Minnesota
Bowhunting History
By
Tony Kuehn
28,000
BC to present day- Native Americans and their human
ancestors, people such as haplogroupX
(Eurasian) found in the Ojibwa and ancient Jomon
(prehistoric Japanese?) found in the Blackfoot, Iroquois
and others inhabit the region to later be known as Minnesota.
While it’s well known that African arrowheads have been
found to date back 25,000BC, similar artifacts have also
been found in North America. The Kennewick
Man found in Washington,
had an imbedded stone point in his hip. The Spirit Cave
Mummy (Nevada) has been measured to have a mean date of
9,415 + 25 years ago. Recently, a frozen corpse was
found in British
Columbia. Resembling Otzi the
Tyrolean Iceman, who is 5,3000 years old, the Canadian corpse was found with an atlatl (spear thrower) and is estimated to be no more than
10,000 years old. Thus so far it’s unknown how long archery
equipment may have been used in North
America.
Late
1800’to early 1900’s- firearms replace archery
equipment for war and hunting activities. However, the Federal
Government makes available steel arrowheads for trading
with the Native Americans (presumably for hunting). Many
tribes have reservations established in Minnesota. Major Native American Treaties covering parts of Minnesota
are signed in 1837 and 1854.
1930-
Bow and Arrow First Recognized as Legal Hunting Equipment
in Minnesota
1938-
Minnesota State Archery Association Is Founded
1940-First
Archery Season for Big Game in Minnesota
1942-
Second Archery Season Occurs
1943-
Special Season Set for Last Two Weeks in October. Laws Set
Restrictions on Legal Archery Equipment. Illegal to Possess
Firearms While Bowhunting.
1946-
Minnesota Bowhunters, Inc. is Founded.
1951-
Special Archery License Issued; Finally Able to Keep Accurate
Records on Number of Bowhunters
1955-Season
Lenghtened to Entire Month of
October. Legalized Harvest of Rough
Fish.
1961-
Pope and Young Club is Founded; Moved to Chatfield, Minnesota in 2002
1963-
Additional Bow Season in December
1971-
Open Season Set for Black Bear
1975-
Fireams Safety Training Becomes Required to Purchase a Big
Game License of any Kind. The Standard Course Included a
Small Section on Archery and Bowhunting Which Still Continues
to This Day.
1978-
Tresspass Laws Strengthened (again in 1996)
1985-
Minnestoa Deer Hunters Association is Founded, Membership
Includes Archers and Firearms Hunters.
1986-
Curt VanLith Shoots One of the
Biggest Typical Whitetail Deer on Record. It Green Scores
198 and 6/8ths Which Easily Surpassed the Previous Record.
1988-
Minnesota Bowhunter Education
Program (MBEP) Started by MN DNR.
1988-
Mechanical Releases are Allowed for Hunting in Minnesota After a Successful Bowhunter’s
Lobbying Effort.
1989-
Minnesota Bowhunter Education
Program (MBEP) Sanctioned by the MNDNR and is Accepted by
all Other States That Require Bowhunter
Education to Buy Archery Licenses. First MBEP Instructor
Class Held. Bill Wadsworth (Founder
of Bowhunter Education) was the
Trainer for the First Session.
1996-
Tresspass Law Appended to Include More Specific Language.
MBI celebrates 50 years of Existence by Hosting a State
Bowhunter Rendezvous at the Earle Brown Center in St. Paul.
1999-
Regulations Altered Regarding Sunrise and Sunset Hunting
Times and the Casing/un-stringing of the Bow.
2000-2005-
MN DNR Extends Permit Zone Areas Where Additional Deer Can
be Taken with Bow and Arrow, Including Some WMA’s
and Special Refuges Open to Hunting.
2002-
MNDNR Establishes Several Youth Archery Deer Hunts.
2002-
Pope and Young Headquarters is moved to Chatfield, Minnesota
2003-
All Season Deer Hunting License is Created. Firearms Hunters
Can Now Take Deer with a Bow Without Purchasing an Additional
License.
2004-
Reciprocal Fees Charged to Out of State Bowhunters (e.g.
MN charges the same fee as a non-residents home state fee
for MN residents). Archery only Licenses Become Available
for Spring Turkey Hunters.
2005-
Minnesota DNR Implements Special Firearms Season During
Traditional Archery Season to Control
Deer Populations.
2007-
Minnesota law reduced the required minimum bow
draw weight for big game to reflect modern bow efficiencies.
New language reads "A bow used to take big game must
have a pull that meets or exceeds 30 pounds at or before
full draw." The previous weight was 40 pounds.
Notes:
- During the 1970s Bucks Only Regulations During
Some Years in Specified Zones.
- Since 1950’s Hunter participation and Harvest Increased
Over the Years.
- Regulations Have Moved Into a Definition Phase in Regards
to What Constitutes Appropriate Archery Equipment.
- Firearm Safety Course is a Prerequisite for Anyone Who
Wishes to Complete the MBEP Course.
References:
MBEP HandBook, Revised 1997.
Nevada State Department of Cultural Affairs-Division of
Museums and History www.dmla.clan.lib.nv.us
National Park Service Archeology and Enthography
Program www.cr.nps.gov
MN DNR Hunting Regulations Handbook 1997-2004
