1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to game and fish; modifying critical habitat private sector matching 
1.3 	account provisions; providing definitions; providing for and modifying 
1.4 	disposition of certain revenue; modifying provisions for designating game 
1.5 	refuges; modifying restrictions on motorized watercraft and recreational 
1.6 	vehicles in wildlife management areas; modifying procedure for confiscation 
1.7 	of property; providing for inspection of equipment used to take wild animals; 
1.8 	modifying certain penalty and fee amounts; modifying certain game and fish 
1.9 	license provisions; modifying firearms possession provisions for persons under 
1.10 	16; providing for collecting antler sheds; modifying certain provisions for 
1.11 	taking and possessing game and fish; providing for arms use areas; modifying 
1.12 	provisions for fishing contests; providing for county coyote bounties; creating a 
1.13 	ditch buffer task force; providing for a moratorium on use of public waters for 
1.14 	aquaculture;amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 84.943, subdivision 3; 
1.15 	97A.015, by adding subdivisions; 97A.055, subdivision 2; 97A.065, subdivision 
1.16 	2; 97A.075, subdivision 1; 97A.085, subdivision 4; 97A.101, subdivision 4; 
1.17 	97A.221, subdivisions 3, 4; 97A.225, subdivisions 2, 5; 97A.251, subdivision 
1.18 	1; 97A.321; 97A.465, by adding a subdivision; 97A.475, subdivisions 2, 20; 
1.19 	97A.535, subdivision 1; 97B.021, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 
1.20 	97B.301, subdivision 7; 97C.081, subdivisions 4, 6, 8, 9; 97C.205; 97C.355, 
1.21 	subdivision 7; 97C.371, subdivision 4; Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, 
1.22 	sections 97A.405, subdivision 4; 97A.475, subdivision 3; 97A.551, subdivision 
1.23 	6; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 97B; 348; 
1.24 	repealing Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.355, subdivision 6.
1.25 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.26 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 84.943, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
1.27 		Subd. 3.Appropriations must be matched by private funds. Appropriations 
1.28 	transferred to the critical habitat private sector matching account and money credited to 
1.29 	the account under section  168.1296, subdivision 5, may be expended only to the extent 
1.30 	that they are matched equally with contributions to the account from private sources 
1.31 	or by funds contributed to the nongame wildlife management account. The private 
1.32 	contributions may be made in cash or in contributions of, property, land, or interests in 
2.1 	land that are designated by the commissioner of natural resources as program acquisitions. 
2.2 	Appropriations transferred to the account that are not matched within three years from the 
2.3 	date of the appropriation shall cancel to the source of the appropriation. For the purposes 
2.4 	of this section, the private contributions of property, land, or interests in land that are 
2.5 	retained by the commissioner shall be valued in accordance with their appraised value. 

2.6 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.015, is amended by adding a subdivision 
2.7 	to read:
2.8 		Subd. 3a.Bonus permit. "Bonus permit" means a license to take and tag deer by 
2.9 	archery or firearms, in addition to deer authorized to be taken under regular firearms 
2.10 	or archery licenses.

2.11 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.015, is amended by adding a subdivision 
2.12 	to read:
2.13 		Subd. 14a.Deer. "Deer" means white-tailed or mule deer.

2.14 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.015, is amended by adding a subdivision 
2.15 	to read:
2.16 		Subd. 26b.Intensive deer area. "Intensive deer area" means an area of the state 
2.17 	where taking a deer of either sex is allowed and where multiple bonus permits are 
2.18 	authorized.

2.19 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.015, is amended by adding a subdivision 
2.20 	to read:
2.21 		Subd. 27b.Lottery deer area. "Lottery deer area" means an area of the state 
2.22 	where taking antlerless deer is allowed only by either-sex permit and no bonus permits 
2.23 	are authorized.

2.24 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.015, is amended by adding a subdivision 
2.25 	to read:
2.26 		Subd. 27c.Managed deer area. "Managed deer area" means an area of the state 
2.27 	where taking a deer of either sex is allowed and where one bonus permit is authorized.

2.28 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.015, is amended by adding a subdivision 
2.29 	to read:
3.1 		Subd. 32a.Muzzle-loader season. "Muzzle-loader season" means the firearms 
3.2 	deer season option open only for legal muzzle-loading firearms, as prescribed by the 
3.3 	commissioner.

3.4 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.015, is amended by adding a subdivision 
3.5 	to read:
3.6 		Subd. 41a.Regular firearms season. "Regular firearms season" means any of the 
3.7 	firearms deer season options prescribed by the commissioner that begin in November, 
3.8 	exclusive of the muzzle-loader season.

3.9 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.055, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
3.10 		Subd. 2.Receipts. The commissioner of finance shall credit to the game and fish 
3.11 	fund all money received under the game and fish laws and all income from state lands 
3.12 	acquired by purchase or gift for game or fish purposes, including receipts from:
3.13 	(1) licenses and permits issued;
3.14 	(2) fines and forfeited bail;
3.15 	(3) sales of contraband, wild animals, and other property under the control of the 
3.16 	division;
3.17 	(4) fees from advanced education courses for hunters and trappers;
3.18 	(5) reimbursements of expenditures by the division;
3.19 	(6) contributions to the division; and
3.20 	(7) revenue credited to the game and fish fund under section  297A.94, paragraph 
3.21 	(e), clause (1). 

