reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.301 — Deer Licenses And Limits.

97B.301 DEER LICENSES AND LIMITS.
Subdivision 1.
Licenses required.
A person may not take deer without a license. A person must have a firearms deer license to take deer with firearms during the regular firearms season, a muzzleloader license to take deer with a muzzleloader during the muzzleloader season, and an archery deer license to take deer by archery except as provided in this section.
Subd. 2.
Limit of one deer.
A person may obtain one regular firearms season deer license, one muzzleloader season deer license, and one archery season deer license in the same license year, but may not take more than one deer except as provided in subdivisions 3 and 4.
Subd. 3.
Party hunting.
If two or more persons with licenses to take deer by firearms, or two or more persons with licenses to take deer by archery, are hunting as a party, a member of the party may take more than one deer, but the total number of deer taken by the party may not exceed the number of persons licensed to take deer in the party.
Subd. 4.
Taking more than one deer.
The commissioner may, by rule, allow a person to take more than one deer. The commissioner shall prescribe the conditions for taking the additional deer including:
(1) taking by firearm, muzzleloader, or archery;
(2) obtaining additional licenses;
(3) payment of a fee not more than the fee for a firearms deer license; and
(4) the total number of deer that an individual may take.
Subd. 5.
[Repealed, 1995 c 220 s 141; 1Sp1995 c 1 s 48]
Subd. 6.
Residents or nonresidents under age 18; taking either-sex deer.
A resident or nonresident under the age of 18 may take a deer of either sex except in those antlerless permit areas and seasons where no antlerless permits are offered. In antlerless permit areas where no antlerless permits are offered, the commissioner may provide a limited number of youth either sex permits to residents or nonresidents under age 18, under the procedures provided in section 97B.305, and may give preference to residents or nonresidents under the age of 18 that have not previously been selected. This subdivision does not authorize the taking of a deer by another member of a party under subdivision 3.
Subd. 7.
[Repealed, 2009 c 176 art 2 s 71]
Subd. 8.
[Repealed, 2009 c 176 art 2 s 71]
Subd. 9.
Residents age 84 or over; taking either-sex deer.
A resident age 84 or over may take a deer of either sex. This subdivision does not authorize the taking of an antlerless deer by another member of a party under subdivision 3.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 26; 1987 c 35 s 1; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 125; 1991 c 259 s 23; 1993 c 269 s 16,17; 1993 c 310 s 6; 1994 c 465 art 3 s 67; 1995 c 32 s 1; 1997 c 226 s 32; 2000 c 341 s 10; 2000 c 473 s 11; 2000 c 495 s 39; 2002 c 351 s 17; 2004 c 215 s 21,22; 2006 c 281 art 2 s 38; 2007 c 131 art 1 s 42; 2008 c 368 art 2 s 46-50; 1Sp2015 c 4 art 5 s 25; 2023 c 60 art 4 s 58,59
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.303 — Venison Donations.

97B.303 VENISON DONATIONS.
An individual who legally takes a deer may donate the deer, for distribution to charitable food assistance programs, to a meat processor that is licensed under chapter 28A. An individual donating a deer must supply the processor with the tag number under which the deer was taken.
History:
2007 c 57 art 1 s 97
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.305 — Commissioner May Limit Number Of Deer Hunters.

97B.305 COMMISSIONER MAY LIMIT NUMBER OF DEER HUNTERS.
The commissioner may limit the number of persons that may hunt deer in an area if it is necessary to prevent an overharvest or improve the distribution of hunters. The commissioner may, by rule, establish a method, including a drawing, to impartially select the hunters for an area. The commissioner shall give preference to hunters that have previously applied and have not been selected.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 27; 1991 c 259 s 23
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.311 — Deer Seasons And Restrictions.

97B.311 DEER SEASONS AND RESTRICTIONS.
(a) The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe restrictions and designate areas where deer may be taken, including hunter selection criteria for special hunts established under section 97A.401, subdivision 4. The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe the open seasons for deer within the following periods:
(1) taking with firearms, other than muzzle-loading firearms, between November 1 and December 15;
(2) taking with muzzle-loading firearms between September 1 and December 31; and
(3) taking by archery between September 1 and December 31.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner may establish special seasons within designated areas at any time of year.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 28; 1991 c 259 s 23; 1993 c 269 s 18; 1996 c 410 s 40; 2003 c 128 art 1 s 77; 2004 c 215 s 23; 2004 c 255 s 51; 2006 c 281 art 2 s 39; 2007 c 131 art 1 s 43
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.318 — Arms Use Areas And Restrictions; Regular Firearms Season.

