1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to game and fish; restricting the use of four by four trucks on certain 
1.3 	public lands; modifying critical habitat private sector matching account 
1.4 	provisions; providing definitions; providing for and modifying disposition of 
1.5 	certain revenue; modifying provisions for designating game refuges; modifying 
1.6 	restrictions on motorized watercraft and recreational vehicles in wildlife 
1.7 	management areas; providing for inspection of equipment used to take wild 
1.8 	animals; modifying certain penalty and fee amounts; modifying certain game 
1.9 	and fish license provisions; authorizing the marking of canoe and boating routes; 
1.10 	modifying firearms possession provisions for persons under 16; providing 
1.11 	for collecting antler sheds; modifying firearms safety course requirements; 
1.12 	modifying certain provisions for taking and possessing game and fish; modifying 
1.13 	restrictions on using lights to locate animals; modifying provisions for fishing 
1.14 	contests; authorizing county bounties on coyotes; providing for a moratorium on 
1.15 	use of public waters for aquaculture; modifying regulation of all-terrain vehicles; 
1.16 	creating two classes of all-terrain vehicles; requiring rulemaking; removing a 
1.17 	spearing restriction; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, 
1.18 	sections 84.803, subdivision 2; 84.92, subdivision 8, by adding subdivisions; 
1.19 	84.928, by adding a subdivision; 84.943, subdivision 3; 85.32, subdivision 1; 
1.20 	97A.015, by adding subdivisions; 97A.055, subdivision 2; 97A.065, subdivision 
1.21 	2; 97A.075, subdivision 1; 97A.085, subdivision 4; 97A.101, subdivision 4; 
1.22 	97A.251, subdivision 1; 97A.321; 97A.465, by adding a subdivision; 97A.475, 
1.23 	subdivision 2; 97A.535, subdivision 1; 97B.015, by adding a subdivision; 
1.24 	97B.021, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 97B.081, subdivision 1; 
1.25 	97B.301, subdivision 7; 97B.311; 97C.025; 97C.081, subdivisions 4, 6, 8, 9; 
1.26 	97C.205; 97C.315, subdivision 2; 97C.355, subdivision 7; 97C.371, subdivisions 
1.27 	3, 4; Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, sections 84.9256, subdivision 1; 
1.28 	84.9257; 84.926, subdivision 4; 84.928, subdivision 1; 97A.405, subdivision 4; 
1.29 	97A.475, subdivision 3; 97A.551, subdivision 6; 197.65; proposing coding for 
1.30 	new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 84; 97B; 348; repealing Minnesota 
1.31 	Statutes 2004, section 97C.355, subdivision 6; Minnesota Rules, part 6264.0400, 
1.32 	subpart 8, item H.
1.33 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.34 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 84.803, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
2.1 		Subd. 2.Purposes. Subject to appropriation by the legislature, money in the 
2.2 	off-road vehicle account may only be spent for:
2.3 	(1) administration, enforcement, and implementation of sections  84.773 to  84.805; 
2.4 	(2) acquisition, maintenance, and development of off-road vehicle trails and use 
2.5 	areas;
2.6 	(3) grant-in-aid programs to counties and municipalities to construct and maintain 
2.7 	off-road vehicle trails and use areas;
2.8 	(4) grants-in-aid to local safety programs; and
2.9 	(5) enforcement and public education grants to local law enforcement agencies; and
2.10 	(6) maintenance of state and county forest roads.

2.11 	Sec. 2. [84.8045] RESTRICTIONS ON FOUR BY FOUR TRUCKS.
2.12 	(a) Notwithstanding any provision of sections 84.797 to 84.805 or other law to the 
2.13 	contrary, a four by four truck may not be operated off-road on public state and county 
2.14 	forest and park lands, except:
2.15 	(1) on state forest roads, county forest roads, and other roads that are not operated by 
2.16 	a public road authority as defined in section 160.02, subdivision 25; or
2.17 	(2) in designated off-road vehicle use areas.
2.18 	(b) For purposes of this section, "four by four truck" means a four-wheeled motor 
2.19 	vehicle that was manufactured to operate primarily upon public roads and highways 
2.20 	and that is subsequently modified with special tires, suspension, or other equipment for 
2.21 	cross-country travel on natural terrain.

2.22 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 84.92, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
2.23 		Subd. 8.All-terrain vehicle or vehicle.  "All-terrain vehicle" or "vehicle" means a 
2.24 	motorized flotation-tired vehicle of not less than three low pressure tires, but not more 
2.25 	than six tires, that is limited in engine displacement of less than 800 cubic centimeters 
2.26 	and total dry weight less than 900 pounds includes a class 1 all-terrain vehicle and class 2 
2.27 	all-terrain vehicle.

2.28 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 84.92, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
2.29 	read:
2.30 		Subd. 9.Class 1 all-terrain vehicle. "Class 1 all-terrain vehicle" means an 
2.31 	all-terrain vehicle that has a total dry weight of less than 900 pounds.

3.1 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 84.92, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
3.2 	read:
3.3 		Subd. 10.Class 2 all-terrain vehicle. "Class 2 all-terrain vehicle" means an 
3.4 	all-terrain vehicle that has a total dry weight of 900 to 1,500 pounds.

3.5 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 84.9256, subdivision 1, is 
3.6 	amended to read:
3.7 		Subdivision 1.Prohibitions on youthful operators. (a) Except for operation on 
3.8 	public road rights-of-way that is permitted under section 84.928, a driver's license issued 
3.9 	by the state or another state is required to operate an all-terrain vehicle along or on a 
3.10 	public road right-of-way.
3.11 	(b) A person under 12 years of age shall not:
3.12 	(1) make a direct crossing of a public road right-of-way;
3.13 	(2) operate an all-terrain vehicle on a public road right-of-way in the state; or
3.14 	(3) operate an all-terrain vehicle on public lands or waters, except as provided in 
3.15 	paragraph (e).
3.16 	(c) Except for public road rights-of-way of interstate highways, a person 12 years 
3.17 	of age but less than 16 years may make a direct crossing of a public road right-of-way 
3.18 	of a trunk, county state-aid, or county highway or operate on public lands and waters, 
3.19 	only if that person possesses a valid all-terrain vehicle safety certificate issued by the 
3.20 	commissioner and is accompanied on another all-terrain vehicle by a person 18 years of 
3.21 	age or older who holds a valid driver's license.
3.22 	(d) To be issued an all-terrain vehicle safety certificate, a person at least 12 years 
3.23 	old, but less than 16 years old, must:
3.24 	(1) successfully complete the safety education and training program under section 
3.25 	84.925, subdivision 1, including a riding component; and
3.26 	(2) be able to properly reach and control the handle bars and reach the foot pegs 
3.27 	while sitting upright on the seat of the all-terrain vehicle.
3.28 	(e) A person at least ten years of age but under 12 years of age may operate an 
3.29 	all-terrain vehicle with an engine capacity up to 90cc on public lands or waters if 
3.30 	accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
3.31 	(f) A person under 15 years of age shall not operate a class 2 all-terrain vehicle.

