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Crossbows for all during 2023 archery season: How did we get here, and where will it lead?
Minnesota deer hunters have learned throughout the years to be leery of regulation changes that are the product of the state Legislature.
This year was no different.
When the legislative session’s dust settled this spring, a new law had been approved – OK’d by both the House and Senate and the bill signed by Gov. Tim Walz – that will allow anyone and everyone to use crossbows to kill deer during the entirety of the state’s archery season, beginning this year.
For both casual and ardent Capitol observers, the rule change came as a surprise – out-of-the-blue legislation that will no doubt have its supporters and its detractors. Will it affect deer harvest? Will it affect the state’s deer herd? Officials with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources say it’s up to them to make that determination as best they can, with somewhat limited tools at their disposal.