This document is made available electronically by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library as part of an ongoing digital archiving project. http://www.leg.state.mn.us/lrl/lrl.asp BBee RResponsibleesponsible oorr bbee rregulated...IT’Segulated...IT’S YOURYOUR CHOICE!CHOICE! If you are one of the many hunters in the great state of Minnesota who Managed or Limited State Forest Land Hunting and Using ATVs During Deer Season Special Permits for Disabled Hunters enjoys accessing your favorite hunting location with an all-terrain vehicle Trapping Exceptions (Class 1 ATVs) To reduce disturbance during the prime hunting times, a person A permit to shoot from a standing motor vehicle may be issued to a (ATV), you are not alone! Travel off roads and trails (cross-country travel) is possessing any valid deer license is restricted to the following hours licensed hunter who has a permanent physical disability, and is unable prohibited on all state lands; however, Minnesota statute has of operation for ATVs during the fi rearms deer season, including the to step from a vehicle without the aid of a wheelchair, crutches, braces, Using ATVs while hunting is a privilege, and the responsibility is yours to provided four exceptions for ATVs operated in “Managed” or “Limited” State muzzleloader season. Such vehicles may only be operated: or other mechanical support or prosthetic device; or is required to use maintain the high quality and beauty of your hunting area. Being respectful Forests (see reverse for forest classifi cations). In these State Forests, • before legal shooting time (one-half hour before sunrise), supplemental oxygen to assist breathing because they are unable to of the landscape and wildlife around you is key to ensuring the next year’s Class 1 ATVs may be used cross-country to: • from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. walk any distance because of a permanent lung, heart, or other internal hunt, as well as that of future generations. Here are some rules and tips to • retrieve big game (September through December) • after legal shooting hours (one-half hour after sunset). disease. Permits are available at any DNR regional offi ce, or by calling remember while out on the hunt. • hunt for big game and to construct stands (October through December) This regulation applies to all public and private lands, however the DNR Information Center at: 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367). • trap during the open season for protected furbearers landowners or persons authorized by landowners may operate ATVs on About ATVs • trap for minnows under certain conditions. private property at any time. A permit to operate ATVs on public land Public waters where ATVs may not be ridden include: below the ATVs are defi ned as motorized, fl oatation-tired vehicles of not less than The ATV operator must have the appropriate valid hunting, trapping, or during the closed time periods may be issued by a DNR conservation ordinary high-water level of unfrozen lakes, rivers, and streams; three low-pressure tires, but not more than six tires. Class 1 ATVs are commercial license in possession. (These do not apply to the Richard J. Dorer Forest.) offi cer in an emergency or other unusual condition. ATVs are not allowed certain wetlands; or in calcareous fens. The inventory of public waters further defi ned as vehicles with engines less than 800cc and under 900 in State Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, Scientifi c and Natural Areas, can be viewed on DNR’s Web site (http://www.mndnr.gov/waters/ pounds. Class 2 ATVs are defi ned as vehicles with engines less than 800cc Class 2 ATV rules or in most Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). ATV use is regulated in watermgmt_section/pwi/maps.html) or at DNR Waters and Fisheries offi ces; and at county auditors, soil and water district, watershed weighing between 900-1,500 pounds. Class 2 ATVs may use unmarked/unsigned routes (see State Forest section on state and national forests. (See Hunting Regulations for more details.) district, and zoning and engineering offi ces. reverse