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While deer hunters in northern Minnesota have always been allowed to choose between shotguns and rifles during the state's firearms deer season, it's been shotguns and muzzleloaders only since 1942 south of a line from Moorhead to Taylors Falls. Legal handguns also are allowed for deer hunting in the zone.

PRIVATE LAND Much of the land in Minnesota is privately owned. Hunters can typically freely take game animals hunted on their own private property, or may seek permission from a landowner to hunt on private property.

You cannot hunt with a bow drawn, held or released by a mechanical device unless you possess a hunting disability permit. You may use a hand-held mechanical released attached to the bowstring if your own strength draws and holds the bowstring.

Either-sex (formerly Hunter choice) deer area, one-deer limit (brown): All adult hunters, including archery, firearm, muzzleloader and disabled permittees can take 1 either-sex deer.

Head-on shots can be highly effective when rifle hunting for deer, but, as with straight away shots, ought to be avoided while bowhunting. Although it is possible to kill a deer with a head-on arrow shot, this is a situation that brings to mind the old adage, “Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.”

For example, here in Minnesota, it seems a deer is a deer, no matter the color. That means deer of any color variation can be legally hunted and harvested. Alternatively, in Iowa, you cannot shoot deer whose hides are more than 50 percent white.

For example, here in Minnesota, it seems a deer is a deer, no matter the color. That means deer of any color variation can be legally hunted and harvested. Alternatively, in Iowa, you cannot shoot deer whose hides are more than 50 percent white.

In some circles it is bad luck to shoot a piebald or albino deer; and the unfortunate hunter is cursed to go a long time without killing another trophy. The white buffalo is considered sacred among some Native Americans.

In Minnesota, recreational deer shining is legal year-round, with some restrictions. But some hunters, conservation groups and law enforcement officers say the law is frequently abused by poachers, gives hunters a bad reputation and upsets landowners whose property and livestock is shined.