Deer Breaks Into Minnesota Home, Battles Owner

by
posted on January 10, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
wilder_ah2015_fs.jpg (1)

Any self-aware homeowner worries about the chance that a bump in the night could turn out to be a real threat. As unfortunate as it is, sometimes that turns out to be the case. A Minnesota couple, however, recently had a run in with a different breed of intruder—a very lost deer.

According to reports, 60-year-old Jon Linnell of Warren, Minn., was awoken in the early morning hours of Jan. 7 by his wife, who told him that a deer had broken into their home. Sure enough, Linnell entered his living room to see a young doe, which had apparently come bursting through the house's sliding glass door just a few moments prior.

Linnell, who WDAZ TV reported is an avid hunter, immediately tried to the corral the deer and get it out of his house. After a bit of a wrestling match, he was able to grab the doe by the legs and drag her back outside, where she was set free.

Afterwards, the couple called alerted local wildlife officials, who surveyed the incident and later tracked and located the animal. She was just fine, and won't face any breaking and entering charges. WDAZ has pictures of the scene. As I've noted before, deer don't particularly like windows.

Keep an eye out, folks. Those furry intruders don't necessarily know what the Brink's sign in your yard means.

Oh, and as a general update—there won't be another Wilder World Outdoors for at least another week or two. The reason? Our impending trip to SHOT Show 2014! 

Latest

Ledemule Deer Foundation Delivers
Ledemule Deer Foundation Delivers

MDF Invested $48.3 Million for Conservation in 2025

The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) mobilized a total of $48.3 million for mule deer and black-tailed deer in 2025, its second-best year on record. Across 153 projects in 17 states, MDF helped restore more than 537,000 acres of critical wildlife habitat, benefitted 129 deer herds and eliminated or converted 149 miles of hazardous fence to restore safe movement corridors for wildlife.

Behind the Bullet: .17 Mach 2

Ever heard of the .17 Mach 2? Go behind the scenes on this hot little rimfire round with resident ammo guru Phil Massaro.

Tuo Curates Specialized Turkey Hunting Collection

For the 2026 spring season, Tuo has architected a technical system specifically curated to meet the demands of turkey hunters. While engineered for maximum versatility, the Tuo ecosystem has developed a particular following in regions where the early season isn't defined by green leaves and lilac blooms, but by the high-contrast skeletal timber and grey-scale of the early spring woods.

New for 2026: Savage Model 110 Rimfire

Savage Arms has expanded its Model 110 family of rifles into the rimfire world. Long loved by generations of hunters, the classic Model 110 will now include a number of full size, .22 Long Rifle offerings, making up the new Model 110 RF line.

Snow Goose Science: Hunting Tips from the Pros

Want to drop more snow geese during conservation season? Check out these tips, straight from the pro guides at Central Missouri Wildlife.

New for 2026: Apex Ammunition 28-Gauge SmallTown Hunting TSS Turkey Blend

Apex Ammunition is now offering a 28-gauge load in its SmallTown Hunting Blend line of turkey ammunition.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.