for defi nition) during hunting season, but may not travel off-trail or cross-country for any reason. Firearms and Archery Transportation Class 1 ATV ATVs and Wetland Disturbance While travelling on a motor vehicle, all fi rearms, including handguns, A person may not operate an ATV in a manner to: Related Off-Highway Vehicle Laws must be unloaded and contained in a case, and all bows must be • indicate a willful, wanton, or reckless disregard for the safety of Class 2 ATV It is unlawful to ride: unstrung or contained in a case. Discharge of a fi rearm or bow from an persons or property. • in unfrozen public waters (lakes, rivers, streams, and certain wetlands), ATV without a permit • carelessly upset the natural and ecological balance of a wetland or public waters wetland. or in calcareous fens. (defi nition: http://fi les.dnr.state.mn.us/publications/waters/ is illegal. • impact a wetland or public waters wetland in excess of minimum Calcareous_Fen_List.pdf ) amounts established under law. • on a trail on public land that is for non-motorized use only. • on restricted areas within public lands that are posted or where gates Wetland restrictions vary by area of the state and other criteria. or other clearly visible structures are placed to prevent unauthorized Check the DNR Web site for more information, www.mndnr.gov. motorized vehicle access. AATVTV RIDINGRIDING FORFOR THETHE PURPOSEPURPOSE OFOF BIGBIG GAMEGAME HUNTINGHUNTING ISIS A PRIVILEGE!PRIVILEGE! RESPECT tthehe LLandand

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0 n . 2 i w t 0 Turn in Poachers hotline: 1-800-652-9093 M Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 5 500 Lafayette Rd. S St. Paul, MN 55155 w www.mndnr.gov others in your party. © 2008, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Private Property Know where you Most of Minnesota is private property. And most hunters hunt on private land. Minnesota’s trespass laws have been written to protect human life, Q: I am going to archery hunt for deer in the Foot Hills State Forest livestock, and the rights of landowners. These laws, summarized in the the last week of September 2008. How can I use my ATV for that “Hunting and Trapping Regulations,” require hunters to get permission to are riding! hunt? hunt agricultural land. A: While archery hunting for deer from September 13 through Also, hunters can’t hunt any posted private land unless they have written Hunting Land Locations September 30, 2008, in the Foot Hills State Forest, which is permission, and they can’t hunt land if they’ve been told to leave. To fi nd a Limited forest, you can drive your ATV on signed ATV trails Finding a great place to hunt is often as challenging as the actual out if unmarked land is private, inquire at the county auditor’s offi ce. or signed forest roads or off-trail for retrieval only. During hunting itself. Minnesota hunters are fortunate that the search is not September you cannot drive off-trail or off-road to build nearly as diffi cult as it is in many states, where public land is rare. permanent stands or erect portable stands. The most commonly hunted public lands in Minnesota are state Wildlife Is It Trespassing? Public road right-of-way includes the entire right-of-way of a I want to cross State Forest land to get to my hunting spot on On private land, the simple and best Management Areas (WMAs), State Forests, National Forests, and Federal Q: roadway that is not privately owned, including the traveled portions, county land. There is no road or trail to that location. Can I use my answer is, ask fi rst! Signs are posted by Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs). For additional Information, go to banks, ditches, shoulders, and medians. ATV off-trail to get there? the landowners, and they will state, www.mndnr.gov/hunting/tips/locations.html “No Trespassing,” or similar words in It is illegal to operate ATVs on the inside slope, shoulder, and roadway Yes, but only for for stand construction October through two-inch letters and the signature or name A: of state roads and most county roads, except when avoiding an December, or for