97B.318 ARMS USE AREAS AND RESTRICTIONS; REGULAR FIREARMS SEASON.
Subdivision 1.
Shotgun use area.
During the regular firearms season in the shotgun use area, only legal shotguns loaded with single-slug shotgun shells, legal muzzle-loading long guns, and legal handguns may be used for taking deer. Legal shotguns include those with rifled barrels. The shotgun use area is that portion of the state lying within the following described boundary: Beginning on the west boundary of the state at the northern boundary of Clay County; thence along the northern boundary of Clay County to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32; thence along STH 32 to STH 34; thence along STH 34 to Interstate Highway 94 (I-94); thence along I-94 to County State-Aid Highway (CSAH) 40, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 40 to CSAH 82, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 82 to CSAH 22, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 22 to CSAH 6, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 6 to CSAH 14, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 14 to STH 29; thence along STH 29 to CSAH 46, Otter Tail County; thence along CSAH 46, Otter Tail County, to CSAH 22, Todd County; thence along CSAH 22 to U.S. Highway 71; thence along U.S. Highway 71 to STH 27; thence along STH 27 to the Mississippi River; thence along the east bank of the Mississippi River to STH 23; thence along STH 23 to STH 95; thence along STH 95 to U.S. Highway 8; thence along U.S. Highway 8 to the eastern boundary of the state; thence along the east, south, and west boundaries of the state to the point of beginning.
Subd. 2.
All legal firearms use area.
The all legal firearms use area is that part of the state lying outside of the shotgun use area.
History:
2006 c 281 art 2 s 40; 2007 c 131 art 1 s 44
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.321 — Snares, Traps, Set Guns, And Swivel Guns Prohibited.

97B.321 SNARES, TRAPS, SET GUNS, AND SWIVEL GUNS PROHIBITED.
A person may not take deer with the aid of a snare, trap, set gun, or swivel gun.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 30
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.325 — Deer Stand Restrictions.

97B.325 DEER STAND RESTRICTIONS.
A person may not take deer from a constructed platform or other structure that is located within the right-of-way of an improved public highway.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 31; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 587 s 1; 1990 c 558 s 3; 1Sp2011 c 2 art 5 s 46
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.326 — Stands And Blinds On Public Lands.

97B.326 STANDS AND BLINDS ON PUBLIC LANDS.
Any unoccupied permanent stand or blind on public land is public and not the property of the person who constructed it.
History:
2005 c 146 s 32
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.327 — Report; Deer Other Than White-tailed Or Mule.

97B.327 REPORT; DEER OTHER THAN WHITE-TAILED OR MULE.
A hunter legally taking a deer that is not a white-tailed or mule deer must report the type of deer taken to the commissioner of natural resources within seven days of taking. Violation of this section shall not result in a penalty and is not subject to section 97A.301.
History:
2006 c 281 art 2 s 41
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.328 — Baiting Prohibited.

97B.328 BAITING PROHIBITED.
Subdivision 1.
Hunting with aid of bait prohibited.
A person may not take deer with the aid or use of bait.
Subd. 2.
Removal of bait.
An area is considered baited for ten days after the complete removal of all bait.
Subd. 3.
Definition.
(a) For purposes of this section, "bait" includes grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, hay, or other food that is capable of attracting or enticing deer and that has been placed by a person. "Baiting" means placing, exposing, depositing, distributing, or scattering bait that is capable of attracting or enticing deer.
(b) Liquid scents, salt, and minerals are not bait if they do not contain liquid or solid food ingredients.
(c) Agricultural crops from normal or accepted farming, forest management, wildlife food plantings, orchard management, or other similar land management activities are not bait. This exclusion does not apply to agricultural crops that have been reintroduced and concentrated where a person is hunting.
Subd. 4.
Exception for bait or feed on adjacent land.
A person otherwise in compliance with this section who is hunting on private or public property that is adjacent to property where bait or food is present is not in violation of this section if the person has not participated in, been involved with, or agreed to baiting or feeding wildlife on the adjacent property.
History:
2007 c 131 art 1 s 45; 2008 c 368 art 2 s 51; 2009 c 176 art 2 s 46; 2012 c 277 art 1 s 58
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.401 — Bear License Required; Application.

97B.401 BEAR LICENSE REQUIRED; APPLICATION.
(a) A person may not take bear without a bear license except as provided in section 97B.415 to protect property.
(b) A person may not place bait for bears on or after the Friday nearest August 14 unless the person has a bear license or is operating under the direction of a person with a valid bear license.
(c) An application for a bear license must be on a form provided by the commissioner and accompanied by a $4 application fee. A person may not make more than one application for each season. If a person makes more than one application, the person is ineligible for a license for that season after determination by the commissioner, without a hearing.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 32; 2008 c 368 art 2 s 52; 2012 c 277 art 1 s 59
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.405 — Commissioner May Limit Number Of Bear Hunters.

97B.405 COMMISSIONER MAY LIMIT NUMBER OF BEAR HUNTERS.
(a) The commissioner may limit the number of persons that may hunt bear in an area, if it is necessary to prevent an overharvest or improve the distribution of hunters. The commissioner may establish, by rule, a method, including a drawing, to impartially select the hunters for an area. The commissioner shall give preference to hunters that have previously applied and have not been selected.
(b) If the commissioner limits the number of persons that may hunt bear in an area under paragraph (a), the commissioner must reserve one permit and give first preference for that permit to a resident of a Minnesota veterans home.
(c) A person selected through a drawing must purchase a license by August 1. Any remaining available licenses not purchased shall be issued to any eligible person as prescribed by the commissioner on a first-come, first-served basis beginning three business days after August 1.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 33; 1991 c 259 s 23; 2008 c 368 art 2 s 53; 1Sp2011 c 2 art 5 s 47; 2017 c 93 art 2 s 95
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.411 — Bear Season And Restrictions.

