Appeals Court: Man ‘Pursued’ Deer In Stearns County While In Blind

   MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minnesota Court of Appeals says a man who had a loaded weapon while he was concealed in a deer blind was "pursuing" deer under state law - and he needed a hunting license.

The ruling issued Monday stems from a 2011 case in which a man was cited in Stearns County for hunting without a license. Roger Schmid appealed his conviction, claiming he was not "pursuing" deer, because he wasn't directly chasing or tracking game.

But the Appeals Court disagreed, saying deer hunting involves entering the animal's habitat, anticipating when a deer will come, and waiting to take a shot. The judges say intentionally intercepting and awaiting prey constitutes "pursuit" under state law.

A message left with Schmid's attorney was not immediately returned Monday.