Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Question on bonus tags


heat checker

Recommended Posts

I hunt a lottery area but would also like to hunt a managed area. Can I buy a bonus tag and use that one first in the managed area and use my first tag later on in the lotto area? A bonus tag has to be used in the managed area? Or can it be used state wide to replace the used one?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bonus tags can be used before your regular tag as long as you are in a managed on intensive harvest area in lotto ares you must use your regular buck/doe tag for archery, for firearms you must have been drawn for a doe tag in lottery areas. Bonus tags can be used state wide as long as you do not go over the bag limit for managed or intensive areas + if you know someone in the metro 601 zone where you can hunt there is no limit on antlerless deer. Just remember you can tag only one legal buck during a year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So then, if I'm going to hunt the managed area first, I need to go buy a bonus tag and save the other one for the lotto area? Apparently, the bonus tag reads that it is a "bonus tag" and can't be used in a 1 deer area?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, bonus tags cannot be used in a lottery area. So if you use your regular tag in a managed or intensive harvest area, you're no longer able to hunt in any lottery areas.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

One of the negatives with the bonus tags is that it would be easy for someone to buy a bonus tag, shoot a doe in a Lottery area, and report it (with the new online registration system) as being shot in the nearest Managed area. Then they still have their regular license to shoot a buck with in that lottery area.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

RBS, you can only take two deer total from managed areas of the state, no matter how many of the managed areas you hunt. So no, you can't use two bonus tags in managed areas. You can move to an intensive harvest area and use a second, third, and fourth bonus tag there, if you wish.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Still confused! Can I archery hunt a managed area with bonus tag & tag a deer and still hunt rifle season in lottery area & tag a deer?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

RBS, you can only take two deer total from managed areas of the state, no matter how many of the managed areas you hunt. So no, you can't use two bonus tags in managed areas. You can move to an intensive harvest area and use a second, third, and fourth bonus tag there, if you wish.

You can take 2 deer in managed areas using any combination of tags. So YES, you can take 2 deer in a bonus area using 2 bonus tags.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Still confused! Can I archery hunt a managed area with bonus tag & tag a deer and still hunt rifle season in lottery area & tag a deer?

Yes. As long as the deer in rifle season lotto area is a buck. Unless you have a doe tag for that lotto area.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

One of the negatives with the bonus tags is that it would be easy for someone to buy a bonus tag, shoot a doe in a Lottery area, and report it (with the new online registration system) as being shot in the nearest Managed area. Then they still have their regular license to shoot a buck with in that lottery area.

I think that is more a negative of unethical hunters and not the fault of the bonus tag. I am sure there are many who never tag the deer at all. Or who have been registering bucks as does at registration stations.

I'm not sure what is more difficult for the dnr -- managing a million deer or managing unethical hunters and antis who game the system.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

...You can take 2 deer in managed areas using any combination of tags. So YES, you can take 2 deer in a bonus area using 2 bonus tags.

O.k this was the issue we cleared up last year. We cannot use two bonus tags in Managed areas. We can use any combination of a bonus and a main tag, or two main tags like archery and firearms, as long as each deer was taken with the appropriate bow or gun during legal season for each.

Or did this change? lcornice?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

One of the negatives with the bonus tags is that it would be easy for someone to buy a bonus tag, shoot a doe in a Lottery area, and report it (with the new online registration system) as being shot in the nearest Managed area. Then they still have their regular license to shoot a buck with in that lottery area.

Always been easy to do the same. The CO's only chance is to check the hunterpoacher afield in a lottery area with a bonus tag marked. The hunterpoacher would be taking a risk by not using their main tag at the kill site.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

PG 65 of the rule book. " The bag limit for managed deer areas is two deer and hunters can use ANY COMBINATION of a valid license and BONUS PERMITS TO TAG BOTH DEER

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:
O.k this was the issue we cleared up last year. We cannot use two bonus tags in Managed areas. We can use any combination of a bonus and a main tag, or two main tags like archery and firearms, as long as each deer was taken with the appropriate bow or gun during legal season for each.

Or did this change? lcornice?

Agreed. This was how it's been in the past.

I can see how the wording on page 65 can be misconstrued though. Perhaps it's been changed this year? Lou, please chime in.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:
O.k this was the issue we cleared up last year. We cannot use two bonus tags in Managed areas. We can use any combination of a bonus and a main tag, or two main tags like archery and firearms, as long as each deer was taken with the appropriate bow or gun during legal season for each.

