HF 3282

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; modifying horse trail pass requirements; creating
a new resident deer license fee category; allowing scopes on muzzleloaders;
providing for a special bear hunting permit; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006,
sections 85.46, subdivision 1; 97B.031, subdivision 5; 97B.301, by adding a
subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 97A.475, subdivision
2.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 85.46, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Pass in possession.

new text begin (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), new text end while
riding, leading, or driving a horse on horse trails and associated day use areas on state
trails, in state parks, in state recreation areas, and in state forests, a person 16 years of age
or over shall carry in immediate possession deleted text begin and visibly display on person or horse tack, deleted text end
a valid horse trail pass. The pass must be available for inspection by a peace officer, a
conservation officer, or an employee designated under section 84.0835.

new text begin (b) A valid horse pass is not required under this section for a person riding, leading,
or driving a horse only on the portion of a horse trail that is owned by the person or the
person's spouse, child, or parent.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 97A.475, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Resident hunting.

Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to residents
only, are:

(1) for persons age 18 or over and under age 65 to take small game, $12.50;

(2) for persons ages 16 and 17 and age 65 or over, $6 to take small game;

(3) to take turkey, $18;

(4) for persons age 18 or over to take deer with firearms, $26;

(5) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by archery, $26;

(6) to take moose, for a party of not more than six persons, $310;

(7) to take bear, $38;

(8) to take elk, for a party of not more than two persons, $250;

(9) multizone license to take antlered deer in more than one zone, $52;

(10) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4;

(11) all season license to take three deer throughout the state in any open deer
season, except as restricted under section 97B.305, $78;

(12) new text begin all-firearm season license to take two deer throughout the state in any open
firearms deer season, except as restricted under section 97B.305, $52;
new text end

new text begin (13) new text end to take prairie chickens, $20;

deleted text begin (13) deleted text end new text begin (14) new text end for persons at least age 12 and under age 18 to take deer with firearms
during the regular firearms season in any open zone or time period, $13; and

deleted text begin (14) deleted text end new text begin (15) new text end for persons at least age 12 and under age 18 to take deer by archery, $13.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.031, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Scopes deleted text begin ; visually impaired hunters deleted text end new text begin on muzzleloaders new text end .

deleted text begin (a)
Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the commissioner may issue a special
permit, without a fee, to deleted text end new text begin A person may new text end use a muzzleloader with a scope to take deer
during the muzzleloader season deleted text begin to a person who obtains the required licenses and who has
a visual impairment. The scope may not have magnification capabilities deleted text end .

deleted text begin (b) The visual impairment must be to the extent that the applicant is unable
to identify targets and the rifle sights at the same time without a scope. The visual
impairment and specific conditions must be established by medical evidence verified in
writing by a licensed physician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist. The commissioner
may request additional information from the physician if needed to verify the applicant's
eligibility for the permit.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) A permit issued under this subdivision may be valid for up to five years, based
on the permanence of the visual impairment as determined by the licensed physician,
ophthalmologist, or optometrist.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (d) The permit must be in the immediate possession of the permittee when hunting
under the special permit.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (e) The commissioner may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke a permit issued under
this subdivision for cause, including a violation of the game and fish laws or rules.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (f) A person who knowingly makes a false application or assists another in making
a false application for a permit under this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor. A
physician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist who fraudulently certifies to the commissioner
that a person is visually impaired as described in this subdivision is guilty of a
misdemeanor.
deleted text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.301, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin All-firearm season deer license. new text end

new text begin (a) A resident may obtain an all-firearm
season deer license that authorizes the resident to hunt during the regular firearms and
muzzleloader seasons. The all-firearm season license is valid for taking two deer, no more
than one of which may be a legal buck.
new text end

new text begin (b) The all-firearm season deer license is valid for taking antlerless deer as prescribed
by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner shall issue two tags when issuing a license under this
subdivision.
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin ADDITIONAL BEAR HUNTING PERMITS.
new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 97B.405, and rules adopted thereunder,
until December 1, 2009, the commissioner of natural resources may issue up to ten
additional bear hunting permits for the promotion of scientific, conservation, or
educational purposes.
new text end