3.32 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 84.9256, subdivision 1, is 
3.33 	amended to read:
4.1 		Subdivision 1.Prohibitions on youthful operators. (a) Except for operation on 
4.2 	public road rights-of-way that is permitted under section 84.928, a driver's license issued 
4.3 	by the state or another state is required to operate an all-terrain vehicle along or on a 
4.4 	public road right-of-way.
4.5 	(b) A person under 12 years of age shall not:
4.6 	(1) make a direct crossing of a public road right-of-way;
4.7 	(2) operate an all-terrain vehicle on a public road right-of-way in the state; or
4.8 	(3) operate an all-terrain vehicle on public lands or waters, except as provided in 
4.9 	paragraph (e) (f).
4.10 	(c) Except for public road rights-of-way of interstate highways, a person 12 years 
4.11 	of age but less than 16 years may make a direct crossing of a public road right-of-way 
4.12 	of a trunk, county state-aid, or county highway or operate on public lands and waters, 
4.13 	only if that person possesses a valid all-terrain vehicle safety certificate issued by the 
4.14 	commissioner and is accompanied on another all-terrain vehicle by a person 18 years of 
4.15 	age or older who holds a valid driver's license.
4.16 	(d) To be issued an all-terrain vehicle safety certificate, a person at least 12 years 
4.17 	old, but less than 16 years old, must:
4.18 	(1) successfully complete the safety education and training program under section 
4.19 	84.925, subdivision 1, including a riding component; and
4.20 	(2) be able to properly reach and control the handle bars and reach the foot pegs 
4.21 	while sitting upright on the seat of the all-terrain vehicle.
4.22 	(e) A person at least 11 years of age may take the safety education and training 
4.23 	program and may receive an all-terrain vehicle safety certificate under paragraph (d), but 
4.24 	the certificate is not valid until the person reaches age 12.
4.25 	(f) A person at least ten years of age but under 12 years of age may operate an 
4.26 	all-terrain vehicle with an engine capacity up to 90cc on public lands or waters if 
4.27 	accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

4.28 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 84.9257, is amended to read:
4.29 	84.9257 PASSENGERS.
4.30 	(a) A parent or guardian may operate an a class 1 all-terrain vehicle carrying one 
4.31 	passenger who is under 16 years of age and who wears a safety helmet approved by the 
4.32 	commissioner of public safety.
4.33 	(b) For the purpose of this section, "guardian" means a legal guardian of a person 
4.34 	under age 16, or a person 18 or older who has been authorized by the parent or legal 
4.35 	guardian to supervise the person under age 16.
5.1 	(c) A person 18 years of age or older may operate an all-terrain vehicle carrying 
5.2 	one passenger who is 16 or 17 years of age and wears a safety helmet approved by the 
5.3 	commissioner of public safety.
5.4 	(d) A person 18 years of age or older may operate an all-terrain vehicle carrying one 
5.5 	passenger who is 18 years of age or older.
5.6 	(e) An operator of a class 2 all-terrain vehicle may carry two passengers.

5.7 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 84.926, subdivision 4, is 
5.8 	amended to read:
5.9 		Subd. 4.Off-road and all-terrain vehicles; limited or managed forests; trails.
 5.10 	Notwithstanding section 84.777, but subject to the commissioner's authority under 
5.11 	subdivision 5, on state forest lands classified as limited or managed, other than the Richard 
5.12 	J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest, a person may use vehicles registered under chapter 
5.13 	168 or section 84.798 or 84.922, including class 2 all-terrain vehicles,  on forest trails that 
5.14 	are not designated for a specific use when:
5.15 	(1) hunting big game or transporting or installing hunting stands during October, 
5.16 	November, and December, when in possession of a valid big game hunting license;
5.17 	(2) retrieving big game in September, when in possession of a valid big game 
5.18 	hunting license;
5.19 	(3) tending traps during an open trapping season for protected furbearers, when in 
5.20 	possession of a valid trapping license; or
5.21 	(4) trapping minnows, when in possession of a valid minnow dealer, private fish 
5.22 	hatchery, or aquatic farm license.

5.23 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 84.928, subdivision 1, is 
5.24 	amended to read:
5.25 		Subdivision 1.Operation on roads and rights-of-way; class 1 vehicles. (a) Unless 
5.26 	otherwise allowed in sections 84.92 to 84.929, a person shall not operate an a class 1 
5.27 	 all-terrain vehicle in this state along or on the roadway, shoulder, or inside bank or slope 
5.28 	of a public road right-of-way of a trunk, county state-aid, or county highway other than 
5.29 	in the ditch or the outside bank or slope of a trunk, county state-aid, or county highway 
5.30 	unless prohibited under paragraph (b).
5.31 	(b) A road authority as defined under section 160.02, subdivision 25, may after a 
5.32 	public hearing restrict the use of class 1 all-terrain vehicles in the ditch or outside bank or 
5.33 	slope of a public road right-of-way under its jurisdiction.
6.1 	(c) The restrictions in paragraphs (a), (b), (g), (h), and (i) do not apply to the 
6.2 	operation of an a class 1 all-terrain vehicle on the shoulder, inside bank or slope, ditch, 
6.3 	or outside bank or slope of a trunk, interstate, county state-aid, or county highway when 
6.4 	the class 1 all-terrain vehicle is:
6.5 	(1) owned by or operated under contract with a publicly or privately owned utility 
6.6 	or pipeline company; and
6.7 	(2) used for work on utilities or pipelines.
6.8 	(d) The commissioner may limit the use of a right-of-way for a period of time if the 
6.9 	commissioner determines that use of the right-of-way causes:
6.10 	(1) degradation of vegetation on adjacent public property;
6.11 	(2) siltation of waters of the state;
6.12 	(3) impairment or enhancement to the act of taking game; or
6.13 	(4) a threat to safety of the right-of-way users or to individuals on adjacent public 
6.14 	property.
6.15 	(e) The commissioner must notify the road authority as soon as it is known that a 
6.16 	closure will be ordered. The notice must state the reasons and duration of the closure.
6.17 	(f) A person may operate an a class 1 all-terrain vehicle registered for private use and 
6.18 	used for agricultural purposes or a class 2 all-terrain vehicle on a public road right-of-way 
6.19 	of a trunk, county state-aid, or county highway in this state if the class 1 or class 2
6.20 	all-terrain vehicle is operated on the extreme right-hand side of the road, and left turns 
6.21 	may be made from any part of the road if it is safe to do so under the prevailing conditions.
6.22 	(g) A person shall not operate an a class 1 all-terrain vehicle within the public road 
6.23 	right-of-way of a trunk, county state-aid, or county highway from April 1 to August 1 in 
6.24 	the agricultural zone unless the vehicle is being used exclusively as transportation to and 
6.25 	from work on agricultural lands. This paragraph does not apply to an agent or employee 
6.26 	of a road authority, as defined in section 160.02, subdivision 25, or the Department of 
6.27 	Natural Resources when performing or exercising official duties or powers.
6.28 	(h) A person shall not operate an a class 1 all-terrain vehicle within the public 
6.29 	road right-of-way of a trunk, county state-aid, or county highway between the hours of 
6.30 	one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, except on the right-hand side 
6.31 	of the right-of-way and in the same direction as the highway traffic on the nearest lane 
6.32 	of the adjacent roadway.
6.33 	(i) A person shall not operate an a class 1 all-terrain vehicle at any time within the 
6.34 	right-of-way of an interstate highway or freeway within this state.

7.1 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 84.928, is amended by adding a subdivision 
7.2 	to read:
7.3 		Subd. 8.Operation; class 2 vehicles. Except as provided in section 84.926, 
7.4 	subdivision 4, operation of class 2 all-terrain vehicles on public lands is limited to forest 
7.5 	roads, minimum maintenance roads, and trails designated or signed for class 2 all-terrain 
7.6 	vehicles.

