By Dave Thompson
Bismarck, ND – Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch says he'll be challenging North Dakota hunting regulations in federal court in Bismarck.
Hatch says the rules discriminate against Minnesota hunters -- and visiting sportsmen from other states.
North Dakota Governor John Hoeven says the lawsuit doesn't make any sense -- because Minnesota treats out-of-state hunters less favorably than sportsmen who live there. And North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says states have traditionally been able to make their own hunting rules.
Minnesota's Commissioner of Natural Resources says some Minnesotans think the state should retaliate against North Dakota for its hunting restrictions.
But Gene Merriam says he'd rather see the courts step in and decide the issue.
Legislation is pending in Minnesota to close the first 14 days of the fishing season to residents of states that have "residents only" hunting restrictions. Merriam says that kind of retaliation only hurts the state's case.