3.22 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.065, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
3.23 		Subd. 2.Fines and forfeited bail. (a) Fines and forfeited bail collected from 
3.24 	prosecutions of violations of: the game and fish laws or rules adopted thereunder; sections  
3.25 	84.091 to  84.15 or rules adopted thereunder; sections  84.81 to  84.91 or rules adopted 
3.26 	thereunder; section  169A.20, when the violation involved an off-road recreational vehicle 
3.27 	as defined in section  169A.03, subdivision 16; chapter 348; and any other law relating 
3.28 	to wild animals or aquatic vegetation, must be paid to the treasurer of the county where 
3.29 	the violation is prosecuted. The county treasurer shall submit one-half of the receipts to 
3.30 	the commissioner and credit the balance to the county general revenue fund except as 
3.31 	provided in paragraphs (b), and (c), and (d). In a county in a judicial district under section  
3.32 	480.181, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), the share that would otherwise go to the county 
4.1 	under this paragraph must be submitted to the commissioner of finance for deposit in the 
4.2 	state treasury and credited to the general fund. 
4.3 	(b) The commissioner may reimburse a county, from the game and fish fund, for the 
4.4 	cost of keeping prisoners prosecuted for violations of the game and fish laws under this 
4.5 	section if the county board, by resolution, directs: (1) the county treasurer to submit all 
4.6 	game and fish fines and forfeited bail to the commissioner; and (2) the county auditor to 
4.7 	certify and submit monthly itemized statements to the commissioner.
4.8 	(c)(b) The county treasurer shall submit one-half of the receipts collected under 
4.9 	paragraph (a) from prosecutions of violations of sections  84.81 to  84.91 or rules adopted 
4.10 	thereunder, and  169A.20, except receipts that are surcharges imposed under section  
4.11 	357.021, subdivision 6, to the commissioner and credit the balance to the county 
4.12 	general fund. The commissioner shall credit these receipts to the snowmobile trails and 
4.13 	enforcement account in the natural resources fund. 
4.14 	(d) (c) The county treasurer shall indicate the amount of the receipts that are 
4.15 	surcharges imposed under section  357.021, subdivision 6, and shall submit all of those 
4.16 	receipts to the commissioner of finance. 

4.17 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.075, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
4.18 		Subdivision 1.Deer, bear, and lifetime licenses. (a) For purposes of this 
4.19 	subdivision, "deer license" means a license issued under section  97A.475, subdivisions 
4.20 	2, clauses (4), (5), (9), (11), (13), and (14), and 3, clauses (2), (3), and (7), and licenses 
4.21 	issued under section  97B.301, subdivision 4. 
4.22 	(b) At least $2 from each annual deer license and $2 annually from the lifetime fish 
4.23 	and wildlife trust fund, established in section  97A.4742, for each license issued under 
4.24 	section  97A.473, subdivision 4,  shall be credited to the deer management account and 
4.25 	shall be used for deer habitat improvement or deer management programs. 
4.26 	(c) At least $1 from each annual deer license and each bear license and $1 annually 
4.27 	from the lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund, established in section  97A.4742, for each 
4.28 	license issued under section  97A.473, subdivision 4, shall be credited to the deer and bear 
4.29 	management account and shall be used for deer and bear management programs, including 
4.30 	a computerized licensing system. 
4.31 	(d) Fifty cents from each deer license is credited to the emergency deer feeding 
4.32 	and wild cervidae health management account and is appropriated for emergency deer 
4.33 	feeding and wild cervidae health management. Money appropriated for emergency 
4.34 	deer feeding and wild cervidae health management is available until expended. When 
4.35 	the unencumbered balance in the appropriation for emergency deer feeding and wild 
5.1 	cervidae health management at the end of a fiscal year exceeds $2,500,000 for the first 
5.2 	time, $750,000 is canceled to the unappropriated balance of the game and fish fund. 
5.3 	The commissioner must inform the legislative chairs of the natural resources finance 
5.4 	committees every two years on how the money for emergency deer feeding and wild 
5.5 	cervidae health management has been spent. 
5.6 	Thereafter, when the unencumbered balance in the appropriation for emergency deer 
5.7 	feeding and wild cervidae health management exceeds $2,500,000 at the end of a fiscal 
5.8 	year, the unencumbered balance in excess of $2,500,000 is canceled and available for deer 
5.9 	and bear management programs and computerized licensing.

