Minnesota DNR cracks down on deer baiting

With citations for deer baiting hitting an all-time high, conservation officers are reminding Minnesota deer hunters to review the rules before heading to the field.

Col. Ken Soring, enforcement director for the Department of Natural Resources, says they're seeing increased numbers of convictions for deer baiting despite higher penalties that were enacted last year.

Deer baiting is placing food near deer stands or clearings with the intent of luring a deer into close shooting range. It's been illegal in Minnesota since 1991.

Conservation officers issued 166 citations and 49 warnings while confiscating 135 firearms and bows during the 2012 deer seasons. Those are the most citations and confiscations since the DNR began tracking baiting violations in 1991.

Besides fines and forfeitures, the penalties include revocations of hunting privileges.