duck hunting on a lake question

[Cody Gruchow]

what are the rules of this? say if the lake is smaller and only 1 house on it with a public access is it alright? is it legal? ive always hunted marshes, so im new to trying a lake this year. id appreciate any help or pointers. thanks

[ray634]

The best thing to do is get a copy of the waterfowl regulations.
I think that you need some sort of natural cover to set up in, no open water sets.

[Benny]

Provided the area is not controled by city ordnance it should be legal to hunt.
You will need to stay 500 ft away from human or animal ocupied buildings, have at least 50% natural cover around the boat,and be totaly floating on water and not on shore unless you have permission to be there or on public lands, motors and size of motors can be restricted to so watch for that, and remember if your boat is motorized you need a boat license even to duck hunt.
If your not using a motor you don't need the license.

Best thing to do is contact the local CO and ask them, plus they will give you some idea on how many ducks may use the pond or lake.

Benny

[Cody Gruchow]

I thought if it was just used for duck hunting you didn't need a license on the boat? I read last years regulations today and thats what it said..it didn't clarify if it had a motor or not. I do have a 9.9 horse motor I use for my duck boat. Ill send a email or call to figure more out. Thanks for the info.

[Benny]

Right but only if you use oars or paddles, if you put a motor on it you have to get a license on it.

Benny

[JohnWester]

i disagree, my 16 ' old 69' alumacraft is a duck boat only... with motor, hasn't been licensed for 12 years.

and as for hunting a lake, if you follow the distance rule from a building you are fine.  Hell, I've hunted on the public access on lake osakis before in late season for divers when everything else has froze up.

[Benny]

Well that's fine, I will not be chancing it my self.
I can ask the CO next week to find out for sure, will let you know what he says.

Benny

[JohnWester]

i'd be curious.  unless the laws have changed... i don't believe you do.

[Benny]

The CO canceled till next week for our class, so I have to wait to ask him in person.

Benny

[stevejedlenski]

benny is correct in the first post except for the license of boats. all the law states is that

"a boat used for A duck boat does not have to be licensed during the Waterfowl Hunting
Season for waterfowl hunting only."

so your fine motor or not. just cant have any fishing gear or use it for any puropse except hunting ducks. this is from the 2012 regulations.  also check the Riparian rights as far as tresspassing on private lands.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/pwpermits/waterlaws.html