97B.411 BEAR SEASON AND RESTRICTIONS.
The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe the open season and the areas and restrictions for the taking of bear.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 34; 1991 c 259 s 23
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.415 — Taking Bear To Protect Property.

97B.415 TAKING BEAR TO PROTECT PROPERTY.
A person may take a bear at any time to protect the person's property. The person must report the bear taken to a conservation officer within 48 hours. The bear may be disposed of as prescribed by the commissioner.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 35
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.421 — Permit Required To Snare Bears.

97B.421 PERMIT REQUIRED TO SNARE BEARS.
A person may not use a snare to take a bear except under a permit from the commissioner.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 36
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.425 — Baiting Bears.

97B.425 BAITING BEARS.
Notwithstanding section 609.68, a person may place bait to take bear and must display a tag at each site where bait is placed and register the sites. The commissioner shall prescribe the method of tagging and registering the sites. The tag displayed at each site where bait is placed must contain: (i) the licensee's name and address; (ii) the licensee's driver's license number; or (iii) the "MDNR#" license identification number issued to the licensee for a licensed bear hunter or a licensed bear outfitter. A person must have the license identification number of the person with the bear license in their possession or be a licensed bear outfitter while attending a bear bait station. To attract bear a person may not use a bait with:
(1) a carcass from a mammal, if the carcass contains more than 25 percent of the intact carcass;
(2) meat from mammals, if the meat contains bones;
(3) bones of mammals;
(4) solid waste containing bottles, cans, plastic, paper, or metal;
(5) materials that are not readily biodegradable; or
(6) any part of a swine, except cured pork.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 37; 1988 c 531 s 1; 1988 c 677 s 1; 1993 c 231 s 38; 2008 c 368 art 2 s 54; 1Sp2011 c 2 art 5 s 48
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.426 — Baiting Bear; Use Of Drum.

97B.426 BAITING BEAR; USE OF DRUM.
(a) Notwithstanding section 97B.425, clauses (4) and (5):
(1) a private landowner or person authorized by the private landowner may use a drum to bait bear on the person's private land; and
(2) a resident may use a drum to bait bear on public land after paying a $5 drum surcharge.
(b) The drum must be securely chained or cabled to a tree so that it cannot be moved from the site by a bear and the drum may not include a mechanical device for dispensing feed. The drum must be part of a registered bait station and marked as provided in section 97B.425. For a drum placed on public land under paragraph (a), clause (2), the drum also must:
(1) be permanently marked with the information required in this paragraph;
(2) include the global positioning system information on the location of the drum as part of the registration of the bait station under section 97B.425;
(3) not be placed on public land before the date allowed for placing bait under rules prescribed by the commissioner; and
(4) be removed within seven days after the end of each bear hunting season.
(c) For purposes of this section, "drum" means a 30 gallon or larger drum.
(d) A person who violates paragraph (b) is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
History:
1Sp2011 c 2 art 5 s 49; 1Sp2019 c 4 art 3 s 63
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.431 — Bear-hunting Outfitters.

97B.431 BEAR-HUNTING OUTFITTERS.
(a) A person may not place bait for bear, or guide hunters to take bear, for compensation without a bear-hunting-outfitter license. A bear-hunting outfitter is not required to have a license to take bear unless the outfitter is attempting to shoot a bear. The commissioner shall adopt rules for qualifications for issuance and administration of the licenses.
(b) The commissioner shall establish a resident master bear-hunting-outfitter license under which one person serves as the bear-hunting outfitter and one other person is eligible to guide and bait bear. Additional persons may be added to the license and are eligible to guide and bait bear under the license, provided the additional fee under section 97A.475, subdivision 16, is paid for each person added. The commissioner shall adopt rules for qualifications for issuance and administration of the licenses. The commissioner must not require a person to have certification or training in first aid or CPR to be eligible for a license under this section.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 38; 2008 c 368 art 2 s 55; 2017 c 93 art 2 s 96
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.505 — Moose Season And Restrictions.

97B.505 MOOSE SEASON AND RESTRICTIONS.
The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe the open season and the areas and conditions for the taking of moose.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 40; 1991 c 259 s 23
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.515 — Taking Elk.

97B.515 TAKING ELK.
Subdivision 1.
License required.
A person may not take an elk without an elk license.
Subd. 2.
Season and restrictions.
The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe the open season and the areas and conditions for the taking of elk when the precalving population exceeds 20 animals.
Subd. 3.
[Repealed, 1Sp2011 c 2 art 5 s 70]
Subd. 4.
Taking elk causing damage or nuisance.
The commissioner may authorize licensed hunters to take elk that are causing damage or nuisance from August 15 to March 1 under rules prescribed by the commissioner. The commissioner may issue licenses to hunters impartially selected from a list of elk hunt applicants who indicated on their application that they would be interested and available to respond to an elk damage or nuisance situation. Notwithstanding section 97A.433, subdivision 2, clause (2), a person receiving a license to hunt elk under this subdivision does not lose eligibility for future elk hunts.
History:
1987 c 373 s 13; 1991 c 259 s 23; 1Sp2011 c 2 art 5 s 50
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.516 — Plan For Elk Management.

