Crossbows allowed for deer and turkey hunters
Crossbows will be newly allowed for Minnesota deer and spring turkey hunters starting this year, following a law change passed in the 2023 legislative session. Hunters who purchase an archery deer license may possess and take deer with a crossbow throughout the archery deer season. Deer licenses go on sale Tuesday, Aug. 1. Legal requirements for crossbows used for hunting can be found on pages 58 and 59 of the 2022 hunting regulations.
People who purchase a spring archery wild turkey license may take and possess wild turkeys with a crossbow throughout the spring archery wild turkey season. Wild turkey regulations will be available on the DNR turkey hunting webpage in early 2024. The 2023 spring turkey season ended May 31.
The new law expands the use of crossbows, which previously were allowed for some hunters with a permit, who were 60 or older during archery deer or turkey seasons, or during previous firearms seasons for deer or turkeys. Crossbows were already allowed for all hunters during the fall wild turkey and bear seasons. Rough fish may be taken with a crossbow during the bowfishing season.
Two lines allowed in sections of the Minnesota, Mississippi rivers starting July 1
Anglers fishing in the Minnesota River downstream of the Granite Falls dam and in the intrastate portion of the Mississippi River downstream of St. Anthony Falls may use two lines starting Saturday, July 1.
The change results from new legislation passed in the 2023 session. Anglers must continue to use one line when fishing other inland waters (including rivers) or Canada-Minnesota border waters.
Two lines are already permitted for anglers on Minnesota border waters with Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Two lines are also allowed statewide when fishing through the ice. These and other fishing regulations and more information about fishing in Minnesota are available on the DNR website.
Minnesota Twins offer free hats
Anyone with a 2023 Minnesota fishing or hunting license can receive a free special edition orange Minnesota Twins logo cap and a ticket discount from the Twins, through a partnership between the Twins and the Minnesota DNR.
Upcoming DNR Days at Twins games this season are:
- Tuesday, June 13 vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 6:40 p.m.
- Sunday, July 23 vs. Chicago White Sox, 1:10 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 19 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 6:10 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 9 vs. New York Mets, 1:10 p.m.
Promotion details, instructions for purchasing tickets, and information on buying a fishing or hunting license, are available on the Minnesota DNR Days page. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time using our special DNR link to receive this offer.