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HF 2171

1st Unofficial Engrossment - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 04/24/2012 02:02pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
1.1A bill for an act
1.2relating to natural resources; modifying game and fish laws; providing for
1.3continued availability of licenses in absence of biennial appropriations;
1.4modifying department authority and duties; modifying snowmobile registration
1.5exemptions; modifying disposition of certain receipts; modifying fees;
1.6modifying certain civil liability provisions; requiring certain hearings; requiring
1.7rulemaking; appropriating money;amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections
1.83.737, subdivision 1; 84.027, subdivisions 14, 15; 84.085, subdivision 1;
1.984.82, subdivision 6; 97A.015, subdivisions 3a, 53; 97A.065, subdivision 6, by
1.10adding a subdivision; 97A.085, by adding a subdivision; 97A.137, subdivision
1.115; 97A.411, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 97A.421, subdivision 3;
1.1297A.435, subdivision 2; 97A.441, subdivision 7; 97A.451, subdivisions 3, 4,
1.135, by adding subdivisions; 97A.473, subdivisions 2, 2b, 3, 4, 5, 5a; 97A.474,
1.14subdivision 2; 97A.475, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 20, 43, 44, 45;
1.1597A.482; 97A.485, subdivision 7; 97B.001, subdivision 7; 97B.020; 97B.031,
1.16subdivisions 1, 2; 97B.035, subdivision 1a; 97B.055, subdivision 1; 97B.071;
1.1797B.085, subdivision 3; 97B.303; 97B.328; 97B.601, subdivisions 3a, 4;
1.1897B.603; 97B.605; 97B.671, subdivisions 3, 4; 97B.711, subdivision 1; 97B.715,
1.19subdivision 1; 97B.801; 97B.805, subdivision 1; 97B.901; 97C.305, subdivisions
1.201, 2; 97C.395, subdivision 1; 604A.21, subdivision 5; Minnesota Statutes 2011
1.21Supplement, sections 84D.03, subdivision 3; 97A.075, subdivisions 1, 6, by
1.22adding a subdivision; 97A.475, subdivision 7; 97B.031, subdivision 5; 97B.075;
1.2397B.645, subdivision 9; 97B.667; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
1.24Statutes, chapters 97A; 97B; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections
1.2597A.045, subdivisions 8, 13; 97A.065, subdivision 1; 97A.095, subdivision 3;
1.2697A.331, subdivision 7; 97A.451, subdivisions 3a, 7; 97A.485, subdivision 12;
1.2797A.552; 97B.645, subdivision 2; 97C.031.
1.28BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.29ARTICLE 1
1.30GAME AND FISH POLICY

1.31    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 84.027, subdivision 14, is amended to read:
2.1    Subd. 14. Mission; efficiency. It is part of the department's mission that within the
2.2department's resources the commissioner shall endeavor to:
2.3(1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public money;
2.4(2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to manage the state's
2.5resources and operate the department as efficiently as possible;
2.6(3) coordinate the department's activities wherever appropriate with the activities
2.7of other governmental agencies;
2.8(4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency productivity, improve
2.9customer service, increase public access to information about government, and increase
2.10public participation in the business of government;
2.11(5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management practices to the extent
2.12otherwise required by chapters 43A and 179A;
2.13(6) report to the legislature on the performance of agency operations and the
2.14accomplishment of agency goals in the agency's biennial budget according to section
2.1516A.10, subdivision 1 ; and
2.16(7) recommend to the legislature appropriate changes in law necessary to carry out
2.17the mission and improve the performance of the department; and
2.18(8) plan and implement activities designed to recruit new outdoor recreation
2.19participants and retain existing participants. This includes but is not limited to anglers,
2.20hunters, trappers, and campers.

2.21    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 84.027, subdivision 15, is amended to read:
2.22    Subd. 15. Electronic transactions. (a) The commissioner may receive an
2.23application for, sell, and issue any license, stamp, permit, pass, sticker, gift card, safety
2.24training certification, registration, or transfer under the jurisdiction of the commissioner
2.25by electronic means, including by telephone. Notwithstanding section 97A.472, electronic
2.26and telephone transactions may be made outside of the state. The commissioner may:
2.27    (1) provide for the electronic transfer of funds generated by electronic transactions,
2.28including by telephone;
2.29    (2) assign an identification number to an applicant who purchases a hunting or
2.30fishing license or recreational vehicle registration by electronic means, to serve as
2.31temporary authorization to engage in the activity requiring a license or registration until
2.32the license or registration is received or expires;
2.33    (3) charge and permit agents to charge a fee of individuals who make electronic
2.34transactions and transactions by telephone or Internet, including issuing fees and an
2.35additional transaction fee not to exceed $3.50;
3.1    (4) charge and permit agents to charge a convenience fee not to exceed three percent
3.2of the cost of the license to individuals who use electronic bank cards for payment. An
3.3electronic licensing system agent charging a fee of individuals making an electronic
3.4bank card transaction in person must post a sign informing individuals of the fee. The
3.5sign must be near the point of payment, clearly visible, include the amount of the fee, and
3.6state: "License agents are allowed by state law to charge a fee not to exceed three percent
3.7of the cost of state licenses to persons who use electronic bank cards for payment. The
3.8fee is not required by state law.";
3.9    (5) establish, by written order, an electronic licensing system commission to be
3.10paid by revenues generated from all sales made through the electronic licensing system.
3.11The commissioner shall establish the commission in a manner that neither significantly
3.12overrecovers nor underrecovers costs involved in providing the electronic licensing
3.13system; and
3.14    (6) adopt rules to administer the provisions of this subdivision.
3.15    (b) The fees established under paragraph (a), clauses (3) and (4), and the commission
3.16established under paragraph (a), clause (5), are not subject to the rulemaking procedures
3.17of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply.
3.18    (c) Money received from fees and commissions collected under this subdivision,
3.19including interest earned, is annually appropriated from the game and fish fund and the
3.20natural resources fund to the commissioner for the cost of electronic licensing.
3.21(d) Game and fish licenses under chapters 97A, 97B, and 97C shall be available by
3.22electronic transaction, regardless of whether all or any part of the biennial appropriation
3.23law for the department has been enacted. If, by July 1 of an odd-numbered year, legislation
3.24has not been enacted to appropriate money to the commissioner of management and budget
3.25for central accounting, procurement, payroll, and human resources functions, amounts
3.26necessary to operate those functions for the purpose of this paragraph are appropriated
3.27from the general fund to the commissioner of management and budget. As necessary,
3.28the commissioner may transfer a portion of this appropriation to other state agencies to
3.29support carrying out these functions. Any subsequent appropriation to the commissioner
3.30of management and budget for a biennium in which this section is applicable supersedes
3.31and replaces the funding authorized in this paragraph. This paragraph may be cited as the
3.32"Freedom to Hunt and Fish Act of 2012."

3.33    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 84.085, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
3.34    Subdivision 1. Authority. (a) The commissioner of natural resources may accept
3.35for and on behalf of the state any gift, bequest, devise, or grants of lands or interest in
4.1lands or personal property of any kind or of money tendered to the state for any purpose
4.2pertaining to the activities of the department or any of its divisions. Any money so
4.3received is hereby appropriated and dedicated for the purpose for which it is granted.
4.4Lands and interests in lands so received may be sold or exchanged as provided in chapter
4.594. The deed conveying land or an interest in land to the state under this paragraph must
4.6clearly indicate whether the state may resell the donated land or interest in land.
4.7(b) When the commissioner of natural resources accepts lands or interests in land,
4.8the commissioner may reimburse the donor for costs incurred to obtain an appraisal needed
4.9for tax reporting purposes. If the state pays the donor for a portion of the value of the
4.10lands or interests in lands that are donated, the reimbursement for appraisal costs shall not
4.11exceed $1,500. If the donor receives no payment from the state for the lands or interests in
4.12lands that are donated, the reimbursement for appraisal costs shall not exceed $5,000.
4.13(c) The commissioner of natural resources, on behalf of the state, may accept and
4.14use grants of money or property from the United States or other grantors for conservation
4.15purposes not inconsistent with the laws of this state. Any money or property so received
4.16is hereby appropriated and dedicated for the purposes for which it is granted, and shall
4.17be expended or used solely for such purposes in accordance with the federal laws and
4.18regulations pertaining thereto, subject to applicable state laws and rules as to manner
4.19of expenditure or use providing that the commissioner may make subgrants of any
4.20money received to other agencies, units of local government, private individuals, private
4.21organizations, and private nonprofit corporations. Appropriate funds and accounts shall
4.22be maintained by the commissioner of management and budget to secure compliance
4.23with this section.
4.24(d) The commissioner may accept for and on behalf of the permanent school fund a
4.25donation of lands, interest in lands, or improvements on lands. A donation so received
4.26shall become state property, be classified as school trust land as defined in section 92.025,
4.27and be managed consistent with section 127A.31. The deed conveying land or an interest
4.28in land to the state under this paragraph must clearly indicate whether the state may resell
4.29the donated land or interest in land.
4.30(e) Before the commissioner sells land that was obtained by gift, in whole or in part,
4.31the commissioner shall notify the person or the heirs of the person providing the gift of
4.32land to the commissioner. At the request of the person or heirs of the person who provided
4.33the gift of land, within 30 days after the land is sold, the commissioner shall repay the
4.34person or heirs the market value of the gift at the time of the donation.

4.35    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 84.82, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
5.1    Subd. 6. Exemptions. Registration is not required under this section for:
5.2    (1) a snowmobile owned and used by the United States, an Indian tribal government,
5.3another state, or a political subdivision thereof;
5.4    (2) a snowmobile registered in a country other than the United States temporarily
5.5used within this state;
5.6    (3) a snowmobile that is covered by a valid license of another state and has not been
5.7within this state for more than 30 consecutive days or that is registered by an Indian tribal
5.8government to a tribal member and has not been outside the tribal reservation boundary
5.9for more than 30 consecutive days;
5.10    (4) a snowmobile used exclusively in organized track racing events;
5.11    (5) a snowmobile in transit by a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer;
5.12    (6) a snowmobile at least 15 years old in transit by an individual for use only on
5.13land owned or leased by the individual; or
5.14    (7) a snowmobile while being used to groom a state or grant-in-aid trail.

5.15    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 84D.03, subdivision 3, is
5.16amended to read:
5.17    Subd. 3. Bait harvest from infested waters. (a) Taking wild animals from infested
5.18waters for bait or aquatic farm purposes is prohibited, except as provided in paragraph
5.19(b) and section 97C.341.
5.20    (b) In waters that are designated as infested waters, except those designated because
5.21they contain prohibited invasive species of fish or certifiable diseases of fish, as defined
5.22under section 17.4982, subdivision 6, taking wild animals may be permitted for:
5.23    (1) commercial taking of wild animals for bait and aquatic farm purposes according
5.24to a permit issued under section 84D.11, subject to rules adopted by the commissioner; and
5.25    (2) bait purposes for noncommercial personal use in waters that contain Eurasian
5.26water milfoil, when the infested waters are designated solely because they contain
5.27Eurasian water milfoil and if the equipment for taking is limited to cylindrical minnow
5.28traps not exceeding 16 inches in diameter and 32 inches in length; and
5.29(3) harvest of bullheads, goldeyes, mooneyes, sheepshead (freshwater drum), and
5.30suckers for bait from streams or rivers designated as infested waters, by hook and line for
5.31noncommercial personal use. Other provisions that apply to this clause are:
5.32(i) fish taken under this clause must be used on the same body of water where caught
5.33and while still on that water body;
5.34(ii) fish taken under this clause may not be transported live from/off the water body;
5.35(iii) fish harvested under this clause may only be used in accordance with this section;
6.1(iv) any other use of wild animals used for bait from infested waters is prohibited;
6.2(v) fish taken under this clause must meet all other size restrictions and requirements
6.3as established in rules; and
6.4(vi) all species listed under this clause shall be included in the person's daily limit as
6.5established in rules, if applicable.
6.6    (c) Equipment authorized for minnow harvest in a designated infested water by
6.7permit issued under paragraph (b) may not be transported to, or used in, any waters other
6.8than waters specified in the permit.

