Question about deer hunting multiple zones

[lotsofish]

IMO, the regs are very unclear and confusing when it comes to someone who will be hunting in different area types (lotto, managed, intense) and different seasons. I've read the regs twice and the FAQ sheets and the other papers put out by the DNR, but I haven't found the answer I'm looking for.

This year my gun hunting zone is lotto. I also plan on bow hunting and will be in different areas. Potentially, I could bow hunt in lotto, managed, intense and the metro/unlimited areas.

My question is, are the limits combined or are they separate per area type? For example, if I tag a deer in a managed/intense/unlimited area, am I later allowed to tag one in a lotto area, or do I already have my "1"? I'm just wondering because if I get one with the bow before gun season, I don't know if I could use my firearm tag because that will be in a lotto area.

A related question (this is more of a hypothetical - I'm only hoping to get 2-3 deer this year) - if someone hunts in the unlimited metro area and tags 5 deer, would they still be able to go outstate and tag 5 more, or would they have to get the deer outstate first?

[BRULEDRIFTER]

I'm confused, too, and asked a qustion I never got an answer for.

I'll be doing most of my bow hunting in a lotto zone and my rifle hunting in a Managed zone. I'm under the impression my limit is 3, which I think is right. But I can see how it could only be 2 as well.

I guess I'll hope to get 1, first, and worry about it then.

[B. Amish]

the limits are combined. you can't shoot a deer in a lotto, then shoot two more in a managed, then shoot five more in an intensive.

you can shoot one in a lotto, one more in a managed, then three more in an intensive.

[BRULEDRIFTER]

But isn't a bow tag an extra tag?

[lotsofish]

But isn't a bow tag an extra tag?

[mrklean]

thats for helping out on that. One thing i did last year when i had some questions was email the DNR, they email back within a few hours and are helpful as well

[lotsofish]

Good idea about emailing the DNR directly. I might be making it out to the game fair this weekend, and I think they have a booth, so I could ask them there if I make it out.

[96trigger]

Your regular Archery, firearm, ML license are good for one deer in a lottery area. Eiter sex if you are successful in the lottery. Once that tag is filled. You can no longer shoot a deer in ANY lottery area. You are allowed to take one more deer in a managed area throughout any season. The deer can be of either sex if you have not taken a buck already. A buck cannot be tagged with a management permit. In an intensive harvest zone, you may take up to 4 more deer, 1 buck, if you haven't already taken one and again a buck cannot be tagged with a management tag.

B.Amish has it right, once you get it down, it actually makes a lot of sense. Just remember to keep track of the deer you shoot, one in a lotto, you are done in a lotto, move on to the Managed to get one more. Then, you would have to go to an I.H zone to be able to shoot up to 5 more deer.

[lcornice]

Trigger ... close . Bag limits are aggregate because we decided it's easier to interpret than the "what if" stuff. Excepting special situations (TB, metro) you can kill 5 deer during the seasons: 1 lottery, 2 managed, up to 5 intensive. Mix and match anyway you want (e.g., 1L, 2M, 2I; 1L, 1M, 3I; 0L, 2M, 3I, etc). The reality is if folks want opportunity to hunt multiple season and different areas, there's a trade-off with respect to bag limits. Next question, why isn't more space in the book devoted to explaining deer in multiple areas? The simple answer is it quickly gets confusing and it really doesn't apply to the vast majority of people. For example, survey data shows 90% of hunters return to the same location every year. Harvest data shows that 90% of hunters who kill a deer do so in the area they say they hunt most often (the area question you get asked when you buy a license). In looking at harvest rates last year, here's what you'all did:

1 deer - 82%

2 deer - 14%

3 deer - 3%

4 deer - 0.8%

5 deer - 0.2%

So, 1% of successful hunters shoot 4-5 deer. Looking at it the other way, 96% of successful hunters shot 1-2 deer. So, there's another trade-off in that it's not worth explaining regulations that don't apply to 96%+ of the hunting public. It's easier for that 4% to call the info center, post on boards like this, etc. You'll have to trust me when I say putting elaborate permutations in the book would generate far more questions that simply explaining it to the people it affects. I hope that makes sense.