hunting or retrieval of downed big game and telephone number of the landowner, lessee, obstacle, such as a bridge. NOTE: Class 2 ATVs may be operated on the September through December. You cannot use it for small, upland or manager. There can be civil and criminal penalties for violation of shoulder or extreme right side of county roads and on the right side of game hunting. Check with the County Land Department to see if the trespass laws. Frequently Asked Questions township roads and city streets if not prohibited by the road authority their regulations differ for riding on the county land. or other local laws. Check with local authorities for the rules in the Civil penalties start at $50 for the fi rst offense, and range up to $500 What are the restrictions on the use of my ATV while deer area you are riding. Class 2 ATVs may NOT be operated on the shoulder Q: We have a Class 2 ATV that we use for getting to our stands and and loss of license or registration for a third offense within three Q: of a state trunk highway. See “2008 OHV Regulations” for full rules. hunting? transporting deer back to camp, can it be used for other purposes years. All conservation and peace offi cers enforce trespass laws. the same as we use the Class 1 ATVs? PUBLIC ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY A: It depends on where and when you are deer hunting. On private land, you may travel on private roads or trails or off roads and No OHM, OHV No OHM, A: No, existing Minnesota statues do not extend the same privileges Other hunting opportunities include Forest Legacy ORV, or ORV, or trails. However, public waters (such as lakes or streams) and riding to Class 2 ATVs as it does to Class 1 ATVs. You can use a Class 2 to Conservation Areas, National Wildlife Refuges, Class 2 ATV Class 2 ATV wetlands must be avoided, as damaging public waters is illegal. retrieve downed big game and for trapping and stand construction prohibited National Forests, county lands, as well as others. Class 1 Class 1 Private Property but it cannot go off-trail, or travel cross-country. They must ATV riding ATV riding Private Property On public land in a National Forest, call 218-335-8600 for the remain on existing forest roads and routes or trails designated for Check out: permitted permitted Chippewa National Forest and 218-626-4300 for the Superior Class 2 use. They can not operate on trails designated for other www.mndnr.gov/hunting/tips/locations.html Roadway National Forest. For county land, contact the local county types of use or any road or route that is gated or posted closed. Ditch Ditch authority. See information on WMAs and State Forests below. for more information on these opportunities.

WMAs with Special ATV Use Allowed is sign! Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) tch for th On WMAs north and west of the green wwatcha for this sign! line shown below, an ATV may be used General WMA ATV Restrictions CANADA A person cannot operate an ATV in a Wildlife Management Area, a by a licensed fi rearms deer hunter who Caribou does not possess a fi rearm (cased or Skull Lake WMA Roseau River MINNESOTA State Park, or a Scientifi c and Natural Area, except as specifi cally WMA WMA Roseau uncased) to retrieve and transport a 59 Lake authorized by law or rule. See the full “2008 Hunting and Trapping WMA Warroad Regulations” for more information. deer that is known to be dead from the 89 close of shooting hours to two hours 75 KITTSON CO. Beaches Lake 11 WMA after the close of shooting hours during Hallock Roseau the regular fi rearms deer season and ROSEAU CO. 5 for one day after the season. 11 Greenbush On WMAs within the ATV Sub-unit, a

NORTH DAKOTA NORTH Nereson licensed deer hunter may operate Twin Lakes WMA 11 Donaldson WMA an all-terrain vehicle during the Karlstad 89 Strathcona Palmville fi rearms deer season before and sign! his CO. WOODS r t LAEK OF THE wwatchatch forfo this sign! WMA after shooting hours and from 11 a.m. East Park Wapiti to 2 p.m. or during the 2 hour period WMA Thief Lake WMA 1 59 WMA after the close of shooting hours. Middle River Parkway Dick’s Moose WMA sign!

