as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 02/27/2018 08:42am
A bill for an act
relating to game and fish; modifying restrictions for using artificial lights while
hunting; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 97B.081, subdivision 3.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 97B.081, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
(a) It is not a violation of this section for a person to:
(1) cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light to take raccoons
according to section 97B.621, subdivision 3, or tend traps according to section 97B.931;
(2) hunt fox or coyote from January 1 to March 15 while using deleted text begin a handhelddeleted text end new text begin annew text end artificial
light, provided that the person is:
(i) on foot;
(ii) deleted text begin using a shotgun;
deleted text end
deleted text begin (iii)deleted text end not within a public road right-of-way;
deleted text begin (iv)deleted text end new text begin (iii)new text end using a handheld or electronic calling device; and
deleted text begin (v)deleted text end new text begin (iv)new text end not within 200 feet of a motor vehicle; or
(3) cast the rays of a handheld artificial light to retrieve wounded or dead big game
animals, provided that the person is:
(i) on foot; and
(ii) not in possession of a firearm or bow.
(b) It is not a violation of subdivision 2 for a person to cast the rays of a spotlight,
headlight, or other artificial light to:
(1) carry out any agricultural, safety, emergency response, normal vehicle operation, or
occupation-related activities that do not involve taking wild animals; or
(2) carry out outdoor recreation as defined in section 97B.001 that is not related to
spotting, locating, or taking a wild animal.
(c) Except as otherwise provided by the game and fish laws, it is not a violation of this
section for a person to use an electronic range finder device from one-half hour before
sunrise until one-half hour after sunset while lawfully hunting wild animals.
(d) It is not a violation of this section for a licensed bear hunter to cast the rays of a
handheld artificial light to track or retrieve a wounded or dead bear while possessing a
firearm, provided that the person:
(1) has the person's valid bear-hunting license in possession;
(2) is on foot; and
(3) is following the blood trail of a bear that was shot during legal shooting hours.