1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to game and fish; modifying deer hunting 
  1.3             provisions and fees; modifying restriction on 
  1.4             importation of cervidae carcasses; modifying 
  1.5             restrictions on the transport of game birds; 
  1.6             clarifying validity of firearms safety certificates 
  1.7             issued to youth; modifying turtle license 
  1.8             requirements; eliminating prohibition on the use of 
  1.9             vehicles for trapping beaver and otter; modifying 
  1.10            waterfowl refuge provisions; providing for suspension 
  1.11            of game and fish license and permit privileges under 
  1.12            certain conditions; modifying shooting hours for 
  1.13            migratory game birds; authorizing a season on mourning 
  1.14            doves; prohibiting taking albino deer; modifying 
  1.15            certain game license provisions; requiring public 
  1.16            education efforts regarding lead tackle; authorizing 
  1.17            grants; providing for the transfer of a turtle 
  1.18            seller's license; authorizing a special permit for use 
  1.19            of a scope when hunting with a muzzleloader; providing 
  1.20            for a quality deer management pilot zone; requiring 
  1.21            reports; providing criminal penalties; amending 
  1.22            Minnesota Statutes 2002, sections 97A.015, subdivision 
  1.23            24; 97A.085, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 97A.095, 
  1.24            subdivisions 1, 2, 4; 97A.420, subdivision 4; 97A.421, 
  1.25            by adding a subdivision; 97A.435, subdivision 4, by 
  1.26            adding a subdivision; 97A.475, subdivision 20, by 
  1.27            adding a subdivision; 97A.545, subdivision 5; 97B.015, 
  1.28            subdivision 5; 97B.031, by adding a subdivision; 
  1.29            97B.075; 97B.301, subdivisions 6, 7; 97B.601, 
  1.30            subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision; 97B.721; 
  1.31            97B.901; 97C.605, subdivision 2; Minnesota Statutes 
  1.32            2003 Supplement, sections 97A.475, subdivisions 2, 3; 
  1.33            97A.505, subdivision 8; 97B.311; 97C.605, subdivision 
  1.34            2c; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota 
  1.35            Statutes, chapter 97C; repealing Minnesota Statutes 
  1.36            2002, section 97B.731, subdivision 2. 
  1.37  BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.38     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97A.015, 
  1.39  subdivision 24, is amended to read: 
  1.40     Subd. 24.  [GAME BIRDS.] "Game birds" means migratory 
  1.41  waterfowl, pheasant, ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, Canada 
  2.1   spruce grouse, prairie chickens, gray partridge, bob-white 
  2.2   quail, turkeys, coots, gallinules, sora and Virginia 
  2.3   rails, mourning dove, American woodcock, and common snipe. 
  2.4      Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97A.085, 
  2.5   subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  2.6      Subd. 2.  [ESTABLISHMENT BY COMMISSIONER.] The commissioner 
  2.7   may designate ~~a contiguous area of at least 640 acres as~~ a game 
  2.8   refuge if more than 50 percent of the area is in public 
  2.9   ownership.  The game refuge must be a contiguous area of at 
  2.10  least 640 acres unless it borders or includes a marsh, or other 
  2.11  body of water or watercourse suitable for wildlife habitat. 
  2.12     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97A.085, 
  2.13  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
  2.14     Subd. 3.  [ESTABLISHMENT BY PETITION OF LAND HOLDERS.] The 
  2.15  commissioner may designate a land area or portion of a land area 
  2.16  described in a petition as a game refuge.  The petition must be 
  2.17  signed by the owner, the lessee, or the person in possession of 
  2.18  each tract in the area.  A certificate of the auditor of the 
  2.19  county where the lands are located must accompany the petition 
  2.20  stating that the persons named in the petition are the owners, 
  2.21  lessees, or persons in possession of all of the land described 
  2.22  according to the county records.  The game refuge must be a 
  2.23  contiguous area of at least 640 acres unless it borders or 
  2.24  includes a marsh, or other body of water or watercourse suitable 
  2.25  for wildlife habitat. 
  2.26     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97A.085, 
  2.27  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
  2.28     Subd. 4.  [ESTABLISHMENT BY PETITION OF COUNTY RESIDENTS.] 
  2.29  The commissioner may designate as a game refuge public waters or 
  2.30  a contiguous area ~~of at least 640 acres,~~ described in a 
  2.31  petition, signed by 50 or more residents of the county where the 
  2.32  public waters or area is located.  The game refuge must be a 
  2.33  contiguous area of at least 640 acres unless it borders or 
  2.34  includes a marsh, or other body of water or watercourse suitable 
  2.35  for wildlife habitat.  The game refuge may be designated only if 
  2.36  the commissioner finds that protected wild animals are depleted 
  3.1   and are in danger of extermination, or that it will best serve 
  3.2   the public interest.  