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

5.11 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.085, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
5.12 		Subd. 4.Establishment by petition of county residents. The commissioner may 
5.13 	designate as a game refuge public waters or a contiguous area described in a petition, 
5.14 	signed by 50 or more residents of the county where the public waters or area is located. The 
5.15 	game refuge must be a contiguous area of at least 640 acres unless it borders or includes 
5.16 	a marsh, or other body of water or watercourse suitable for wildlife habitat. The game 
5.17 	refuge may be designated only if the commissioner finds that protected wild animals are 
5.18 	depleted and are in danger of extermination, or that it will best serve the public interest. If 
5.19 	any of the land area in the proposed game refuge is privately owned and the commissioner 
5.20 	receives a petition opposing designation of the refuge signed by the owners, lessees, or 
5.21 	persons in possession of at least 75 percent of the private land area within the proposed 
5.22 	game refuge, the commissioner shall not designate the private lands as a game refuge.

5.23 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.101, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
5.24 		Subd. 4.Restrictions on airboats, watercraft, and recreational vehicles. (a) The 
5.25 	use of airboats is prohibited at all times on lakes designated for wildlife management 
5.26 	purposes under this section unless otherwise authorized by the commissioner.
5.27 	(b) The commissioner may restrict the use of motorized watercraft and recreational 
5.28 	vehicles on lakes designated for wildlife management purposes by posting all public 
5.29 	access points on the designated lake. Restrictions may include prohibitions or limitations 
5.30 	on the type of allowable motorized watercraft or recreational vehicle, horsepower or 
5.31 	thrust of motor, speed of operation, season or area of use, or other restrictions that the 
5.32 	commissioner determines are necessary to minimize disturbances to wildlife or to protect 
5.33 	wildlife habitat. Designation of areas, times, and types of restrictions to be posted shall be 
6.1 	by written order published in the State Register. Posting of the restrictions is not subject to 
6.2 	the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply.

6.3 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.221, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
6.4 		Subd. 3.Procedure for confiscation of property seized. The enforcement officer 
6.5 	must hold the seized property. The property held may be confiscated when:
6.6 	(1) the person from whom the property was seized is convicted, the conviction is not 
6.7 	under appeal, and the time period for appeal of the conviction has expired; or
6.8 	(2) the property seized is contraband consisting of a wild animal, wild rice, or other 
6.9 	aquatic vegetation.

6.10 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.221, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
6.11 		Subd. 4.Disposal of confiscated property. Confiscated property may be disposed 
6.12 	of or retained for use by the commissioner, or sold at the highest price obtainable as 
6.13 	prescribed by the commissioner. Upon acquittal or dismissal of the charged violation for 
6.14 	which the property was seized, :
6.15 	(1) all property, other than contraband consisting of a wild animal, wild rice, or other 
6.16 	aquatic vegetation, must be returned to the person from whom the property was seized; and
6.17 	(2) the commissioner shall reimburse the person for the full value of any seized or 
6.18 	confiscated property that is sold, lost, or damaged.

6.19 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment 
6.20 	and applies to property seized beginning one year prior to that date.

6.21 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.225, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
6.22 		Subd. 2.Procedure for confiscation of property seized. The enforcement officer 
6.23 	must hold the seized property, subject to the order of the court having jurisdiction where 
6.24 	the offense was committed. The property held is confiscated when:
6.25 	(1)  the commissioner complies with this section and;
6.26 	(2) the person from whom it was seized is convicted of the offense; and
6.27 	(3) the conviction is not under appeal and the time period for appeal of the 
6.28 	conviction has expired.

6.29 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.225, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
6.30 		Subd. 5.Court order. (a) If the person arrested is acquitted, the court shall dismiss 
6.31 	the complaint against the property and:
6.32 	(1) order it returned to the person legally entitled to it; and
7.1 	(2) order the commissioner to reimburse the person for the full value of any seized 
7.2 	or confiscated property that is sold, lost, or damaged.
7.3 	(b) Upon conviction of the person, the court shall issue an order directed to any 
7.4 	person that may have any right, title, or interest in, or lien upon, the seized property. The 
7.5 	order must describe the property and state that it was seized and that a complaint against 
7.6 	it has been filed. The order shall require a person claiming right, title, or interest in, or 
7.7 	lien upon, the property to file with the court administrator an answer to the complaint, 
7.8 	stating the claim, within ten days after the service of the order. The order shall contain a 
7.9 	notice that if the person fails to file an answer within the time limit, the property may be 
7.10 	ordered sold by the commissioner.
7.11 	(c) The court order must be served upon any person known or believed to have any 
7.12 	right, title, interest, or lien in the same manner as provided for service of a summons in a 
7.13 	civil action, and upon unknown persons by publication, in the same manner as provided 
7.14 	for publication of a summons in a civil action.

7.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment 
7.16 	and applies to property seized beginning one year prior to that date.

7.17 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.251, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
7.18 		Subdivision 1.Unlawful conduct. A person may not:
7.19 	(1) intentionally hinder, resist, or obstruct an enforcement officer, agent, or employee 
7.20 	of the division in the performance of official duties;
7.21 	(2) refuse to submit to inspection of firearms equipment used to take wild animals
7.22 	while in the field, licenses, or wild animals; or
7.23 	(3) refuse to allow inspection of a motor vehicle, boat, or other conveyance used 
7.24 	while taking or transporting wild animals.