7.7 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 84.943, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
7.8 		Subd. 3.Appropriations must be matched by private funds. Appropriations 
7.9 	transferred to the critical habitat private sector matching account and money credited to 
7.10 	the account under section  168.1296, subdivision 5, may be expended only to the extent 
7.11 	that they are matched equally with contributions to the account from private sources 
7.12 	or by funds contributed to the nongame wildlife management account. The private 
7.13 	contributions may be made in cash or in contributions of, property, land or interests in 
7.14 	land that are designated by the commissioner of natural resources as program acquisitions. 
7.15 	Appropriations transferred to the account that are not matched within three years from the 
7.16 	date of the appropriation shall cancel to the source of the appropriation. For the purposes 
7.17 	of this section, the private contributions of property, land, or interests in land that are 
7.18 	retained by the commissioner shall be valued in accordance with their appraised value. 

7.19 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 85.32, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
7.20 		Subdivision 1.Areas marked. The commissioner of natural resources is authorized 
7.21 	in cooperation with local units of government and private individuals and groups when 
7.22 	feasible to mark canoe and boating routes on the Ottertail, Little Fork, Big Fork, 
7.23 	Minnesota, St. Croix, Snake, Mississippi, Red Lake, Cannon, Straight, Des Moines, 
7.24 	Crow Wing, St. Louis, Pine, Rum, Kettle, Cloquet, Root, Zumbro, Pomme de Terre 
7.25 	within Swift County, Watonwan, Cottonwood, Whitewater, Chippewa from Benson in 
7.26 	Swift County to Montevideo in Chippewa County, Long Prairie, Red River of the North, 
7.27 	and Crow Rivers which have historic and scenic values and to mark appropriately points 
7.28 	of interest, portages, camp sites, and all dams, rapids, waterfalls, whirlpools, and other 
7.29 	serious hazards which are dangerous to canoe and watercraft travelers.

7.30 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.015, is amended by adding a 
7.31 	subdivision to read:
8.1 		Subd. 3a.Bonus permit. "Bonus permit" means a license to take and tag deer by 
8.2 	archery or firearms, in addition to deer authorized to be taken under regular firearms 
8.3 	or archery licenses.

8.4 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.015, is amended by adding a 
8.5 	subdivision to read:
8.6 		Subd. 14a.Deer. "Deer" means white-tailed or mule deer.

8.7 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.015, is amended by adding a 
8.8 	subdivision to read:
8.9 		Subd. 26b.Intensive deer area. "Intensive deer area" means an area of the state 
8.10 	where taking a deer of either sex is allowed and where multiple bonus permits are 
8.11 	authorized.

8.12 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.015, is amended by adding a 
8.13 	subdivision to read:
8.14 		Subd. 27b.Lottery deer area. "Lottery deer area" means an area of the state where 
8.15 	taking antlerless deer is allowed only by either-sex permit and where no bonus permits 
8.16 	are authorized.

8.17 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.015, is amended by adding a 
8.18 	subdivision to read:
8.19 		Subd. 27c.Managed deer area. "Managed deer area" means an area of the state 
8.20 	where taking a deer of either sex is allowed and where one bonus permit is authorized.

8.21 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.015, is amended by adding a 
8.22 	subdivision to read:
8.23 		Subd. 32a.Muzzle-loader season. "Muzzle-loader season" means the firearms 
8.24 	deer season option open only for legal muzzle-loading firearms, as prescribed by the 
8.25 	commissioner.

8.26 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.015, is amended by adding a 
8.27 	subdivision to read:
8.28 		Subd. 41a.Regular firearms season. "Regular firearms season" means any of the 
8.29 	firearms deer season options prescribed by the commissioner that begin in November, 
8.30 	exclusive of the muzzle-loader season.

9.1 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.055, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
9.2 		Subd. 2.Receipts. The commissioner of finance shall credit to the game and fish 
9.3 	fund all money received under the game and fish laws and all income from lands acquired 
9.4 	by the state for game or fish purposes by purchase or gift, including receipts from:
9.5 	(1) licenses and permits issued;
9.6 	(2) fines and forfeited bail;
9.7 	(3) sales of contraband, wild animals, and other property under the control of the 
9.8 	division;
9.9 	(4) fees from advanced education courses for hunters and trappers;
9.10 	(5) reimbursements of expenditures by the division;
9.11 	(6) contributions to the division; and
9.12 	(7) revenue credited to the game and fish fund under section  297A.94, paragraph 
9.13 	(e), clause (1). 

9.14 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.065, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
9.15 		Subd. 2.Fines and forfeited bail. (a) Fines and forfeited bail collected from 
9.16 	prosecutions of violations of: the game and fish laws or rules adopted thereunder; sections  
9.17 	84.091 to  84.15 or rules adopted thereunder; sections  84.81 to  84.91 or rules adopted 
9.18 	thereunder; section  169A.20, when the violation involved an off-road recreational vehicle 
9.19 	as defined in section  169A.03, subdivision 16; chapter 348; and any other law relating 
9.20 	to wild animals or aquatic vegetation, must be paid to the treasurer of the county where 
9.21 	the violation is prosecuted. The county treasurer shall submit one-half of the receipts to 
9.22 	the commissioner and credit the balance to the county general revenue fund except as 
9.23 	provided in paragraphs (b), and (c), and (d). In a county in a judicial district under section  
9.24 	480.181, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), the share that would otherwise go to the county 
9.25 	under this paragraph must be submitted to the commissioner of finance for deposit in the 
9.26 	state treasury and credited to the general fund. 
9.27 	(b) The commissioner may reimburse a county, from the game and fish fund, for the 
9.28 	cost of keeping prisoners prosecuted for violations of the game and fish laws under this 
9.29 	section if the county board, by resolution, directs: (1) the county treasurer to submit all 
9.30 	game and fish fines and forfeited bail to the commissioner; and (2) the county auditor to 
9.31 	certify and submit monthly itemized statements to the commissioner.
9.32 	(c)(b) The county treasurer shall submit one-half of the receipts collected under 
9.33 	paragraph (a) from prosecutions of violations of sections  84.81 to  84.91 or rules adopted 
9.34 	thereunder, and  169A.20, except receipts that are surcharges imposed under section  
9.35 	357.021, subdivision 6, to the commissioner and credit the balance to the county 
10.1 	general fund. The commissioner shall credit these receipts to the snowmobile trails and 
10.2 	enforcement account in the natural resources fund. 
10.3 	(d) (c) The county treasurer shall indicate the amount of the receipts that are 
10.4 	surcharges imposed under section  357.021, subdivision 6, and shall submit all of those 
10.5 	receipts to the commissioner of finance. 

