Know The Rules Before You Hunt
Deer hunting season is an integral part of rural life, and here in Southwest MN, it’s a sacred tradition that families have participated in for many years. But those who have passed on this tradition from one generation to the next may not know some of the newer rules or ways that modern technology have changed what is legal and what is not. For example, hunting using mobile phones is illegal. Some hunters might think that it is okay to use a phone to communicate with other members of the hunting party, but really they should only be using that phone (or any electronic device) to say, “I’m going home,” or “I killed a deer and I need help to get it out of this grove.” Conversations about the whereabouts of a deer or status of a posted hunter is technically illegal according to Conservation Officer Jim Robinson with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Most hunters know that they need to have permission from a landowner to hunt on his or her land. However, permission must be granted each year, not “once in a lifetime.” Landowners have no obligation to post that they do not want hunters on their property. The obligation to get permission always lies with the hunter. The DNR website suggests that hunters also properly thank a landowner after the hunt.