6.9    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.015, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
6.10    Subd. 3a. Bonus permit. "Bonus permit" means a license to take and tag deer by
6.11archery or firearms, in addition to deer authorized to be taken under regular firearms or
6.12archery licenses, or a license issued under section 97A.441, subdivision 7.

6.13    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.015, subdivision 53, is amended to read:
6.14    Subd. 53. Unprotected wild animals. "Unprotected wild animals" means wild
6.15animals that are not protected wild animals including weasel, coyote (brush wolf), gopher,
6.16porcupine, striped skunk, and unprotected birds.

6.17    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.065, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
6.18    Subd. 6. Deer license donations and surcharges. (a) The surcharges and donations
6.19collected under section 97A.475, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), and subdivision 3a,
6.20shall be deposited in an account in the special revenue fund and are appropriated to
6.21the commissioner for deer management, including for grants or payments to agencies,
6.22organizations, or individuals for assisting with the cost of processing deer taken for
6.23population management purposes for venison donation programs. None of the additional
6.24license fees shall be transferred to any other agency for administration of programs other
6.25than venison donation. If any money transferred by the commissioner is not used for a
6.26venison donation program, it shall be returned to the commissioner.
6.27    (b) By February 10, 2010, the commissioner shall report to the legislature on the
6.28participation in and the effectiveness of the venison donation program.

6.29    Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.065, is amended by adding a subdivision
6.30to read:
6.31    Subd. 7. Promoting Minnesota's outdoor heritage. Ten percent of the money
6.32credited to the heritage enhancement account in the game and fish fund under section
7.197A.055, subdivision 2, clause (7), is dedicated to programs that promote Minnesota's
7.2outdoor heritage, as preserved under the Minnesota Constitution, article XIII, section 12.
7.3Money dedicated under this subdivision must be used for:
7.4(1) the commissioner's activities to promote hunter and angler recruitment and
7.5retention; or
7.6(2) grants to organizations for programs that promote Minnesota's outdoor heritage
7.7to children or adults.
7.8EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2013.

7.9    Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 97A.075, subdivision 1, is
7.10amended to read:
7.11    Subdivision 1. Deer, bear, and lifetime licenses. (a) For purposes of this
7.12subdivision, "deer license" means a license issued under section 97A.475, subdivisions 2,
7.13clauses
(5), (6), (7), (13), (14), and (15), and 3, clauses (2), (3), (4), (10), (11), and (12),
7.14and licenses issued under section 97B.301, subdivision 4.
7.15    (b) $2 from each annual deer license and $2 annually from the lifetime fish and
7.16wildlife trust fund, established in section 97A.4742, for each license issued under
7.17section 97A.473, subdivision 4, shall be credited to the deer management account and
7.18is appropriated to the commissioner for deer habitat improvement or deer management
7.19programs.
7.20    (c) $1 from each annual deer license and each bear license and $1 annually from
7.21the lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund, established in section 97A.4742, for each
7.22license issued under section 97A.473, subdivision 4, shall be credited to the deer and
7.23bear management account and is appropriated to the commissioner for deer and bear
7.24management programs, including a computerized licensing system.
7.25    (d) Fifty cents from each deer license is credited to the emergency deer feeding and
7.26wild cervidae health management account and is appropriated for emergency deer feeding
7.27and wild cervidae health management. Money appropriated for emergency deer feeding
7.28and wild cervidae health management is available until expended. The commissioner must
7.29inform the legislative chairs of the natural resources finance committees every two years
7.30on how the money for emergency deer feeding and wild cervidae health management
7.31has been spent.
7.32     When the unencumbered balance in the appropriation for emergency deer feeding
7.33and wild cervidae health management exceeds $2,500,000 at the end of a fiscal year, the
7.34unencumbered balance in excess of $2,500,000 is canceled and available for deer and bear
7.35management programs and computerized licensing.

8.1    Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 97A.075, is amended by adding
8.2a subdivision to read:
8.3    Subd. 7. Wolf licenses. (a) For purposes of this subdivision, "wolf license" means a
8.4license or permit issued under section 97A.475, subdivision 2, clause (16); 3, paragraph
8.5(a), clause (13); or 20, paragraph (b).
8.6(b) Revenue from wolf licenses must be credited to the wolf management,
8.7compensation, and monitoring account and is appropriated to the commissioner only for
8.8wolf management, livestock compensation under section 3.737, research, damage control,
8.9enforcement, and education.

8.10    Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.085, is amended by adding a
8.11subdivision to read:
8.12    Subd. 9. Vacating refuges open to hunting. Notwithstanding subdivision 8, the
8.13commissioner may vacate a state game refuge by publishing a notice in the State Register
8.14if the refuge has been open to trapping and hunting small game including waterfowl, deer
8.15or bear by archery, and deer or bear by firearms for at least five years.

8.16    Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.137, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
8.17    Subd. 5. Portable stands. Prior to the Saturday on or nearest September 16, a
8.18portable stand may be left overnight in a wildlife management area by a person with a
8.19valid bear license who is hunting within 100 yards of a bear bait site that is legally tagged
8.20and registered as prescribed under section 97B.425. Any person leaving a portable stand
8.21overnight under this subdivision must affix a tag with: (1) the person's name and address;
8.22(2) the licensee's driver's license number; or (3) the "MDNR#" license identification
8.23number issued to the licensee. The tag must be affixed to the stand in such a manner that
8.24it can be read from the ground.

8.25    Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.421, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
8.26    Subd. 3. Issuance of a big game license after conviction. (a) A person may not
8.27obtain any big game license or take big game under a lifetime license, issued under section
8.2897A.473 , for three years after the person is convicted of:
8.29(1) a gross misdemeanor violation under the game and fish laws relating to big game;
8.30(2) doing an act without a required big game license; or
8.31(3) the second violation within three years under the game and fish laws relating to
8.32big game.
9.1(b) A person may not obtain any deer license or take deer under a lifetime license
9.2issued under section 97A.473 for one year after the person is convicted of hunting deer
9.3with the aid or use of bait under section 97B.328.
9.4(c) The revocation period under paragraphs (a) and (b) doubles if the conviction
9.5is for a deer that is a trophy deer scoring higher than 170 using the scoring method
9.6established for wildlife restitution values adopted under section 97A.345.

9.7    Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.441, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
9.8    Subd. 7. Owners or tenants of agricultural land. (a) The commissioner may issue,
9.9without a fee, a license to take an antlerless deer to a resident who is an owner or tenant,
9.10or a nonresident who is an owner, of at least 80 acres of agricultural land, as defined in
9.11section 97B.001, in deer permit areas that have deer archery licenses to take additional
9.12deer under section 97B.301, subdivision 4 allow the taking of antlerless deer without
9.13making a lottery application. A person may receive only one license per year under this
9.14subdivision. For properties with co-owners or cotenants, only one co-owner or cotenant
9.15may receive a license under this subdivision per year. The license issued under this
9.16subdivision is restricted to land leased for agricultural purposes or owned by the holder
9.17of the license within the permit area where the qualifying land is located. The holder of
9.18the license may transfer the license to the holder's spouse or dependent. Deer taken in
9.19zone three under this subdivision do not count towards the total bag limit for the permit
9.20area. Notwithstanding sections 97A.415, subdivision 1, and 97B.301, subdivision 2, the
9.21holder of the license may purchase an additional license licenses or permits for taking deer
9.22and may take an additional deer under that license those licenses or permits, provided the
9.23holder adheres to the bag limits established for that permit area.
9.24    (b) A person who obtains a license under paragraph (a) must allow public deer
9.25hunting on their land during that deer hunting season, with the exception of the first
9.26Saturday and Sunday during the deer hunting season applicable to the license issued under
9.27section 97A.475, subdivision 2, clause (5).

9.28    Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.451, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
9.29    Subd. 3. Residents under age 16; small game. (a) A resident under age 16 must
9.30obtain a small game license in order to take small game by firearms or bow and arrow
9.31without paying the applicable fees under section 97A.475, subdivisions 2, 4, and 5, if
9.32the resident is:
9.33    (1) age 14 or 15 and possesses a firearms safety certificate;
10.1    (2) age 13, possesses a firearms safety certificate, and is accompanied by a parent or
10.2guardian;
10.3    (3) age 13, 14, or 15, possesses an apprentice hunter validation, and is accompanied
10.4by a parent or guardian who possesses a small game license that was not obtained using an
10.5apprentice hunter validation; or
10.6    (4) age 12 or under and is accompanied by a parent or guardian.
10.7    (b) A resident under age 16 may take small game, other than wolves, by trapping
10.8without a small game license, but a resident 13 years of age or older must have a trapping
10.9license. A resident under age 13 may trap small game, other than wolves, without a
10.10trapping license, but may not register fisher, otter, bobcat, or pine marten unless the
10.11resident is at least age five. Any fisher, otter, bobcat, or pine marten taken by a resident
10.12under age five must be included in the limit of the accompanying parent or guardian.
10.13    (c) A resident under age 12 may apply for a turkey license and may take a turkey
10.14without a firearms safety certificate if the resident is accompanied by an adult parent or
10.15guardian who has a firearms safety certificate.
10.16    (d) A resident under age 12 may apply for a prairie chicken license and may take a
10.17prairie chicken without a firearms safety certificate if the resident is accompanied by an
10.18adult parent or guardian who has a firearms safety certificate.

10.19    Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.451, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
10.20    Subd. 4. Persons Residents under age 16; big game. (a) A person resident age
10.2112, 13, 14, or 15 may not obtain a license to take big game unless the person possesses
10.22a firearms safety certificate. A person resident age 12 or 13 must be accompanied by a
10.23parent or guardian to hunt big game.
10.24    (b) A person resident age 10 or 11 may take big game provided the person is under
10.25the direct supervision of a parent or guardian where the parent or guardian is within
10.26immediate reach. Until March 1, 2009, a person age 10 or 11 may take big game under a
10.27parent or guardian's license. Beginning March 1, 2009, A person resident age 10 or 11
10.28must obtain a license in order to take big game and may obtain the license without paying
10.29the fee required under section 97A.475, subdivision 2.

10.30    Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.451, is amended by adding a
10.31subdivision to read:
10.32    Subd. 4a. Nonresidents under age 16; big game. (a) A nonresident age 12,
10.3313, 14, or 15 may not obtain a license to take big game unless the person possesses a
11.1firearms safety certificate. A nonresident age 12 or 13 must be accompanied by a parent or
11.2guardian to hunt big game.
11.3(b) A nonresident age 10 or 11 may take big game provided the person is under the
11.4direct supervision of a parent or guardian where the parent or guardian is within immediate
11.5reach. A nonresident age 10 or 11 must obtain a license to take big game and must pay the
11.6fee required under section 97A.475, subdivision 3.