10.6 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.075, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
10.7 		Subdivision 1.Deer, bear, and lifetime licenses. (a) For purposes of this 
10.8 	subdivision, "deer license" means a license issued under section  97A.475, subdivisions 
10.9 	2, clauses (4), (5), (9), (11), (13), and (14), and 3, clauses (2), (3), and (7), and licenses 
10.10 	issued under section  97B.301, subdivision 4. 
10.11 	(b) At least $2 from each annual deer license and $2 annually from the lifetime fish 
10.12 	and wildlife trust fund, established in section  97A.4742, for each license issued under 
10.13 	section  97A.473, subdivision 4,  shall be credited to the deer management account and 
10.14 	shall be used for deer habitat improvement or deer management programs. 
10.15 	(c) At least $1 from each annual deer license and each bear license and $1 annually 
10.16 	from the lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund, established in section  97A.4742, for each 
10.17 	license issued under section  97A.473, subdivision 4, shall be credited to the deer and bear 
10.18 	management account and shall be used for deer and bear management programs, including 
10.19 	a computerized licensing system. 
10.20 	(d) Fifty cents from each deer license is credited to the emergency deer feeding 
10.21 	and wild cervidae health management account and is appropriated for emergency deer 
10.22 	feeding and wild cervidae health management. Money appropriated for emergency 
10.23 	deer feeding and wild cervidae health management is available until expended. When 
10.24 	the unencumbered balance in the appropriation for emergency deer feeding and wild 
10.25 	cervidae health management at the end of a fiscal year exceeds $2,500,000 for the first 
10.26 	time, $750,000 is canceled to the unappropriated balance of the game and fish fund. 
10.27 	The commissioner must inform the legislative chairs of the natural resources finance 
10.28 	committees every two years on how the money for emergency deer feeding and wild 
10.29 	cervidae health management has been spent. 
10.30 	Thereafter, when the unencumbered balance in the appropriation for emergency deer 
10.31 	feeding and wild cervidae health management exceeds $2,500,000 at the end of a fiscal 
10.32 	year, the unencumbered balance in excess of $2,500,000 is canceled and available for deer 
10.33 	and bear management programs and computerized licensing.

10.34 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2007.

11.1 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.085, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
11.2 		Subd. 4.Establishment by petition of county residents. The commissioner may 
11.3 	designate as a game refuge public waters or a contiguous area described in a petition, 
11.4 	signed by 50 or more residents of the county where the public waters or area is located. The 
11.5 	game refuge must be a contiguous area of at least 640 acres unless it borders or includes 
11.6 	a marsh, or other body of water or watercourse suitable for wildlife habitat. The game 
11.7 	refuge may be designated only if the commissioner finds that protected wild animals are 
11.8 	depleted and are in danger of extermination, or that it will best serve the public interest. If 
11.9 	any of the land area in the proposed game refuge is privately owned and the commissioner 
11.10 	receives a petition opposing designation of the refuge signed by the owners, lessees, or 
11.11 	persons in possession of at least 75 percent of the private land area within the proposed 
11.12 	game refuge, the commissioner shall not designate the private lands as a game refuge.

11.13 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.101, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
11.14 		Subd. 4.Restrictions on airboats, watercraft, and recreational vehicles. (a) The 
11.15 	use of airboats is prohibited at all times on lakes designated for wildlife management 
11.16 	purposes under this section unless otherwise authorized by the commissioner.
11.17 	(b) The commissioner may restrict the use of motorized watercraft and recreational 
11.18 	vehicles on lakes designated for wildlife management purposes by posting all public access 
11.19 	points on the designated lake. Restrictions may include prohibitions or limitations on the 
11.20 	type of allowable motorized watercraft or recreational vehicle, horsepower or thrust of 
11.21 	motor, speed of operation, season or area of use, or other restrictions that the commissioner 
11.22 	determines are necessary to minimize disturbances to wildlife or to protect wildlife habitat. 
11.23 	When the commissioner intends to permanently prohibit the use of motorized watercraft, 
11.24 	the commissioner must give notice and hold a public hearing. The hearing must be held in 
11.25 	the county where the major portion of the lake is located. Notice of the hearing must be 
11.26 	published in a legal newspaper within the county where the lake is located at least thirty 
11.27 	days before the hearing. Designation of areas, times, and types of restrictions to be posted 
11.28 	shall be by written order published in the State Register. Posting of the restrictions is not 
11.29 	subject to the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply.

11.30 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.251, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
11.31 		Subdivision 1.Unlawful conduct. A person may not:
11.32 	(1) intentionally hinder, resist, or obstruct an enforcement officer, agent, or employee 
11.33 	of the division in the performance of official duties;
12.1 	(2) refuse to submit to inspection of firearms  equipment used to take wild animals
12.2 	while in the field, licenses, or wild animals; or
12.3 	(3) refuse to allow inspection of a motor vehicle, boat, or other conveyance used 
12.4 	while taking or transporting wild animals.

12.5 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.321, is amended to read:
12.6 	97A.321 DOGS PURSUING OR KILLING BIG GAME.
12.7 	The owner of a dog that kills or pursues a big game animal is guilty of a petty 
12.8 	misdemeanor and is subject to a civil penalty of up to a maximum of $500 for each 
12.9 	violation under this section, if the animal is killed by the dog, and $100 if a dog 
12.10 	continuously pursues the animal.

12.11 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 97A.405, subdivision 4, is 
12.12 	amended to read:
12.13 		Subd. 4.Replacement licenses. (a) The commissioner may permit licensed deer 
12.14 	hunters to change zone, license, or season options. The commissioner may issue a 
12.15 	replacement license if the applicant submits the original deer license and unused tags that 
12.16 	are being replaced and the applicant pays any increase in cost between the original and 
12.17 	the replacement license. When a person submits both an archery and a firearms license 
12.18 	for replacement, the commissioner may apply the value of both licenses towards the 
12.19 	replacement license fee.
12.20 	(b) A replacement license may be issued only if the applicant has not used any tag 
12.21 	from the original license and meets the conditions of paragraph (c). The original license 
12.22 	and all unused tags for that license must be submitted to the issuing agent at the time 
12.23 	the replacement license is issued.
12.24 	(c) A replacement license may be issued under the following conditions, or as 
12.25 	otherwise prescribed by rule of the commissioner:
12.26 	(1) when the season for the license being surrendered has not yet opened; or
12.27 	(2) when the person is upgrading from a regular firearms or archery deer license to a 
12.28 	multizone or all season deer license that is valid in multiple zones.
12.29 	(d) Notwithstanding section 97A.411, subdivision 3, a replacement license is valid 
12.30 	immediately upon issuance if the license being surrendered is valid at that time.

12.31 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.465, is amended by adding a 
12.32 	subdivision to read:
13.1 		Subd. 6.Special hunts for military personnel. The commissioner may by rule 
13.2 	establish criteria, special seasons, and limits for military personnel and veterans to take 
13.3 	big game and small game by firearms or archery in designated areas or times. A person 
13.4 	hunting under this subdivision must be participating in a hunt sponsored and administered 
13.5 	by the Minnesota Department of Military Affairs or the Minnesota Department of Veterans 
13.6 	Affairs.

13.7 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.475, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
13.8 		Subd. 2.Resident hunting. Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to residents 
13.9 	only, are:
13.10 	(1) for persons age 18 or over and under age 65 to take small game, $12.50;
13.11 	(2) for persons ages 16 and 17 and age 65 or over, $6 to take small game;
13.12 	(3) to take turkey, $18;
13.13 	(4) for persons age 18 or over to take deer with firearms, $26;
13.14 	(5) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by archery, $26;
13.15 	(6) to take moose, for a party of not more than six persons, $310;
13.16 	(7) to take bear, $38;
13.17 	(8) to take elk, for a party of not more than two persons, $250;
13.18 	(9) multizone license to take antlered deer in more than one zone, $52;
13.19 	(10) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4;
13.20 	(11) all season license to take two deer throughout the state in any open deer season, 
13.21 	except as restricted under section  97B.305, $78; 
13.22 	(12) to take prairie chickens, $20;
13.23 	(13) for persons at least age 12 and under age 18 to take deer with firearms during 
13.24 	the regular firearms season in any open zone or time period, $13; and
13.25 	(14) for persons at least age 12 and under age 18 to take deer by archery, $13.

