend a couple clinics. Anyone ever hunt on the DNR land owners list areas? I wonder how welcome a person really is - even though they got the land owners permit, etc.

[Archerysniper]

I have and the landowner was very helpful you should go down the list and start asking now though

[gurkster]

Yes, be careful bringing both - for me it was a curse. I always only hunted with one weapon, but after seeing birds out to far for a bow, but in gun range I switched to the gun. The next day when I used my gun I got one in bow range. This year I am going strictly bow, as I really want one that way. But to answer your question you can choose between gun and bow as long as they are legal for turkey.