HF 2844

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/10/2016 03:13pm

A bill for an act
relating to game and fish; modifying provisions for taking and feeding wild
animals; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 97A.451, subdivision
6; 97B.035, subdivision 1; 97B.811, subdivision 4a; Minnesota Statutes 2015
Supplement, sections 97B.041; 97B.9251; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 97B.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97A.451, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Nonresidents under age 16 attending camps; fishing.

A nonresident
under the age of 16 that is attending a camp conducted by a nonprofit organization may
take fish by angling in adjacent and connected public waters without a license. deleted text begin The
organization must have a certificate from the commissioner that describes the public
waters where the fishing is allowed. deleted text end The nonresident must possess a deleted text begin document, prescribed
by the commissioner, for identification of the nonresident and the authorized fishing
waters. The deleted text end new text begin written new text end document deleted text begin must be deleted text end new text begin that authorizes angling and that is new text end signed and dated
within the current calendar year by the person in charge of the camp.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97B.035, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Hunting with bows released by mechanical devices.

(a) A person
may not hunt with a bow drawn, held, or released by a mechanical device, except new text begin :
new text end

new text begin (1) new text end with a disabled hunter permit issued under section 97B.106 new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (2) as provided in section 97B.037 for persons age 60 or over; new text end or

new text begin (3) new text end as provided in paragraph (b).

(b) A person may use a mechanical device attached to the bowstring if the person's
own strength draws, holds, and releases the bowstring.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, section 97B.041, is amended to read:

97B.041 POSSESSION OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION RESTRICTED
IN DEER ZONES.

(a) A person may not possess a firearm or ammunition outdoors during the period
beginning the fifth day before the open firearms season and ending the second day after
the close of the season within an area where deer may be taken by a firearm, except:

(1) during the open season and in an area where big game may be taken, a firearm
and ammunition authorized for taking big game in that area may be used to take big game
in that area if the person has a valid big game license in possession;

(2) an unloaded firearm that is in a case or in a closed trunk of a motor vehicle;

(3) a shotgun and shells containing No. 4 buckshot or smaller diameter lead shot
or steel shot;

(4) a handgun or rifle capable of firing only rimfire cartridges of .17 and .22 caliber,
including .22 magnum caliber cartridges;

(5) handguns possessed by a person authorized to carry a handgun under sections
624.714 and 624.715 for the purpose authorized; and

(6) on a target range operated under a permit from the commissioner.

(b) This section does not apply during an open firearms season in an area where deer
may be taken only by muzzleloader, except that muzzle-loading firearms lawful for the
taking of deer may be possessed only by persons with a valid license to take deer by
muzzleloader during the muzzleloader season. While muzzleloader hunting, a person with
a valid license to take deer by muzzleloader may not possess a firearm other than:

(1) a muzzleloader that is legal for taking deer under section 97B.031, subdivision
1; and

(2) a firearm as described in paragraph (a), clauses (2) to (5).

(c) A first violation of paragraph (a) is punishable by a warning new text begin if the person is
shooting at an object that has been placed for the sole purpose of target shooting new text end .

Sec. 4.

new text begin [97B.427] FEEDING BEARS.
new text end

new text begin Feeding a bear by hand or other physical contact is prohibited.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97B.811, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:

Subd. 4a.

Restrictions on certain motorized decoys.

deleted text begin From the opening day of the
duck season through the Saturday nearest October 8, a person may not use a motorized
decoy, or other motorized device designed to attract migratory waterfowl. During the
remainder of the duck season, deleted text end The commissioner may, by rule, designate all or any portion
of a wetland or lake closed to the use of motorized decoys or motorized devices designed
to attract migratory waterfowl. On water bodies and lands fully contained within wildlife
management area boundaries, a person may not use motorized decoys or motorized
devices designed to attract migratory waterfowl at any time during the duck season.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, section 97B.9251, is amended to read:

97B.9251 BEAVER SEASON.

The commissioner may establish open seasons and restrictions for taking beaver
from 9:00 a.m. on the Saturday nearest October 26 in the North Zone and from 9:00 a.m.
on the Saturday nearest October 30 in the South Zone. The seasons shall be open until May
15 new text begin , except the commissioner may adopt rules to close the South Zone at an earlier date new text end .