11.7    Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.473, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
11.8    Subd. 3. Lifetime small game hunting license; fee. (a) A resident lifetime small
11.9game hunting license authorizes a person to hunt and trap small game, other than wolves,
11.10in the state. The license authorizes those hunting and trapping activities authorized by the
11.11annual resident small game hunting and trapping licenses license and the trapping license
11.12for fur-bearing animals other than wolves. The license does not include a turkey stamp
11.13validation or any other hunting stamps required by law.
11.14    (b) The fees for a resident lifetime small game hunting license are:
11.15    (1) age 3 and under, $217;
11.16    (2) age 4 to age 15, $290;
11.17    (3) age 16 to age 50, $363; and
11.18    (4) age 51 and over, $213.

11.19    Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.473, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
11.20    Subd. 5. Lifetime sporting license; fee. (a) A resident lifetime sporting license
11.21authorizes a person to take fish by angling and hunt and trap small game, other than
11.22wolves, in the state. The license authorizes those activities authorized by the annual
11.23resident angling, and resident small game hunting, licenses and the resident trapping
11.24licenses license for fur-bearing animals other than wolves. The license does not include a
11.25trout and salmon stamp validation, a turkey stamp validation, a walleye stamp validation,
11.26or any other hunting stamps required by law.
11.27    (b) The fees for a resident lifetime sporting license are:
11.28    (1) age 3 and under, $357;
11.29    (2) age 4 to age 15, $480;
11.30    (3) age 16 to age 50, $613; and
11.31    (4) age 51 and over, $413.

11.32    Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.473, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:
12.1    Subd. 5a. Lifetime sporting with spearing option license; fee. (a) A resident
12.2lifetime sporting with spearing option license authorizes a person to take fish by angling
12.3or spearing and hunt and trap small game, other than wolves, in the state. The license
12.4authorizes those activities authorized by the annual resident angling, spearing, and resident
12.5small game hunting, and resident trapping licenses and the resident trapping license for
12.6fur-bearing animals other than wolves. The license does not include a trout and salmon
12.7stamp validation, a turkey stamp validation, a walleye stamp validation, or any other
12.8hunting stamps required by law.
12.9(b) The fees for a resident lifetime sporting with spearing option license are:
12.10(1) age 3 and under, $615;
12.11(2) age 4 to age 15, $800;
12.12(3) age 16 to age 50, $985; and
12.13(4) age 51 and over, $586.

12.14    Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.475, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
12.15    Subd. 2. Resident hunting. Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to residents
12.16only, are:
12.17    (1) for persons age 18 or over and under age 65 to take small game, $12.50;
12.18    (2) for persons ages 16 and 17 and age 65 or over, $6 to take small game;
12.19    (3) for persons age 18 or over to take turkey, $23;
12.20    (4) for persons under age 18 to take turkey, $12;
12.21    (5) for persons age 18 or over to take deer with firearms during the regular firearms
12.22season, $26;
12.23    (6) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by archery, $26;
12.24    (7) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by muzzleloader during the muzzleloader
12.25season, $26;
12.26    (8) to take moose, for a party of not more than six persons, $310;
12.27    (9) to take bear, $38;
12.28    (10) to take elk, for a party of not more than two persons, $250;
12.29    (11) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4;
12.30    (12) to take prairie chickens, $20;
12.31    (13) for persons under age 18 to take deer with firearms during the regular firearms
12.32season, $13;
12.33    (14) for persons under age 18 to take deer by archery, $13; and
12.34    (15) for persons under age 18 to take deer by muzzleloader during the muzzleloader
12.35season, $13; and
13.1(16) to take wolf, $30.

13.2    Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.475, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
13.3    Subd. 3. Nonresident hunting. (a) Fees for the following licenses, to be issued
13.4to nonresidents, are:
13.5    (1) for persons age 18 or over to take small game, $73;
13.6    (2) for persons age 18 or over to take deer with firearms during the regular firearms
13.7season, $135;
13.8    (3) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by archery, $135;
13.9    (4) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by muzzleloader during the muzzleloader
13.10season, $135;
13.11    (5) to take bear, $195;
13.12    (6) for persons age 18 and older to take turkey, $78;
13.13    (7) for persons under age 18 to take turkey, $12;
13.14    (8) to take raccoon or bobcat, $155;
13.15    (9) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4;
13.16    (10) for persons under age 18 to take deer with firearms during the regular firearms
13.17season in any open season option or time period, $13;
13.18    (11) for persons under age 18 to take deer by archery, $13; and
13.19    (12) for persons under age 18 to take deer during the muzzleloader season, $13; and
13.20(13) to take wolf, $230.
13.21    (b) A $5 surcharge shall be added to nonresident hunting licenses issued under
13.22paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (8). An additional commission may not be assessed on this
13.23surcharge.

13.24    Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.475, subdivision 20, is amended to read:
13.25    Subd. 20. Trapping license licenses. (a) The fee for a license to trap fur-bearing
13.26animals, other than wolves, is:
13.27(1) for residents over age 13 and under age 18, $6;
13.28(2) for residents age 18 or over and under age 65, $20;
13.29(3) for residents age 65 or over, $10; and
13.30(4) for nonresidents, $73.
13.31(b) The fee for a license to trap wolves is $30, to be issued to residents only.

14.1    Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.482, is amended to read:
14.297A.482 LICENSE APPLICATIONS; COLLECTION OF SOCIAL
14.3SECURITY NUMBERS.
14.4(a) All applicants for individual noncommercial game and fish licenses under this
14.5chapter and chapters 97B and 97C must include the applicant's Social Security number
14.6on the license application. If an applicant does not have a Social Security number, the
14.7applicant must certify that the applicant does not have a Social Security number.
14.8(b) The Social Security numbers collected by the commissioner on game and fish
14.9license applications are private data under section 13.355, subdivision 1, and must be
14.10provided by the commissioner to the commissioner of human services for child support
14.11enforcement purposes. Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42,
14.12section 666(a)(13), requires the collection of Social Security numbers on game and fish
14.13license applications for child support enforcement purposes.
14.14(c) The commissioners of human services and natural resources shall request a
14.15waiver from the secretary of health and human services to exclude any applicant under the
14.16age of 16 from the requirement under this section and under cross-country ski licensing
14.17sections to provide the applicant's Social Security number. If a waiver is granted, this
14.18section will be so amended effective January 1, 2006, or upon the effective date of the
14.19waiver, whichever is later.

14.20    Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.001, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
14.21    Subd. 7. Taking with firearms in certain areas. (a) A person may not take a wild
14.22animal with a firearm within 500 feet of a building occupied by a human or livestock
14.23without the written permission of the owner, occupant, or lessee:
14.24(1) on another person's private land; or
14.25(2) on a public right-of-way.
14.26(b) A No person may not take a wild animal with shoot a firearm without the
14.27permission of the owner, occupant, or lessee, within 500 feet of a stockade or corral
14.28containing livestock without the permission of the owner, occupant, or lessee.
14.29(c) A person may not take a wild animal on any land where the person is prohibited
14.30from entering by this section.

14.31    Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.020, is amended to read:
14.3297B.020 FIREARMS SAFETY CERTIFICATE REQUIRED.
15.1    (a) Except as provided in this section and section 97A.451, subdivision 3a, a person
15.2born after December 31, 1979, may not obtain an annual license to take wild animals by
15.3firearms unless the person has:
15.4    (1) a firearms safety certificate or equivalent certificate;
15.5    (2) a driver's license or identification card with a valid firearms safety qualification
15.6indicator issued under section 171.07, subdivision 13;
15.7    (3) a previous hunting license with a valid firearms safety qualification indicator;
15.8    (4) an apprentice hunter validation issued under section 97B.022; or
15.9    (5) other evidence indicating that the person has completed in this state or in another
15.10state a hunter safety course recognized by the department under a reciprocity agreement or
15.11certified by the department as substantially similar.
15.12    (b) A person who is on active duty and has successfully completed basic training
15.13in the United States armed forces, reserve component, or National Guard may obtain a
15.14hunting license or approval authorizing hunting regardless of whether the person is issued
15.15a firearms safety certificate.
15.16    (c) A person born after December 31, 1979, may not use a lifetime license to take
15.17wild animals by firearms, unless the person meets the requirements for obtaining an annual
15.18license under paragraph (a) or (b).

15.19    Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.031, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
15.20    Subdivision 1. Firearms and ammunition that may be used to take big game
15.21and wolves. A person may take big game and wolves with a firearm only if:
15.22    (1) the rifle, shotgun, and handgun used is a caliber of at least .22 inches and with
15.23centerfire ignition;
15.24    (2) the firearm is loaded only with single projectile ammunition;
15.25    (3) a projectile used is a caliber of at least .22 inches and has a soft point or is
15.26an expanding bullet type;
15.27    (4) the muzzleloader used is incapable of being loaded at the breech;
15.28    (5) the smooth-bore muzzleloader used is a caliber of at least .45 inches; and
15.29    (6) the rifled muzzleloader used is a caliber of at least .40 inches.

15.30    Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.031, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
15.31    Subd. 2. Handguns for small game. A person may take small game with a handgun
15.32of any caliber in a manner prescribed by the commissioner, except that wolves may only
15.33be taken by hunting with the calibers specified in subdivision 1.

16.1    Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 97B.031, subdivision 5, is
16.2amended to read:
16.3    Subd. 5. Scopes; visually impaired hunters on muzzleloaders. (a)
16.4Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the commissioner may issue a special
16.5permit, without a fee, to A person may use a muzzleloader with a scope to take deer
16.6during the muzzleloader season to a person who obtains the required licenses and who has
16.7a visual impairment. The scope may not have magnification capabilities.
16.8(b) The visual impairment must be to the extent that the applicant is unable
16.9to identify targets and the rifle sights at the same time without a scope. The visual
16.10impairment and specific conditions must be established by medical evidence verified in
16.11writing by (1) a licensed physician or a certified nurse practitioner or certified physician
16.12assistant acting under the direction of a licensed physician; (2) a licensed ophthalmologist;
16.13or (3) a licensed optometrist. The commissioner may request additional information from
16.14the physician if needed to verify the applicant's eligibility for the permit.
16.15(c) A permit issued under this subdivision may be valid for up to five years, based
16.16on the permanence of the visual impairment as determined by the licensed physician,
16.17ophthalmologist, or optometrist.
16.18(d) The permit must be in the immediate possession of the permittee when hunting
16.19under the special permit.
16.20(e) The commissioner may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke a permit issued under
16.21this subdivision for cause, including a violation of the game and fish laws or rules.
16.22(f) A person who knowingly makes a false application or assists another in making
16.23a false application for a permit under this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor. A
16.24physician, certified nurse practitioner, certified physician assistant, ophthalmologist, or
16.25optometrist who fraudulently certifies to the commissioner that a person is visually
16.26impaired as described in this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor.

16.27    Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.035, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
16.28    Subd. 1a. Minimum draw weight. A bow used to take big game or, turkey, or
16.29wolves must have a pull that meets or exceeds 30 pounds at or before full draw.

16.30    Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.055, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
16.31    Subdivision 1. Restrictions related to highways. (a) A person may not discharge
16.32a firearm or an arrow from a bow containing No. 4 buckshot or larger diameter shot or
16.33single projectile ammunition on, over, or across, or within the right-of-way of an improved
16.34public highway at a big game animal. A person may not discharge a firearm or an arrow
17.1from a bow and arrow on, over, across, or within the right-of-way of an improved public
17.2highway at a big game animal. The commissioner may by rule extend the application of
17.3this subdivision to the taking of migratory waterfowl in designated locations.
17.4(b) A person may not discharge a firearm or an arrow from a bow on, over, across, or
17.5within the right-of-way of an improved public highway at a decoy of a big game animal
17.6that has been set out by a licensed peace officer.

17.7    Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.071, is amended to read:
17.897B.071 BLAZE ORANGE REQUIREMENTS.
17.9    (a) Except as provided in rules adopted under paragraph (c), a person may not hunt
17.10or trap during the open season where deer may be taken by firearms under applicable laws
17.11and ordinances, unless the visible portion of the person's cap and outer clothing above the
17.12waist, excluding sleeves and gloves, is blaze orange. Blaze orange includes a camouflage
17.13pattern of at least 50 percent blaze orange within each foot square. This section does not
17.14apply to migratory waterfowl hunters on waters of this state or in a stationary shooting
17.15location or to trappers on waters of this state.
17.16    (b) Except as provided in rules adopted under paragraph (c), and in addition to
17.17the requirement in paragraph (a), a person may not take small game other than turkey,
17.18migratory birds, raccoons, and predators, except while trapping, unless a visible portion of
17.19at least one article of the person's clothing above the waist is blaze orange. This paragraph
17.20does not apply to a person when in a stationary location while hunting deer by archery
17.21or when hunting small game by falconry.
17.22    (c) The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe an alternative color in cases where
17.23paragraph (a) or (b) would violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, Public
17.24Law 103-141.
17.25    (d) A violation of paragraph (b) shall not result in a penalty, but is punishable only
17.26by a safety warning.

17.27    Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 97B.075, is amended to read:
17.2897B.075 HUNTING RESTRICTED BETWEEN EVENING AND MORNING.
17.29    (a) A person may not take protected wild animals, except raccoon and fox, with
17.30a firearm between the evening and morning times established by commissioner's rule,
17.31except as provided in this section.
17.32    (b) Big game and wolves may be taken from one-half hour before sunrise until
17.33one-half hour after sunset.
18.1    (c) Except as otherwise prescribed by the commissioner on or before the Saturday
18.2nearest October 8, waterfowl may be taken from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset
18.3during the entire season prescribed by the commissioner.

18.4    Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.085, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
18.5    Subd. 3. Communication excepted. This section does not prohibit the use of:
18.6    (1) one-way radio communication between a handler and a dog; or
18.7    (2) a remote-controlled animal noise caller for taking crows, fur-bearing animals,
18.8and unprotected animals; or
18.9(3) a remote-controlled motorized decoy used for taking migratory waterfowl under
18.10section 97B.811, subdivision 4a, or doves.

18.11    Sec. 36. [97B.1115] USE OF MECHANICAL OR ELECTRONIC ASSISTANCE
18.12TO HOLD AND DISCHARGE FIREARMS OR BOWS BY PHYSICALLY
18.13DISABLED.
18.14Notwithstanding sections 97B.035, subdivision 1, 97B.321, and 97B.701,
18.15subdivision 2, the commissioner may authorize a physically disabled hunter who has
18.16a verified statement of the disability from a licensed physician or a certified nurse
18.17practitioner or certified physician assistant acting under the direction of a licensed
18.18physician to use a swivel or otherwise mounted gun or bow or any electronic or mechanical
18.19device to discharge a gun or bow as long as the participant is physically present at the site.

18.20    Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.303, is amended to read:
18.2197B.303 VENISON DONATIONS.
18.22    An individual who legally takes a deer by firearm with ammunition that does
18.23not contain lead or by archery may donate the deer, for distribution to charitable food
18.24assistance programs, to a meat processor that is licensed under chapter 28A. An individual
18.25donating a deer must supply the processor with the tag number under which the deer was
18.26taken and an affidavit that the deer was taken with ammunition that does not contain lead
18.27or was taken by archery.

18.28    Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.328, is amended to read:
18.2997B.328 BAITING PROHIBITED.
18.30    Subdivision 1. Hunting with aid of bait or feed prohibited. A person may not
18.31hunt take deer:
18.32    (1) with the aid or use of bait or feed; or.
19.1    (2) in the vicinity of bait or feed if the person knows or has reason to know that bait
19.2or feed is present.
19.3    Subd. 2. Removal of bait. An area is considered baited for ten days after the
19.4complete removal of all bait or feed.
19.5    Subd. 3. Definition. (a) For purposes of this section, "bait or feed" includes grains,
19.6fruits, vegetables, nuts, hay, or other food that is capable of attracting or enticing deer
19.7and that has been placed by a person. "Baiting" means placing, exposing, depositing,
19.8distributing, or scattering bait that is capable of attracting or enticing deer.
19.9(b) Liquid scents, salt, and minerals are not bait or feed if they do not contain liquid
19.10or solid food ingredients.
19.11Food that has not been placed by a person and resulting (c) Agricultural crops
19.12from normal or accepted farming, forest management, wildlife food plantings, orchard
19.13management, or other similar land management activities is are not bait or feed.
19.14This exclusion does not apply to agricultural crops that have been reintroduced and
19.15concentrated where a person is hunting.
19.16    Subd. 4. Exception for bait or feed on adjacent land. A person otherwise in
19.17compliance with this section who is hunting on private or public property that is adjacent
19.18to property where bait or feed food is present is not in violation of this section if the
19.19person has not participated in, been involved with, or agreed to baiting or feeding wildlife
19.20on the adjacent property.

19.21    Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.601, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
19.22    Subd. 3a. Nonresidents; trapping small game. A nonresident may take small
19.23game, except wolves, by trapping only on land owned by the nonresident, if the
19.24nonresident possesses a trapping license for fur-bearing animals other than wolves and a
19.25small game license.

19.26    Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.601, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
19.27    Subd. 4. Exception to license requirements. (a) A resident under age 16 may take
19.28small game, other than wolves, without a small game license, and a resident under age
19.2913 may trap small game and fur-bearing animals, other than wolves, without a trapping
19.30license, as provided in section 97A.451, subdivision 3.
19.31(b) A person may take small game, other than wolves, without a small game license
19.32on land occupied by the person as a principal residence.
19.33(c) An owner or occupant may take certain small game causing damage without a
19.34small game or trapping license as provided in section 97B.655.
20.1(d) A person may use dogs to pursue and tree raccoons under section 97B.621,
20.2subdivision 2
, during the closed season without a license.
20.3(e) A person may take a wolf, turkey, or a prairie chicken without a small game
20.4license.

20.5    Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.603, is amended to read:
20.697B.603 TAKING SMALL GAME AS A PARTY.
20.7(a) While two or more persons are taking small game as a party and maintaining
20.8unaided visual and vocal contact, a member of the party may take and possess more than
20.9one limit of small game, but the total number of small game taken and possessed by
20.10the party may not exceed the limit of the number of persons in the party that may take
20.11and possess small game.
20.12(b) This section does not apply to the hunting of wolves, migratory game birds, or
20.13turkeys, except that a licensed turkey hunter may assist another licensed turkey hunter and
20.14a licensed wolf hunter may assist another licensed wolf hunter for the same zone and time
20.15period as long as the hunter does not shoot or tag a turkey or wolf for the other hunter.

20.16    Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.605, is amended to read:
20.1797B.605 COMMISSIONER MAY RESTRICT TAKING OF CERTAIN
20.18SMALL GAME ANIMALS.
20.19The commissioner may prescribe restrictions on and designate areas where gray and
20.20fox squirrels, cottontail and jack rabbits, snowshoe hare, raccoon, bobcat, red fox and gray
20.21fox, fisher, pine marten, opossum, wolves, and badger may be taken and possessed.

20.22    Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 97B.645, subdivision 9, is
20.23amended to read:
20.24    Subd. 9. Open season. There shall be no open season for gray wolves until after the
20.25gray wolf is delisted under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973. After that time,
20.26the commissioner may prescribe open seasons and restrictions for taking gray wolves but
20.27must provide opportunity for public comment.

20.28    Sec. 44. [97B.647] TAKING WOLVES.
20.29    Subdivision 1. License required. Except as provided under section 97B.645 or
20.3097B.671, a person may not take a wolf without a wolf hunting or wolf trapping license.
21.1    Subd. 2. Open seasons. Wolves may be taken with legal firearms, with bow and
21.2arrow, and by trapping. The commissioner may by rule prescribe the open seasons for
21.3wolves.
21.4    Subd. 3. Open areas. The commissioner may by rule designate areas where wolves
21.5may be taken.
21.6    Subd. 4. Daily and possession limits. The commissioner may establish by rule
21.7the daily and possession limits for wolves.
21.8    Subd. 5. Limit on number of hunters and trappers. The commissioner may by
21.9rule limit the number of persons that may hunt or trap wolves in an area, if it is necessary
21.10to prevent an overharvest or improve the distribution of hunters and trappers. The
21.11commissioner shall establish a method, including a drawing, to impartially select the
21.12hunters and trappers for an area.
21.13    Subd. 6. Application for license. An application for a wolf hunting or trapping
21.14license must be made in a manner provided by the commissioner and accompanied by
21.15a $4 application fee. The $4 application fee is appropriated to pay for costs associated
21.16with conducting the wolf license drawing and wolf management. A person may not make
21.17more than one application for each season as prescribed by the commissioner. If a person
21.18makes more than one application, the person is ineligible for a license for that season after
21.19determination by the commissioner, without a hearing.
21.20    Subd. 7. Quotas. The commissioner may by rule set an annual quota for the
21.21number of wolves that can be taken by hunting and trapping. The commissioner may
21.22establish a method to monitor harvest and close the season when the quota is reached.
21.23The commissioner shall reserve a portion of the annual quota for the trapping season. The
21.24commissioner shall consult with federally recognized Indian tribes, wildlife organizations,
21.25and other interested parties prior to establishing seasons and quotas under this section.

21.26    Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 97B.667, is amended to read:
21.2797B.667 REMOVAL OF BEAVERS, BEAVER DAMS, AND LODGES BY
21.28ROAD AUTHORITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS.
21.29    Subdivision 1. Road authorities. (a) When a drainage watercourse is impaired
21.30by a beaver dam and the water damages or threatens to damage a public road, the road
21.31authority, as defined in section 160.02, subdivision 25, may remove the impairment and
21.32any associated beaver lodge within 300 feet of the road. Notwithstanding any law to the
21.33contrary,
21.34(b) The road authority may kill or beaver associated with the lodge or damage in any
21.35manner, except by poison or artificial lights.
22.1(c) The road authority may arrange to have killed by any lawful means a beaver
22.2associated with the lodge by trapping through a third party, contract, or under subdivision
22.34.
22.4    Subd. 2. Local government units. (a) Local government units may, as provided
22.5in this section, kill or arrange to have killed beaver that are causing damage, including
22.6silvicultural projects and drainage ditches, on property owned or managed by the local
22.7government unit. Removal or destruction of any associated beaver lodge is subject to
22.8section 97A.401, subdivision 5.
22.9(b) The local government unit may kill beaver associated with the lodge or damage
22.10in any manner, except by poison or artificial lights.
22.11(c) The local government unit may arrange to have killed any beaver associated with
22.12the lodge or damage by trapping through a third party, contract, or under subdivision 4.
22.13    Subd. 3. Permits and notice; requirements. (a) Before killing or arranging to kill
22.14a beaver under this section, the road authority or local government unit must contact a
22.15conservation officer for a special beaver permit. The conservation officer must issue the
22.16permit for any beaver subject to this section.
22.17(b) A road authority or local government unit that kills or arranges to have killed a
22.18beaver under this section must notify a conservation officer or the officer's designee as
22.19specified in the permit employee of the Wildlife Division within ten days after the animal
22.20is killed.
22.21    Subd. 4. Local beaver control programs. A road authority or local government
22.22unit may, after consultation with the Wildlife Division and the Board of Water and Soil
22.23Resources, implement a local beaver control program designed to reduce the number of
22.24incidents of beaver:
22.25(1) interfering with or damaging a public road; or
22.26(2) causing damage, including silvicultural projects and drainage ditches, on
22.27property owned or managed by the local government unit.
22.28The local control program may include the offering of a bounty for the lawful taking
22.29of beaver.