13.26 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 97A.475, subdivision 3, is 
13.27 	amended to read:
13.28 		Subd. 3.Nonresident hunting. Fees for the following licenses, to be issued 
13.29 	to nonresidents, are:
13.30 	(1) to take small game, $73;
13.31 	(2) to take deer with firearms, $135;
13.32 	(3) to take deer by archery, the greater of:
13.33 	(i) an amount equal to the total amount of license fees and surcharges charged to a 
13.34 	Minnesota resident to take deer by archery in the person's state or province of residence; or
14.1 	(ii) $135;
14.2 	(4) to take bear, $195;
14.3 	(5) to take turkey, $73;
14.4 	(6) to take raccoon, bobcat, fox, or coyote, $155;
14.5 	(7) multizone license to take antlered deer in more than one zone, $270; and
14.6 	(8) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4.

14.7 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.535, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
14.8 		Subdivision 1.Tags required. (a) A person may not possess or transport deer, 
14.9 	bear, elk, or moose taken in the state unless a tag is attached to the carcass in a manner 
14.10 	prescribed by the commissioner. The commissioner must prescribe the type of tag that has 
14.11 	the license number of the owner, the year of its issue, and other information prescribed by 
14.12 	the commissioner.
14.13 	(b) The tag and the license must be validated at the site of the kill as prescribed by 
14.14 	the commissioner.
14.15 	(c) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the tag must be attached to the deer, 
14.16 	bear, elk, or moose at the site of the kill before the animal is removed from the site of the 
14.17 	kill, and. A person may not leave the animal unattended once it has been field dressed 
14.18 	unless the validated tag has been attached to it as prescribed by the commissioner.
14.19 	(d) The tag must remain attached to the animal until the animal is processed for 
14.20 	storage.
14.21 	(e) A person may move a lawfully taken deer, bear, elk, or moose from the site of the 
14.22 	kill without attaching the validated tag to the animal only while in the act of manually 
14.23 	or mechanically dragging, carrying, or carting the animal across the ground and while 
14.24 	possessing the validated tag on their person. A motor vehicle may be used to drag the 
14.25 	animal across the ground. At all other times, the validated tag must be attached to the deer, 
14.26 	bear, elk, or moose as otherwise provided under this section and prior to the animal being 
14.27 	placed onto and transported on a motor vehicle, being hung from a tree or other structure 
14.28 	or device, or being brought into a camp or yard or other place of habitation.

14.29 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 97A.551, subdivision 6, is 
14.30 	amended to read:
14.31 		Subd. 6.Tagging and registration. The commissioner may, by rule, require 
14.32 	persons taking, possessing, and transporting certain species of fish to tag the fish with 
14.33 	a special fish management tag and may require registration of tagged fish. A person 
14.34 	may not possess or transport a fish species taken in the state for which a special fish 
15.1 	management tag is required unless a tag is attached to the fish in a manner prescribed by 
15.2 	the commissioner. The commissioner shall prescribe the manner of issuance and the 
15.3 	type of tag as authorized under section 97C.087. The tag must be attached to the fish as 
15.4 	prescribed by the commissioner immediately upon reducing the fish to possession and 
15.5 	must remain attached to the fish until the fish is processed or consumed. Species for 
15.6 	which a special fish management tag is required must be transported undressed, except as 
15.7 	otherwise prescribed by the commissioner.

15.8 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.015, is amended by adding a 
15.9 	subdivision to read:
15.10 		Subd. 5a.Exemption; range and shooting exercise instruction. Notwithstanding 
15.11 	subdivision 5, a person who is a licensed police officer as defined in section 626.84, or who 
15.12 	has completed basic training in the United Stated armed forces, is exempt from the range 
15.13 	and shooting exercise portion of the required course of instruction for the firearms safety 
15.14 	certificate. The commissioner may require any written proof of the person's police officer 
15.15 	licensure or military training that the commissioner deems appropriate for implementing 
15.16 	this subdivision. The police officer or current or former service member is not exempt 
15.17 	from any other requirement of this section for obtaining the firearms safety certificate. 
15.18 	The commissioner shall publicly announce this exemption and the availability of the 
15.19 	department's online, remote-study option for adults seeking firearms safety certification.

15.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2006.

15.21 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.021, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
15.22 		Subdivision 1.Restrictions. (a) Except as provided in this subdivision, a person 
15.23 	under the age of 16 may not possess a firearm, unless accompanied bywithout maintaining 
15.24 	unaided visual or vocal contact with a parent or guardian.
15.25 	(b) A person under age 16 may possess a firearm without being accompanied by
15.26 	maintaining unaided visual or vocal contact with a parent or guardian:
15.27 	(1) on land owned by, or occupied as the principal residence of, the person or the 
15.28 	person's parent or guardian;
15.29 	(2) while participating in an organized target shooting program with adult 
15.30 	supervision;
15.31 	(3) while the person is participating in a firearms safety program or traveling to 
15.32 	and from class; or
15.33 	(4) if the person is age 14 or 15 and has a firearms safety certificate.

16.1 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.021, is amended by adding a 
16.2 	subdivision to read:
16.3 		Subd. 1a.Parent or guardian duties. A parent or guardian may not knowingly 
16.4 	direct, allow, or permit a person under the age of 16 to possess a firearm in violation 
16.5 	of this section.

16.6 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.081, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
16.7 		Subdivision 1.With firearms and bows. (a) A person may not cast the rays of a 
16.8 	spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light on a highway, or in a field, woodland, or forest, 
16.9 	to spot, locate, or take a wild animal, except while taking raccoons in accordance with 
16.10 	section  97B.621, subdivision 3, or tending traps in accordance with section  97B.931, 
16.11 	while having in possession, either individually or as one of a group of persons, a firearm, 
16.12 	bow, or other implement that could be used to kill big game. 
16.13 	(b) This subdivision does not apply to a firearm that is:
16.14 	(1) unloaded;
16.15 	(2) in a gun case expressly made to contain a firearm that fully encloses the firearm 
16.16 	by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened without any portion of 
16.17 	the firearm exposed; and
16.18 	(3) in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.
16.19 	(c) This subdivision does not apply to a bow that is:
16.20 	(1) completely encased or unstrung; and
16.21 	(2) in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.
16.22 	(d) If the motor vehicle under paragraph (b) or (c) does not have a trunk, the firearm 
16.23 	or bow must be placed in the rearmost location of the vehicle.
16.24 	(e) This subdivision does not apply to persons taking raccoons under section  
16.25 	97B.621, subdivision 3. 
16.26 	(f) This subdivision does not apply to a person hunting fox or coyote from January 1 
16.27 	to March 15 while using a hand-held artificial light, provided that the person:
16.28 	(1) is on foot;
16.29 	(2) is using a shotgun;
16.30 	(3) is not within a public road right-of-way;
16.31 	(4) is using a hand-held or electronic calling device; and
16.32 	(5) is not within 200 feet of a motor vehicle.

16.33 	Sec. 38. [97B.22] COLLECTING ANTLER SHEDS.
16.34 	(a) A person may take and possess naturally shed antlers without a license.
17.1 	(b) A person may not use equipment intended to artificially pull, sever, or otherwise 
17.2 	cause antlers of live deer, moose, elk, or caribou to be shed or removed.

