as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; modifying restrictions on shining artificial lights;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.081.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.081, is amended to read:
deleted text begin (a)deleted text end new text begin Except as provided in subdivision 3,new text end a
person may not cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light on a highway,
or in a field, woodland, or forest, to spot, locate, or take a wild animaldeleted text begin , except while
taking raccoons in accordance with section 97B.621, subdivision 3, or tending traps in
accordance with section 97B.931,deleted text end while having in possession, either individually or as
one of a group of persons, a firearm, bow, or other implement that could be used to deleted text begin killdeleted text end new text begin
takenew text end big gamenew text begin , small game, or unprotected wild animalsnew text end .
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(b) This subdivision does not apply to a firearm that is:
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(1) unloaded;
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(2) in a gun case expressly made to contain a firearm that fully encloses the firearm
by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened without any portion of
the firearm exposed; and
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(3) in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.
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(c) This subdivision does not apply to a bow that is:
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(1) completely encased or unstrung; and
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(2) in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.
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(d) If the motor vehicle under paragraph (b) or (c) does not have a trunk, the firearm
or bow must be placed in the rearmost location of the vehicle.
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(e) This subdivision does not apply to persons taking raccoons under section
97B.621, subdivision 3.
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(f) This subdivision does not apply to a person hunting fox or coyote from January 1
to March 15 while using a hand-held artificial light, provided that the person:
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(1) is on foot;
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(2) is using a shotgun;
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(3) is not within a public road right-of-way;
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(4) is using a hand-held or electronic calling device; and
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(5) is not within 200 feet of a motor vehicle.
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(a) deleted text begin Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
from September 1 to December 31,deleted text end new text begin Except as provided in subdivision 3, from one hour
after sunset until sunrise,new text end a person may not cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other
artificial light new text begin on a highway, or new text end in a field, woodland, or forest to spotdeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ornew text end locatedeleted text begin , or takedeleted text end a
wild animal deleted text begin except to take raccoons under section 97B.621, subdivision 3, or to tend traps
under section 97B.931deleted text end .
(b) deleted text begin Between one-half hour after sunset until sunrise,deleted text end new text begin Except as provided in
subdivision 3,new text end a person may not cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial
light deleted text begin to spot, locate, or take a wild animaldeleted text end on fenced, agricultural landnew text begin .new text end deleted text begin containing
livestock, as defined in section 17A.03, subdivision 5, or poultry that is marked with signs
prohibiting the shining of lights. The signs must:deleted text end
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(1) display reflectorized letters that are at least two inches in height and state "no
shining" or similar terms; and
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(2) be placed at intervals of 1,000 feet or less along the boundary of the area.
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(c) deleted text begin It is not a violation of paragraph (a) or (b) for a person to carry out any
agricultural, occupational, or recreational practice, including snowmobiling that is not
related to spotting, locating, or taking a wild animal.
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deleted text begin (d) Between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.,deleted text end new text begin Except as provided in subdivision
3,new text end a person may not deleted text begin projectdeleted text end new text begin castnew text end a spotlight or hand-held light onto residential property
or building sites from a moving motor vehicle being operated on landdeleted text begin , except for the
following purposes:deleted text end new text begin .
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(1) safety;
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(2) emergency response;
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(3) normal vehicle operations; or
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(4) performing an occupational duty.
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(d) Except as provided in subdivision 3, a person may not at any time cast the rays of
a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light on property posted with signs prohibiting the
shining of lights onto the property. When signs are posted, the signs shall display letters
that are at least two inches in height and state "no shining" or similar terms, and shall be
placed at intervals of 500 feet or less along the boundary of the property.
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(a) It is not a violation of this section for a person to cast the
rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light to:
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(1) take raccoons in accordance with section 97B.621, subdivision 3, or tend traps in
accordance with section 97B.931; or
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(2) hunt fox or coyote from January 1 to March 15 while using a hand-held artificial
light, provided that the person is:
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(i) on foot;
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(ii) using a shotgun;
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(iii) not within a public road right-of-way;
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(iv) using a hand-held or electronic calling device; and
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(v) not within 200 feet of a motor vehicle.
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(b) It is not a violation of subdivision 2 for a person to cast the rays of a spotlight,
headlight, or other artificial light to:
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(1) carry out any agricultural, safety, emergency response, normal vehicle operations,
or occupational-related activities that do not involve taking wild animals; or
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(2) carry out outdoor recreation as defined in section 97B.001 that is not related to
spotting, locating, or taking a wild animal.
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