Deer hunters in Minnesota will find much simpler licensing procedures when the next season comes around.
The state Department of Natural Resources is now:
• Allowing hunters to individually buy licenses for regular firearms, muzzleloader and archery in any combination. "We found that the vast majority of all-season license purchasers were paying three times the single season license fee ($78), but were only hunting in two seasons," said Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game program coordinator.
• Consolidating deer zones so that licensed firearms hunters can hunt anywhere in the state.
• Simplifying legal big-game rifle calibers to allow any center-fire that is at least .220 caliber.
• Eliminating the need to validate the license when tagging an animal. However, the tag must still be validated and site tagging regulations have not changed, so hunters should familiarize themselves with those regulations when the regulations handbook arrives in stores.
The changes are the result of recommendations of a citizens' work group convened by the DNR to recommend simplification of the deer seasons.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
