SF 541

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 01/29/2025 09:52 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to game and fish; authorizing taking feral swine causing damage; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 97A.56, subdivision 2; 97B.655, subdivision
1.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97A.56, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Prohibited actions; penalty.

(a) Unless authorized by permit under section
17.457, subdivision 3, a person may not possess or release feral swine or otherwise allow
feral swine to run at large.

(b) A person may not hunt or trap feral swine, except as authorized new text begin under section 97B.655
or as authorized new text end by the commissioner for feral swine control or eradication. It is not a
violation of this section if a person shoots a feral swine and reports the taking to the
commissioner within 24 hours. All feral swine taken in this manner must be surrendered to
the commissioner.

(c) A person who violates this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(d) A person who violates this subdivision is liable for the actual costs incurred by the
state for the possession or release of the feral swine.

(e) A person who violates this subdivision is liable for the damages caused by the
possession or release of the feral swine.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97B.655, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Owners and occupants may take certain animals.

(a) A person or the
person's agent may take bats, snakes, salamanders, lizards, weasel, mink, squirrel, rabbit,
hare, raccoon, bobcat, fox, opossum, muskrat, new text begin feral swine as defined in section 97A.56, new text end or
beaver on land owned or occupied by the person where the animal is causing damage. The
person or the person's agent may take the animal without a license and in any manner except
by artificial lights in the closed season or by poison. Raccoons may be taken under this
subdivision with artificial lights during open season.

(b) Any traps used under this subdivision must be tagged as required under section
97B.928 if placed by an agent of the landowner or occupant.

(c) A person or the person's agent who kills mink, raccoon, bobcat, fox, opossum,
muskrat, or beaver under this subdivision must notify a conservation officer or employee
of the Fish and Wildlife Division within 24 hours after the animal is killed. new text begin A person or the
person's agent who kills feral swine under this subdivision must notify a conservation officer
or employee of the Fish and Wildlife Division within 48 hours after the animal is killed but
is not required to surrender the swine to the commissioner.
new text end