Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 158 - Natural Resources Department
Chapter 6232 - BIG GAME
TAKING DEER BY MUZZLELOADER
Part 6232.2100 - MUZZLELOADER SEASON AND AREAS

Universal Citation: MN Rules 6232.2100

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 13, September 23, 2024

Subpart 1. Season.

The muzzleloader season is the 16-day deer season beginning the Saturday nearest November 27. Special permit areas may be open for less than 16 days.

Subp. 2. [Repealed, 34 SR 621]

Subp. 3. Legal deer by muzzleloader.

Antlerless deer and legal bucks may be taken by muzzleloader during the muzzleloader season in any either-sex, two-deer limit, three-deer limit, or five-deer limit deer permit area. Muzzleloader hunters may take antlerless deer in an antlerless lottery deer permit area only if the person has obtained an either-sex permit through the procedure described in part 6232.1800.

Subp. 4. Nontoxic ammunition required.

A. Individuals may possess only nontoxic ammunition on their person while taking wild animals, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.015, subdivision 47, while participating in a special hunt in a scientific and natural area or in a state park.

B. For purposes of this subpart, "nontoxic ammunition" means:
(1) steel shot or projectile;

(2) copper-plated, nickel-plated, or zinc-plated steel shot or projectile; or

(3) shot or projectile made of other nontoxic material approved by the director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service according to Code of Federal Regulations, title 50, section 20.21(j).

C. A person who carries a pistol and possesses a valid permit under Minnesota Statutes, section 624.714, may possess ammunition that does not meet the requirements of items A and B, but the ammunition may not be used for taking wild animals while participating in a special hunt in a scientific and natural area or in a state park.

Subp. 5. 2024 muzzleloader special hunt areas.

In addition to complying with the requirements of this part, hunters who are hunting under a muzzleloader special hunt permit must meet any requirements of the municipality, park, or area in which the special hunt occurs and those of any sponsoring organization. Hunt participants must stay within any boundaries prescribed by the sponsoring organization, by maps provided during a prehunt orientation, or by posting. Unless otherwise specified, hunters must possess a valid license to take deer by muzzleloader and a special hunt permit for the following special hunt areas authorized for the 2024 season:

A. portions of McCarthy Beach State Park in St. Louis County are open November 30 to December 15 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks. No more than 15 permits shall be issued. The bag limit is two deer. This is special hunt 929;

B. Prairie Creek Woods Scientific and Natural Area and portions of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park in Rice County are open November 30 and December 1 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks in an earn-a-buck hunt. No more than 60 permits shall be issued. The bag limit is five deer. This is special hunt 930;

C. portions of Rice Lake State Park in Dodge and Steele Counties are open November 30 and December 1 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks in an earn-a-buck hunt. No more than 20 permits shall be issued. The bag limit is three deer. This is special hunt 932;

D. portions of Jay Cooke State Park and portions of Hemlock Ravine Scientific and Natural Area in Carlton County are open December 7 to 11 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks. No more than 75 permits shall be issued. The bag limit is two deer. This is special hunt 935;

E. portions of Crow Wing State Park in Crow Wing County are open December 7 to 11 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks. No more than 25 permits shall be issued. The bag limit is two deer. This is special hunt 936;

F. portions of Lake Vermilion - Soudan Underground Mine State Park in St. Louis County are open November 30 to December 15 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks. No more than 20 permits shall be issued. The bag limit is two deer. This is special hunt 937;

G. portions of Myre Big Island State Park in Freeborn County are open November 30 and December 1 for taking antlerless deer only. No more than 50 permits shall be issued. The bag limit is five deer. This is special hunt 939;

H. portions of Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary Scientific and Natural Area and portions of Itasca State Park in Clearwater County are open November 25 to December 10 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks. Individuals authorized to hunt the muzzleloader season may hunt the open portions of the park without a special permit, and numbers are not limited. The bag limit is one deer. This is special hunt 287;

I. portions of Sibley State Park in Kandiyohi County are open December 7 and 8 for taking antlerless deer only. No more than 60 permits shall be issued. The bag limit is two deer. This is special hunt 942;

J. portions of Miesville Ravine Park Reserve in Dakota County are open December 7 to 15 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks. No more than 40 permits shall be issued. The bag limit is five deer. This is special hunt 943;

K. portions of Vermillion Highlands Research, Recreation, and Wildlife Management Area in Dakota County are open November 30 to December 15 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks. No more than 20 permits shall be issued. The bag limit is three deer. This is special hunt 944;

L. portions of Camp Ripley Military Reservation in Morrison County are open December 2 to 4 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks. No more than 85 permits shall be issued only to Minnesota residents who have served in the United States armed forces, as selected by the sponsoring organization. The bag limit is two deer. This is special hunt 945;

M. portions of the city of Grand Rapids in Itasca County are open November 30 to December 15 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks. Individuals authorized to hunt the muzzleloader season may hunt the open portions of the city without a special permit, and hunters are not limited. The bag limit is five deer. Disease management permits may be used to take antlerless deer during this special hunt. Deer taken during this special hunt must be submitted within 24 hours of harvest for chronic wasting disease testing at a sampling station designated by the hunt administrator. This is special hunt 946;

N. portions of Lake Bemidji State Park in Beltrami County are open December 6 to 8 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks. No more than 30 permits shall be issued. The bag limit is one deer. Disease management permits may be used to take antlerless deer during this special hunt. This is special hunt 947;

O. portions of Savanna Portage State Park in Aitkin County are open November 30 to December 8 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks. No more than 30 permits shall be issued. The bag limit is two deer. This is special hunt 948;

P. portions of St. Croix State Park in Pine County are open December 3 to 8 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks. No more than 100 permits shall be issued. The bag limit is one deer. This is special hunt 949;

Q. portions of Schoolcraft State Park in Cass County are open November 30 to December 15 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks. Individuals authorized to hunt the muzzleloader season may hunt the open portions of the park without a special permit, and numbers are not limited. The bag limit is one deer. This is special hunt 912;

R. portions of Lake Maria State Park in Wright County are open December 6 to 8 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks in an earn-a-buck hunt. No more than 25 permits shall be issued. The bag limit is three deer. This is special hunt 960;

S. portions of Afton State Park in Washington County are open December 10 to 12 for taking antlerless deer only. No more than 30 permits shall be issued. The bag limit is two deer. This is special hunt 964;

T. portions of Hayes Lake State Park in Roseau County are open November 30 to December 15 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks. No more than 50 permits shall be issued. The bag limit is two deer. This is special hunt 938;

U. portions of Beaver Creek Valley State Park in Houston County are open December 7 and 8 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks. No more than 25 permits shall be issued. The bag limit is three deer. This is special hunt 918;

V. portions of the city of Baxter in Crow Wing County are open November 30 to December 15 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks. Individuals authorized to hunt the muzzleloader season may hunt portions of the city open to the hunt with a special permit obtained from the city of Baxter, and numbers are not limited. The bag limit is five deer. This is special hunt 941;

W. portions of Scenic State Park in Itasca County are open November 30 to December 15 for taking antlerless deer and legal bucks. No more than 15 permits shall be issued only to individuals authorized to hunt the muzzleloader season. The bag limit is two deer. This is special hunt 907; and

X. portions of Sakatah Lake State Park in Rice County are open November 30 and December 1 for taking antlerless deer only. No more than 15 permits shall be issued only to individuals authorized to hunt the muzzleloader season. The bag limit is three deer. This is special hunt 894.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Minnesota may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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