97B.516 PLAN FOR ELK MANAGEMENT.
(a) The commissioner of natural resources must adopt an elk management plan that:
(1) recognizes the value and uniqueness of elk;
(2) provides for integrated management of an elk population in harmony with the environment; and
(3) affords optimum recreational opportunities.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner must not manage an elk herd in Kittson, Roseau, Marshall, or Beltrami Counties in a manner that would increase the size of the herd, including adoption or implementation of an elk management plan designed to increase an elk herd, unless the commissioner of agriculture verifies that crop and fence damages paid under section 3.7371 and attributed to the herd have not increased for at least two years.
(c) At least 60 days prior to implementing a plan to increase an elk herd, the commissioners of natural resources and agriculture must hold a joint public meeting in the county where the elk herd to be increased is located. At the meeting, the commissioners must present evidence that crop and fence damages have not increased in the prior two years and must detail the practices that will be used to reduce elk conflicts with area landowners.
History:
1987 c 373 s 14; 2014 c 290 s 46; 2016 c 184 s 8; 2017 c 93 art 2 s 97
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.601 — Small-game Licenses.

97B.601 SMALL-GAME LICENSES.
Subdivision 1.
Requirement.
A person may not take small game without a small-game license except as provided in subdivision 4.
Subd. 2.
Trapping small game.
A person may not take small game with traps without a trapping license and a small-game license except as provided in subdivision 4.
Subd. 3.
Nonresidents; raccoon or bobcat.
A nonresident may not take raccoon or bobcat by firearms without a separate license to take that animal in addition to a small-game license.
Subd. 3a.
Nonresidents; trapping small game.
A nonresident may take small game, except wolves, by trapping only on land owned by the nonresident, if the nonresident possesses a trapping license for fur-bearing animals other than wolves and a small-game license.
Subd. 4.
Exception to license requirements.
(a) A resident under age 16 may take small game, other than wolves, without a small-game license, and a resident under age 13 may trap small game and fur-bearing animals, other than wolves, without a trapping license, as provided in section 97A.451, subdivision 3.
(b) A person may take small game, other than wolves, without a small-game license on land occupied by the person as a principal residence.
(c) An owner or occupant may take certain small game causing damage without a small-game or trapping license as provided in section 97B.655.
(d) A person may use dogs to pursue and tree raccoons under section 97B.621, subdivision 2, during the closed season without a license.
(e) A person may take a wolf, turkey, or prairie chicken without a small-game license.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 42; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 47; 1991 c 254 art 2 s 34; 2002 c 351 s 18; 2004 c 215 s 24,25; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 109; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 98; 2012 c 277 art 1 s 60,61
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.603 — Taking Small Game By Party.

97B.603 TAKING SMALL GAME BY PARTY.
(a) While two or more persons are taking small game as a party and maintaining unaided visual and vocal contact, a member of the party may take and possess more than one limit of small game, but the total number of small game taken and possessed by the party may not exceed the limit of the number of persons in the party that may take and possess small game.
(b) This section does not apply to hunting wolves, migratory game birds, or turkeys, except that a licensed turkey hunter may assist another licensed turkey hunter and a licensed wolf hunter may assist another licensed wolf hunter for the same zone and time period as long as the hunter does not shoot or tag a turkey or wolf for the other hunter.
History:
1989 c 153 s 2; 1990 c 605 s 6; 1996 c 364 s 5; 2001 c 206 s 2; 2012 c 277 art 1 s 62
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.605 — Commissioner May Restrict Taking Small Game Animals.

97B.605 COMMISSIONER MAY RESTRICT TAKING SMALL GAME ANIMALS.
The commissioner may by rule set open seasons for, prescribe limits and restrictions on, and designate areas where small game as defined in section 97A.015 may be taken and possessed.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 43; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 48; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 110; 2012 c 277 art 1 s 63; 2014 c 290 s 47
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.621 — Raccoons.

97B.621 RACCOONS.
Subdivision 1.
[Repealed, 2014 c 290 s 70]
Subd. 2.
Treeing raccoons.
Notwithstanding section 97B.005, subdivision 1, a person may use dogs to pursue and tree raccoons without killing or capturing the raccoons during the closed season and a license is not required.
Subd. 3.
Nighttime hunting restrictions.
To take raccoons between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, a person:
(1) must be on foot;
(2) may use an artificial light only if hunting with dogs;
(3) may use a handgun or rifle capable of firing only rimfire cartridges of .17 or .22 caliber, including .22 magnum; and
(4) may not use shotgun shells with larger diameter of shot than No. 4 shot.
Subd. 4.
[Repealed, 2014 c 290 s 70]
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 46; 1987 c 81 s 1; 1993 c 51 s 1; 1993 c 269 s 19; 2005 c 146 s 33; 2008 c 368 art 2 s 56; 2019 c 50 art 1 s 22
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.641 — Cougar, Lynx, And Wolverine.

