How to get a caliber allowed in your state for Hunting?

[Loyalist Dave]

FWIW I do not hunt with worry of what a DNR person might think.
I follow the law and expect them to do the same .

That is a reasonable expectation, and in a Perfect World, that would be the norm.

It's the norm for me as I do my job, but you would be amazed, I think, at how much of an exception I am, and how much there is to know when it comes to laws, coupled with how much the average LEO does not know. Further, as long as they can say to a judge and a jury "I thought X....", as long as that group think it's "reasonable" then the officer is "held harmless". That's the Real World.

So where I am it's very easy to find an officer who does not know the difference between an AR-15 rifle, an AR-15 SBR, a pistol based on the AR-15 system, and a carbine or pistol with a blowback system that just LOOKS like an AR-15.

So when the officer seizes your firearm in the field because it looks like an AR-15 SBR, when it actually is a pistol based on the AR-15..., and cites you..., you are THEN depending on a bunch of people who could not get out of jury duty to agree with you, OR you're depending on a prosecutor and a judge (both of whom may have anti-gun bias) to agree with you...months later in court, and you having paid for a lawyer.

"Oh I'll just sue them for that", is the mantra I hear.
Well the prosecutor has immunity unless you show gross negligence, and knowing the intricacies of the AR platform and what is legal vs. what is not, is not such. So you'd have to sue the department and the LEO, and he will be given qualified immunity, again because the AR pistol is sooo similar to an AR rifle.

Good Luck.

LD

 

[Aim1]

That is a reasonable expectation, and in a Perfect World, that would be the norm.

It's the norm for me as I do my job, but you would be amazed, I think, at how much of an exception I am, and how much there is to know when it comes to laws, coupled with how much the average LEO does not know. Further, as long as they can say to a judge and a jury "I thought X....", as long as that group think it's "reasonable" then the officer is "held harmless". That's the Real World.

So where I am it's very easy to find an officer who does not know the difference between an AR-15 rifle, an AR-15 SBR, a pistol based on the AR-15 system, and a carbine or pistol with a blowback system that just LOOKS like an AR-15.

So when the officer seizes your firearm in the field because it looks like an AR-15 SBR, when it actually is a pistol based on the AR-15..., and cites you..., you are THEN depending on a bunch of people who could not get out of jury duty to agree with you, OR you're depending on a prosecutor and a judge (both of whom may have anti-gun bias) to agree with you...months later in court, and you having paid for a lawyer.

"Oh I'll just sue them for that", is the mantra I hear.
Well the prosecutor has immunity unless you show gross negligence, and knowing the intricacies of the AR platform and what is legal vs. what is not, is not such. So you'd have to sue the department and the LEO, and he will be given qualified immunity, again because the AR pistol is sooo similar to an AR rifle.

Good Luck.

LD

Yep and it's your time, money, and being charged with a crime that is a huge waste for you.

 

[Hookeye]

If the officer can't tell the difference then he/she has no need to take the item.
I'll explain it once if asked.
After that it's attorney time.

I know an attorney that hunts, that has corrected the issue of harassment and bogus tickets for others.
He's ruthless.

I'll pony up a couple K and triple my investment.

 

[Hookeye]

Yes, sometimes mistakes happen.
It should get resolved before court.
If not, then the issue could be argued as harassment.
And there is recourse for that.

 

[Hookeye]

Too many assume COs to be gun guys.
From my exp they are not.

Been checked a few times yote hunting gov ground.
They run the #s to see if stolen.
Got no prob with that.

Had poachers on our deer spot (private). Buddy had CO on speed dial.
That guy a little more gun savvy, and a super nice guy too.
Of course you know what that means..............transferred.

 

[Hookeye]

Most cops aint stupid.
They learn an area.
Who is who.
Last yr somebody hit a deer down from our hunting spot.
Deputy came down and asked if we could do him a favor.
Pretty banged up, but the backstraps were perfect.

No poaching issues last yr (that we know of).
Maybe word is getting out.

Landowners, hunters and CO's/Deputies.........we are working together to keep that area clean.

 

[Hookeye]

Met the new CO last yr.
Checked me for a doe tag (told him already bucked out).
Everything was pleasant.

So pleasant I forgot about the interaction til just now.
Told him who owned what, the property lines, and what probs we've had.

I like the CO cruising my hunting spots.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

...harassment....

Different states have different definitions, but in many there has to be a "pattern" of behavior. One-off does not rise to such a level.

LD

 

[entropy]

Met the new CO last yr.
Checked me for a doe tag (told him already bucked out).
Everything was pleasant.

So pleasant I forgot about the interaction til just now.
Told him who owned what, the property lines, and what probs we've had.

I like the CO cruising my hunting spots.

You do know you can just hit edit on your first post to add thoughts to it, instead of different posts right?

 

[d2wing]

I have some buddies who live in the Albert Lea, Rochester, and Morris areas, “shotgun only” zone. They and their families have all been hunting for several years with AR-15 pistols in various cartridges. Teach your kids to shoulder the brace, they’ll not notice a difference.

I also live in that zone and have hunted with pistols and shotguns. Lot's of people have built AR pistols in a variety of cartridges for that purpose. Luckily for me I can hunt up North in the rifle zone now. But I have considered doing that. Not crazy about the idea though. I would be sure it is classified as a pistol and not a SBR. I am in favor of your idea.

 

[d2wing]

In my experience the DNR officers tend to be polite, prohunting and know what they are doing here in Minnesota. Just know and obey the law.

 

[curtste]

From what I'm reading on another forum, it looks like rifles are going to be allowed next year in the entire state.

 

[jmorris]

https://www.americantactical.us/5512/detail.html

 

[Aim1]

From what I'm reading on another forum, it looks like rifles are going to be allowed next year in the entire state.

Link?

 

[curtste]

Here you go.

https://www.twincities.com/2020/03/...h-minnesotas-shotgun-only-deer-hunting-zones/

 

[Aim1]

Here you go.

https://www.twincities.com/2020/03/...h-minnesotas-shotgun-only-deer-hunting-zones/

Cool. Thanks!