  3.3      Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97A.095, 
  3.4   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  3.5      Subdivision 1.  [MIGRATORY WATERFOWL ~~REFUGES~~ SANCTUARY.] 
  3.6   The commissioner ~~shall~~ may designate by rule any part of a state 
  3.7   game refuge or any part of a public water that is designated for 
  3.8   management purposes under section 97A.101, subdivision 2, as a 
  3.9   migratory waterfowl ~~refuge~~ sanctuary if there is presented to 
  3.10  the commissioner a petition signed by ten resident licensed 
  3.11  hunters describing an area that is primarily a migratory 
  3.12  waterfowl refuge.  The commissioner shall post the area as a 
  3.13  migratory waterfowl ~~refuge~~ sanctuary.  A person may not enter a 
  3.14  posted migratory waterfowl ~~refuge~~ sanctuary during the open 
  3.15  migratory waterfowl season unless accompanied by or under a 
  3.16  permit issued by a conservation officer or ~~game refuge~~ wildlife 
  3.17  manager.  Upon a request from a private landowner within a 
  3.18  migratory waterfowl ~~refuge~~ sanctuary, an annual permit must be 
  3.19  issued to provide access to the property during the waterfowl 
  3.20  season.  The permit shall include conditions that allow no 
  3.21  activity which would disturb waterfowl using the refuge during 
  3.22  the waterfowl season. 
  3.23     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97A.095, 
  3.24  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  3.25     Subd. 2.  [WATERFOWL FEEDING AND RESTING AREAS.] The 
  3.26  commissioner may, by rule, designate any part of a lake as a 
  3.27  migratory feeding ~~or~~ and resting area.  Before designation, the 
  3.28  commissioner must receive a petition signed by at least ten 
  3.29  local resident licensed hunters describing the area of a lake 
  3.30  that is a substantial feeding or resting area for migratory 
  3.31  waterfowl, and find that the statements in the petition are 
  3.32  correct, and that adequate, free public access to the lake 
  3.33  exists near the designated area.  The commissioner shall post 
  3.34  the area as a migratory waterfowl feeding and resting area.  
  3.35  Except as authorized in rules adopted by the commissioner, a 
  3.36  person may not enter a posted migratory waterfowl feeding and 
  4.1   resting area, during a period when hunting of migratory 
  4.2   waterfowl is allowed, with watercraft or aircraft propelled by a 
  4.3   motor, other than an electric motor of less than 30 pounds 
  4.4   thrust.  The commissioner may, by rule, further restrict the use 
  4.5   of electric motors in migratory waterfowl feeding and resting 
  4.6   areas. 
  4.7      Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97A.095, 
  4.8   subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
  4.9      Subd. 4.  [SWAN LAKE MIGRATORY WATERFOWL ~~REFUGE~~ SANCTUARY.] 
  4.10  The land described in Laws 1999, chapter 81, section 2, is 
  4.11  designated Swan Lake Migratory Waterfowl ~~Refuge~~ Sanctuary under 
  4.12  subdivision 1. 
  4.13     Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97A.420, 
  4.14  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
  4.15     Subd. 4.  [HEARING.] (a) A hearing under subdivision 3 must 
  4.16  be before a district court judge in the county where the 
  4.17  incident occurred giving rise to the license seizure.  The 
  4.18  hearing must be to the court and may be conducted at the same 
  4.19  time as hearings upon pretrial motions in a related criminal 
  4.20  prosecution.  The commissioner must be represented by the county 
  4.21  attorney. 
  4.22     (b) The hearing must be held at the earliest practicable 
  4.23  date and in any event no later than 60 days following the filing 
  4.24  of the petition for review. 
  4.25     (c) The scope of the hearing must be limited to the issue 
  4.26  of whether there is probable cause to believe that the person 
  4.27  ~~violated section 97A.338~~ had unlawfully taken, possessed, or 
  4.28  transported wild animals with a restitution value over $500. 
  4.29     (d) The court shall order that the license seizure be 
  4.30  either sustained or rescinded.  Within 14 days following the 
  4.31  hearing, the court shall forward a copy of the order to the 
  4.32  commissioner. 
  4.33     (e) Any party aggrieved by the decision of the reviewing 
  4.34  court may appeal the decision as provided in the Rules of Civil 
  4.35  Appellate Procedure. 
  4.36     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97A.421, is 
  5.1   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  5.2      Subd. 4a.  [SUSPENSION FOR FAILURE TO APPEAR IN COURT OR TO 
  5.3   PAY A FINE OR SURCHARGE.] When a court reports to the 
  5.4   commissioner that a person (1) has failed to appear in court 
  5.5   under the summons issued for a violation of the game and fish 
  5.6   laws or (2) has been convicted of violating a provision of the 
  5.7   game and fish laws, has been sentenced to the payment of a fine 
  5.8   or had a surcharge levied against them, and refused or failed to 
  5.9   comply with that sentence or to pay the fine or surcharge, the 
  5.10  commissioner shall suspend the game and fish license and permit 
  5.11  privileges of the person until notified by the court that the 
  5.12  person has appeared in court under clause (1) or that any fine 
  5.13  or surcharge due the court has been paid under clause (2). 
  5.14     Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97A.435, 
  5.15  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
  5.16     Subd. 4.  [SEPARATE SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE LICENSEES.] (a) 
  5.17  The commissioner may conduct a separate selection for up to 20 
  5.18  percent of the turkey licenses to be issued for any area.  Only 
  5.19  persons who are owners or tenants of and who live on at least 40 
  5.20  acres of ~~agricultural or grazing~~ land in the area, and their 
  5.21  family members, are eligible applicants for turkey licenses for 
  5.22  the separate selection.  The qualifying ~~agricultural or grazing~~ 
  5.23  land may be noncontiguous.  Persons who are unsuccessful in a 
  5.24  separate selection must be included in the selection for the 
  5.25  remaining licenses.  Persons who obtain a license in a separate 
  5.26  selection must allow public turkey hunting on their land during 
  5.27  that turkey season.  A license issued under this subdivision is 
  5.28  restricted to the land owned or leased by the holder of the 
  5.29  license within the permit area where the qualifying land is 
  5.30  located. 
  5.31     (b) The commissioner may by rule establish criteria for 
  5.32  determining eligible family members under this subdivision. 
  5.33     Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97A.435, is 
  5.34  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  5.35     Subd. 5.  [SPRING SEASON.] (a) A person who has not applied 
  5.36  for a turkey license through the lottery or applied for a 
  6.1   license and was unsuccessful in the lottery, may purchase a 
  6.2   turkey hunting license to hunt by archery for the spring turkey 
  6.3   season during a combined seventh and eighth time period.  A 
  6.4   turkey hunting license under this subdivision is separate from 
  6.5   the normal lottery process and is effective for hunting only in 
  6.6   a wild turkey permit area in the state where 50 or more licenses 
  6.7   are issued during an established time period. 
  6.8      (b) Turkey lottery preference points shall not be reduced 
  6.9   for a person purchasing a license under this subdivision. 
  6.10     (c) A person may take only one bearded turkey in a spring 
  6.11  turkey season regardless of whether the hunter purchased a 
  6.12  license through the lottery system or as provided in this 
  6.13  subdivision. 
  6.14     Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
  6.15  97A.475, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  6.16     Subd. 2.  [RESIDENT HUNTING.] Fees for the following 
  6.17  licenses, to be issued to residents only, are: 
  6.18     (1) for persons age 18 or over and under age 65 to take 
  6.19  small game, $12.50; 
  6.20     (2) for persons ages 16 and 17 and age 65 or over, $6 to 
  6.21  take small game; 
  6.22     (3) to take turkey, $18; 
  6.23     (4) for persons age ~~16~~ 18 or over to take deer with 
  6.24  firearms, $26; 
  6.25     (5) for persons age ~~16~~ 18 or over to take deer by archery, 
  6.26  $26; 
  6.27     (6) to take moose, for a party of not more than six 
  6.28  persons, $310; 
  6.29     (7) to take bear, $38; 
  6.30     (8) to take elk, for a party of not more than two persons, 
  6.31  $250; 
  6.32     (9) to take antlered deer in more than one zone, $52; 
  6.33     (10) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4; 
  6.34     (11) to take two deer throughout the state in any open deer 
  6.35  season, except as restricted under section 97B.305, $78; 
  6.36     (12) to take prairie chickens, $20; 
  7.1      (13) for persons at least age 12 and under age ~~16~~ 18 to 
  7.2   take deer with firearms, $13; and 
  7.3      (14) for persons at least age 12 and under age ~~16~~ 18 to 
  7.4   take deer by archery, $13. 
