1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to game and fish; permitting persons 65 years 
  1.3             of age or older to take certain game with a crossbow; 
  1.4             establishing shooting hours for migratory game birds; 
  1.5             amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 97B.035, 
  1.6             subdivision 1; 97B.075; and 97B.106. 
  1.7   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.8      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97B.035, 
  1.9   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  1.10     Subdivision 1.  [HUNTING WITH BOWS RELEASED BY MECHANICAL 
  1.11  DEVICES.] (a) A person may not hunt with a bow drawn, held, or 
  1.12  released by a mechanical device, except with a disabled hunter 
  1.13  permit issued under section 97B.106 or as provided in paragraph 
  1.14  (b).  
  1.15     (b) A person may use a mechanical device attached to the 
  1.16  bowstring if the person's own strength draws, holds, and 
  1.17  releases the bowstring. 
  1.18     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97B.075, is 
  1.19  amended to read: 
  1.20     97B.075 [HUNTING RESTRICTED BETWEEN EVENING AND MORNING.] 
  1.21     A person may not take protected wild animals, except 
  1.22  raccoon and fox, with a firearm between the evening and morning 
  1.23  times established by commissioner's rule, except big game may be 
  1.24  taken from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour 
  1.25  after sunset, and, except as otherwise prescribed by the 
  1.26  commissioner during the first Saturday and Sunday of the season, 
  2.1   waterfowl may be taken by a minor or an adult accompanying a 
  2.2   minor from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset during the 
  2.3   entire season prescribed by the commissioner. 
  2.4      Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97B.106, is 
  2.5   amended to read: 
  2.6      97B.106 [CROSSBOW PERMITS FOR HUNTING.] 
  2.7      (a) [ELIGIBILITY.] The commissioner may issue a special 
  2.8   permit, without a fee, to take big game or turkey with a 
  2.9   crossbow to a person that who:  
  2.10     (1) is unable to hunt by archery because of a permanent or 
  2.11  temporary physical disability; or 
  2.12     (2) is 65 years of age or older.  
  2.13     (b) [REQUIREMENTS; DISABILITY.] To qualify a person for a 
  2.14  special permit under this section, a temporary disability must 
  2.15  render the person unable to hunt by archery for a minimum of two 
  2.16  years after application for the permit is made.  The permanent 
  2.17  or temporary disability, established by medical evidence, and 
  2.18  the inability to hunt by archery for the required period of time 
  2.19  must be verified in writing by a licensed physician.  The 
  2.20     (c) [REQUIREMENTS; GENERAL.] A person issued a special 
  2.21  permit under this section must obtain the appropriate license.  
  2.22  The crossbow must:  
  2.23     (1) be fired from the shoulder; 
  2.24     (2) deliver at least 42 foot-pounds of energy at a distance 
  2.25  of ten feet; 
  2.26     (3) have a stock at least 30 inches long; 
  2.27     (4) have a working safety; and 
  2.28     (5) be used with arrows or bolts at least ten inches long 
  2.29  with a broadhead.