1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to game and fish; allowing use of leashed dogs to track big game under 
1.3 	certain conditions;amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, sections 97A.321, 
1.4 	subdivision 1; 97B.011; 97B.205.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 97A.321, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Owner responsibility; penalty amount. Except as provided under section 
1.8 	97B.205, paragraph (b), the owner of a dog that pursues but does not kill or mortally wound 
1.9 	a big game animal is subject to a civil penalty of $100 for each violation. The owner of a 
1.10 	dog that kills or mortally wounds a big game animal is subject to a civil penalty of $500 for 
1.11 	each violation.

1.12 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 97B.011, is amended to read:
1.13 	97B.011 DOGS PURSUING BIG GAME.
1.14 	(a) A person who observes a dog wounding, killing, or pursuing in a manner that 
1.15 	endangers big game may kill the dog:
1.16 	(1) at any time, if the person is a peace officer or conservation officer; or
1.17 	(2) between January 1 and July 14, if the person is not a peace officer or conservation 
1.18 	officer and the discharge of firearms is allowed.
1.19 	The officer or person is not liable for damages for killing the dog.
1.20 	(b) This provision does not apply to a dog used in compliance with section 97B.205, 
1.21 	paragraph (b).

2.1 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 97B.205, is amended to read:
2.2 	97B.205 USE OF DOGS AND HORSES TO TAKE BIG GAME PROHIBITED.
2.3 	(a) Except as provided under paragraph (b), a person may not use a dog or horse to take 
2.4 	big game.
2.5 	(b) A person may use a dog on a leash not exceeding 30 feet in length to follow a blood 
2.6 	trail to retrieve a wounded or dead big-game animal provided that the person does not 
2.7 	possess a firearm, bow, or crossbow. A licensed bear hunter may possess a firearm provided 
2.8 	that the person:
2.9 	(1) has the person's valid bear-hunting license in possession;
2.10 	(2) is on foot; and
2.11 	(3) is following the blood trail of a bear that was shot legally.