22.30    Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.671, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
22.31    Subd. 3. Predator control payments. The commissioner shall pay a predator
22.32controller the amount the commissioner prescribes determines by written order published
22.33in the State Register for each predator coyote and fox taken. The commissioner shall pay
22.34at least $25 but not more than $60 for each coyote taken. The commissioner may require
22.35the predator controller to submit proof of the taking and a signed statement concerning
23.1the predators taken. The fees are not subject to the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14,
23.2and section 14.386 does not apply.

23.3    Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.671, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
23.4    Subd. 4. Gray Wolf control. (a) The commissioner shall provide a gray wolf control
23.5training program for certified predator controllers participating in gray wolf control.
23.6(b) After the gray wolf is delisted under the federal Endangered Species Act of
23.71973, in zone B, as defined under section 97B.645, subdivision 12, if the commissioner,
23.8after considering recommendations from an extension agent or conservation officer, has
23.9verified that livestock, domestic animals, or pets were destroyed by a gray wolf within the
23.10previous five years, and if the livestock, domestic animal, or pet owner requests gray wolf
23.11control, the commissioner shall open a predator control area for gray wolves.
23.12(c) After the gray wolf is delisted under the federal Endangered Species Act of
23.131973, in zone A, as defined under paragraph (g), if the commissioner, after considering
23.14recommendations from an extension agent or conservation officer, verifies that livestock,
23.15domestic animals, or pets were destroyed by a gray wolf, and if the livestock, domestic
23.16animal, or pet owner requests gray wolf control, the commissioner shall open a predator
23.17control area for gray wolves for up to 60 days.
23.18(d) A predator control area opened for gray wolves may not exceed a one-mile
23.19radius surrounding the damage site.
23.20(e) The commissioner shall pay a certified gray wolf predator controller $150 the
23.21amount the commissioner determines by written order published in the State Register for
23.22each wolf taken. The certified gray wolf predator controller must dispose of unsalvageable
23.23remains as directed by the commissioner. All salvageable gray wolf remains must be
23.24surrendered to the commissioner. The fees are not subject to the rulemaking provisions of
23.25chapter 14, and section 14.386 does not apply.
23.26(f) The commissioner may, in consultation with the commissioner of agriculture,
23.27develop a cooperative agreement for gray wolf control activities with the United States
23.28Department of Agriculture. The cooperative agreement activities may include, but not be
23.29limited to, gray wolf control, training for state predator controllers, and control monitoring
23.30and record keeping.
23.31(g) For the purposes of this subdivision, "zone A" means that portion of the state
23.32lying outside of zone B, as defined under section 97B.645, subdivision 12.

23.33    Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.711, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
24.1    Subdivision 1. Seasons for certain upland game birds. (a) The commissioner
24.2may, by rule, prescribe an open season in designated areas between September 16 and
24.3January 3 for:
24.4    (1) pheasant;
24.5    (2) ruffed grouse;
24.6    (3) sharp tailed grouse;
24.7    (4) Canada spruce grouse;
24.8    (5) prairie chicken;
24.9    (6) gray partridge;
24.10    (7) bobwhite quail; and
24.11    (8) turkey.
24.12    (b) The commissioner may by rule prescribe an open season for turkey in the spring.
24.13    (c) The commissioner shall allow a four-week fall season for turkey in the area
24.14designated as turkey permit area 601 as of the 2008 season. All applicable local and state
24.15regulations apply.

24.16    Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.805, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
24.17    Subdivision 1. Hunter must be concealed. (a) A person may not take migratory
24.18waterfowl, coots, or rails in open water unless the person is:
24.19(1) within a natural growth of vegetation sufficient to partially conceal the person or
24.20boat;
24.21(2) on a river or stream that is not more than 100 yards in width; or
24.22(3) pursuing or shooting wounded birds; or
24.23(4) in areas specifically designated for such taking by the commissioner by rule.
24.24(b) A person may not take migratory waterfowl, coots, or rails in public waters from
24.25a permanent artificial blind or sink box.

24.26    Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.901, is amended to read:
24.2797B.901 REGISTRATION AND TAGGING OF FUR-BEARING ANIMALS.
24.28(a) The commissioner may, by rule, require persons taking, possessing, and
24.29transporting fur-bearing animals to tag the animals. The commissioner shall prescribe
24.30the manner of issuance and the type of tag, which must show the year of issuance. The
24.31commissioner shall issue the tag, without a fee, upon request.
24.32(b) The pelt of each bobcat, fisher, pine marten, and otter, and wolf must be
24.33presented, by the person taking it, to a state wildlife manager designee for registration
25.1before the pelt is sold and before the pelt is transported out of the state, but in no event
25.2more than 48 hours after the season closes for the species.
25.3(c) The whole carcass of each wolf, with the pelt removed, must be presented by the
25.4person taking it to a state wildlife manager designee for registration before the pelt is sold
25.5and before the pelt is transported out of the state, but in no event more than 48 hours after
25.6the season closes. The commissioner may require that the entire carcass or samples from
25.7the carcass be surrendered to the state wildlife manager designee.

25.8    Sec. 51. [97B.903] USE OF BODY-GRIPPING TRAPS.
25.9A person may not set, place, or operate, except as a water set, a body-gripping or
25.10conibear-type trap on public lands and waters that has a maximum jaw opening when set
25.11greater than six and one-half inches and less than seven and one-half inches measured
25.12from the inside edges of the body-gripping portions of the jaws, unless:
25.13(1) the trap is in a baited or unbaited enclosure with the opening no greater than 81
25.14square inches and the trap trigger is recessed seven inches or more from the top of the
25.15opening;
25.16(2) no bait, lure, or other attractant is placed within 20 feet of the trap; or
25.17(3) the trap is elevated at least three feet above the surface of the ground or snowpack.

25.18    Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97C.395, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
25.19    Subdivision 1. Dates for certain species. (a) The open seasons to take fish by
25.20angling are as follows:
25.21    (1) for walleye, sauger, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, and
25.22smallmouth bass, the Saturday two weeks prior to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend
25.23to the last Sunday in February;
25.24    (2) for lake trout, from January 1 to October 31;
25.25    (3) for the winter season for lake trout, brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and
25.26splake on all lakes located outside or partially within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area,
25.27from January 15 to March 31;
25.28    (4) for the winter season for lake trout, brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout,
25.29and splake on all lakes located entirely within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, from
25.30January 1 to March 31;
25.31(5) for brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and splake, between January 1 to
25.32October 31 as prescribed by the commissioner by rule except as provided in section
25.3397C.415, subdivision 2 ;
26.1    (6) for the winter season for brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and splake on
26.2all lakes, from January 15 to March 31; and
26.3    (7) (6) for salmon, as prescribed by the commissioner by rule.
26.4    (b) The commissioner shall close the season in areas of the state where fish are
26.5spawning and closing the season will protect the resource.

26.6    Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 604A.21, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
26.7    Subd. 5. Recreational purpose. "Recreational purpose" includes, but is not
26.8limited to, hunting; trapping; fishing; swimming; boating; camping; picnicking; hiking;
26.9rock climbing; cave exploring; bicycling; horseback riding; firewood gathering;
26.10pleasure driving, including snowmobiling and the operation of any motorized vehicle or
26.11conveyance upon a road or upon or across land in any manner, including recreational trail
26.12use; nature study; water skiing; winter sports; noncommercial aviation activities; and
26.13viewing or enjoying historical, archaeological, scenic, or scientific sites. "Rock climbing"
26.14means the climbing of a naturally exposed rock face. "Cave exploring" means the
26.15planned exploration of naturally occurring cavities in rock, including passage through any
26.16structures placed for the purpose of safe access, access control, or conservation, but does
26.17not include the exploration of other man-made cavities such as tunnels, mines, and sewers.

26.18    Sec. 54. RULEMAKING; TROUT SEASONS.
26.19The commissioner of natural resources shall amend Minnesota Rules, part
26.206262.0200, to make seasons for brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and splake in
26.21lakes inside and outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area consistent with this section.
26.22The commissioner may use the good cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes, section
26.2314.388, to adopt rules under this section, and Minnesota Statutes, section 14.386, does not
26.24apply, except as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388.

26.25    Sec. 55. RULEMAKING; RESTITUTION VALUE FOR WOLVES.
26.26(a) The commissioner of natural resources shall amend the restitution value for
26.27gray wolves in Minnesota Rules, part 6133.0075, to be $500 and shall change the term
26.28"gray wolves" to "wolves."
26.29(b) The commissioner may use the good cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes,
26.30section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), to adopt rules under this section, and Minnesota
26.31Statutes, section 14.386, does not apply except as provided under Minnesota Statutes,
26.32section 14.388.

27.1    Sec. 56. RULEMAKING; USE OF SNARES.
27.2(a) The commissioner of natural resources shall add a definition of a wolf snare to
27.3Minnesota Rules, part 6234.0900, to read: "'Wolf snare' means any snare set that:
27.4A. has a maximum loop diameter greater than ten inches, but less than or equal
27.5to 18 inches;
27.6B. has a cable diameter of at least 7/64 inches;
27.7C. includes stops affixed to the cable to ensure that the portion of the snare that
27.8makes up the noose loop may not be less than three inches in diameter when fully closed;
27.9D. includes a breakaway device that would cause the snare loop to break when
27.10pulled by a moose; and
27.11E. includes a diverter wire that extends 27 inches in both directions, measured
27.12perpendicular to and from the top of the snare loop. The diverter wires must be positioned
27.13at an angle no more than 20 degrees from the horizontal plane of the top of the snare, and
27.14the snare must be set within 20 yards of bait."
27.15(b) The commissioner of natural resources shall amend Minnesota Rules, part
27.166234.2300, to include a subpart to read: "Wolves may be taken with snares or wolf snares
27.17as defined in part 6234.0900."
27.18(c) The commissioner of natural resources shall amend Minnesota Rules, part
27.196234.2400, subpart 7, to read: "A snare may not be set so that the top of the loop is more
27.20than 20 inches above the first surface beneath the bottom of the set snare loop. During
27.21the wolf season, licensed wolf trappers may use wolf snares but a wolf snare may not be
27.22set so that the bottom of the loop is more than 18 inches above the first surface beneath
27.23the bottom of the set snare loop."
27.24(d) The commissioner of natural resources shall amend Minnesota Rules, part
27.256234.2400, subpart 5, to read: "Snares, including wolf snares, may not be set in deer,
27.26elk, or moose trails."
27.27(e) The commissioner of natural resources shall amend Minnesota Rules, part
27.286234.2400, to include a subpart to read: "Licensed wolf trappers shall set wolf snares for
27.29wolves no closer than 500 feet to another wolf snare set by the same licensed wolf trapper."
27.30(f) The commissioner may use the good cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes,
27.31section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), to adopt rules under this section, and Minnesota
27.32Statutes, section 14.386, does not apply, except as provided under Minnesota Statutes,
27.33section 14.388.

