1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to game and fish; modifying restrictions for using artificial lights while 
1.3 	hunting;amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 97B.081, subdivision 3.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 97B.081, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
1.6 		Subd. 3.Exceptions. (a) It is not a violation of this section for a person to:
1.7 	(1) cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light to take raccoons 
1.8 	according to section 97B.621, subdivision 3, or tend traps according to section 97B.931;
1.9 	(2) hunt fox or coyote from January 1 to March 15 while using a handheld an artificial 
1.10 	light, provided that the person is:
1.11 	(i) on foot;
1.12 	(ii) using a shotgun;
1.13 	(iii) not within a public road right-of-way;
1.14 	(iv) (iii) using a handheld or electronic calling device; and
1.15 	(v) (iv) not within 200 feet of a motor vehicle; or
1.16 	(3) cast the rays of a handheld artificial light to retrieve wounded or dead big game 
1.17 	animals, provided that the person is:
1.18 	(i) on foot; and
1.19 	(ii) not in possession of a firearm or bow.
2.1 	(b) It is not a violation of subdivision 2 for a person to cast the rays of a spotlight, 
2.2 	headlight, or other artificial light to:
2.3 	(1) carry out any agricultural, safety, emergency response, normal vehicle operation, or 
2.4 	occupation-related activities that do not involve taking wild animals; or
2.5 	(2) carry out outdoor recreation as defined in section 97B.001 that is not related to 
2.6 	spotting, locating, or taking a wild animal.
2.7 	(c) Except as otherwise provided by the game and fish laws, it is not a violation of this 
2.8 	section for a person to use an electronic range finder device from one-half hour before 
2.9 	sunrise until one-half hour after sunset while lawfully hunting wild animals.
2.10 	(d) It is not a violation of this section for a licensed bear hunter to cast the rays of a 
2.11 	handheld artificial light to track or retrieve a wounded or dead bear while possessing a 
2.12 	firearm, provided that the person:
2.13 	(1) has the person's valid bear-hunting license in possession;
2.14 	(2) is on foot; and
2.15 	(3) is following the blood trail of a bear that was shot during legal shooting hours.