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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds off-highway vehicle (OHV) riders that new recreational riding restrictions will be in effect for the duration of the regular firearms deer hunting season. This restriction is intended to protect recreational OHV riders from potentially unsafe riding conditions and to minimize conflicts between deer hunters and recreational riders who may unintentionally interrupt the hunt.
The restrictions apply to off-highway vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and off-road vehicles such as Jeeps and four-wheel-drive trucks that are not being used in conjunction with deer hunting by a licensed deer hunter.
In the northeastern Minnesota 100 Series deer season, the recreational riding restriction will be in effect Nov. 8 through Nov. 23. In Minnesota 200 Series deer season, the recreational riding restriction will be in effect Nov. 8 through Nov. 16. (The 2008 Series deer season map is available at www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/deer/index.html under Maps.)
The riding restrictions do not apply to OHV use by deer hunters possessing a valid firearms deer hunting license. They may operate an OHV during the following times: before legal shooting time (one-half hour before sunrise); from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and after legal shooting hours (one-half hour after sunset).
Wearing blaze orange is recommended during the firearms deer season when visiting Minnesota's forest lands, said Capt. Mike Hammer, Education Program coordinator for the DNR Enforcement Division.
"See and be seen; it's a common sense thing to do," Hammer said. "The DNR urges all hunters heading afield for the firearms deer season to think about safety first."
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