7.25 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.321, is amended to read:
7.26 	97A.321 DOGS PURSUING OR KILLING BIG GAME.
7.27 	The owner of a dog that pursues but does not kill a big game animal is guilty of a 
7.28 	petty misdemeanor and is subject to a civil penalty of $100 for each violation. The owner 
7.29 	of a dog that kills or pursues a big game animal is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and is 
7.30 	subject to a civil penalty of up to $500 for each violation.

7.31 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 97A.405, subdivision 4, is 
7.32 	amended to read:
8.1 		Subd. 4.Replacement licenses. (a) The commissioner may permit licensed deer 
8.2 	hunters to change zone, license, or season options. The commissioner may issue a 
8.3 	replacement license if the applicant submits the original deer license and unused tags that 
8.4 	are being replaced and the applicant pays any increase in cost between the original and 
8.5 	the replacement license. When a person submits both an archery and a firearms license 
8.6 	for replacement, the commissioner may apply the value of both licenses towards the 
8.7 	replacement license fee.
8.8 	(b) A replacement license may be issued only if the applicant has not used any tag 
8.9 	from the original license and meets the conditions of paragraph (c). The original license 
8.10 	and all unused tags for that license must be submitted to the issuing agent at the time 
8.11 	the replacement license is issued.
8.12 	(c) A replacement license may be issued under the following conditions, or as 
8.13 	otherwise prescribed by rule of the commissioner:
8.14 	(1) when the season for the license being surrendered has not yet opened; or
8.15 	(2) when the person is upgrading from a regular firearms or archery deer license to a 
8.16 	multizone or all season deer license that is valid in multiple zones.
8.17 	(d) Notwithstanding section 97A.411, subdivision 3, a replacement license is valid 
8.18 	immediately upon issuance if the license being surrendered is valid at that time.

8.19 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.465, is amended by adding a 
8.20 	subdivision to read:
8.21 		Subd. 6.Special hunts for military personnel. The commissioner may by rule 
8.22 	establish criteria, special seasons, and limits for military personnel and veterans to take 
8.23 	big game and small game by firearms or archery in designated areas or times. A person 
8.24 	hunting under this subdivision must be participating in a hunt sponsored and administered 
8.25 	by the Minnesota Department of Military Affairs or the Minnesota Department of Veterans 
8.26 	Affairs.

8.27 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.475, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
8.28 		Subd. 2.Resident hunting. Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to residents 
8.29 	only, are:
8.30 	(1) for persons age 18 or over and under age 65 to take small game, $12.50;
8.31 	(2) for persons ages 16 and 17 and age 65 or over, $6 to take small game;
8.32 	(3) to take turkey, $18;
8.33 	(4) for persons age 18 or over to take deer with firearms, $26;
8.34 	(5) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by archery, $26;
9.1 	(6) to take moose, for a party of not more than six persons, $310;
9.2 	(7) to take bear, $38;
9.3 	(8) to take elk, for a party of not more than two persons, $250;
9.4 	(9) multizone license to take antlered deer in more than one zone, $52;
9.5 	(10) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4;
9.6 	(11) all season license to take two deer throughout the state in any open deer season, 
9.7 	except as restricted under section  97B.305, $78; 
9.8 	(12) to take prairie chickens, $20;
9.9 	(13) for persons at least age 12 and under age 18 to take deer with firearms during 
9.10 	the regular firearms season in any open zone or time period, $13; and
9.11 	(14) for persons at least age 12 and under age 18 to take deer by archery, $13.

9.12 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 97A.475, subdivision 3, is 
9.13 	amended to read:
9.14 		Subd. 3.Nonresident hunting. Fees for the following licenses, to be issued 
9.15 	to nonresidents, are:
9.16 	(1) to take small game, $73;
9.17 	(2) to take deer with firearms, $135;
9.18 	(3) to take deer by archery, the greater of:
9.19 	(i) an amount equal to the total amount of license fees and surcharges charged to a 
9.20 	Minnesota resident to take deer by archery in the person's state or province of residence; or
9.21 	(ii) $135;
9.22 	(4) to take bear, $195;
9.23 	(5) to take turkey, $73;
9.24 	(6) to take raccoon, bobcat, fox, or coyote, $155;
9.25 	(7) multizone license to take antlered deer in more than one zone, $270; and
9.26 	(8) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4.

9.27 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.475, subdivision 20, is amended to read:
9.28 		Subd. 20.Trapping license. The fee for a license to trap fur-bearing animals is:
9.29 	(1) for residents over age 13 and under age 18, $6;
9.30 	(2) for residents age 18 and older or over and under age 65, $20; and
9.31 	(3) for residents age 65 or over, $10; and
9.32 	(4) for nonresidents, $73.

9.33 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective March 1, 2007.

