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97B.031 USE AND POSSESSION OF FIREARMS.

Subdivision 1.Permissible firearms and ammunition; big game and wolves.

A person may take big game and wolves with a firearm only if:

(1) any rifle, shotgun, or handgun used is a caliber of at least .22 inches and has centerfire ignition;

(2) the firearm is loaded only with single projectile ammunition;

(3) a projectile used is a caliber of at least .22 inches and has a soft point or is an expanding bullet type;

(4) any muzzleloader used has the projectile loaded only at the muzzle;

(5) any smooth-bore muzzleloader used is a caliber of at least .45 inches; and

(6) any rifled muzzleloader used is a caliber of at least .40 inches.

Subd. 2.Handguns for small game.

A person may take small game with a handgun of any caliber in a manner prescribed by the commissioner, except that wolves may only be taken by hunting with the calibers specified in subdivision 1.

Subd. 3.Firearms larger than ten gauge prohibited.

A person may not use a firearm with a bore larger than a ten gauge to take a protected wild animal.

Subd. 4.

[Repealed, 2015 c 65 art 3 s 38]

Subd. 5.

[Repealed, 2017 c 93 art 2 s 166]

Subd. 6.Scopes.

A person may use a muzzleloader with a scope to take deer during the muzzleloader season. The scope may have magnification capabilities.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes