1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to game and fish; modifying wolf management provisions; providing 
1.3 	limits on wolf baiting; providing for temporary suspension of wolf hunt; 
1.4 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 97B.646; 97B.647, subdivision 3, 
1.5 	by adding a subdivision.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97B.646, is amended to read:
1.8 	97B.646 WOLF MANAGEMENT PLAN.
1.9 	(a) The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of agriculture, shall 
1.10 	adopt a wolf management plan that includes:
1.11 	(1) goals to ensure the long-term survival of the wolf in Minnesota, to reduce 
1.12 	conflicts between wolves and humans, to minimize depredation of livestock and domestic 
1.13 	pets, and to manage the ecological impact of wolves on prey species and other predators.;
1.14 	(2) an annual wolf census; and
1.15 	(3) educational strategies and development of materials for reducing conflicts 
1.16 	between wolves and humans.
1.17 	(b) The wolf management plan must be reviewed annually by an advisory task force 
1.18 	appointed by the commissioner. The task force is governed by section 15.059, subdivision 
1.19 	6. The task force must include:
1.20 	(1) representatives of environmental organizations;
1.21 	(2) representatives of agricultural organizations;
1.22 	(3) representatives of hunting and trapping organizations;
1.23 	(4) representatives of wolf advocate organizations; 
1.24 	(5) representatives of government agencies;
2.1 	(6) at least one biologist who is not employed by and does not receive funding from 
2.2 	the Department of Natural Resources; and
2.3 	(7) private citizens with a specific interest in wolf management issues.

2.4 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97B.647, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
2.5 		Subd. 3.Open areas. (a) The commissioner may by rule designate areas where 
2.6 	wolves may be taken.
2.7 	(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if requested by tribal leadership, the 
2.8 	commissioner shall close federally recognized tribal lands to hunting and trapping wolves.

2.9 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97B.647, is amended by adding a subdivision 
2.10 	to read:
2.11 		Subd. 8.Baiting limitation. Baiting wolves is prohibited within ten miles of tribal 
2.12 	lands where taking wolves is prohibited.

2.13 	Sec. 4. SUSPENSION OF WOLF HUNT; WOLF MANAGEMENT PLAN.
 2.14 	(a) The open seasons for taking wolves authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section 
2.15 	97B.647, are suspended in order to study outcomes of the wolf hunt on the wolf population 
2.16 	and to implement the wolf management plan. The suspension continues and no wolves 
2.17 	may be taken until the requirements in paragraphs (b) to (e) are met and the results are 
2.18 	submitted to the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over 
2.19 	natural resource policy.
2.20 	(b) The commissioner of natural resources must provide comprehensive, publicly 
2.21 	accessible data of all known wolf deaths and illnesses in the state, including deaths 
2.22 	from the destruction of wolves authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section 97B.645, 
2.23 	poaching, and car kills.
2.24 	(c) The commissioner of natural resources must conduct a study of public sentiment 
2.25 	towards wolves, including issues related to intolerance.
2.26 	(d) The commissioner of natural resources, in consultation with the commissioner of 
2.27 	agriculture, must develop comprehensive best management practices (BMPs) that may be 
2.28 	used by livestock producers to reduce and prevent wolf depredation. The BMPs should 
2.29 	include both lethal and nonlethal control methods. The commissioner must disseminate 
2.30 	the BMPs to livestock producers through traditional and digital media platforms. 
2.31 	(e) The commissioner of natural resources must produce a map of wolf and human 
2.32 	conflicts, including wolf predation on livestock.
3.1 	(f) In support of the annual wolf census required under Minnesota Statutes, section 
3.2 	97B.646, the commissioner of natural resources must increase the number of trained 
3.3 	wolf counters in zone B.