10.1 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.535, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
10.2 		Subdivision 1.Tags required. (a) A person may not possess or transport deer, 
10.3 	bear, elk, or moose taken in the state unless a tag is attached to the carcass in a manner 
10.4 	prescribed by the commissioner. The commissioner must prescribe the type of tag that has 
10.5 	the license number of the owner, the year of its issue, and other information prescribed by 
10.6 	the commissioner.
10.7 	(b) The tag and the license must be validated at the site of the kill as prescribed by 
10.8 	the commissioner.
10.9 	(c) Except as otherwise provided in this section,  the tag must be attached to the 
10.10 	deer, bear, elk, or moose at the site of the kill before the animal is removed from the 
10.11 	site of the kill, and.
10.12 	(d) The tag  must remain attached to the animal until the animal is processed for 
10.13 	storage.
10.14 	(e) A person may move a lawfully taken deer, bear, elk, or moose from the site of the 
10.15 	kill without attaching the validated tag to the animal only while in the act of manually 
10.16 	or mechanically dragging, carrying, or carting the animal across the ground and while 
10.17 	possessing the validated tag on their person. A motor vehicle may be used to drag the 
10.18 	animal across the ground. At all other times, the validated tag must be attached to the 
10.19 	deer, bear, elk, or moose:
10.20 	(1) as otherwise provided in this section; and
10.21 	(2) prior to the animal being placed onto and transported on a motor vehicle, being 
10.22 	hung from a tree or other structure or device, or being brought into a camp or yard or 
10.23 	other place of habitation.

10.24 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 97A.551, subdivision 6, is 
10.25 	amended to read:
10.26 		Subd. 6.Tagging and registration. The commissioner may, by rule, require 
10.27 	persons taking, possessing, and transporting certain species of fish to tag the fish with 
10.28 	a special fish management tag and may require registration of tagged fish. A person 
10.29 	may not possess or transport a fish species taken in the state for which a special fish 
10.30 	management tag is required unless a tag is attached to the fish in a manner prescribed by 
10.31 	the commissioner. The commissioner shall prescribe the manner of issuance and the 
10.32 	type of tag as authorized under section 97C.087. The tag must be attached to the fish as 
10.33 	prescribed by the commissioner immediately upon reducing the fish to possession and 
10.34 	must remain attached to the fish until the fish is processed or consumed. Species for 
11.1 	which a special fish management tag is required must be transported undressed, except as 
11.2 	otherwise prescribed by the commissioner.

11.3 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.021, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
11.4 		Subdivision 1.Restrictions. (a) Except as provided in this subdivision, a person 
11.5 	under the age of 16 may not possess a firearm, unless accompanied by without maintaining 
11.6 	unaided visual and vocal contact with a parent or guardian.
11.7 	(b) A person under age 16 may possess a firearm without being accompanied by
11.8 	maintaining unaided visual and vocal contact with a parent or guardian:
11.9 	(1) on land owned by, or occupied as the principal residence of, the person or the 
11.10 	person's parent or guardian;
11.11 	(2) while participating in an organized target shooting program with adult 
11.12 	supervision;
11.13 	(3) while the person is participating in a firearms safety program or traveling to 
11.14 	and from class; or
11.15 	(4) if the person is age 14 or 15 and has a firearms safety certificate.

11.16 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.021, is amended by adding a 
11.17 	subdivision to read:
11.18 		Subd. 1a.Parent or guardian duties. A parent or guardian may not knowingly 
11.19 	direct, allow, or permit a person under the age of 16 to possess a firearm in violation 
11.20 	of this section.

11.21 	Sec. 29. [97B.22] COLLECTING ANTLER SHEDS.
11.22 	(a) A person may take and possess naturally shed antlers without a license.
11.23 	(b) A person may not place, arrange, or set equipment in a manner that is likely to 
11.24 	artificially pull, sever, or otherwise cause antlers of live deer, moose, elk, or caribou to 
11.25 	be shed or removed.

11.26 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.301, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
11.27 		Subd. 7.All season deer license. (a) A resident may obtain an all season deer 
11.28 	license. This license that authorizes the resident to take one buck by firearm or archery hunt
11.29 	during any season statewide. In addition, a resident obtaining this license may take one 
11.30 	antlerless deer: the archery, regular firearms, and muzzle-loader seasons. The all season 
11.31 	license is valid for taking three deer, no more than one of which may be a legal buck.
12.1 	(1) by firearms in the regular firearms season if the resident first obtains an antlerless 
12.2 	deer permit or if the resident takes the antlerless deer in an area where the commissioner 
12.3 	has authorized taking a deer of either sex without an antlerless permit;
12.4 	(2) by archery in the archery season; or
12.5 	(3) by muzzleloader in the muzzleloader season.
12.6 	(b) The all season deer license is valid for taking antlerless deer as follows:
12.7 	(1) up to two antlerless deer may be taken during the archery or muzzle-loader 
12.8 	seasons in any open area or during the regular firearms season in managed or intensive 
12.9 	deer areas; and
12.10 	(2) one antlerless deer may be taken during the regular firearms season in a lottery 
12.11 	deer area, only with an either-sex permit or statutory exemption from an either-sex permit.
12.12 	(c) The commissioner shall issue one tag for a buck and one tag for an antlerless 
12.13 	deer three tags when issuing a license under this subdivision.