97B.641 COUGAR, LYNX, AND WOLVERINE.
There is no open season for cougar, lynx, or wolverine.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 50; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 112
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.646 — Wolf Management.

97B.646 WOLF MANAGEMENT.
(a) The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of agriculture, shall adopt a wolf management plan that includes goals to ensure the long-term survival of the wolf in Minnesota, to reduce conflicts between wolves and humans, to minimize depredation of livestock and domestic pets, and to manage the ecological impact of wolves on prey species and other predators.
(b) The commissioner shall compile a list that is updated quarterly on known wolf deaths, based on reporting by conservation officers. The list must specify the date and location of each wolf death and must be available on the department website.
History:
2000 c 463 s 16; 2012 c 277 art 1 s 90; 2014 c 290 s 48
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.647 — Taking Wolves.

97B.647 TAKING WOLVES.
Subdivision 1.
License required.
Except as provided under section 97B.645 or 97B.671, a person may not take a wolf without a wolf-hunting or wolf-trapping license.
Subd. 2.
Open seasons.
Wolves may be taken with legal firearms, with bow and arrow, and by trapping. The open season to take wolves with firearms begins each year on the same day as the opening of the firearms deer-hunting season. The commissioner may by rule prescribe the open seasons for wolves according to this subdivision.
Subd. 3.
Open areas.
The commissioner may by rule designate areas where wolves may be taken.
Subd. 4.
Daily and possession limits.
The commissioner may establish by rule the daily and possession limits for wolves.
Subd. 5.
Limit on number of hunters and trappers.
The commissioner may by rule limit the number of persons that may hunt or trap wolves in an area, if it is necessary to prevent an overharvest or improve the distribution of hunters and trappers. The commissioner shall establish a method, including a drawing, to impartially select the hunters and trappers for an area.
Subd. 6.
Application for license.
An application for a wolf-hunting or wolf-trapping license must be made in a manner provided by the commissioner and accompanied by a $4 application fee and proof that the applicant holds a current or previous year hunting license. The $4 application fee shall be credited to the wolf management and monitoring account and appropriated to the commissioner to pay for costs associated with conducting the wolf license drawing and wolf management. A person may not make more than one application for each season as prescribed by the commissioner. If a person makes more than one application, the person is ineligible for a license for that season after determination by the commissioner, without a hearing.
Subd. 7.
Quotas.
The commissioner may by rule set an annual quota for the number of wolves that can be taken by hunting and trapping. The commissioner may establish a method to monitor harvest and close the season when the quota is reached. The commissioner shall reserve a portion of the annual quota for the trapping season.
History:
2012 c 277 art 1 s 65
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.648 — Wolves; Unlawful Taking; Penalty.

97B.648 WOLVES; UNLAWFUL TAKING; PENALTY.
A person who unlawfully takes, transports, or possesses a wolf in violation of the game and fish laws, and has one or more prior convictions involving the taking of wolves, is liable for a civil penalty equal to the restitution value for the wolf.
History:
2014 c 290 s 45
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.651 — Unprotected Mammals And Birds.

97B.651 UNPROTECTED MAMMALS AND BIRDS.
Subdivision 1.
Taking unprotected mammals and birds.
Mammals that are unprotected wild animals and unprotected birds may be taken at any time and in any manner, except with artificial lights, or by using a motor vehicle in violation of section 97B.091. Poison may not be used to take unprotected mammals or unprotected birds unless the safety of humans and domestic livestock is ensured. Unprotected mammals and unprotected birds may be possessed, bought, sold, or transported in any quantity, except importation or exportation is restricted as provided in subdivision 2.
Subd. 2.
Importing and exporting live coyotes.
A person may not export a live coyote out of the state or import a live coyote into the state unless authorized under a permit from the commissioner.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 52; 2002 c 323 s 11; 2009 c 176 art 2 s 47
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.655 — Taking Animals Causing Damage.

97B.655 TAKING ANIMALS CAUSING DAMAGE.
Subdivision 1.
Owners and occupants may take certain animals.
(a) A person or the person's agent may take bats, snakes, salamanders, lizards, weasel, mink, squirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, bobcat, fox, opossum, muskrat, or beaver on land owned or occupied by the person where the animal is causing damage. The person or the person's agent may take the animal without a license and in any manner except by artificial lights in the closed season or by poison. Raccoons may be taken under this subdivision with artificial lights during open season.
(b) Any traps used under this subdivision must be tagged as required under section 97B.928 if placed by an agent of the landowner or occupant.
(c) A person or the person's agent who kills mink, raccoon, bobcat, fox, opossum, muskrat, or beaver under this subdivision must notify a conservation officer or employee of the Fish and Wildlife Division within 24 hours after the animal is killed.
Subd. 2.
Special permit for taking protected wild animals.
(a) The commissioner may issue special permits under section 97A.401, subdivision 5, to take protected wild animals that are damaging property or to remove or destroy their dens, nests, or houses.
(b) Removing or destroying a beaver dam associated with beavers causing damage must be according to section 97B.665.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 53; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 50; 1989 c 287 s 5; 1997 c 226 s 33; 2002 c 323 s 12; 2005 c 146 s 36; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 113; 2014 c 290 s 49; 2017 c 93 art 2 s 98; 1Sp2019 c 4 art 3 s 64
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.657 — Taking Wild Animals To Protect Public Safety.

