ST. PAUL — Permanent deer hunting stands could be banned on state and county forest land. 

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has proposed tightening restrictions on the permanent stands for a couple of reasons. One is the potential clashes between hunters who build the stands on government property and other hunters who also have a right to use the land.

The DNR said another problem is the illegal cutting of trees to make a shooting lane.

DNR forestry division deputy director Craig Schmid said the agency estimates there are thousands of permanent stands in state forests. The DNR manages about 4 million acres of forest land, mostly in northern Minnesota.

Schmid doesn’t expect any changes until next year after more public input is gathered. Portable stands would still be allowed.