12.14 	Sec. 31. [97B.318] ARMS USE AREAS AND RESTRICTIONS; REGULAR 
12.15 	FIREARMS SEASON.
12.16 		Subdivision 1.Shotgun use area. During the regular firearms season in the shotgun 
12.17 	use area, only legal shotguns loaded with single-slug shotgun shells, legal muzzle-loading 
12.18 	long guns, and legal handguns may be used for taking deer. Legal shotguns include 
12.19 	those with rifled barrels. The shotgun use area is that portion of the state lying within 
12.20 	the following described boundary: Beginning on the west boundary of the state at U.S. 
12.21 	Highway 10; thence along U.S. Highway 10 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32; thence 
12.22 	along STH 32 to STH 34; thence along STH 34 to Interstate Highway 94 (I-94); thence 
12.23 	along I-94 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 40, Douglas County; thence along 
12.24 	CSAH 40 to CSAH 82, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 82 to CSAH 22, Douglas 
12.25 	County; thence along CSAH 22 to CSAH 6, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 6 to 
12.26 	CSAH 14, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 14 to STH 29; thence along STH 29 to 
12.27 	CSAH 46, Otter Tail County; thence along CSAH 46, Otter Tail County, to CSAH 22, 
12.28 	Todd County; thence along CSAH 22 to U.S. Highway 71; thence along U.S. Highway 71 
12.29 	to STH 27; thence along STH 27 to the Mississippi River; thence along the east bank of 
12.30 	the Mississippi River to STH 23; thence along STH 23 to STH 95; thence along STH 95 to 
12.31 	U.S. Highway 8; thence along U.S. Highway 8 to the eastern boundary of the state; thence 
12.32 	along the east, south, and west boundaries of the state to the point of beginning.
12.33 		Subd. 2.All legal firearms use area. The all legal firearms use area is that part of 
12.34 	the state lying outside of the shotgun use area.

13.1 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.081, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
13.2 		Subd. 4.Restrictions. The commissioner may by rule establish restrictions on 
13.3 	fishing contests to protect fish and fish habitat, to restrict activities during high use periods, 
13.4 	to restrict activities that affect research or management activities, to restrict the number of 
13.5 	boats allowed, and for the safety of contest participants.

13.6 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.081, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
13.7 		Subd. 6.Permit application process. (a) Beginning September August 1 each 
13.8 	year, the commissioner shall accept permit applications for fishing contests to be held in 
13.9 	the following year.
13.10 	(b)  If the number of permit applications received by the commissioner from 
13.11 	September August 1 through the last Friday in October September exceeds the limits 
13.12 	specified in subdivisions 7 and 8, the commissioner shall notify the affected applicants 
13.13 	that their requested locations and time period are subject to a drawing. After notification, 
13.14 	the commissioner shall allow the affected applicants a minimum of seven days to change 
13.15 	the location or time period requested on their applications, provided that the change is 
13.16 	not to a location or time period for which applications are already at or above the limits 
13.17 	specified in subdivisions 7 and 8.
13.18 	(c) After the applicants have been given at least seven days to change their 
13.19 	applications, the commissioner shall conduct a drawing for all locations and time periods 
13.20 	for which applications exceed limits. First preference in the drawings shall be given 
13.21 	to applicants for established or traditional fishing contests, and second preference to 
13.22 	applicants for contests that are not established as traditional fishing contests based on the 
13.23 	number of times they have been unsuccessful in previous drawings. Except for applicants 
13.24 	of established or traditional fishing contests, an applicant who is successful in a drawing 
13.25 	loses all accumulated preference. "Established or traditional fishing contest" means a 
13.26 	fishing contest that was issued permits in 1999 and 2000 or was issued permits four out of 
13.27 	five years from 1996 to 2000 for the same lake and time period. Beginning with 2001, 
13.28 	established or traditional fishing contests must continue to be conducted at least four out 
13.29 	of five years for the same lake and time period to remain established or traditional.
13.30 	(d)  The commissioner has until December November 7 to approve or deny permit 
13.31 	applications that are submitted by 4:30 p.m. on the last Friday in October September. The 
13.32 	commissioner may approve a permit application that is received after 4:30 p.m. on the last 
13.33 	Friday in October September if approving the application would not result in exceeding 
13.34 	the limits in subdivisions 7 and 8.

14.1 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.081, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
14.2 		Subd. 8.Limits on number of fishing contests. (a) The number of permitted 
14.3 	fishing contests allowed each month on a water body shall not exceed the following limits:
14.4 	(1) Lakes:

14.5
14.6
14.7		Maximum number 
of permitted fishing 
contests
	Maximum number 
of large permitted 
fishing contests
	Maximum number 
of permitted fishing 
contest days
	
14.8	Size/acres
				
14.9	less than 2,000
	2
	0
	4
	
14.10	2,000-4,999
	3
	1
	6
	
14.11	5,000-14,999
	4
	2
	8
	
14.12	15,000-55,000
	5
	3
	10
	
14.13	more than 55,000
	no limit
	no limit
	no limit
	
14.14 	(b) For boundary waters water lakes, the limits on the number of permitted fishing 
14.15 	contests shall be determined based on the Minnesota acreage.
14.16 	(2) Rivers:

14.17
14.18
14.19		Maximum number 
of permitted fishing 
contests
	Maximum number 
of large permitted 
fishing contests
	Maximum number 
of permitted fishing 
contest days
	
14.20
14.21
14.22	Mississippi River: 
Pool 1, 2, 3, 5, 5A, 
6, 7, 8, 9
	4 (each pool)
	2 (each pool)
	8 (each pool)
	
14.23	Pool 4
	5
	3
	10

14.24	St. Croix River
	2
	1
	4
	
14.25	Lake St. Croix
	4
	2
	8
	
14.26 	Contest waters identified in the permit for Mississippi River pools are limited to 
14.27 	no more than one lockage upstream and one lockage downstream from the pool where 
14.28 	the contest access and weigh-in is located.
14.29 	Contest waters for Lake St. Croix are bounded by the U.S. Highway 10 bridge at 
14.30 	Prescott upstream to the Arcola Bar. Contest waters for the St. Croix River are bounded 
14.31 	by the Arcola Bar upstream to the Wisconsin state line.
15.1 	For all other rivers, no more than two contest permits, not to exceed four days 
15.2 	combined, may be issued for any continuous segment of a river per month. Of the two 
15.3 	contests permitted, only one shall be a large permitted fishing contest. Permits issued by 
15.4 	the commissioner shall not exceed 60 continuous river miles.

15.5 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.081, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
15.6 		Subd. 9.Permit restrictions. (a) The commissioner may require fishing contest 
15.7 	permittees to limit prefishing to week days only as a condition of a fishing contest permit. 
15.8 	The commissioner may require proof from permittees that prefishing restrictions on the 
15.9 	permit are communicated to fishing contest participants and enforced.
15.10 	(b) The commissioner may require permit restrictions on the hours that a permitted 
15.11 	fishing contest is conducted, including, but not limited to, starting and ending times.
15.12 	(c) The commissioner may require permit restrictions on the number of parking 
15.13 	spaces that may be used on a state-owned public water access site. The commissioner may 
15.14 	require proof from permittees that parking restrictions on the permit are communicated to 
15.15 	fishing contest participants and enforced.
15.16 	(d) To prevent undue loss mortality of released fish, the commissioner may require 
15.17 	restrictions for off-site weigh-ins and live releases on a fishing contest permit or may deny 
15.18 	permits requesting an off-site weigh-in or live release.
15.19 	(e) A person may not transfer a fishing contest permit to another person.
15.20 	(f) Failure to comply with fishing contest permit restrictions may be considered 
15.21 	grounds for denial of future permit applications.

15.22 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.205, is amended to read:
15.23 	97C.205 RULES FOR TRANSPORTING AND STOCKING FISH.
15.24 	(a) Except on the water body where taken, a person may not transport a live fish in a 
15.25 	quantity of water sufficient to keep the fish alive, unless the fish:
15.26 	(1) is being transported under an aquaculture license as authorized under sections 
15.27 	17.4985 and 17.4986;
15.28 	(2) is being transported for a fishing contest weigh-in under section 97C.081;
15.29 	(3) is a minnow being transported under section 97C.505 or 97C.515;
15.30 	(4) is being transported by a commercial fishing license holder under section 
15.31 	97C.821; or
15.32 	(5) is being transported as otherwise authorized in this section.
15.33 	(b) The commissioner may adopt rules to allow and regulate:
15.34 	(1) the transportation of fish and fish eggs from one body of water to another; and
16.1 	(2) the stocking of waters with fish or fish eggs.
16.2 	(b) (c) The commissioner shall prescribe rules designed to encourage local sporting 
16.3 	organizations to propagate game fish by using rearing ponds. The rules must:
16.4 	(1) prescribe methods to acquire brood stock for the ponds by seining public waters;
16.5 	(2) allow the sporting organizations to own and use seines and other necessary 
16.6 	equipment; and
16.7 	(3) prescribe methods for stocking the fish in public waters that give priority to the 
16.8 	needs of the community where the fish are reared and the desires of the organization 
16.9 	operating the rearing pond.
16.10 	(c) (d) A person age 16 or under may, for purposes of display in a home aquarium, 
16.11 	transport largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, rock bass, black crappie, 
16.12 	white crappie, bluegill pumpkinseed, green sunfish, orange spotted sunfish, and black, 
16.13 	yellow, and brown bullheads taken by angling. No more than four of each species may 
16.14 	be transported at any one time, and any individual fish can be no longer than ten inches 
16.15 	in total length.

