Several law changes will affect Minn. deer hunters

Several law changes will affect Minnesota deer hunters this season. Among them:

• For the first time in 90 years, hunters can transport unloaded, uncased firearms in vehicles -- with some exceptions. Such firearms and bows may be transported in vehicles -- including ATVs -- while a person is at a shooting range or lawfully hunting on private or public land, or "while traveling to or from a site the person intends to hunt lawfully that day or has hunted lawfully that day."

Exceptions include when a person is within Anoka, Hennepin or Ramsey counties; within an area where the discharge of a firearm has been prohibited, such as towns or municipalities; within the boundaries of a city with a population of 2,500 or more, or on school grounds or in areas otherwise restricted under other laws. See DNR regulation book for details.

• Antlers must remain attached to a deer until the animal is registered.

• The state's shining law has been tightened; people can shine deer only two hours after sunset, and they can't possess firearms or bows.

• A provision in deer baiting laws that allowed hunting near bird feeders containing grains or nuts that are at least 6 feet above the ground has been abolished. Baiting deer has remained a problem, and conservation officers reportedly are monitoring many potential baiting situations around the state. Last week, a bowhunter near Osakis had his bow and deer confiscated and faces stiff fines and restitution.