  7.5      Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
  7.6   97A.475, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
  7.7      Subd. 3.  [NONRESIDENT HUNTING.] Fees for the following 
  7.8   licenses, to be issued to nonresidents, are: 
  7.9      (1) to take small game, $73; 
  7.10     (2) to take deer with firearms, $135; 
  7.11     (3) to take deer by archery, the greater of: 
  7.12     (i) an amount equal to the total amount of license fees and 
  7.13  surcharges charged to a Minnesota resident to take deer by 
  7.14  archery in the person's state or province of residence; or 
  7.15     (ii) $135; 
  7.16     (4) to take bear, $195; 
  7.17     (5) to take turkey, $73; 
  7.18     (6) to take raccoon, bobcat, fox, coyote, or lynx, $155; 
  7.19     (7) to take antlered deer in more than one zone, $270; and 
  7.20     (8) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4. 
  7.21     Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97A.475, 
  7.22  subdivision 20, is amended to read: 
  7.23     Subd. 20.  [TRAPPING LICENSE.] The fee for a license to 
  7.24  trap fur-bearing animals is: 
  7.25     (1) for ~~persons~~ residents over age 13 and under age 18, $6; 
  7.26  ~~and~~ 
  7.27     (2) for ~~persons~~ residents age 18 and older, $20; and 
  7.28     (3) for nonresidents, $73.  
  7.29     Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97A.475, is 
  7.30  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  7.31     Subd. 25a.  [LIVE BAIT RETAILER.] The fee for a live bait 
  7.32  retailer license is $15. 
  7.33     Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
  7.34  97A.505, subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
  7.35     Subd. 8.  [IMPORTATION OF HUNTER-HARVESTED CERVIDAE.] 
  7.36  Importation into Minnesota of hunter-harvested cervidae 
  8.1   carcasses from known chronic wasting disease endemic areas, as 
  8.2   determined by the Board of Animal Health, is prohibited except 
  8.3   for cut and wrapped meat, quarters or other portions of meat 
  8.4   with no part of the spinal column or head attached, antlers, 
  8.5   hides, teeth, finished taxidermy mounts, and antlers attached to 
  8.6   skull caps that are cleaned of all brain 
  8.7   tissue.  Hunter-harvested cervidae carcasses taken from chronic 
  8.8   wasting disease endemic areas outside of Minnesota may be 
  8.9   transported on a direct route through the state by nonresidents. 
  8.10     Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97A.545, 
  8.11  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
  8.12     Subd. 5.  [BIRDS MUST BE IN UNDRESSED CONDITION; 
  8.13  EXCEPTIONS.] (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a person 
  8.14  may ship or otherwise transport game birds in an undressed 
  8.15  condition only. 
  8.16     (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply if the birds being shipped 
  8.17  or otherwise transported: 
  8.18     (1) were taken on a shooting preserve and are marked or 
  8.19  identified in accordance with section 97A.121, subdivision 5; ~~or~~ 
  8.20     (2) were taken, dressed, and lawfully shipped or otherwise 
  8.21  transported in another state; or 
  8.22     (3) are migratory game birds that were lawfully tagged and 
  8.23  packed by a federally permitted migratory bird preservation 
  8.24  facility. 
  8.25     Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97B.015, 
  8.26  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
  8.27     Subd. 5.  [FIREARMS SAFETY CERTIFICATE.] The commissioner 
  8.28  shall issue a firearms safety certificate to a person that 
  8.29  satisfactorily completes the required course of instruction.  ~~A~~ 
  8.30  ~~certificate may not be issued to a person under age 12.~~  A 
  8.31  person ~~that is~~ must be at least age 11 ~~may~~ to take the firearms 
  8.32  safety course and may receive a firearms safety certificate, but 
  8.33  the certificate is not valid until the person is at least age 
  8.34  12.  A firearms safety certificate issued to a person under age 
  8.35  12 by another state as provided in section 97B.020 is not valid 
  8.36  in Minnesota until the person reaches age 12.  The form and 
  9.1   content of the firearms safety certificate shall be prescribed 
  9.2   by the commissioner.  
  9.3      Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97B.031, is 
  9.4   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  9.5      Subd. 5.  [SCOPES; VISUALLY IMPAIRED HUNTERS.] (a) 
  9.6   Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the commissioner 
  9.7   may issue a special permit, without a fee, to use a muzzleloader 
  9.8   with a scope to take deer during the muzzleloader season to a 
  9.9   person who obtains the required licenses and who has a visual 
  9.10  impairment.  The scope may not have magnification capabilities. 