16.16 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.355, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
16.17 		Subd. 7.Dates and times houses may remain on ice. (a) Except as provided 
16.18 	in paragraph (d), a shelter, including a fish house or dark house, may not be on the ice 
16.19 	between 12:00 a.m. and one hour before sunrise after the following dates:
16.20 	(1) the last day of February, for state waters south of a line starting at the 
16.21 	Minnesota-North Dakota border and formed by rights-of-way of U.S. Route No. 10, then 
16.22 	east along U.S. Route No. 10 to Trunk Highway No. 34, then east along Trunk Highway 
16.23 	No. 34 to Trunk Highway No. 200, then east along Trunk Highway No. 200 to U.S. Route 
16.24 	No. 2, then east along U.S. Route No. 2 to the Minnesota-Wisconsin border; and
16.25 	(2) March 15, for other state waters.
16.26 	A shelter, including a fish house or dark house, on the ice in violation of this 
16.27 	subdivision is subject to the enforcement provisions of paragraph (b). The commissioner 
16.28 	may, by rule, change the dates in this paragraph for any part of state waters. Copies of 
16.29 	the rule must be conspicuously posted on the shores of the waters as prescribed by the 
16.30 	commissioner.
16.31 	(b) A conservation officer must confiscate a fish house or, dark house, or shelter in 
16.32 	violation of paragraph (a). The officer may remove, burn, or destroy the house or shelter. 
16.33 	The officer shall seize the contents of the house or shelter and hold them for 60 days. If the 
16.34 	seized articles have not been claimed by the owner, they may be retained for the use of the 
16.35 	division or sold at the highest price obtainable in a manner prescribed by the commissioner.
17.1 	(c) When the last day of February, under paragraph (a), clause (1), or March 15, 
17.2 	under paragraph (a), clause (2), falls on a Saturday, a shelter, including a fish house or 
17.3 	dark house, may be on the ice between 12:00 a.m. and one hour before sunrise until 
17.4 	12:00 a.m. the following Monday.
17.5 	(d) A person may have a shelter, including a fish house or dark house, on the ice 
17.6 	between 12:00 a.m. and one hour before sunrise on waters within the area prescribed in 
17.7 	paragraph (a), clause (2), but the house or shelter may not be unattended during those 
17.8 	hours.

17.9 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.371, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
17.10 		Subd. 4.Open season. The open season for spearing through the ice is December 1 
17.11 	to the thirdlast Sunday in February.

17.12 	Sec. 39. [348.125] COYOTE CONFLICT MANAGEMENT OPTION.
17.13 	(a) A county board may, by resolution, offer a bounty for the taking of coyote (Canis 
17.14 	latrans) by all legal methods. The resolution may be made applicable to the whole or any 
17.15 	part of the county. The bounty must apply during the months specified in the resolution 
17.16 	and be in an amount determined by the board.
17.17 	(b) The county offering the bounty must publish annually by press release or public 
17.18 	service announcement the townships or areas where the number of coyotes should be 
17.19 	reduced. Counties may encourage willing landowners to post their land as open to coyote 
17.20 	hunting, without further permission of the landowner or lessee.

17.21 	Sec. 40. DITCH BUFFER TASK FORCE.
 17.22 	The Board of Water and Soil Resources shall convene a task force to address the 
17.23 	recommendations and findings identified in the February 2006 public drainage ditch 
17.24 	buffer study, including, but not limited to:
17.25 	(1) clarification of the point of beginning for measuring the required grass strip;
17.26 	(2) enhancing the ability of drainage authorities to establish and maintain grass strips;
17.27 	(3) developing methods and models for drainage records modernization;
17.28 	(4) developing a best management practices manual and training for public drainage 
17.29 	systems and authorities;
17.30 	(5) annual reporting by drainage authorities; and
17.31 	(6) identifying barriers and promoting incentives for buffer strip implementation 
17.32 	regarding federal, state, and local programs and requirements.
18.1 	The recommendations must be done in consultation with farm groups, watershed 
18.2 	districts, soil and water conservation districts, counties, industry, and conservation 
18.3 	organizations, as well as federal agencies implementing voluntary buffer programs. 
18.4 	State agencies participating shall include the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 
18.5 	Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 
18.6 	The board shall report the results to the senate and house of representatives committees 
18.7 	with jurisdiction over public drainage systems by January 15, 2007.

18.8 	Sec. 41. MORATORIUM ON LICENSING OR USE OF NEW PUBLIC WATERS 
18.9 	FOR AQUACULTURE.
 18.10 	(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), the commissioner of natural 
18.11 	resources may not license or use public waters, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 
18.12 	103G.005, subdivision 15, for aquaculture or the raising of fish that were not licensed by 
18.13 	the commissioner of natural resources or used for that purpose by the commissioner of 
18.14 	natural resources during the five-year period prior to April 1, 2006.
18.15 	(b) The commissioner of natural resources may annually authorize fish rearing in 
18.16 	new public waters, if the fish rearing is conducted as part of a wetland improvement plan 
18.17 	approved by the commissioner.
18.18 	(c) The commissioner of natural resources may license or use public waters for 
18.19 	aquaculture that were not used during the time period prescribed in paragraph (a) as a 
18.20 	replacement for public waters that were used during that time period and are being vacated 
18.21 	for use in aquaculture or raising fish. The restrictions in paragraph (a) apply to public 
18.22 	waters that are replaced under this paragraph.
18.23 	(d) This section expires December 31, 2007.

18.24 	Sec. 42.  REPEALER.
 18.25 	Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.355, subdivision 6, is repealed.