Subdivision 1. Permissible firearms and ammunition; big game and wolves. A person may take big game and wolves with a firearm only if:

(1) the rifle, shotgun, and handgun used is a caliber of at least .22 inches and with 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) the muzzleloader used is incapable of being loaded at the breech;

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

(6) the 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 [Repealed, 2015 c 65 art 3 s 38]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 [Repealed, 2017 c 93 art 2 s 166]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.

History: 1986 c 386 art 2 s 7; 1989 c 153 s 1; 1989 c 287 s 7; 2000 c 473 s 7; 2002 c 351 s 15; 2004 c 215 s 19; 2005 c 102 s 1; 2005 c 146 s 28,29; 2007 c 131 art 1 s 36; 2008 c 368 art 2 s 39; 1Sp2011 c 2 art 5 s 39; 2012 c 277 art 1 s 50,51; 2014 c 290 s 38; 1Sp2015 c 4 art 5 s 19,20; 2017 c 93 art 2 s 93