27.34    Sec. 57. 2012 FIREARMS WOLF SEASON.
28.1The commissioner of natural resources shall establish the first firearms wolf hunting
28.2season to open no later than the first day of the 2012 firearms deer hunting season.

28.3    Sec. 58. PUBLIC HEARINGS; TWIN LAKES SCIENTIFIC AND NATURAL
28.4AREA.
28.5The commissioner of natural resources shall, by September 1, 2012, hold public
28.6hearings utilizing the process provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
28.7subdivision 5, paragraph (d), on the issue of whether hunting should be allowed in Twin
28.8Lakes Scientific and Natural Area. Any costs associated with conducting the public
28.9hearings required under this section are the responsibility of the department. If, within 180
28.10days of the effective date of this section, the commissioner of natural resources has not
28.11held public hearings or resolved the issue, pending any outcome, Twin Lakes Scientific
28.12and Natural Area must be closed to hunting.
28.13EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

28.14    Sec. 59. REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.
28.15The revisor of statutes shall change the term "gray wolf" or "gray wolves" wherever
28.16the terms appear in Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules to "wolf" or "wolves."

28.17    Sec. 60. REPEALER.
28.18Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 97A.045, subdivisions 8 and 13; 97A.065,
28.19subdivision 1; 97A.095, subdivision 3; 97A.331, subdivision 7; 97A.485, subdivision 12;
28.2097A.552; 97B.645, subdivision 2; and 97C.031, are repealed.

28.21ARTICLE 2
28.22GAME AND FISH LICENSE FEES

28.23    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 3.737, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
28.24    Subdivision 1. Compensation required. (a) Notwithstanding section 3.736,
28.25subdivision 3
, paragraph (e), or any other law, a livestock owner shall be compensated
28.26by the commissioner of agriculture natural resources for livestock that is destroyed by a
28.27gray wolf or is so crippled by a gray wolf that it must be destroyed. Except as provided
28.28in this section, the owner is entitled to the fair market value of the destroyed livestock
28.29as determined by the commissioner, upon recommendation of the fair market value by a
28.30university extension agent. In any fiscal year, a livestock owner may not be compensated
28.31for a destroyed animal claim that is less than $100 in value and may be compensated
29.1up to $20,000, as determined under this section. In any fiscal year, the commissioner
29.2may provide compensation for claims filed under this section up to the amount expressly
29.3appropriated for this purpose.
29.4    (b) A university extension agent, a conservation officer, an official from the Animal
29.5and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture,
29.6a peace officer from the county sheriff's office, or a licensed veterinarian must make
29.7a personal inspection of the site and submit a report to the commissioner, including
29.8photographs, detailing the results of the investigation. The investigator must take
29.9into account factors in addition to a visual identification of a carcass when making a
29.10recommendation to the commissioner. The commissioner, upon recommendation of the
29.11investigator, shall determine whether the livestock was destroyed by a gray wolf. The
29.12owner shall file a claim on forms provided by the commissioner and available at the
29.13university extension agent's office.
29.14EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2013.

29.15    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 97A.075, subdivision 1, is
29.16amended to read:
29.17    Subdivision 1. Deer, bear, and lifetime licenses. (a) For purposes of this
29.18subdivision, "deer license" means a license issued under section 97A.475, subdivisions
29.192, clauses
(5), (6), (7), (13), (14), and (15), and; 3, paragraph (a), clauses (2), (3), (4),
29.20(10), (11), and (12),; and 8, paragraph (b), and licenses issued under section 97B.301,
29.21subdivision 4
.
29.22    (b) $2 from each annual deer license and $2 annually from the lifetime fish and
29.23wildlife trust fund, established in section 97A.4742, for each license issued under
29.24section 97A.473, subdivision 4, shall be credited to the deer management account and
29.25is appropriated to the commissioner for deer habitat improvement or deer management
29.26programs.
29.27    (c) $1 from each annual deer license and each bear license and $1 annually from
29.28the lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund, established in section 97A.4742, for each
29.29license issued under section 97A.473, subdivision 4, shall be credited to the deer and
29.30bear management account and is appropriated to the commissioner for deer and bear
29.31management programs, including a computerized licensing system.
29.32    (d) Fifty cents from each deer license is credited to the emergency deer feeding and
29.33wild cervidae health management account and is appropriated for emergency deer feeding
29.34and wild cervidae health management. Money appropriated for emergency deer feeding
29.35and wild cervidae health management is available until expended. The commissioner must
30.1inform the legislative chairs of the natural resources finance committees every two years
30.2on how the money for emergency deer feeding and wild cervidae health management
30.3has been spent.
30.4     When the unencumbered balance in the appropriation for emergency deer feeding
30.5and wild cervidae health management exceeds $2,500,000 at the end of a fiscal year, the
30.6unencumbered balance in excess of $2,500,000 is canceled and available for deer and bear
30.7management programs and computerized licensing.
30.8(e) Fifty cents from each annual deer license and 50 cents annually from the lifetime
30.9fish and wildlife trust fund established in section 97A.4742, for each license issued under
30.10section 97A.473, subdivision 4, shall be credited to the wolf management, compensation,
30.11and monitoring account under subdivision 7.

30.12    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 97A.075, subdivision 6, is
30.13amended to read:
30.14    Subd. 6. Walleye stamp. Revenue from walleye stamps and $1 annually from
30.15each license issued under sections 97A.473, subdivisions 2, 2a, 2b, 5, and 5a; 97A.474,
30.16subdivision 2; and 97A.475, subdivisions 6, 7, and 8, must be credited to the walleye
30.17stamp account and is appropriated to the commissioner only for stocking walleyes
30.18purchased from the private sector in waters of the state.
30.19EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective March 1, 2014.

30.20    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 97A.075, is amended by adding a
30.21subdivision to read:
30.22    Subd. 7. School trust land compensation account. Fifty cents from each annual
30.23license under chapters 97A, 97B, and 97C, excluding stamps and surcharges, and 50 cents
30.24annually from the lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund, established in section 97A.4742,
30.25for each license issued under section 97A.473, shall be credited to the school trust land
30.26compensation account in the game and fish fund. Annually, on June 30, the commissioner
30.27shall transfer the balance of the school trust land compensation account in the game and
30.28fish fund to the commissioner of management and budget for deposit in the permanent
30.29school fund, created in the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, section 8, to compensate
30.30the trust for game and fish activities on school trust lands.

30.31    Sec. 5. [97A.126] WALK-IN ACCESS PROGRAM.
30.32    Subdivision 1. Establishment. A walk-in access program is established to provide
30.33public access to wildlife habitat on private land for hunting, excluding trapping, as
31.1provided under this section. The commissioner may enter into agreements with other units
31.2of government and landowners to provide private land hunting access.
31.3    Subd. 2. Use of enrolled lands. (a) From September 1 to May 31, a person must
31.4have a walk-in access hunter validation in possession to hunt on private lands, including
31.5agricultural lands, that are posted as being enrolled in the walk-in access program.
31.6(b) Hunting on private lands that are posted as enrolled in the walk-in access
31.7program is allowed from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
31.8(c) Hunter access on private lands that are posted as enrolled in the walk-in access
31.9program is restricted to nonmotorized use, except by hunters with disabilities operating
31.10motor vehicles on established trails or field roads who possess a valid permit to shoot from
31.11a stationary vehicle under section 97B.055, subdivision 3.
31.12(d) The general provisions for use of wildlife management areas adopted under
31.13sections 86A.06 and 97A.137, relating to overnight use, alcoholic beverages, use of
31.14motorboats, firearms and target shooting, hunting stands, abandonment of trash and
31.15property, destruction or removal of property, introduction of plants or animals, and animal
31.16trespass, apply to hunters on lands enrolled in the walk-in access program.
31.17(e) Any use of enrolled lands other than hunting according to this section is
31.18prohibited, including:
31.19(1) harvesting bait, including minnows, leeches, and other live bait;
31.20(2) training dogs or using dogs for activities other than hunting; and
31.21(3) constructing or maintaining any building, dock, fence, billboard, sign, hunting
31.22blind, or other structure, unless constructed or maintained by the landowner.
31.23    Subd. 3. Walk-in access hunter validation; fee; appropriation. The fee for
31.24a walk-in access hunter validation for residents 18 and older and nonresidents is $15.
31.25The fee for residents age 16 and 17 is $7.50. Residents under age 16 must obtain a
31.26free validation. The walk-in access hunter validation is valid for one license year. An
31.27additional commission may not be assessed on validations issued under this subdivision.
31.28Revenue collected under this section is appropriated to the commissioner for the walk-in
31.29access program.

31.30    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.411, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
31.31    Subdivision 1. License period. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (d), and
31.32(e), and (f), a license is valid during the lawful time within the license year that the
31.33licensed activity may be performed. Except as provided in paragraph paragraphs (c) and
31.34(f), a license year begins on the first day of March and ends on the last day of February.
32.1    (b) A short-term license issued under section 97A.475, subdivision 6, clause (5),
32.297A.475, subdivision 7, clause (2), (3), (5), or (6), or 97A.475, subdivision 12, clause (2),
32.3that is limited by the number of days or hours under section 97A.475, is valid for the full
32.4license period even if this period extends into the next license year, provided that the
32.5license period selected by the licensee begins at the time of issuance.
32.6    (c) The license year for resident fishing, the angling portion of a sporting license,
32.7nonresident fishing, resident fish house, resident dark house, and nonresident fish house
32.8begins on March 1 and ends on April 30 of the following year.
32.9    (d) A lifetime license issued under section 97A.473 or 97A.474 is valid during the
32.10lawful time within the license year that the licensed activity may be performed for the
32.11lifetime of the licensee.
32.12    (e) A three-year fish house or dark house license is valid during the license year that
32.13it is purchased and the two succeeding license years.
32.14(f) A three-year individual angling license is valid during the license year in which it
32.15is purchased and the two succeeding license years.

32.16    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.411, is amended by adding a subdivision
32.17to read:
32.18    Subd. 4. Validity of license when age or residency status changes. A license to
32.19take wild animals that was lawfully obtained continues to be valid for the balance of the
32.20license period if the licensee's age, residency, or student qualification status changes.

32.21    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.435, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
32.22    Subd. 2. Eligibility. Persons eligible for a turkey license shall be determined by
32.23this section and commissioner's rule. A person is eligible for a turkey license only if the
32.24person is at least age 16 before the season opens, possesses a firearms safety certificate, or,
32.25if under age 12, is accompanied by a parent or guardian.

