Baiting law changes greet hunters this fall; firearms can be seized (September 30, 2008)
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters that it is illegal to bait deer in Minnesota. In addition to fines, hunters stand to forfeit firearms and potentially loose hunting privileges if there are previous big game violations.
“If you’re convicted of baiting your firearm can be confiscated,” said Capt. Rod Smith, DNR Southern Region Enforcement supervisor, and member of the DNR’s Deer Committee, which annually reviews state hunting laws. “But that’s the last thing a conservation officer wants to do. What we’re looking for is better compliance with the law changes that will greet Minnesota hunters when the head afield this fall.”
Among the baiting restrictions are:
* “bait or feed” is grain, fruit, vegetables, nuts, hay, or other food that is capable of attracting or enticing deer and that has been placed by a person
* hunters are not allowed to use or hunt over bait or feed or hunt in the vicinity of bait or feed if the hunter knows about or has reason to know about the placement of the bait or feed
* a person otherwise in compliance with this section who is hunting on private or public property that is adjacent to the property where bait or feed is present is not in violation if the person has not participated in, been involved with, or agreed to baiting or feeding wildlife on the adjacent property
* an area is considered baited for 10 days after complete removal of the bait or feed
* liquid scents, salt, minerals, and bird feeders containing grains or nuts that are at least 6 feet above the ground are not considered bait or feed
* this restriction does not apply to foods resulting from normal or accepted farming, forest management, wildlife food plantings, orchard management, or similar land management activities.
The penalty for baiting includes a fine of between $150 and $200. If the deer is shot over bait, it’s an automatic $500 restitution payment.
It has been illegal to bait deer in Minnesota since 1991, but the law was strengthened at the request of hunters.
“These new provisions are intended to close some of the loopholes associated with baiting,” Smith said.
Such excuses as “I’m feeding the pheasants not the deer,” or “I didn’t know there was bait here”, and “I didn’t know there was bait placed here last week” will no longer work, Smith said.
The DNR’s deer committee has spent a great deal of effort trying to come up with the best options. As is often the case, Smith said there is no perfect law, but hopes the changes will provide some additional tools for closing the gaps.
Baiting deer is a form of poaching and poachers should be reported.
People who have information on illegal baiting in their area, should contact their local conservation officer or call the Turn In Poachers Hotline at 800-652-9093 or for cell phone users dial # TIP.