17.3 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.301, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
17.4 		Subd. 7.All season deer license. (a) A resident may obtain an all season deer 
17.5 	license. This license that authorizes the resident to take one buck by firearm or archery
17.6 	hunt during any season statewide. In addition, a resident obtaining this license may take 
17.7 	one antlerless deer: the archery, regular firearms, and muzzle-loader seasons. The all 
17.8 	season license is valid for taking two deer, no more than one of which may be a legal buck.
17.9 	(1) by firearms in the regular firearms season if the resident first obtains an antlerless 
17.10 	deer permit or if the resident takes the antlerless deer in an area where the commissioner 
17.11 	has authorized taking a deer of either sex without an antlerless permit;
17.12 	(2) by archery in the archery season; or
17.13 	(3) by muzzleloader in the muzzleloader season.
17.14 	(b) The all season deer license is valid for taking antlerless deer as follows:
17.15 	(1) up to two antlerless deer may be taken during the archery or muzzle-loader 
17.16 	seasons in any open area or during the regular firearms season in managed or intensive 
17.17 	deer areas; and
17.18 	(2) one antlerless deer may be taken during the regular firearms season in a lottery 
17.19 	deer area, only with an either-sex permit or statutory exemption from an either-sex permit.
17.20 	(c) The commissioner shall issue one tag for a buck and one tag for an antlerless 
17.21 	deer two tags when issuing a license under this subdivision.

17.22 	Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.311, is amended to read:
17.23 	97B.311 DEER SEASONS AND RESTRICTIONS.
17.24 	(a) The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe restrictions and designate areas where 
17.25 	deer may be taken, including hunter selection criteria for special hunts established under 
17.26 	section  97A.401, subdivision 4. The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe the open 
17.27 	seasons for deer within the following periods: 
17.28 	(1) taking with firearms, other than muzzle-loading firearms, between November 1 
17.29 	and December 15;
17.30 	(2) taking with muzzle-loading firearms between September 1 and December 31; and
17.31 	(3) taking by archery between September 1 and December 31.
17.32 	A muzzle-loading firearm used in the muzzle-loader season established under clause 
17.33 	(2) is a firearm equipped only with a flint, percussion cap, or musket cap.
18.1 	(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner may establish special seasons 
18.2 	within designated areas at any time of year.
18.3 	(c) Smokeless gunpowder may not be used in a muzzle-loader during the 
18.4 	muzzle-loader season.

18.5 	Sec. 41. [97B.327] REPORT; DEER OTHER THAN WHITE-TAILED OR 
18.6 	MULE.
18.7 	A hunter legally taking a deer that is not a white-tailed or mule deer must report the 
18.8 	type of deer taken to the commissioner of natural resources within seven days of taking. 
18.9 	Violation of this section shall not result in a penalty and is not subject to section 97A.301.

18.10 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.025, is amended to read:
18.11 	97C.025 FISHING AND MOTORBOATS RESTRICTED IN CERTAIN 
18.12 	AREAS.
18.13 	(a) The commissioner may prohibit or restrict the taking of fish or the operation of 
18.14 	motorboats by posting waters that:
18.15 	(1) are designated as spawning beds or fish preserves;
18.16 	(2) are being used by the commissioner for fisheries research or management 
18.17 	activities; or
18.18 	(3) are licensed by the commissioner as a private fish hatchery or aquatic farm under 
18.19 	section  17.4984, subdivision 1, or  97C.211, subdivision 1. 
18.20 	An area may be posted under this paragraph if necessary to prevent excessive depletion 
18.21 	of fish or interference with fisheries research or management activities or private fish 
18.22 	hatchery or aquatic farm operations.
18.23 	(b) The commissioner will consider the following criteria in determining if waters 
18.24 	licensed under a private fish hatchery or aquatic farm should be posted under paragraph (a):
18.25 	(1) the waters contain game fish brood stock that are vital to the private fish hatchery 
18.26 	or aquatic farm operation;
18.27 	(2) game fish are present in the licensed waters only as a result of aquaculture 
18.28 	activities by the licensee; and
18.29 	(3) no public access to the waters existed when the waters were first licensed.
18.30 	(c) A private fish hatchery or aquatic farm licensee may not take fish or authorize 
18.31 	others to take fish in licensed waters that are posted under paragraph (a), except as 
18.32 	provided in section  17.4983, subdivision 3, and except that if waters are posted to allow 
18.33 	the taking of fish under special restrictions, licensees and others who can legally access 
18.34 	the waters may take fish under those special restrictions. 
19.1 	(d) Before March 1, 2003, riparian landowners adjacent to licensed waters on 
19.2 	April 30, 2002, and riparian landowners who own land adjacent to waters licensed after 
19.3 	April 30, 2002, on the date the waters become licensed waters, plus their children and 
19.4 	grandchildren, may take two daily limits of fish per month under an angling license subject 
19.5 	to the other limits and conditions in the game and fish laws.
19.6 	(e) Except as provided in paragraphs (c), (d), and (f), a person may not take fish or 
19.7 	operate a motorboat if prohibited by posting under paragraph (a).
19.8 	(f) An owner of riparian land adjacent to an area posted under paragraph (a) may 
19.9 	operate a motorboat through the area by the shortest direct route at a speed of not more 
19.10 	than five miles per hour.
19.11 	(g) Postings for water bodies designated under paragraph (a), clause (1), or being 
19.12 	used for fisheries research or management under paragraph (a), clause (2), are not subject 
19.13 	to the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply.

19.14 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.081, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
19.15 		Subd. 4.Restrictions. The commissioner may by rule establish restrictions on 
19.16 	fishing contests to protect fish and fish habitat, to restrict activities during high use periods, 
19.17 	to restrict activities that affect research or management work, to restrict the number of 
19.18 	boats, and for the safety of contest participants.

19.19 	Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.081, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
19.20 		Subd. 6.Permit application process. (a) Beginning September August 1 each 
19.21 	year, the commissioner shall accept permit applications for fishing contests to be held in 
19.22 	the following year.
19.23 	(b)  If the number of permit applications received by the commissioner from 
19.24 	September August 1 through the last Friday in October September exceeds the limits 
19.25 	specified in subdivisions 7 and 8, the commissioner shall notify the affected applicants 
19.26 	that their requested locations and time period are subject to a drawing. After notification, 
19.27 	the commissioner shall allow the affected applicants a minimum of seven days to change 
19.28 	the location or time period requested on their applications, provided that the change is 
19.29 	not to a location or time period for which applications are already at or above the limits 
19.30 	specified in subdivisions 7 and 8.
19.31 	(c) After the applicants have been given at least seven days to change their 
19.32 	applications, the commissioner shall conduct a drawing for all locations and time periods 
19.33 	for which applications exceed limits. First preference in the drawings shall be given 
19.34 	to applicants for established or traditional fishing contests, and second preference to 
20.1 	applicants for contests that are not established as traditional fishing contests based on the 
20.2 	number of times they have been unsuccessful in previous drawings. Except for applicants 
20.3 	of established or traditional fishing contests, an applicant who is successful in a drawing 
20.4 	loses all accumulated preference. "Established or traditional fishing contest" means a 
20.5 	fishing contest that was issued permits in 1999 and 2000 or was issued permits four out of 
20.6 	five years from 1996 to 2000 for the same lake and time period. Beginning with 2001, 
20.7 	established or traditional fishing contests must continue to be conducted at least four out 
20.8 	of five years for the same lake and time period to remain established or traditional.
20.9 	(d)  The commissioner has until December November 7 to approve or deny permit 
20.10 	applications that are submitted by 4:30 p.m. on the last Friday in October September. The 
20.11 	commissioner may approve a permit application that is received after 4:30 p.m. on the last 
20.12 	Friday in October September if approving the application would not result in exceeding 
20.13 	the limits in subdivisions 7 and 8.