32.26    Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.451, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
32.27    Subd. 3. Residents under age 16; small game. (a) A resident under age 16 must
32.28may not obtain a small game license in order to but may take small game by firearms or
32.29bow and arrow without paying the applicable fees under section 97A.475, subdivisions 2,
32.304, and 5, a license if the resident is:
32.31    (1) age 14 or 15 and possesses a firearms safety certificate;
32.32    (2) age 13, possesses a firearms safety certificate, and is accompanied by a parent or
32.33guardian;
33.1    (3) age 13, 14, or 15, possesses an apprentice hunter validation, and is accompanied
33.2by a parent or guardian who possesses a small game license that was not obtained using an
33.3apprentice hunter validation; or
33.4    (4) age 12 or under and is accompanied by a parent or guardian.
33.5    (b) A resident under age 16 may take small game by trapping without a small game
33.6license, but a resident 13 years of age or older must have a trapping license. A resident
33.7under age 13 may trap without a trapping license, but may not register fisher, otter,
33.8bobcat, or pine marten unless the resident is at least age five. Any fisher, otter, bobcat,
33.9or pine marten taken by a resident under age five must be included in the limit of the
33.10accompanying parent or guardian.
33.11    (c) A resident under age 12 may apply for a turkey license 13 must obtain a free
33.12turkey license to take turkey and may take a turkey without a firearms safety certificate
33.13if the resident is accompanied by an adult parent or guardian who has a firearms safety
33.14certificate.
33.15    (d) A resident under age 12 13 may apply for a prairie chicken license and may take
33.16a prairie chicken without a firearms safety certificate if the resident is accompanied by an
33.17adult parent or guardian who has a firearms safety certificate.

33.18    Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.451, is amended by adding a
33.19subdivision to read:
33.20    Subd. 3b. Nonresidents under age 18; small game. (a) A nonresident age 16 or
33.21over and under age 18 may take small game by firearms or archery and may obtain a small
33.22game license at the resident youth fee under section 97A.475, subdivision 2, clause (17),
33.23if the nonresident possesses a firearms safety certificate.
33.24(b) A nonresident under age 16 may take small game by firearms or archery and may
33.25obtain a small game license without paying the applicable fees under section 97A.475,
33.26subdivisions 3, 4, and 5, if the nonresident is:
33.27(1) age 14 or 15 and possesses a firearms safety certificate;
33.28(2) age 13, possesses a firearms safety certificate, and is accompanied by a parent
33.29or guardian; or
33.30(3) age 12 or under and is accompanied by a parent or guardian.

33.31    Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.451, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
33.32    Subd. 4. Persons under age 16 13; big game. (a) A person age 12, 13, 14, or 15
33.33may not obtain a license to take big game unless the person possesses a firearms safety
34.1certificate. A person age 12 or 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to hunt
34.2big game.
34.3    (b) A person age 10 or 11 ten or over and under age 13 may take big game, provided
34.4the person is under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian where the parent or
34.5guardian is within immediate reach. Until March 1, 2009, a person age 10 or 11 may take
34.6big game under a parent or guardian's license. Beginning March 1, 2009, A person age 10
34.7or 11 ten or over and under age 13 must obtain a license in order to take big game and may
34.8obtain the license without paying the fee required under section 97A.475, subdivision 2.

34.9    Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.451, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
34.10    Subd. 5. Nonresidents under age 16 Nonresident youth; angling. (a) A
34.11nonresident under the age of 16 may:
34.12(1) take fish by angling without a license if a parent or guardian has a fishing license.
34.13Fish taken by a nonresident under the age of 16 without a license must be included in the
34.14limit of the parent or guardian.;
34.15(b) A nonresident under age 16 may (2) purchase a youth fishing license at the
34.16resident fee under section 97A.475, subdivision 7, paragraph (a), clause (8), and possess a
34.17limit of fish; or
34.18(3) be included under a nonresident family angling license, take fish by angling,
34.19and possess a limit of fish.
34.20(b) A nonresident age 16 or over and under age 18 must purchase a youth license to
34.21angle under section 97A.475, subdivision 7, paragraph (a), clause (8).

34.22    Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.473, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
34.23    Subd. 2. Lifetime angling license; fee. (a) A resident lifetime angling license
34.24authorizes a person to take fish by angling in the state. The license authorizes those
34.25activities authorized by the annual resident angling license. The license does not include a
34.26trout and salmon stamp validation, a walleye stamp validation, or other stamps required
34.27by law.
34.28    (b) The fees for a resident lifetime angling license are:
34.29    (1) age 3 and under, $227 $304;
34.30    (2) age 4 to age 15, $300 $415;
34.31    (3) age 16 to age 50, $383 $508; and
34.32    (4) age 51 and over, $203 $335.

34.33    Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.473, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:
35.1    Subd. 2b. Lifetime angling and spearing license; fee. (a) A resident lifetime
35.2angling and spearing license authorizes a person to take fish by angling or spearing in the
35.3state. The license authorizes those activities authorized by the annual resident angling
35.4and spearing licenses.
35.5    (b) The fees for a resident lifetime angling and spearing license are:
35.6    (1) age 3 and under, $485 $380;
35.7    (2) age 4 to age 15, $620 $509;
35.8    (3) age 16 to age 50, $755 $617; and
35.9    (4) age 51 and over, $376 $386.

35.10    Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.473, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
35.11    Subd. 3. Lifetime small game hunting license; fee. (a) A resident lifetime small
35.12game hunting license authorizes a person to hunt and trap small game in the state. The
35.13license authorizes those hunting and trapping activities authorized by the annual resident
35.14small game hunting and trapping licenses. The license does not include a turkey stamp
35.15validation or any other hunting stamps required by law.
35.16    (b) The fees for a resident lifetime small game hunting license are:
35.17    (1) age 3 and under, $217 $223;
35.18    (2) age 4 to age 15, $290 $301;
35.19    (3) age 16 to age 50, $363 $430; and
35.20    (4) age 51 and over, $213 $274.

35.21    Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.473, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
35.22    Subd. 4. Lifetime deer hunting license; fee. (a) A resident lifetime deer hunting
35.23license authorizes a person to take deer with firearms or by archery in the state. The license
35.24authorizes those activities authorized by the annual resident firearm deer hunting license
35.25or the annual resident archery deer hunting license. The licensee must register and receive
35.26tags each year that the license is used. The tags shall be issued at no charge to the licensee.
35.27(b) The fees for a resident lifetime firearm or archery deer hunting license are:
35.28(1) age 3 and under, $337 $406;
35.29(2) age 4 to age 15, $450 $538;
35.30(3) age 16 to age 50, $573 $656; and
35.31(4) age 51 and over, $383 $468.

35.32    Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.473, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
36.1    Subd. 5. Lifetime sporting license; fee. (a) A resident lifetime sporting license
36.2authorizes a person to take fish by angling and hunt and trap small game in the state. The
36.3license authorizes those activities authorized by the annual resident angling, resident
36.4small game hunting, and resident trapping licenses. The license does not include a trout
36.5and salmon stamp validation, a turkey stamp validation, a walleye stamp validation, or
36.6any other hunting stamps required by law.
36.7    (b) The fees for a resident lifetime sporting license are:
36.8    (1) age 3 and under, $357 $528;
36.9    (2) age 4 to age 15, $480 $728;
36.10    (3) age 16 to age 50, $613 $861; and
36.11    (4) age 51 and over, $413 $602.

36.12    Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.474, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
36.13    Subd. 2. Nonresident lifetime angling license; fee. (a) A nonresident lifetime
36.14angling license authorizes a person to take fish by angling in the state. The license
36.15authorizes those activities authorized by the annual nonresident angling license. The
36.16license does not include a trout and salmon stamp validation, a walleye stamp validation,
36.17or other stamps required by law.
36.18    (b) The fees for a nonresident lifetime angling license are:
36.19    (1) age 3 and under, $447 $726;
36.20    (2) age 4 to age 15, $600 $925;
36.21    (3) age 16 to age 50, $773 $1,054; and
36.22    (4) age 51 and over, $513 $702.

36.23    Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.475, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
36.24    Subd. 2. Resident hunting. Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to residents
36.25only, are:
36.26    (1) for persons age 18 or over and under age 65 to take small game, $12.50 $15.50;
36.27    (2) for persons ages 16 and 17 and age 65 or over, $6 $7 to take small game;
36.28    (3) for persons age 18 or over to take turkey, $23 $26;
36.29    (4) for persons under age 13 or over and under age 18 to take turkey, $12 $13;
36.30    (5) for persons age 18 or over to take deer with firearms during the regular firearms
36.31season, $26 $30;
36.32    (6) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by archery, $26 $30;
36.33    (7) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by muzzleloader during the muzzleloader
36.34season, $26 $30;
37.1    (8) to take moose, for a party of not more than six persons, $310 $356;
37.2    (9) to take bear, $38 $44;
37.3    (10) to take elk, for a party of not more than two persons, $250 $287;
37.4    (11) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4;
37.5    (12) to take prairie chickens, $20 $23;
37.6    (13) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take deer with firearms during
37.7the regular firearms season, $13 $15;
37.8    (14) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take deer by archery, $13;
37.9and $15;
37.10    (15) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take deer by muzzleloader
37.11during the muzzleloader season, $13. $15;
37.12(16) for persons age 18 or over to take small game for a consecutive 72-hour period
37.13selected by the licensee, $19, of which an amount equal to: one-half of the fee for the
37.14migratory waterfowl stamp under subdivision 5, clause (1), shall be deposited in the
37.15waterfowl habitat improvement account under section 97A.075, subdivision 2; one-half
37.16of the fee for the pheasant stamp under subdivision 5, clause (2), shall be deposited in
37.17the pheasant habitat improvement account under section 97A.075, subdivision 4; and
37.18one-half of the small game surcharge under subdivision 4, shall be deposited in the
37.19wildlife acquisition account; and
37.20(17) for persons age 16 or over and under age 18 to take small game, $5.

37.21    Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.475, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
37.22    Subd. 3. Nonresident hunting. (a) Fees for the following licenses, to be issued
37.23to nonresidents, are:
37.24    (1) for persons age 18 or over to take small game, $73 $90.50;
37.25    (2) for persons age 18 or over to take deer with firearms during the regular firearms
37.26season, $135 $160;
37.27    (3) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by archery, $135 $160;
37.28    (4) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by muzzleloader during the muzzleloader
37.29season, $135 $160;
37.30    (5) to take bear, $195 $225;
37.31    (6) for persons age 18 and older or over to take turkey, $78 $91;
37.32    (7) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take turkey, $12 $13;
37.33    (8) to take raccoon or bobcat, $155 $178;
37.34    (9) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4;
38.1    (10) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take deer with firearms during
38.2the regular firearms season in any open season option or time period, $13 $15;
38.3    (11) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take deer by archery, $13;
38.4and $15;
38.5    (12) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take deer during the muzzleloader
38.6season, $13. $15; and
38.7(13) for persons age 18 or over to take small game for a consecutive 72-hour period
38.8selected by the licensee, $75, of which an amount equal to: one-half of the fee for the
38.9migratory waterfowl stamp under subdivision 5, clause (1), shall be deposited in the
38.10waterfowl habitat improvement account under section 97A.075, subdivision 2; one-half
38.11of the fee for the pheasant stamp under subdivision 5, clause (2), shall be deposited in
38.12the pheasant habitat improvement account under section 97A.075, subdivision 4; and
38.13one-half of the small game surcharge under subdivision 4, shall be deposited into the
38.14wildlife acquisition account.
38.15    (b) A $5 surcharge shall be added to nonresident hunting licenses issued under
38.16paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (6) and (8). An additional commission may not be assessed
38.17on this surcharge.

