Hunters Accuse Minnesota DNR Of Racial Profiling

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Eight Hispanic hunters who were accused of being illegal residents during last year's deer season have filed a federal lawsuit accusing the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources of racially profiling them.

Four are legal residents and four are working to gain legal status.

The Twin Cities men say they were hunting last year when conservation officers asked to see their hunting licenses and another form of identification. When one man produced a card issued by the Mexican government a warden called immigration enforcement.

The men say the same wardens also checked hunting licenses of white and Asian hunters but didn't demand to see their photo IDs.

DNR spokesman Ken Soring says wardens sometimes check IDs to make sure hunters aren't using someone else's license.