Muzzle Loader News Release

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For you guy's and gal's thinking of trying muzzle loader season, a news release from DNR.

News Releases
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New licensing regulations allow firearm deer hunters to participate in upcoming muzzleloader season (November 26, 2008)

Minnesota’s upcoming muzzleloader deer season is open to any eligible hunter even if that hunter participated in the regular firearm season, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“New this year, firearm deer hunters now can purchase a muzzleloader license,” said Lou Cornicelli, the DNR’s big game program coordinator. “The change, implemented as part of deer season regulation simplification, gives deer hunters another opportunity to get out in the field.”

The 16-day statewide muzzleloader season begins Nov. 29 and ends Dec. 14. Before an “a la carte” deer licensing system was implemented this year, only hunters with an all-season license could hunt during both the regular firearms and muzzleloader seasons.

“Muzzleloader hunting has been gaining in popularity the last few years, but to participate in both the regular firearms and the muzzleloader seasons, people had to purchase a higher priced license,” Cornicelli said. “Hunters asked for more opportunities, so now hunters can simply buy licenses for their seasons of choice.”

Hunters must adhere to the bag limits for the deer area they are hunting. People can buy extra licenses but the bag limit, which varies depending on deer area, dictates how many deer can be tagged by one individual. The statewide bag limit is five deer regardless of where each of those deer is taken. Hunters should refer the 2008 hunting regulations book for complete information on the muzzleloader deer season and associated bag limits.

A muzzleloader license is valid for either-sex deer in managed and intensive deer areas. Hunters in lottery areas who buy both a firearm and muzzleloader license can take an either-sex deer only if they were successful in the September lottery. Hunters with only a muzzleloader license who did not purchase a regular firearms license can take a deer of either sex in lottery areas without an either-sex permit.