97B.657 TAKING WILD ANIMALS TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY.
A licensed peace officer may, at any time, take any protected wild animal that is posing an immediate threat to public safety. A peace officer who destroys a protected wild animal under this section must protect all evidence and report the taking to a conservation officer as soon as practicable, but no later than 48 hours after the animal is destroyed.
History:
2009 c 176 art 1 s 22
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.661 — Removing Beaver From State Lands.

97B.661 REMOVING BEAVER FROM STATE LANDS.
The commissioner may remove beaver at state expense from state land if the county board where the land is located adopts a resolution requesting the removal.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 54
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.665 — Beaver Dams; Threats To Safety Or Property.

97B.665 BEAVER DAMS; THREATS TO SAFETY OR PROPERTY.
Subdivision 1.
[Repealed, 2010 c 361 art 4 s 83]
Subd. 1a.
Removing beaver dams; agreement by landowner.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a beaver dam that is causing damage to property may be removed or destroyed by a person or the person's agent from property that is owned, occupied, or otherwise managed by the person.
(b) A person or a person's agent may not remove or destroy a beaver dam under this subdivision when a permit is required under section 103G.245 if removing or destroying the dam would change or diminish the historical water levels, course, current, or cross section of public waters.
(c) A person or a person's agent may not remove or destroy a beaver dam under this subdivision if the dam is on public property or another person's private property unless the person obtains the approval or permission of the landowner of the property where the beaver dam is located.
(d) If unable to obtain the approval or permission of the landowner under paragraph (c), a person may petition to district court for relief as provided in subdivision 2.
(e) For purposes of this subdivision:
(1) "landowner" means:
(i) the owner, lessee, or occupant of private property; or
(ii) an authorized manager of public property; and
(2) "person" includes a governmental entity in addition to the entities described under section 97A.015, subdivision 35.
Subd. 2.
Petition to district court.
If a beaver dam causes a threat to personal safety or a serious threat to damage property, a person may petition the district court for relief. The court may order the owners of private property where beaver dams are located to take action to reduce the threat. A permit is not required for an action ordered by the court. The action may include destruction or alteration of beaver dams and removal of beaver. This subdivision does not apply to state parks, state game refuges, and federal game refuges.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 55; 2010 c 361 art 4 s 47; 1Sp2019 c 4 art 3 s 65
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.668 — Animals Causing Damage.

97B.668 ANIMALS CAUSING DAMAGE.
Subdivision 1.
Game birds causing damage.
Notwithstanding sections 97B.091 and 97B.805, subdivisions 1 and 2, a person or agent of that person on lands and nonpublic waters owned or operated by the person may nonlethally scare, haze, chase, or harass game birds that are causing property damage or to protect a disease risk at any time or place that a hunting season for the game birds is not open. This section does not apply to public waters as defined under section 103G.005, subdivision 15. This section does not apply to migratory waterfowl on nests and other federally protected game birds on nests, except ducks and geese on nests when a permit is obtained under section 97A.401.
Subd. 2.
Deer and elk causing damage.
(a) Notwithstanding section 97B.091, a property owner, the property owner's immediate family member, or an agent of the property owner may nonlethally scare, haze, chase, or harass deer or elk that are causing damage to agricultural crops that are propagated under generally accepted agricultural practices.
(b) Paragraph (a) applies only:
(1) in the immediate area of the crop damage; and
(2) during the closed season for taking deer or elk.
(c) Paragraph (a) does not allow:
(1) using poisons;
(2) using dogs;
(3) conduct that drives a deer or elk to the point of exhaustion;
(4) activities that require a permit under section 97A.401; or
(5) conduct that causes the death of or that is likely to cause the death of a deer or elk.
(d) A property owner or the owner's agent must report the death of a deer or elk to staff in the Division of Fish and Wildlife within 24 hours of the death if the death resulted from actions taken under paragraph (a).
History:
2014 c 290 s 52; 1Sp2015 c 4 art 4 s 70; 2023 c 60 art 4 s 60
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.701 — Protected Birds.

97B.701 PROTECTED BIRDS.
Subdivision 1.
Authorized taking.
Protected birds, their nests, and their eggs may be taken only as authorized under the game and fish laws.
Subd. 2.
Prohibited methods of taking.
A person may not take protected birds:
(1) with a trap, net, or snare;
(2) using bird lime;
(3) with a swivel or set gun;
(4) by dragging a rope, wire, or other device across a field; or
(5) by using fire.
Subd. 3.
Recapturing released bobwhite quail.
Released bobwhite quail may be recaptured without a license. In Houston, Fillmore, and Winona Counties, this subdivision applies only to birds that are banded or otherwise marked.
Subd. 4.
Great horned owl.
A person who is authorized to take a great horned owl under a federal permit does not need a state permit to take a great horned owl.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 57; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 51; 1994 c 623 art 1 s 34; 2005 c 104 s 2
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.705 — Restrictions On Trapping Birds.

