DNR Field Reports.....

[Lee Borgersen]

..  DNR Field Reports:

11/11/18[

Baiting still tops list of Minnesota deer hunt violations

  ......
Hunters who set out corn, apples, carrots or prepared bait products to lure in their buck continue to be the leading source of violations during Minnesota's firearms deer season, according to state conservation officers.

  ,,,
The problem seems especially bad along and north of the Iron Range where officers reported multiple violations on opening day, including several at a single deer camp.


Here are excerpts from several conservation officer's weekly reports, in their own words:


Duke Broughten, Cook: "Multiple violations of hunting deer over bait were investigated. In one instance of an individual hunting over bait, the person stated he 'watched those game warden TV shows' and he should have known it was a matter of time before he was caught."

Marc Hopkins, Tower: "...found numerous hunters in violation of the baiting laws and seized many firearms."

Don Bozovsky, Hibbing: "Baiting was on the forefront again, with five hunters cited and rifles seized on opening day... all had bait present when caught hunting. One individual had a pile of carrots in front of him.... Of the five people caught baiting, three had either no blaze orange on, or too little of it."

Matt Frericks, Virginia and his officer-in-training Jacob Swedberg "teamed up with area officers to check a deer camp where a majority of the stands were baited. From that hunting camp alone, four hunters were cited for hunting over bait."

Mark Fredin, Aurora: Reports "checking previously located baited deer stands on opening morning and many hunters' hunt was stopped when they received a citation and had their firearms seized."

Sean Williams, Ely: "Deer baiting again was the most common violation found and several citations were issued."

Anthony Bermel, Babbitt and an officer in training "spent the week leading up to the opener documenting baited deer stands. Seven deer baiters were cited and their rifles were seized on opening weekend... The main excuse for deer baiters this year is they didn't know the product they were using was illegal. The regulations booklet is very clear that hunters need to check the ingredient labels on the product."

Corn, apples and pumpkins are common foods used by Minnesota deer hunters who bait deer, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources officials say.


(Minnesota DNR photo)

[attachment deleted by admin]

[LPS]

I can see how someone would consider that little pile of stuff as bait.