Minnesota DNR Clarifies Deer Baiting Rules For Hunters

As we are gearing up for another weekend of treestands, blaze orange, and tales of the one that got away, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Enforcement Division put up a post on social media about what is and isn't considered deer baiting. So before you head out for the weekend, give this a quick once-over; you might be happy you did.

What Does The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Consider Baiting?

According to Minnesota Statute 97B.328;

"Bait" includes grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, hay, or other food that is capable of attracting or enticing deer and that has been placed by a person. "Baiting" means placing, exposing, depositing, distributing, or scattering bait that is capable of attracting or enticing deer.

So putting down grain, or other edible substances that would bring deer to an area, would be considered baiting under that statute. But what about agricultural land where crops were grown? That's where the post from the MN DNR Enforcement page comes in.

Are Minnesota Wildlife Food Plots Considered Baiting?

According to the same state statute, planted food plots for wildlife are NOT considered baiting. Rather, if you were to empty a portion of your grain bin in the field, that would be considered baiting. This is what DNR Enforcement wrote about wildlife food plots in terms of baiting.

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"Agricultural crops from normal or accepted farming, forest management, wildlife food plantings, orchard management, or other similar land management activities are not bait. This exclusion does not apply to agricultural crops that have been reintroduced and concentrated where a person is hunting."

A Hot Button Topic This Year

Deer Baiting has been a hot topic online this year, as I've seen videos about what is and isn't considered deer baiting pop up on my social media feed all week, including some from a State Senator from Little Falls.

In June of this year, another 8 counties were added by the Minnesota DNR to outlaw the practice of deer feeding year-round, in an effort to cut down on Chronic Wasting Disease.

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Source: Are Minnesota Wildlife Food Plots Considered Baiting For Deer?