1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to game and fish; modifying trapping provisions;amending Minnesota 
1.3 	Statutes 2024, sections 97B.931; 97B.945; proposing coding for new law in 
1.4 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 97B; repealing Minnesota Rules, part 6234.2400, 
1.5 	subpart 10.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. [97B.902] OPENING HOUR FOR TRAPPING SEASONS.
1.8 	A season for taking fur-bearing animals by trapping begins at sunrise on the opening 
1.9 	day prescribed by rule adopted by the commissioner.

1.10 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97B.931, is amended to read:
1.11 	97B.931 TENDING TRAPS.
1.12 		Subdivision 1.Restrictions Using lights to tend traps. A person may not tend a trap 
1.13 	set for wild animals between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
1.14 	A person on foot may use a portable artificial light to tend traps. While using a light in the 
1.15 	field, the person may not possess or use a firearm other than a handgun or rifle capable of 
1.16 	firing only rimfire cartridges of .17 or .22 caliber including .22 magnum.
1.17 		Subd. 2.Body-gripping traps. A body-gripping, conibear-type trap need not be tended 
1.18 	more frequently than once every third calendar day.
1.19 		Subd. 3.Snares. Snares that are not capable of drowning the captured animal need not 
1.20 	be tended more frequently than once every third calendar day, and any animal captured 
1.21 	must be removed from the snare.

2.1 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97B.945, is amended to read:
2.2 	97B.945 SETTING TRAPS NEAR WATER RESTRICTED.
2.3 	(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a person may not set a trap within 50 feet of 
2.4 	any water other than temporary surface water within 30 days before the open season for 
2.5 	mink and muskrat without a special permit by the commissioner.
2.6 	(b) A person may set a foot-encapsulating trap within 50 feet of any water other than 
2.7 	temporary surface water within 30 days before the open season for mink and muskrat without 
2.8 	a special permit by the commissioner. For purposes of this paragraph, "foot-encapsulating 
2.9 	trap" means a trap for which:
2.10 	(1) the triggering and restraining mechanisms are enclosed within a housing and are 
2.11 	only accessible through a single opening when set; and
2.12 	(2) the opening does not exceed two inches in diameter.

2.13 	Sec. 4. REPEALER.
 2.14 	Minnesota Rules, part 6234.2400, subpart 10, is repealed.

APPENDIX 
6234.2400SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF SNARES. Subp. 10.Tending snares.  
All snares not capable of drowning the captured animal must be tended at least once each calendar day and any animal captured must be removed from the snare.