Protect Minnesota’s hunting legacy by not trespassing on private property

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Protect Minnesota’s hunting legacy by not trespassing on private property
(Released October 17, 2011)

With Minnesota’s small game, waterfowl, and archery deer seasons underway, and the firearm deer season set to begin Nov. 5, conservation officers with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) report an increase in trespass calls from landowners.

Hunters are reminded that there is one sure way to avoid problems associated with trespassing: “Always Ask First.”

“While most hunters are law-abiding, when there are issues, trespass is the biggest problem landowners have with hunters,” said Col. Jim Konrad, DNR Enforcement director. “It is critical for hunters to have good relationships with landowners, especially when you consider that in some parts of the state, such as southwestern Minnesota, about 95 percent of the land is privately owned.”

“If hunters and other outdoor recreationists would just make it a standard practice to always ask for permission before entering any private land, those relationships would improve a lot.”

Konrad encourages all hunters and landowners to obtain a copy of the 2011 Hunting and Trapping booklet and review the trespass information on pages 6-7. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to be very familiar with the trespass law.”

Trespass penalties range from a $50 civil fine to a criminal penalty of a several thousand dollars, confiscation of vehicles and hunting equipment, and revocation of hunting privileges for two or more years.