38.18    Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.475, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
38.19    Subd. 4. Small game surcharge. Fees for annual licenses to take small game must
38.20be increased by a surcharge of $6.50, except licenses under subdivisions 2, clauses (16)
38.21and (17); and 3, paragraph (a), clause (13). An additional commission may not be assessed
38.22on the surcharge and the following statement must be included in the annual small game
38.23hunting regulations: "This $6.50 surcharge is being paid by hunters for the acquisition and
38.24development of wildlife lands."

38.25    Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.475, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
38.26    Subd. 6. Resident fishing. Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to residents
38.27only, are:
38.28(1) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling, $17 $22;
38.29(2) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling, for a combined license for a
38.30married couple, $25 $35;
38.31(3) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by spearing from a dark house, $17; and
38.32$5, and the person must possess an angling license;
38.33(4) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling for a 24-hour period selected
38.34by the licensee, $8.50. $10;
39.1(5) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling for a consecutive 72-hour
39.2period selected by the licensee, $12;
39.3(6) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling for three consecutive years,
39.4$63; and
39.5(7) for persons age 16 or over and under age 18 to take fish by angling, $5.

39.6    Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 97A.475, subdivision 7, is
39.7amended to read:
39.8    Subd. 7. Nonresident fishing. (a) Fees for the following licenses, to be issued
39.9to nonresidents, are:
39.10    (1) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling, $37.50 $39;
39.11    (2) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling limited to seven consecutive
39.12days selected by the licensee, $26.50 $33;
39.13    (3) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling for a consecutive 72-hour
39.14period selected by the licensee, $22 $27;
39.15    (4) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling for a combined license for a
39.16family for one or both parents and dependent children under the age of 16, $50.50 $53;
39.17    (5) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling for a 24-hour period selected
39.18by the licensee, $8.50 $12;
39.19    (6) to take fish by angling for a combined license for a married couple, limited to 14
39.20consecutive days selected by one of the licensees, $38.50; and $43;
39.21(7) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by spearing from a dark house, $37.50.
39.22$10, and the person must possess an angling license; and
39.23(8) for persons age 16 or over and under age 18 to take fish by angling, $5.
39.24    (b) A $2 $5 surcharge shall be added to all nonresident fishing licenses, except
39.25licenses issued under paragraph (a), clause clauses (5), and licenses purchased at the
39.26resident fee by nonresidents under age 16 under section 97A.451, subdivision 5, paragraph
39.27(b) and (8). An additional commission may not be assessed on this surcharge.

39.28    Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.475, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
39.29    Subd. 8. Minnesota sporting; super sports. (a) The commissioner shall issue
39.30Minnesota sporting licenses to residents only. The licensee may take fish by angling
39.31and small game. The fee for the license is:
39.32(1) for an individual, $23 $31.50; and
39.33(2) for a combined license for a married couple to take fish and for one spouse
39.34to take small game, $32 $45.50.
40.1(b) The commissioner shall issue Minnesota super sports licenses to residents only.
40.2The licensee may take fish by angling, including trout; small game, including pheasant
40.3and waterfowl; and deer by firearms or muzzleloader or by archery. The fee for the super
40.4sports license, including all required stamp validations is:
40.5(1) for an individual age 18 or over, $92.50; and
40.6(2) for a combined license for a married couple to take fish, including the trout and
40.7salmon stamp validation, and for one spouse to take small game, including pheasant
40.8and waterfowl, and deer, $118.50.
40.9(c) Revenue for the stamp endorsements under paragraph (b) shall be deposited
40.10according to section 97A.075, subdivisions 2, 3, and 4.
40.11(d) Revenue for the deer license endorsement under paragraph (b) shall be deposited
40.12according to section 97A.075, subdivision 1.

40.13    Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.475, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
40.14    Subd. 11. Fish houses, dark houses, and shelters; residents. Fees for the
40.15following licenses are:
40.16    (1) annual for a fish house, dark house, or shelter that is not rented, $11.50 $15;
40.17    (2) annual for a fish house, dark house, or shelter that is rented, $26 $30;
40.18    (3) three-year for a fish house, dark house, or shelter that is not rented, $34.50
40.19$42; and
40.20    (4) three-year for a fish house, dark house, or shelter that is rented, $78 $87.

40.21    Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.475, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
40.22    Subd. 12. Fish houses, dark houses, and shelters; nonresident. Fees for fish
40.23house, dark house, and shelter licenses for a nonresident are:
40.24    (1) annual, $33 $37;
40.25    (2) seven consecutive days selected by the licensee, $19 $21; and
40.26    (3) three-year, $99 $111.

40.27    Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.475, subdivision 20, is amended to read:
40.28    Subd. 20. Trapping license. The fee for a license to trap fur-bearing animals is:
40.29(1) for residents over age 13 and under age 18, $6 $7;
40.30(2) for residents age 18 or over and under age 65, $20 $23;
40.31(3) for residents age 65 or over, $10 $11.50; and
40.32(4) for nonresidents, $73 $84.

41.1    Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.475, subdivision 43, is amended to read:
41.2    Subd. 43. Duplicate licenses. The fees for duplicate licenses are:
41.3(1) for licenses to take big game, $5, except licenses issued under subdivision 8,
41.4paragraph (b); and
41.5(2) for other licenses, $2.

41.6    Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.475, subdivision 44, is amended to read:
41.7    Subd. 44. Replacement licenses. The fee for a replacement firearms deer license
41.8is $5, except there is no fee for replacing a deer license issued under subdivision 8,
41.9paragraph (b).

41.10    Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.475, subdivision 45, is amended to read:
41.11    Subd. 45. Camp Ripley archery deer hunt. The application fee for the Camp
41.12Ripley archery deer hunt is $8 $12.

41.13    Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.485, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
41.14    Subd. 7. Electronic licensing system commission. The commissioner shall retain
41.15for the operation of the electronic licensing system the commission established under
41.16section 84.027, subdivision 15, and issuing fees collected by the commissioner on all
41.17license fees collected, excluding:.
41.18    (1) the small game surcharge;
41.19    (2) the deer license surcharges or donations under section 97A.475, subdivisions 3,
41.20paragraph (b), and 3a; and
41.21    (3) $2.50 of the license fee for the licenses in section 97A.475, subdivisions 6,
41.22clauses (1)
, (2), and (4), 7, 8, 12, and 13.

41.23    Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.020, is amended to read:
41.2497B.020 FIREARMS SAFETY CERTIFICATE REQUIRED.
41.25    (a) Except as provided in this section and section 97A.451, subdivision 3a
41.26subdivisions 3 and 3b, a person born after December 31, 1979, may not obtain an annual
41.27license to take wild animals by firearms unless the person has:
41.28    (1) a firearms safety certificate or equivalent certificate;
41.29    (2) a driver's license or identification card with a valid firearms safety qualification
41.30indicator issued under section 171.07, subdivision 13;
41.31    (3) a previous hunting license with a valid firearms safety qualification indicator;
41.32    (4) an apprentice hunter validation issued under section 97B.022; or
42.1    (5) other evidence indicating that the person has completed in this state or in another
42.2state a hunter safety course recognized by the department under a reciprocity agreement or
42.3certified by the department as substantially similar.
42.4    (b) A person who is on active duty and has successfully completed basic training
42.5in the United States armed forces, reserve component, or National Guard may obtain a
42.6hunting license or approval authorizing hunting regardless of whether the person is issued
42.7a firearms safety certificate.
42.8    (c) A person born after December 31, 1979, may not use a lifetime license to take
42.9wild animals by firearms, unless the person meets the requirements for obtaining an annual
42.10license under paragraph (a) or (b).

42.11    Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.715, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
42.12    Subdivision 1. Stamp required. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) or section
42.1397A.405, subdivision 2 , a person required to possess a small game license may not hunt
42.14pheasants without a pheasant stamp validation.
42.15    (b) The following persons are exempt from this subdivision:
42.16    (1) residents and nonresidents under age 18 or and residents over age 65;
42.17    (2) persons hunting on licensed commercial shooting preserves; and
42.18    (3) resident disabled veterans with a license issued under section 97A.441,
42.19subdivision 6a
.; and
42.20(4) residents and nonresidents hunting on licenses issued under section 97A.475,
42.21subdivision 2, clause (16); or 3, paragraph (a), clause (13).

42.22    Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.801, is amended to read:
42.2397B.801 MINNESOTA MIGRATORY WATERFOWL STAMP REQUIRED.
42.24    (a) Except as provided in this section or section 97A.405, subdivision 2, a person
42.25required to possess a small game license may not take migratory waterfowl without a
42.26migratory waterfowl stamp validation.
42.27    (b) Residents under age 18 or over age 65; resident disabled veterans with a license
42.28issued under section 97A.441, subdivision 6a; and persons hunting on their own property
42.29are not required to possess a stamp validation under this section.
42.30(c) Residents and nonresidents with licenses issued under section 97A.475,
42.31subdivision 2, clause (16); or 3, paragraph (a), clause (13), are not required to possess a
42.32stamp validation under this section.

42.33    Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97C.305, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
43.1    Subdivision 1. Requirement. Except as provided in subdivision 2 or section
43.297A.405, subdivision 2 , a person over age 16 18 and under age 65 required to possess an
43.3angling license must have a trout and salmon stamp validation to:
43.4(1) take fish by angling in:
43.5(i) a stream designated by the commissioner as a trout stream;
43.6(ii) a lake designated by the commissioner as a trout lake; or
43.7(iii) Lake Superior; or
43.8(2) possess trout or salmon taken in the state by angling.

43.9    Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97C.305, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
43.10    Subd. 2. Exception. A trout and salmon stamp validation is not required to take fish
43.11by angling or to possess trout and salmon if:
43.12(1) the person:
43.13(i) possesses a license to take fish by angling for a period of 24 hours or 72 hours
43.14from the time of issuance under section 97A.475, subdivision 6, clause (4) or (5),; or
43.15subdivision 7, paragraph (a), clause (3) or (5), and
43.16(ii) is taking fish by angling, or the trout or salmon were taken by the person, during
43.17the period the license is valid;
43.18(2) the person is taking fish, or the trout or salmon were taken by the person, as
43.19authorized under section 97C.035; or
43.20(3) the person has a valid license issued under section 97A.441, subdivision 1, 2,
43.213, 4, or 5.

43.22    Sec. 37. PROGRAM TRANSFER; LIVESTOCK COMPENSATION FOR
43.23WOLF DEPREDATION.
43.24On July 1, 2013, the responsibility for the compensation program for livestock
43.25damaged or destroyed by wolves under Minnesota Statutes, section 3.737, is transferred to
43.26the commissioner of natural resources. Minnesota Statutes, section 15.039, applies to the
43.27transfer, and the base appropriation for the program shall transfer to the commissioner
43.28of natural resources.

43.29    Sec. 38. TRANSFER.
43.30In fiscal year 2013, the commissioner of management and budget shall transfer
43.31$500,000 from the game and fish fund to the invasive species account created in Minnesota
43.32Statutes, section 84D.15. This is in addition to the transfer specified in Minnesota Statutes,
43.33section 84D.15, subdivision 2.

44.1    Sec. 39. APPROPRIATION.
44.2$1,000,000 in fiscal year 2013 from the invasive species account is added to
44.3the appropriation in Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 4,
44.4subdivision 3, for invasive species activities. This is a onetime appropriation.

44.5    Sec. 40. REPEALER.
44.6Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.451, subdivisions 3a and 7; are repealed.

44.7    Sec. 41. EFFECTIVE DATE.
44.8Sections 2, 5 to 36, and 40, are effective March 1, 2013.