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SF 972

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 02/16/2017 09:02am

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; providing for earlier openings for deer hunting and
angling seasons; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 97B.311; 97C.395,
subdivision 1.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 97B.311, is amended to read:


97B.311 DEER SEASONS AND RESTRICTIONS.

(a) The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe restrictions and designate areas where
deer may be taken, including hunter selection criteria for special hunts established under
section 97A.401, subdivision 4. The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe the open seasons
for deer new text begin to begin no later than noon on a Friday new text end within the following periods:

(1) taking with firearms, other than muzzle-loading firearms, between November 1 and
December 15;

(2) taking with muzzle-loading firearms between September 1 and December 31; and

(3) taking by archery between September 1 and December 31.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner may establish special seasons
within designated areas at any time of year.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 97C.395, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Dates for certain species.

(a) The open seasons to take fish by angling
are as follows:

(1) for walleye, sauger, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, and smallmouth
bass, new text begin no later than noon new text end the deleted text begin Saturdaydeleted text end new text begin Fridaynew text end two weeks prior to the deleted text begin Saturday ofdeleted text end new text begin Friday
before
new text end Memorial Day deleted text begin weekenddeleted text end to the last Sunday in February;

(2) for lake trout, from January 1 to October 31;

(3) for the winter season for lake trout, brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and
splake on all lakes located outside or partially within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area,
from January 15 to March 31;

(4) for the winter season for lake trout, brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and
splake on all lakes located entirely within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, from January
1 to March 31;

(5) for brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and splake, between January 1 to October
31 as prescribed by the commissioner by rule except as provided in section 97C.415,
subdivision 2
; and

(6) for salmon, as prescribed by the commissioner by rule.

(b) The commissioner shall close the season in areas of the state where fish are spawning
and closing the season will protect the resource.

Sec. 3. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 and 2 are effective for seasons opening after January 1, 2018.
new text end