20.14 	Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.081, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
20.15 		Subd. 8.Limits on number of fishing contests. (a) The number of permitted 
20.16 	fishing contests allowed each month on a water body shall not exceed the following limits:
20.17 	(1) Lakes:

20.18
20.19
20.20		Maximum number 
of permitted fishing 
contests
	Maximum number 
of large permitted 
fishing contests
	Maximum number 
of permitted fishing 
contest days
	
20.21	Size/acres
				
20.22	less than 2,000
	2
	0
	4
	
20.23	2,000-4,999
	3
	1
	6
	
20.24	5,000-14,999
	4
	2
	8
	
20.25	15,000-55,000
	5
	3
	10
	
20.26	more than 55,000
	no limit
	no limit
	no limit
	
20.27 	(b) For boundary waters water lakes, the limits on the number of permitted fishing 
20.28 	contests shall be determined based on the Minnesota acreage.
20.29 	(2) Rivers:

21.1
21.2
21.3		Maximum number 
of permitted fishing 
contests
	Maximum number 
of large permitted 
fishing contests
	Maximum number 
of permitted fishing 
contest days
	
21.4
21.5
21.6	Mississippi River: 
Pool 1, 2, 3, 5, 5A, 
6, 7, 8, 9
	4 (each pool)
	2 (each pool)
	8 (each pool)
	
21.7	Pool 4
	5
	3
	10

21.8	St. Croix River
	2
	1
	4
	
21.9	Lake St. Croix
	4
	2
	8
	
21.10 	Contest waters identified in the permit for Mississippi River pools are limited to 
21.11 	no more than one lockage upstream and one lockage downstream from the pool where 
21.12 	the contest access and weigh-in is located.
21.13 	Contest waters for Lake St. Croix are bounded by the U.S. Highway 10 bridge at 
21.14 	Prescott upstream to the Arcola Bar. Contest waters for the St. Croix River are bounded 
21.15 	by the Arcola Bar upstream to the Wisconsin state line.
21.16 	For all other rivers, no more than two contest permits, not to exceed four days 
21.17 	combined, may be issued for any continuous segment of a river per month. Of the two 
21.18 	contests permitted, only one shall be a large permitted fishing contest. Permits issued by 
21.19 	the commissioner shall not exceed 60 continuous river miles.

21.20 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.081, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
21.21 		Subd. 9.Permit restrictions. (a) The commissioner may require fishing contest 
21.22 	permittees to limit prefishing to week days only as a condition of a fishing contest permit. 
21.23 	The commissioner may require proof from permittees that prefishing restrictions on the 
21.24 	permit are communicated to fishing contest participants and enforced.
21.25 	(b) The commissioner may require permit restrictions on the hours that a permitted 
21.26 	fishing contest is conducted, including, but not limited to, starting and ending times.
21.27 	(c) The commissioner may require permit restrictions on the number of parking 
21.28 	spaces that may be used on a state-owned public water access site. The commissioner may 
21.29 	require proof from permittees that parking restrictions on the permit are communicated to 
21.30 	fishing contest participants and enforced.
21.31 	(d) To prevent undue loss mortality of released fish, the commissioner may require 
21.32 	restrictions for off-site weigh-ins and live releases on a fishing contest permit or may deny 
21.33 	permits requesting an off-site weigh-in or live release.
22.1 	(e) A person may not transfer a fishing contest permit to another person.
22.2 	(f) Failure to comply with fishing contest permit restrictions may be considered 
22.3 	grounds for denial of future permit applications.

22.4 	Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.205, is amended to read:
22.5 	97C.205 RULES FOR TRANSPORTING AND STOCKING FISH.
22.6 	(a) Except on the water body where taken, a person may not transport a live fish in a 
22.7 	quantity of water sufficient to keep the fish alive, unless the fish:
22.8 	(1) is being transported under an aquaculture license as authorized under sections 
22.9 	17.4985 and 17.4986;
22.10 	(2) is being transported for a fishing contest weigh-in under section 97C.081;
22.11 	(3) is a minnow being transported under section 97C.505 or 97C.515;
22.12 	(4) is being transported by a commercial fishing license holder under section 
22.13 	97C.821; or
22.14 	(5) is being transported as otherwise authorized in this section.
22.15 	(b) The commissioner may adopt rules to allow and regulate:
22.16 	(1) the transportation of fish and fish eggs from one body of water to another; and
22.17 	(2) the stocking of waters with fish or fish eggs.
22.18 	(b) (c) The commissioner shall prescribe rules designed to encourage local sporting 
22.19 	organizations to propagate game fish by using rearing ponds. The rules must:
22.20 	(1) prescribe methods to acquire brood stock for the ponds by seining public waters;
22.21 	(2) allow the sporting organizations to own and use seines and other necessary 
22.22 	equipment; and
22.23 	(3) prescribe methods for stocking the fish in public waters that give priority to the 
22.24 	needs of the community where the fish are reared and the desires of the organization 
22.25 	operating the rearing pond.
22.26 	(c) (d) A person age 16 or under may, for purposes of display in a home aquarium, 
22.27 	transport largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, rock bass, black crappie, 
22.28 	white crappie, bluegill pumpkinseed, green sunfish, orange spotted sunfish, and black, 
22.29 	yellow, and brown bullheads taken by angling. No more than four of each species may 
22.30 	be transported at any one time, and any individual fish can be no longer than ten inches 
22.31 	in total length.

22.32 	Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.315, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
22.33 		Subd. 2.Hooks. An angler may not have more than one hook on a line, except:
23.1 	(1) three artificial flies may be on a line used to take largemouth bass, smallmouth 
23.2 	bass, trout, crappies, sunfish, and rock bass; and
23.3 	(2) a single artificial bait may contain more than one hook.; and
23.4 	(3) as otherwise prescribed by the commissioner.

23.5 	Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.355, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
23.6 		Subd. 7.Dates and times houses may remain on ice. (a) Except as provided 
23.7 	in paragraph (d), a shelter, including a fish house or dark house, may not be on the ice 
23.8 	between 12:00 a.m. and one hour before sunrise after the following dates:
23.9 	(1) the last day of February, for state waters south of a line starting at the 
23.10 	Minnesota-North Dakota border and formed by rights-of-way of U.S. Route No. 10, then 
23.11 	east along U.S. Route No. 10 to Trunk Highway No. 34, then east along Trunk Highway 
23.12 	No. 34 to Trunk Highway No. 200, then east along Trunk Highway No. 200 to U.S. Route 
23.13 	No. 2, then east along U.S. Route No. 2 to the Minnesota-Wisconsin border; and
23.14 	(2) March 15, for other state waters.
23.15 	A shelter, including a fish house or dark house, on the ice in violation of this 
23.16 	subdivision is subject to the enforcement provisions of paragraph (b). The commissioner 
23.17 	may, by rule, change the dates in this paragraph for any part of state waters. Copies of 
23.18 	the rule must be conspicuously posted on the shores of the waters as prescribed by the 
23.19 	commissioner.
23.20 	(b) A conservation officer must confiscate a fish house or, dark house, or shelter in 
23.21 	violation of paragraph (a). The officer may remove, burn, or destroy the house or shelter. 
23.22 	The officer shall seize the contents of the house or shelter and hold them for 60 days. If the 
23.23 	seized articles have not been claimed by the owner, they may be retained for the use of the 
23.24 	division or sold at the highest price obtainable in a manner prescribed by the commissioner.
23.25 	(c) When the last day of February, under paragraph (a), clause (1), or March 15, 
23.26 	under paragraph (a), clause (2), falls on a Saturday, a shelter, including a fish house or 
23.27 	dark house, may be on the ice between 12:00 a.m. and one hour before sunrise until 
23.28 	12:00 a.m. the following Monday.
23.29 	(d) A person may have a shelter, including a fish house or dark house, on the ice 
23.30 	between 12:00 a.m. and one hour before sunrise on waters within the area prescribed in 
23.31 	paragraph (a), clause (2), but the house or shelter may not be unattended during those 
23.32 	hours.

