Hunting Ducks On The River Question

the 2015 DNR regulations booklet states: A person may not take migratory waterfowl, coots, or rails in open water unless that person is on a river or stream that is not more than 100 yards in width.

My question is does this mean the river cannot be more than 100 yards in width at any point on the river or just on the point that you are at? For example, I would think there are portions of the Minnesota river that are more than 100 yards wide and portions that are not. Does that mean Hunting on the MN river is off limits for the entire river or just in those areas? Ive never hunted on the river so sorry if this is a noob question and thanks for any advice you have!

I read it as the whole river.
DT

I would read it as just the opposite. I would take that to mean the width of the river in the section where you are hunting. (I would extend that area to include a goodly portion both up and down river of my exact location.) How would it be expected or possible for anyone to know the width of a river along it’s entire length? Why would it even matter how wide the river is 50 or 100 miles downstream from where one is hunting?

The correct answer of course is; contact your local DNR officer. :>)

This rule only applies to hunting in open water FYI. If you are hunting from shore or in the cover of natural vegetation this rule does not apply.

sticker wrote:

This rule only applies to hunting in open water FYI. If you are hunting from shore or in the cover of natural vegetation this rule does not apply.

Thanks. Yeah I was more thinking about hunting from a boat. I put in a call to my local DNR agent this morning. Ill let you know what they say when he returns my call.

You can still hunt from a boat, just not in open water, ie, you need to either be in vegetation or on shore if it is wider than 100 yards. Open water hunting is illegal, except on certain bodies of water in MN.

The law of 100 yards is to allow guy’s to float down small creeks and jump shoot. On open water there is something similar called skulling, which is illegal along with sink boxes.

If in doubt, call the local co.

I’ve asked this same question to the DNR in the past. I was told it was just for open water hunting and hunting from shore is just fine, regardless of size. The 100 yard rule applies to the particular section you are hunting. There are a couple small rivers I enjoy floating down and jump shooting with a buddy in my area. One person paddles around a bend and the other shoots.

Small rivers, once late season starts, can be an incredible resource for filling your daily bag. There are so many spots to find cover and the birds are used to being sky busted when going over lakes once late season comes. You will be amazed how many birds find sanctuary in small rivers.