97B.705 RESTRICTIONS ON TRAPPING BIRDS.
(a) Except as provided in this section, a person may not take a bird with a steel jaw leg-hold trap mounted on a pole, post, tree stump, or other perch more than three feet above the ground.
(b) A person that has a permit to take great horned owls issued under United States Code, title 16, section 704, may trap great horned owls from April 1 to October 15 if the person has a game farm license or is the owner or operator of a poultry farm. The trap must be a padded jaw trap mounted at a height so that the trapped owl may rest on the ground. The trap must be tended at least twice daily. Uninjured birds shall be released alive and injured birds shall receive appropriate veterinary treatment.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 58; 1995 c 188 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.715 — Pheasants.

97B.715 PHEASANTS.
Subdivision 1.
Stamp required.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) or section 97A.405, subdivision 2, a person required to possess a small-game license may not hunt pheasants without a pheasant stamp validation.
(b) The following persons are exempt from this subdivision:
(1) residents and nonresidents under age 18 and residents over age 65;
(2) persons hunting on licensed commercial shooting preserves;
(3) resident disabled veterans with a license issued under section 97A.441, subdivision 6a; and
(4) residents and nonresidents hunting on licenses issued under section 97A.475, subdivision 2, clause (20); or 3, paragraph (a), clause (16).
Subd. 2.
[Repealed, 2014 c 290 s 70]
Subd. 3.
Hunting hours.
A person may not take pheasants between the evening time that the commissioner establishes by rule and 9:00 a.m.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 60; 1988 c 588 s 7; 1991 c 259 s 23; 1997 c 216 s 85; 2002 c 323 s 13; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 99; 2012 c 277 art 2 s 30,38; 1Sp2021 c 6 art 2 s 67
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.716 — Prairie Chickens.

97B.716 PRAIRIE CHICKENS.
Subdivision 1.
License required.
A person may not take a prairie chicken without a prairie-chicken license.
Subd. 2.
Tagging and registration.
The commissioner may by rule prescribe requirements for the tagging and registration of prairie chickens.
Subd. 3.
Limited number of prairie-chicken hunters.
The commissioner may establish a method, including a drawing, to impartially select persons eligible to take prairie chickens in an area. Preference must be given to persons who have previously applied in the general selection but have not been selected.
History:
2002 c 351 s 19
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.721 — License Required To Take Turkey; Tagging And Registration Requirements.

97B.721 LICENSE REQUIRED TO TAKE TURKEY; TAGGING AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) or section 97A.405, subdivision 2, a person may not take a turkey without possessing a turkey license.
(b) An unlicensed adult age 18 or older may assist a licensed wild-turkey hunter. The unlicensed adult may not shoot or possess a firearm or bow while assisting a hunter under this paragraph and may not charge a fee for the assistance.
(c) The commissioner may by rule prescribe requirements for the tagging and registration of turkeys.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 61; 1991 c 254 art 2 s 35; 1993 c 231 s 43; 1996 c 364 s 6; 1997 c 216 s 86; 1Sp2001 c 2 s 118; 2004 c 215 s 26; 2004 c 255 s 38; 2008 c 368 art 2 s 58
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.722 — Possessing Firearms; Hunting Turkey.

97B.722 POSSESSING FIREARMS; HUNTING TURKEY.
(a) While afield hunting turkeys, licensees may not have in possession or control:
(1) any firearm that is not a legal firearm as defined in paragraph (c); or
(2) any bow and arrow except those defined as legal for taking turkeys in rules adopted by the commissioner.
(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a person carrying a handgun in compliance with section 624.714.
(c) For hunting turkeys, "legal firearm" means a shotgun or muzzleloading shotgun 10 gauge or smaller using fine shot size No. 4 or smaller diameter shot.
History:
1Sp2015 c 4 art 5 s 26; 1Sp2019 c 4 art 3 s 70
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.723 — Commissioner May Limit Number Of Turkey Hunters.

97B.723 COMMISSIONER MAY LIMIT NUMBER OF TURKEY HUNTERS.
The commissioner may establish a method, including a drawing, to impartially select persons eligible to take turkeys in an area. Preference must be given to persons that have previously applied in the general selection but have not been selected.
History:
1989 c 29 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.731 — Migratory Birds.

97B.731 MIGRATORY BIRDS.
Subdivision 1.
Migratory game birds.
(a) Migratory game birds may be taken and possessed. A person may not take, buy, sell, possess, transport, or ship migratory game birds in violation of federal law.
(b) The commissioner shall prescribe seasons, limits, and areas for migratory birds in accordance with federal law.
Subd. 2.
[Repealed, 2004 c 215 s 38]
Subd. 3.
Crow season.
The commissioner shall prescribe a 124-day open season and restrictions for taking crows. The open season may not be shorter than the maximum season allowed under federal law. The remainder of the year crows may be taken as allowed by federal law.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 63; 1988 c 588 s 8; 1991 c 259 s 20; 1Sp1995 c 1 s 30; 2014 c 290 s 53
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.735 — Swans.