23.33 	Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.371, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
24.1 		Subd. 3.Restrictions while spearing from dark house. A person may not take fish 
24.2 	by angling or the use of tip-ups while spearing fish in a dark house, except that a person 
24.3 	may take fish by angling if only one angling line is in use and any fish caught by angling 
24.4 	is immediately released to the water or placed on the ice.

24.5 	Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.371, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
24.6 		Subd. 4.Open season. The open season for spearing through the ice is December 1 
24.7 	to the thirdlast Sunday in February.

24.8 	Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 197.65, is amended to read:
24.9 	197.65 RENEWAL OF PROFESSIONAL LICENSE, MOTOR VEHICLE 
24.10 	REGISTRATION AND DRIVER'S LICENSE LICENSES; REGISTRATION; 
24.11 	CERTIFICATE; GOVERNING STATUTES.
24.12 	(a) The renewal of a license or certificate of registration for a person who is serving 
24.13 	in or has recently been separated or discharged from active military service and who 
24.14 	is required by law to be licensed or registered in order to carry on or practice a trade, 
24.15 	employment, occupation, or profession in the state is governed under sections 326.55
24.16 	and 326.56.
24.17 	(b) The renewal of a driver's license for a person who is serving in or has recently 
24.18 	been separated or discharged from active military service is governed under section 171.27.
24.19 	(c) The renewal and payment of the motor vehicle registration tax for a vehicle of a 
24.20 	person who is serving in or has recently been separated or discharged from active military 
24.21 	service is governed under section 168.031.
24.22 	(d) A veteran's exemption from the range and shooting exercise portion of the 
24.23 	natural resources firearms safety training course, as a prerequisite for obtaining a hunting 
24.24 	license or for any other purpose, is governed by section 97B.015, subdivision 5a.

24.25 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2006.

24.26 	Sec. 53. [348.125] COYOTE CONFLICT MANAGEMENT OPTION.
24.27 	 (a) A county board may, by resolution, offer a bounty for the taking of coyotes 
24.28 	(Canis latrans) by all legal methods.  The resolution may be made applicable to the whole 
24.29 	or any part of the county.  The bounty must apply during the months specified in the 
24.30 	resolution and be in an amount determined by the board.
24.31 	(b) The county offering the bounty must publish annually by press release or public 
24.32 	service announcement the townships or areas where the number of coyotes should be 
25.1 	reduced. Counties may encourage willing landowners to post their land as open to coyote 
25.2 	hunting, without further permission of the landowner or lessee.

25.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

25.4 	Sec. 54. APPROPRIATION; NATURAL RESOURCES FUND.
 25.5 	$65,000 is appropriated from the water recreation account in the natural resources 
25.6 	fund to the commissioner of natural resources to cooperate with local units of government 
25.7 	in marking routes and designating river accesses and campsites under Minnesota Statutes, 
25.8 	section 85.32. This is a onetime appropriation. The money is available until expended 
25.9 	and does not cancel.

25.10 	Sec. 55. MORATORIUM ON LICENSING OR USE OF NEW PUBLIC WATERS 
25.11 	FOR AQUACULTURE.
 25.12 	(a) The commissioner of natural resources may not license or use public waters, as 
25.13 	defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15, for aquaculture or the 
25.14 	raising of fish that were not licensed by the commissioner of natural resources or used for 
25.15 	that purpose by the commissioner of natural resources during the five-year period prior to 
25.16 	April 1, 2006, except as provided in paragraph (b).
25.17 	(b) The commissioner of natural resources may annually authorize fish rearing in 
25.18 	new public waters prior to December 31, 2007, if the fish rearing is conducted as part of a 
25.19 	wetland improvement plan approved by the commissioner.
25.20 	(c) This section expires December 31, 2007.

25.21 	Sec. 56. REQUIRED RULEMAKING; ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE OR 
25.22 	SNOWMOBILE USE ON PRIVATE LANDS DURING DEER SEASON.
 25.23 	(a) The commissioner of natural resources shall amend Minnesota Rules, part 
25.24 	6232.0300, subpart 7, to permit an individual to operate an all-terrain vehicle or 
25.25 	snowmobile on privately owned land in an area open to taking deer by firearms during the 
25.26 	legal shooting hours of the deer season, if the individual is:
25.27 	(1) the owner of the land on which the all-terrain vehicle or snowmobile is operated; 
25.28 	or
25.29 	(2) a person with the landowner's permission to operate the all-terrain vehicle or 
25.30 	snowmobile on the land.
25.31 	(b) The commissioner may use the good cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes, 
25.32 	section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), in amending the rule under paragraph (a). 
26.1 	Minnesota Statutes, section 14.386, does not apply, except to the extent provided under 
26.2 	Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388.

26.3 	Sec. 57. SPRING TURKEY SEASON.
 26.4 	The commissioner of natural resources must amend Minnesota Rules so that the 
26.5 	taking of turkey in the spring season ends at sunset each day. The commissioner of natural 
26.6 	resources may use the good cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388, 
26.7 	subdivision 1, clause (3), to amend rules to conform to this section. Minnesota Statutes, 
26.8 	section 14.386, does not apply to the rulemaking under this section except to the extent 
26.9 	provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388.

26.10 	Sec. 58. CONFORMING CHANGES; RULES.
 26.11 	The commissioner of natural resources may use the good cause exemption under 
26.12 	Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), to amend rules to conform 
26.13 	to section 45. Minnesota Statutes, section 14.386, does not apply to the rulemaking under 
26.14 	this section except to the extent provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388.

26.15 	Sec. 59. TRANSITION.
 26.16 	The commissioner of natural resources shall distinguish between class 1 registration 
26.17 	and class 2 registration for all-terrain vehicles under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.922. A 
26.18 	class 2 all-terrain vehicle that is not registered as a class 2 all-terrain vehicle on December 
26.19 	12, 2006, shall be registered as a class 2 vehicle when the registration next expires or when 
26.20 	the registrant requests a duplicate registration.

26.21 	Sec. 60.  REPEALER.
 26.22 	(a) Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.355, subdivision 6, is repealed.
26.23 	(b) Minnesota Rules, part 6264.0400, subpart 8, item H, is repealed.

26.24 	Sec. 61. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 26.25 	Sections 3 to 6, 8 to 11, 13, and 54 are effective December 12, 2006. Section 60, 
26.26 	paragraph (b), is effective the day following final enactment.