HF613

Purpose

• The bill would allow the use of straight-wall cartridge ammunition to take deer statewide during the regular firearms season in the shotgun use area. It amends the existing deer hunting law to expand acceptable ammunition and firearm types for deer hunting.

Main provisions

• Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97B.318, subdivision 1:
  • During the regular firearms season in the shotgun use area, deer may be taken with:
  • legal shotguns loaded with singleslug shotgun shells, legal muzzleloading long guns, and legal handguns, and
  • other legal firearms loaded with straight-wall cartridge ammunition.
  • Legal shotguns include those with rifled barrels.
• Defines the shotgun use area by a detailed boundary that follows the state’s borders, effectively covering the state (the boundary runs along the west, north, east, and south borders of Minnesota).

Scope and geographic area

• The shotgun use area is described by a boundary that traces Minnesota’s borders, starting at the west boundary near Clay County and continuing around the state back to the starting point. This description establishes where the new ammunition allowance applies, which, given the boundary description, encompasses the state’s hunting area during the regular firearms season.

Significant changes to existing law

• Adds authorization for straight-wall cartridge ammunition to be used for deer taking.
• Explicitly includes legal shotguns with rifled barrels and “other legal firearms” that are loaded with straight-wall cartridge ammunition as permissible means to take deer.
• Keeps existing categories (singleslug shotgun shells, legal muzzleloaders, and legal handguns) as acceptable options alongside straight-wall cartridge ammunition.

Practical implications

• Hunters would have more options for ammunition and firearm types when taking deer during the regular firearms season in the shotgun use area.
• The change could affect equipment choices, hunting strategies, and possibly safety and training considerations, given the broader range of permitted ammunition types.

Relevant Terms - straight-wall cartridge ammunition - deer - shotgun use area - regular firearms season - legal shotguns - rifled barrels - singleslug shotgun shells - legal muzzleloading long guns - legal handguns - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 97B.318 - boundary (state boundaries of Minnesota) - Section 1