97B.735 SWANS.
A person who takes, harasses, destroys, buys, sells, possesses, transports, or ships a native swan in violation of the game and fish laws is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
History:
2023 c 60 art 4 s 61
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.801 — Minnesota Migratory-waterfowl Stamp Required.

97B.801 MINNESOTA MIGRATORY-WATERFOWL STAMP REQUIRED.
(a) Except as provided in this section or section 97A.405, subdivision 2, a person required to possess a small-game license may not take migratory waterfowl without a migratory-waterfowl stamp validation.
(b) Residents under age 18 or over age 65; resident disabled veterans with a license issued under section 97A.441, subdivision 6a; and persons hunting on their own property are not required to possess a stamp validation under this section.
(c) Residents and nonresidents with licenses issued under section 97A.475, subdivision 2, clause (20); or 3, paragraph (a), clause (16), are not required to possess a stamp validation under this section.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 64; 1997 c 216 s 87; 2002 c 323 s 14; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 100; 2012 c 277 art 2 s 31,38; 1Sp2021 c 6 art 2 s 68
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.802 — Special Canada-goose Season; License Required.

97B.802 SPECIAL CANADA-GOOSE SEASON; LICENSE REQUIRED.
Except as provided in this section, a person required to possess a small-game license may not take Canada geese during a special season without a valid special-season Canada-goose license in possession. Residents under age 18 or over age 65 and persons hunting on their own property are not required to possess the license.
History:
1997 c 226 s 34
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.805 — Restrictions On Method Of Taking Waterfowl On Water.

97B.805 RESTRICTIONS ON METHOD OF TAKING WATERFOWL ON WATER.
Subdivision 1.
Taking in open water.
(a) A person may not take migratory waterfowl, coots, or rails in open water unless the person is:
(1) within a natural growth of vegetation sufficient to partially conceal the person or boat;
(2) on a river or stream that is not more than 100 yards in width;
(3) pursuing or shooting wounded birds; or
(4) in areas specifically designated for such taking by the commissioner by rule.
(b) A person may not take migratory waterfowl, coots, or rails in public waters from a permanent artificial blind or sink box.
Subd. 2.
Restrictions on watercraft.
(a) A person using watercraft to take migratory waterfowl must comply with subdivision 1.
(b) Migratory waterfowl may be taken from a watercraft propelled by motor or sails only if the watercraft has stopped and the motor is shut off and the sails are furled.
(c) Migratory waterfowl may be taken from a floating watercraft if the craft is drifting, beached, moored, resting at anchor, or is being propelled by paddle, oars, or pole.
Subd. 3.
Unattended boats.
During the open season for waterfowl, a person may not leave an unattended boat used for hunting waterfowl in public waters between sunset and one hour before sunrise, unless the boat is adjacent to private land under the control of the person and the water does not contain a natural growth of vegetation sufficient to partially conceal a hunter or a boat.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 65; 2005 c 146 s 40; 2012 c 277 art 1 s 70
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish › Chapter 97B — Hunting › Section 97B.811 — Decoys And Blinds On Public Lands And Waters.

97B.811 DECOYS AND BLINDS ON PUBLIC LANDS AND WATERS.
Subdivision 1.
Blinds and decoys prohibited before season.
A person may not erect a blind or place decoys in public waters or on public land more than one hour before the open season for waterfowl.
Subd. 2.
Hours for placing decoys.
Except as provided in subdivisions 3 and 4, a person may not place decoys in public waters or on public lands more than two hours before lawful shooting hours for waterfowl.
Subd. 3.
Restrictions on leaving decoys unattended.
During the open season for waterfowl, a person may not leave decoys in public waters between sunset and two hours before lawful shooting hours or leave decoys unattended during other times for more than three consecutive hours unless:
(1) the decoys are in waters adjacent to private land under the control of the hunter; and
(2) there is not natural vegetation growing in water sufficient to partially conceal a hunter.
Subd. 4.
Navigational hazard prohibited.
A person may not leave decoys in public waters between sunset and one hour before lawful shooting hours if the decoys constitute a navigational hazard.
Subd. 4a.
Restrictions on certain motorized decoys.
During the duck season, the commissioner may, by rule, designate all or any portion of a wetland or lake closed to the use of motorized decoys or motorized devices designed to attract migratory waterfowl.
Subd. 5.
Rules governing blinds.
The commissioner may adopt rules for the use of blinds on public lands and public waters.
History:
1986 c 386 art 2 s 66; 1988 c 587 s 2; 1988 c 677 s 2; 1993 c 231 s 44; 2002 c 351 s 20; 2005 c 146 s 41,42; 2009 c 176 art 2 s 48,49; 1Sp2021 c 6 art 2 s 69