Having said that, I'll revise the deer information booklet to be more specific about bag limits for you 1%

[96trigger]

Thanks Lou, I'm not familiar with the metro/special zones at all. So, can I kill 1 in a lottery area, and then 2 in a managed area. That is different from what I thought last year, but last year we were in an intensive harvest area so I was able to shot my state max of 5 deer. Now we are managed, so does that mean between my two spots, one lotto, and Managed area, I can tag a total of 3 deer if I hunt in just those areas?

[BRULEDRIFTER]

Thanks Lou,

so does that mean between my two spots, one lotto, and Managed area, I can tag a total of 3 deer if I hunt in just those areas?

That's my burning question as well! The lady I talk to at the DNR office this morning said I can get 3, some here say 2, I think 3.... I''m going with 3!

Thanks again Lou! I think I fell into the category that makes the regulations harder then they need to be!

[lcornice]

Thanks Lou, I'm not familiar with the metro/special zones at all. So, can I kill 1 in a lottery area, and then 2 in a managed area. That is different from what I thought last year, but last year we were in an intensive harvest area so I was able to shot my state max of 5 deer. Now we are managed, so does that mean between my two spots, one lotto, and Managed area, I can tag a total of 3 deer if I hunt in just those areas?

Welcome to the top 0.2%! The bag limits have been the same for a few years but it's only something that's noticed if the area you hunt changes. Yes, you can kill 3 if you hunt those 2 areas. So few people do it, it's really not worth saying you can't, know what I mean? I haven't looked specifically at the number of people who killed 1 in a lotto and 2 in a managed but I bet I have enough fingers and toes to cover it. Most of the 3+ deer killers do it all in 1 intensive area.

[jerkbait]

OK. Here is my question. Our deer camp is in the TB zone which is unlimited and I live in an intensive harvest zone. So if by some chance I would shoot say 7 deer in the TB zone and zero are antlered can I still harvest 5 in the intensive harvest zone? All in thoery of coarse since we don't see to many deer in the TB zone. Just a question I am very curious about how that would work. I do know if I shot 5 in the intesive harvest zone I could go to the TB zone and harvest additional deer.

[96trigger]

Wow, thanks, I didn't know that, I guess I should apply for an antlerless tag for my lotto zone, just in case late season rolls around and I need another. Thanks for the clarification Lou. I think this year their might be more confusion with the number of Intensive harvest areas dropping slightly in SEMN.

[lcornice]

OK. Here is my question. Our deer camp is in the TB zone which is unlimited and I live in an intensive harvest zone. So if by some chance I would shoot say 7 deer in the TB zone and zero are antlered can I still harvest 5 in the intensive harvest zone? All in thoery of coarse since we don't see to many deer in the TB zone. Just a question I am very curious about how that would work. I do know if I shot 5 in the intesive harvest zone I could go to the TB zone and harvest additional deer.

Except for the buck (you can only kill one per year statewide), TB zone deer don't count towards the bag total. Same goes for the metro (area 601).

[lcornice]

Wow, thanks, I didn't know that, I guess I should apply for an antlerless tag for my lotto zone, just in case late season rolls around and I need another. Thanks for the clarification Lou. I think this year their might be more confusion with the number of Intensive harvest areas dropping slightly in SEMN.

If you're even thinking of hunting a lotto zone, you definitely want to put in the drawing. Since you don't need one in the M/I areas that makes the most sense. There might be a little more confusion as areas change designation but it's to be expected. I'm far more concerned about people flat not making the application deadline because they didn't know their area changed. I've already been told I'll be on the radio a lot from now until Sept. 10th reminding people

[jerkbait]

Originally Posted By: jerkbait

OK. Here is my question. Our deer camp is in the TB zone which is unlimited and I live in an intensive harvest zone. So if by some chance I would shoot say 7 deer in the TB zone and zero are antlered can I still harvest 5 in the intensive harvest zone? All in thoery of coarse since we don't see to many deer in the TB zone. Just a question I am very curious about how that would work. I do know if I shot 5 in the intesive harvest zone I could go to the TB zone and harvest additional deer.

Except for the buck (you can only kill one per year statewide), TB zone deer don't count towards the bag total. Same goes for the metro (area 601).

Thanks for the response. I didn't know that the Tb deer don't count. Here is another question for ya that I asked in Skime last fall. Why only 1 buck in the TB zone when the sharpshooters just come behind the hunters and shoot them later? Why not just let the hunters shoot them?

