Minaska Callers

KennyB223

New member
I was wondering if I could drive up to Lincoln, NE and purchase a caller/decoy at the Minaska factory or do they need some lead time to build the units as they or ordered? I know I should call them but its still early here.
Any pro's con's foxpro vs Minaska?
Kenny
 
I would suggest making sure that your state allows the use of wireless Electronic callers first. I just found out that it is against the Law in MN and in IA, of course there is a loophole in MN where I have to get a permit (free) from the local Wildlife Manager, and it is at their decision whether I will get one or not. Check you local laws first. Other than that, I really love my M1 bandit....
 
I'm also interested in MN law, where is this spelled out? I thought I read the regulations pretty well. I know you can't use it for waterfoul but I thought predators was just fine. Everyone uses an ecall for Crows. Let me know what page your finding this regulation.

Thanks
 
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xcrider,

Over the past few days, I have been checking this law out. When you get your hunting guide, the only mention to it is where it states on page 30 of the manual that radios and other wireless devices is unlawful for use on big and small game. However, on page 26, it states that weasels, coyotes, gophers, porcupines, striped skunks, and all other mammals for which there is no closed season may be taken by any means other than with the aid of artificial lights (which will be changing thank to Randy Buker), with the aid of a motor vehicle, or by poison. To me, my interpretation from the manual is that remote callers would be legal for taking coyotes. But, my interpretation was wrong ( I still say that the MN manual is wrong, and not my interpretation). One of the statutes of the DNR states something differently.

Statute 97B.085 states this:

Subdivision 1. Radio use in taking game prohibited.
A person may not use radio equipment to take big game or small game.

Subd. 2. Taking unprotected wild animals; permit
required. A person may not use radio equipment to take
unprotected wild animals without a permit. The commissioner may issue a permit to take unprotected animals with radio equipment. The commissioner shall cancel the permit upon receiving a valid complaint of misconduct regarding the permittee's hunting activities.

Subd. 3. Communication excepted. This section does
not prohibit the use of one-way radio communication between a handler and a dog.

HIST: 1986 c 386 art 2 s 18; 1991 c 166 s 1; 1992 c 479 s 1

Copyright 2005 by the Office of Revisor of Statutes, State of Minnesota

If you notice in this law, they are eluding to the use of radios for communication, and not for controlling other devices. Many of these laws were written to prevent people from communicating with one another via radios. They even go further to state that one way communication between a handler and a dog is ok (remote digital game callers are one way communication). Alot of these laws are left open for interpretation, as we have found true in many other states. Also, it states for the use for big and small game, not all animals.

However, when I contacted some enforcement officers, they stated that the use of remote controlled callers for all animals fell under this statute. It really does not make any sense to me at all. I have left a message with Tom Hackbarth (thanks Randy), a represenative for MN to try and get this amended, but I am certain that the support of many MN residents will be needed as well. I will keep you informed as to what my progress is, but if you live in MN, I would certainly advise that you make contacts as well if you are interested in getting things changed.

Mike Dillon

FOXPRO, Inc.
"The Caller of the Wild"

The True Leader.
Often imitated, never equaled!
 
Mike,

I agree that the regulations / laws have been written very confusing. I do think it is clear (at least in my mind) that they spell out the difference between big game, small game, leaving predators and crows in a different category.

What I have below is from the published hunting regulations that are handed out, not the actual statute / law. I did a keyword search on the .pdf regulations file you can download. I searched "wireless" and "caller" my interpation is the words "wireless" or "radio" refer to communications between hunter using cell phone or 2way radio type devices.

I guess the only way to find out is for someone to get a ticket and go to court and fight to get the confusion cleared up.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This is from page 26 of the regulations with respect to crows:

Crows
• Crows may be taken without a license in season or at any time when they are doing or are about to do damage.
Electronic calls or sounds may be used for crow hunting.
• Crows may be taken with a legal firearm (shotgun not larger than 10 gauge, rifle, or handgun), bow and arrow, or by falconry.

Page 30:
Radios and Other Wireless Devices
• Using walkie talkies, cell phones, or other radio equipment to take big game or small game is un lawful.
• A DNR permit is required to take unprotected animals with the aid of radio equipment.

This is from page 33 under hunting with artifical lights:

ARTIFICIAL LIGHTS
A person may not cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light onto a highway or into a field, woodland, or forest to spot, locate, or take a wild animal while possessing, either individually or as
one of a group, a firearm, bow, or other implement that could be used to kill big game. The exceptions to this regulation are:
a) A firearm that is unloaded, cased, and in the closed trunk* of a motor vehicle (see definitions of “unloaded” and “cased,” page 24); or
b) A bow that is completely encased or unstrung and in the trunk* of a motor vehicle.
c) A person hunting for coyote from Jan. 1 to March 15 may use an artificial handheld light under the following conditions:
• While on foot and not within a public right of way
• Using a shotgun
Using a calling device
• Not within 200 feet of vehicle
 
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xcrider,

The issue is that the state says that remote controlled electronic callers are not legal. Obviously, electronic callers are legal, but according to enforcement, not one equipped with a remote. Above, I mentioned page 26 and 30 right from the hunting guide that they hand out.
I also agree with you 100% that when they refer to wireless or radio, they are referring to walkie talkies. However, when I spoke with an enforcement officer (actually, 2 different ones), they both stated that remote controlled callers were brought up specifically in their meetings, and were not allowed. Would they fine you for using one---maybe or maybe not, but what needs to be done is to amend the law, so there is no questions. I will do what I can on my part to get things started, but more importantly, the voice of the MN predator hunters need to be heard. You would be surprised as to what can happen when they start getting frequent phone calls about an issue.

Mike Dillon

FOXPRO, Inc.
"The Caller of the Wild"

The True Leader.
Often imitated, never equaled!
 
Do we start with state representative or state senators? Call the Minnesota DNR and keep pestering? What do you suggest?
 
xcrider,

The first thing that I am going to do is to get ahold of Tom Hackbarth to try and get it brought to the table. Once there, it has to be passed by committee (from what I understand--and that is the way that it is done in PA). What I have done here in PA on another issue was to contact our local state rep, and have them support the bill once it was on the table.
I will keep you informed as to my progress. If Randy Buker reads this, he can give some more information as well. He was instrumental in getting the light law in MN changed. As stated, I will do everything that I can, but I am sure that there will be a point where help from MN residents will be needed.

Mike Dillon

FOXPRO, Inc.
"The Caller of the Wild"

The True Leader.
Often imitated, never equaled!
 
My state Senator keeps sending out literature telling us that she is Pro Hunting. Let me know when you have something that I can talk / give to her to support or author and I will do it.

Thanks for your help,
Don
 
XCrider, check out my postings on this in "the great white north" forum here. My local CO said it is legal to use a caller. I called both the state offices (IA and MN) and was told by both organizations that electronic callers are illegal.

I talked with Randy yesterday on the phone and I, along with a couple of other guys down here are going to get the ball rolling in late december.....I think the more people who contact their legislators, the easier this process will be. Besides, I would rather not sell my M1 Bandit, and my buddy would really like to keep his FX3

 
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Thanks for the link to your post on great white north. I think if we all put our efforts and heads together there might be a chance for change.

I'll start posting on the great white north.
 
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