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HF 4176

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/22/2018 02:22pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Current Version - as introduced

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A bill for an act
relating to game and fish; modifying requirements for certain deer licenses and
permits; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 97A.441, subdivision 7;
97B.301, subdivision 4.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 97A.441, subdivision 7, is amended to read:


Subd. 7.

Owners or tenants of agricultural land.

(a) new text begin Except as provided in paragraph
(b),
new text end the commissioner may issue, without a fee, a license to take an antlerless deer to a
resident who is an owner or tenant, or a nonresident who is an owner, of at least 80 acres
of agricultural land, as defined in section 97B.001, in deer permit areas that allow the taking
of antlerless deer without a lottery application. A person may receive only one license per
year under this subdivision. For properties with co-owners or cotenants, only one co-owner
or cotenant may receive a license under this subdivision per year. The license issued under
this subdivision is restricted to land leased for agricultural purposes or owned by the holder
of the license within the permit area where the qualifying land is located. The holder of the
license may transfer the license to the holder's spouse or dependent. Deer taken under this
subdivision do not count towards the total bag limit for the permit area. Notwithstanding
sections 97A.415, subdivision 1, and 97B.301, subdivision 2, the holder of the license may
purchase additional licenses or permits for taking deer and may take additional deer under
those licenses or permits, provided the holder adheres to the bag limits established for that
permit area.

(b) new text begin In series 300 deer permit areas, the commissioner must issue, without a fee, up to
five licenses to take an antlerless deer to a resident who is an owner or tenant, or a nonresident
who is an owner, of at least 80 acres of agricultural land as defined in section 97B.001. For
properties with co-owners or cotenants, a combined total of five licenses may be issued per
year to all co-owners or cotenants under this subdivision. A license issued under this
subdivision is restricted to land leased for agricultural purposes or owned by the holder of
the license within the permit area where the qualifying land is located. The holder of the
licenses may transfer the licenses to any Minnesota resident eligible to hunt big game. Deer
taken under this subdivision do not count toward the total bag limit for the permit area.
Notwithstanding sections 97A.415, subdivision 1, and 97B.301, subdivision 2, the holder
of a license issued under this paragraph may purchase additional licenses or permits for
taking deer and may take additional deer under those licenses or permits if the holder adheres
to the bag limits established for that permit area.
new text end

new text begin (c) new text end A person who obtains a license under paragraph (a) new text begin or (b) new text end must allow public deer
hunting on their land during that deer-hunting season, with the exception of the first Saturday
and Sunday during the deer-hunting season applicable to the license issued under section
97A.475, subdivision 2, clause (5).

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 97B.301, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Taking more than one deer.

new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner may, by rule, allow a
person to take more than one deer. The commissioner shall prescribe the conditions for
taking the additional deer including:

(1) taking by firearm, muzzleloader, or archery;

(2) obtaining additional licenses;

(3) payment of a fee not more than the fee for a firearms deer license; and

(4) the total number of deer that an individual may take.

new text begin (b) If the estimated deer count for a deer permit area is at least 20 percent higher than
the 2010 deer management goal for the area, the commissioner must:
new text end

new text begin (1) make available enough bonus deer permits under this section to reduce the number
of deer to the 2010 deer management goal for the deer permit area;
new text end

new text begin (2) suspend antler point restrictions in the deer permit area; and
new text end

new text begin (3) allow hunting as a party, as provided in section 97B.301, subdivision 3, without
additional restrictions in the deer permit area.
new text end