[lcornice]

Quote:

Here is another question for ya that I asked in Skime last fall. Why only 1 buck in the TB zone when the sharpshooters just come behind the hunters and shoot them later? Why not just let the hunters shoot them?

Because history tells us hunters get too selective and start buck hunting. They start buck hunting and you don't lower populations by shooting bucks. You do that by taking females. The sharpshooters are not selective (all deer are antlerless by that time) and shoot everything. If multiple bucks were offered, it wouldn't add significantly to the bag (see previous percentages) and would likely result in fewer overall deer harvested because of the emphasis on bucks. As you all know, one buck breeds many does so removing a lot of bucks does not influence the overall population. Conversely, removing a higher proportion of females does lower populations.

[jerkbait]

OK. Makes sense. Thank you for the answer. More then I got last fall. Is there any talk of sharpshooters again this coming winter? I am not selective. I could be a sharpshooter.

[lcornice]

OK. Makes sense. Thank you for the answer. More then I got last fall. Is there any talk of sharpshooters again this coming winter? I am not selective. I could be a sharpshooter.

You get more from me because I know more . Can't help with the sharpshooter comment, it's done under contract. Your chance is from Sept. 19 through the late rifle season (I don't have the dates). Future sharpshooting will depend on what's found this fall from hunter-harvested surveillance. We've actually probably met. I've worked Skime every year except 2008. I also heard the store was for sale. I hope it works out, the owner is a great lady.

[jerkbait]

We may have met. Our hunting cabin is 2 miles straight south of the store on the west side of the road. Yes she is a great lady. Works full time and runs the store, lot of work. I have not stopped in there for a while. Have not heard if it is for sale.

[lotsofish]

Thanks for the clarifications Lou!

I doubt that I will make it into the top 1% (4-5 deer). My main concern was if I take a deer bow hunting in a managed or intense area that I would still be able to tag one during gun season, since the area I gun hunt in is a lotto area this year. Now I know that I can.

So it doesn't just apply to the people getting 4-5 deer. This clarification might be important to anyone who bow hunts and gun hunts in at least one lotto area.

[paceman]

OK so I bow hunt in a lottery area but rifle hunt in a different lottery area. Can a shoot a doe with the bow and then a buck with the rifle or vice versa if I get drawn for a doe in the rifle lottery area?

[lotsofish]

Can a shoot a doe with the bow and then a buck with the rifle or vice versa if I get drawn for a doe in the rifle lottery area?

No. The limits are not separate for different seasons. 1 deer in any lottery area for the whole year.

[lcornice]

Originally Posted By: paceman

Can a shoot a doe with the bow and then a buck with the rifle or vice versa if I get drawn for a doe in the rifle lottery area?

No. The limits are not separate for different seasons. 1 deer in any lottery area for the whole year.

Correct. That's spelled out pretty clearly in the book.

[Tanner Gertken]

I bow hunt in a managed 2 deer limit zone and shot a buck this last weekend but my question is now that I have shot a buck can I go and pick up another tag and shoot a doe with my bow? And then how would this affect my rifle hunting? Rifle hunt would be in in the CWD area.

[Wanderer]

Congrats on you buck!

 

MN statewide - 1 antlered deer period unless you party hunt with other hunters using the same weapons and afield at the same time.

 

Does can be shot up to the limit for the area you’re hunting with the correct number of antlerless/management tags purchased.

 

Yes.  Buy management and get 1 doe in your area or buy a bunch for your CWD hunt.  You just can’t personally tag another buck.

Edited October 28, 2019 by Wanderer

[gimruis]

The bag limits for deer are regulated by zone, regardless of the weapon used.  If you're in a CWD zone, I can't comment on those rules because they are more complicated and I don't hunt in a zone with CWD.

[Huskie]

We hunt in a lotto zone, one hunter has an antlerless permit, must he fill that tag or can any member of the party fill the tag? All hunters are adults and not disabled.

[gimruis]

If you're party hunting, anyone in that "party" can fill the tag.  I wouldn't tell 10 other people that they can shoot an antlerless deer for one tag, then you may end up with several deer that need tags and only one tag (serious problem).  Make sure you have a very clear communication with others in your party about who can fill that tag ahead of time.