6 Red Lake is River tch for th MARSHALL CO. Agassiz wwatcha for this sign! National ATV WMA 32 Wildlife 75 Refuge SUB-UNIT Four 89 Town Warren Elm Lake 219 1 WMA CO. BELTRAMI Thief River Falls POLK CO. PENNINGTON CO. 1

State Forests Forest Name and Classifi cation Unmarked / Unsigned Routes: When deer hunting in a State Forest, you need to know the Forest’s classifi cation. Is it a Closed forest, a Limited forest, or a Managed forest? Badoura Limited Lake of the Woods Managed Vehicle Use Rules and Regulations Battleground** Closed Land O’ Lakes Managed In a Managed forest, motor vehicles may be operated on pre-existing, Areas with Limitations are areas within In a LIMITED forest in September an ATV can Bear Island Managed Lost River Managed unsigned routes on State Forest lands. When operating on unsigned State Forests where the big game/trapper be used on an ATV trail or forest road or off- Beltrami Island Managed Lyons** Limited exceptions do not apply. Generally, hunters routes in Minnesota’s State forests, it is illegal to cause erosion, rutting, trail for retrieval of a big game animal when in Big Fork Managed Miss. Headwaters** Limited using forest lands classifi ed as Managed or or damage to trees. possession of a valid big game license. Birch Lakes Closed Nemadji Limited Limited are afforded off-highway vehicle Blackduck Managed Northwest Angle Managed Use your best judgement - if it’s wet, don’t ride! exceptions when hunting big game or In a LIMITED forest during the months of October, Bowstring** Limited Pat Bayle* Limited transporting or installing hunting stands November, and December, for hunting big game, Buena Vista** Limited Paul Bunyan Limited during October, November, and December, or for transporting or installing stands when in Bear Baiting Burntside*** Pillsbury Closed when in possession of a valid big game hunting possession of a valid big game license: Closed/Managed Cross-country travel (off Chengwatana Pine Island Managed license; retrieving big game in September, Limited roads and trails) with Cloquet Valley Managed R.J.D. Memorial**** Limited when in possession of a valid big game hunting • Class 1 ATVs - can be used off trail, on Class 1 ATV trails, on trails not motorized vehicles for the Crow Wing** Limited Red Lake Managed license; tending traps during an open trapping season for protected designated for a specifi c use, and on forest roads D.A.R. Limited Remer** Limited purpose of bear baiting is not furbearers, when in possession of a valid trapping license. Areas with • Class 2 ATVs - can be used on Class 2 ATV trails, on trails not Emily** Limited Rum River Limited permitted. Class 1 ATVs may Limitations do not have this general exception. designated for a specifi c use, and on forest roads Finland*** Limited/Closed Sand Dunes Closed only be used cross-country • ORVs - can be used on trails not designated for a specifi c use and on Fond du Lac Limited Savanna Managed to retrieve downed big game forest roads Foot Hills Smokey Bear Managed Limited in Managed and Limited NOTE: These exceptions do not apply if the route is closed with a sign, gate, or physical General Andrews Limited Smoky Hills** Limited forests from September In a CLOSED forest, no ATVs are allowed on barrier, or to the Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest. George Washing. Managed Snake River Limited state land for either hunting or recreational Golden Anniver. Managed Solana Limited through December, and for riding. Forest trails that are designated for a specifi c use other than ATV riding Grand Portage Managed St. Croix Limited stand construction October cannot be used by ATVs for big game hunting. Hill River Managed Sturgeon River Managed through December. Huntersville** Limited Two Inlets** Limited Hours of operation for ATVs during the fi rearms deer Insula Lake Closed Waukenabo Managed season, including the muzzleloader season are: Kabetogama Managed Wealthwood Limited In a MANAGED forest, allowed ATV use for • before legal shooting time (1/2 hour before sunrise), Check for updates on Forest Road and Trail Koochiching Managed Welsh Lake** Closed deer hunting is the same as in a Limited forest • from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. • after legal shooting hours (1/2 hour after sunset). Lake Isabella Closed White Earth Managed conditions before you go! except that in a Managed forest, traffi c is Lake Jeanette Closed/Managed Whiteface River Closed allowed on all routes, including ATV trails, Go to www.FindTheTrails.com and click on forest roads, and unmarked routes, unless the Go to: http://www.mndnr.gov/input/mgmtplans/ohv/designation/status.html for the latest information NOT ALL PUBLIC LAND BOUNDARIES ARE MARKED! * effective September 1, 2008 “OHV Trail” or “Forest Road” closures. route is closed with a sign, gate, or physical Use maps and a GPS unit to know whose land you are on. ** effective December 31, 2008 barrier. See hours of operation under the Learn the Off-Highway Vehicle rules for the land you are on. *** Portions are limited and managed. Effective 9/1/08 portions are closed, limited, and managed. “Limited” section. **** This limited forest does not have any areas where the big game hunter/trapper exception applies. © 2008, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources