ELECTRONIC DEVICES WHILE HUNTING

[GirlGuide]

I was just wondering if you all had any opinions on what electronic devices (such as phone, 2-way radio, walkie talkies etc.) you use while you are out hunting.  Or maybe you choose not to use anything.  I know that I always have my cell phone with me and a 2 way radio just in case my cell phone batter dies.  We use them to communicate regarding if we are going in for lunch, or if we need help dragging a deer out, etc.  And also one evening while walking out of the woods, I got a little turned around, not bad, but enough where I called my husband and said I that I was a little off my trail...he just told me stay where I was, and when he close enough, he just shined his flashlight toward me and I found my way out.  I'm glad I had my cell phone, and I wasn't far off my trail, I knew I would eventually make it out, but having my cell phone just reassures me that if something happens, I have about 12 guys that are only a phone call away.

Does anybody know the exact law about these?  What is legal and not legal?

I know in no way are you to talk about any type of deer movement or anything like that.
But I just read a post recently from Deadeye and he spoke about a "no electronic devices" law.

Can someone elaborate on this for me..?

Thanks!

~gg

[guythathunts]

Not sure on the law, but I know I feel much better in the woods with my cell -evenif it is off- than without it. I use it as a safty measure.

[Outdoors Junkie]

You can find the vague info about electronic devices (including cell phones and radio's) on page 28 in this years MN hunting reg book.

It states: 

Radios and other Wireless Devices

Using walkie talkies, cell phones, remote controls or other radio equipment to take big game or small game is unlawful.
A DNR permit is required to take unprotected animals with the aid of radio equipment.

[22lex]

Dennis,

I agree that it is vague. I also agree that by keeping it vague I think they are leaving the option for people to take their phones with them for emergencies.

[GirlGuide]

Thanks RT, I had just read that this morning too.

I also thought that it was very vague and thought maybe I just missed where they elaborated on it more somewhere else.  But I couldn't find anything else, I even went to the dnr website..and still couldn't find anything.

So basically, by reading the rules and regulations, I see that you can use any elctronic device that you want...as long as you are not using these devices to aid you in taking big game or small game.

~gg

[Mayfly]

I bring my laptop, ipod, a mini tv and my cell phone everytime I go into the woods. How else  could I sit there for hours on end.........

[GirlGuide]

I bring my laptop, ipod, a mini tv and my cell phone everytime I go into the woods. How else  could I sit there for hours on end.........

OMG!! LMAO!! 

~gg

What no gameboy advance or nintendo ds? 

[Mayfly]

I bring my laptop, ipod, a mini tv and my cell phone everytime I go into the woods. How else  could I sit there for hours on end.........

OMG!! LMAO!! 

~gg

What no gameboy advance or nintendo ds? 

No....No gameboy or nintendo. But......I do have to run up to the land right now. I am meeting direct tv. I am having 3 dish's installed on 3 of my favorite trees to hunt out of and we have to run ALOT of cable. Should be a nice afternoon in the woods though! 

[deadeye]

Using walkie talkies,...to take big game or small game is unlawful.
The laws further describe "taking" as ...including attempting to take...  or assisting another person to take...."
Ok, we can agree there is nothing wrong with possessing and using these devices.  Now the big question is what can be construed as assisting.  I know it wouldn't be hard to use coded messages to assist hunting.  For instance, calling a buddy to say "I'm going in for lunch" could simply mean, don't leave your stand because I'm making a drive to you. 
I'm not accusing anyone of doing this, it's just that it would be simple to circumvent the law.

[22lex]

Using walkie talkies,...to take big game or small game is unlawful.
The laws further describe "taking" as ...including attempting to take...  or assisting another person to take...."
Ok, we can agree there is nothing wrong with possessing and using these devices.  Now the big question is what can be construed as assisting.  I know it wouldn't be hard to use coded messages to assist hunting.  For instance, calling a buddy to say "I'm going in for lunch" could simply mean, don't leave your stand because I'm making a drive to you. 
I'm not accusing anyone of doing this, it's just that it would be simple to circumvent the law.

Kind of like a code word, like to my wife nap time means "doing it!"
 

[Mayfly]

These laws....although I follow them, are just a waste of space. Look at all the electronics out there for fishing and what we have to assist us these days. If someone calls me and tells me they are driving my way what is the difference between that and saying  "hey, at 1pm exactly I will leave my stand and drive the woods your way." I guess there may be some instance were it may be a bit crooked but for the most part knowing and communicating your movements in the woods can be a safer way of hunting.

[Don Stenseth]

!00% agree Tim

[NDGUY]

We had this talk at bear camp this year, and no elluma(sp)? nocks allowed?? then it came up about tracking a wounded animal with a flash light, etc.. and having to shoot it agian??

[Faceman]

We all carry 2 way radios with us and only turn them on when we hear a shot from within our group. We use to let each other know we got one and need help dragging. They all actually use them to tell me to come and dress their deer for them and then drag. I have told everybody that if a Dnr Officer was to come out and find them on us, that it is all in his discretion if it is illegal or not. Even though we are not using them to take or aid in taking game it is not up to us. I also agree it makes the hunt safer.

[tattguy12]

we also all carry two ways. we have a family full of diabetics. Its always nice to know you can get ahold of someone right away. i personally think they should be allowed for anyone. how many people get lost even for a little while each year? We talked to a c.o last year in our neck of the woods by cromwell and he said he would never question them unless you looked guilty. And the thing about two ways is half the time you hear other conversations as well,So the c.o might be listening anyways. i dont know its a bogus law that should be taken off the books..ill quit rambling now.

 
kevin

[GirlGuide]

Tim's Quote:
"I guess there may be some instance where it may be a bit crooked but for the most part knowing and communicating your movements in the woods can be a safer way of hunting."

GREAT POINT TIM!! 


I personally feel way safer knowing that I can make a phone call or get on the radio if I needed help, I could have someone there quickly.  I do not think I would feel nearly as safe without them.

After an evening hunt one night, I was waiting back at the truck for one of my brothers, my husband had left on his wheeler to go back and look for him.  My brother had shot a buck right before sun down and was having trouble finding it.  While I was waiting, the dnr drives up and get out to talk with me.  I tell him what's going on, and him and I sit around for the next 45 minutes or so talking, while waiting for them to get out of the woods.  After a while, the dnr ask me if I have a phone, and could I call them to see how it's going.  I was surprised that he even asked me that...I wasn't sure how he felt about us using them.  I called my husband, but he didn't answer.  After a few minutes I got a text from my husband saying they were coming out.  Again, I was a little nervous about using the text right in front of him because I wasn't sure how he felt on the whole issue.  So  I just came out and asked him what he thought of people using phones and radios.  His comment was he thought that they did more good than bad.  They are so helpful in so many different ways and situations...ofcourse there are people out there that are going to abuse the law, but that is pretty much the same with any law.  He also said that he wouldn't question anybody on them unless he was supicious of something.

~gg

[deadeye]

Great story GG.  Just the thing I like to hear.  Sounds like good use of electronics and a CO with a lot of common sense.  Allthough I am against using these devices to take game, I really don't see that it would be that much of an advantage.  If I had to tell a stander that a drive was about to start, I wouldn't want that guy on stand anyway.