Yep, this was hashed over pretty good last year. If I remember correctly, the wording was going to get changed because it never specifically said one couldn't use 2 bonus tags. I don't know if got cleared up or not.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 10 years later...

This rule prevents hunters from shooting an anterless deer without a bonus tag and then quickly "going to buy one" to apply it.  They want you to by one ahead of time, not afterwards.

Edited by gimruis
  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • gimruis
      I hunt in the rifle zone so I don't have a need to use a shotgun to hunt deer, but I would be looking at this if there was ever a need to.   There could be state legislation introduced next summer that eliminates the shotgun zone completely.  It has bipartisan support.  Wisconsin removed theirs years ago and MN is usually later to follow.  They've tried to pass it more than once and it came up just short both times.  Probably just a matter of time.
    • Wanderer
      Oh, h e l l no! 
    • leech~~
      Screw that, here's whatch need!  😆   Power-Shok Rifled Slug 10 Gauge 766 Grain Grain Weight: 766 Shotshell Length: 3-1/2in / 89mm Muzzle Velocity: 1280
    • Wanderer
      20 ga has become a real popular deer round in the last 5 or so years.  The rifled barrels are zinging those sabot slugs with rifle like accuracy out to 100 yards easily.  Some go so far as dialing in for a 200 yard shot but really, by 150 they’re falling off pretty low.   I have a single shot Ultraslug in 20 ga that shoots really well at 100 yards.  Most everyone I know that has bought a slug gun lately has gotten the Savage 220 in 20ga.  Problem can be finding the shells you want.
    • leech~~
      My son always bugs me about getting a nice light over-under 20ga for grouse hunting.  I say Heck no, I'm getting a 3 1/2" 10ga so I can put as much lead in the air that I can!!     So, I'm keeping my 12ga.  
    • 11-87
      That’s almost exactly what I was thinking.  Have slug barrels for both   One for turkey and one for deer.      I have a 20ga mosseberg as well. (Combo came with the scope but never used.   I always liked the 12 better
    • leech~~
      Wanderer is right on the money and covered it well.  I was wondering too if you had a slug barrel for one of your guns?  If so you could make that your slug gun with a scope, and the other your turkey gun with the Red dot.  As you can afford it. 
    • Wanderer
      Kinda depends on if you want magnification or quick target acquisition.   More magnification options and better accuracy with a scope.  You get what you pay for too so get comfortable with a budget for one.  Tasco and Bushnell work but I find they lose their zero easier, have low contrast and don’t gather light well in low light conditions.  That said, I’m still using one I haven’t replaced yet.  Vortex has been the hot brand for the past several years for bang for the buck.  Good products.  Nothing beats Swarovski though.  Huge dough for those.  Burris is another decent option.   There are some specific models for shotgun/slug hunting in the economy brands and bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles.  Based on experience I’d recommend not falling for that marketing ploy.   Red dots are usually lower magnification and easier to get on target.  Reasonably accurate but don’t do well with definition, like searching the brush for your target.  I put a HAWKE red dot on a .22 for squirrels and it’s been good.  For turkey, that’s probably the route I’d go.     If your slug shots are normally not too far and too brushy, I’d think a red dot could work there too if you’re only buying 1 scope.  You’ll be better off dimming the reticle to the lowest setting you can easily use to not over shine the target and get a finer aim point.   If you don’t have a slug barrel, you might appreciate one of those.  I had a browning with a smoothbore slug barrel that shot Brenneke 2-3/4 inch well.  The 11-87 would well fitted with a cantelever rifled barrel. 
    • 11-87
      Looking for recommendations on scope or red dot    I basically hunt turkey and whitetail, live in southern MN. So it’s all deer/ shotgun    looking to add a scope/ red dot as my eyes don’t work like they used to to with the open sights.    my gun options are 11/87 12. Browning BPS 12    not looking for the most expensive or the cheapest    pros and cons of one over the other
    • SkunkedAgain
      That's good news. I haven't seen any ice in Black Bay yet, but it looks like the small bays should start to freeze up this weekend. Hopefully we make some ice next week.   Below is the forecast for Cook. We should have temps mostly below zero . The bottom section below shows that it should not be windy, and no snow is predicted. All good signs for making ice.  
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.