  9.11     (b) The visual impairment must be established by medical 
  9.12  evidence verified in writing by a licensed physician.  The 
  9.13  commissioner may request additional information from the 
  9.14  physician if needed to verify the applicant's eligibility for 
  9.15  the permit.  Notwithstanding section 97A.418, the commissioner 
  9.16  may, in consultation with appropriate advocacy groups, establish 
  9.17  reasonable minimum standards for permits to be issued under this 
  9.18  subdivision. 
  9.19     (c) A permit issued under this subdivision may be valid for 
  9.20  up to five years.  
  9.21     (d) The commissioner may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke a 
  9.22  permit issued under this subdivision for cause, including a 
  9.23  violation of the game and fish laws or rules.  
  9.24     (e) A person who knowingly makes a false application or 
  9.25  assists another in making a false application for a permit under 
  9.26  this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor.  A physician who 
  9.27  fraudulently certifies to the commissioner that a person is 
  9.28  visually impaired as described in this subdivision is guilty of 
  9.29  a misdemeanor. 
  9.30     Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97B.075, is 
  9.31  amended to read: 
  9.32     97B.075 [HUNTING RESTRICTED BETWEEN EVENING AND MORNING.] 
  9.33     (a) A person may not take protected wild animals, except 
  9.34  raccoon and fox, with a firearm between the evening and morning 
  9.35  times established by commissioner's rule, except as provided in 
  9.36  this section. 
 10.1      (b) Big game may be taken from one-half hour before sunrise 
 10.2   until one-half hour after sunset~~, and,~~. 
 10.3      (c) Except as otherwise prescribed by the commissioner 
 10.4   ~~during the first eight days of the season~~ before the Saturday 
 10.5   nearest October 8, ~~until January 1, 2001,~~ waterfowl may be taken 
 10.6   from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset during the entire 
 10.7   season prescribed by the commissioner.  On the opening day of 
 10.8   the duck season, shooting hours for migratory game birds, except 
 10.9   woodcock, begin at 9:00 a.m.  
 10.10     Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97B.301, 
 10.11  subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
 10.12     Subd. 6.  [RESIDENTS UNDER AGE ~~16~~ 18 MAY TAKE DEER OF 
 10.13  EITHER SEX.] A resident under the age of ~~16~~ 18 may take a deer 
 10.14  of either sex except in those antlerless permit areas and 
 10.15  seasons where no antlerless permits are offered.  In antlerless 
 10.16  permit areas where no antlerless permits are offered, the 
 10.17  commissioner may provide a limited number of youth either sex 
 10.18  permits to residents under age ~~16~~ 18, under the procedures 
 10.19  provided in section 97B.305, and may give preference to 
 10.20  residents under the age of ~~16~~ 18 that have not previously been 
 10.21  selected.  This subdivision does not authorize the taking of an 
 10.22  antlerless deer by another member of a party under subdivision 3.
 10.23     Sec. 22.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97B.301, 
 10.24  subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
 10.25     Subd. 7.  [ALL SEASON DEER LICENSE.] (a) A resident may 
 10.26  obtain an all season deer license.  This license authorizes the 
 10.27  resident to take one buck by firearm or archery during any 
 10.28  season statewide.  In addition, a resident obtaining this 
 10.29  license may take one antlerless deer: 
 10.30     (1) by firearms in the regular firearms season if the 
 10.31  resident first obtains an antlerless deer permit or if the 
 10.32  resident takes the antlerless deer in an area where the 
 10.33  commissioner has authorized taking a deer of either sex without 
 10.34  an antlerless permit; 
 10.35     (2) by archery in the archery season; or 
 10.36     (3) by muzzleloader in the muzzleloader season. 
 11.1      (b) ~~A person obtaining an all season deer license does not~~ 
 11.2   ~~qualify for hunting under subdivision 3.~~  The commissioner shall 
 11.3   issue one tag for a buck and one tag for an antlerless deer when 
 11.4   issuing a license under this subdivision. 
 11.5      Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
 11.6   97B.311, is amended to read: 
 11.7      97B.311 [DEER SEASONS AND RESTRICTIONS.] 
 11.8      Subdivision 1.  [RULEMAKING.] (a) The commissioner may, by 
 11.9   rule, prescribe restrictions and designate areas where deer may 
 11.10  be taken, including hunter selection criteria for special hunts 
 11.11  established under section 97A.401, subdivision 4.  The 
 11.12  commissioner may, by rule, prescribe the open seasons for deer 
 11.13  within the following periods: 
 11.14     (1) taking with firearms, other than muzzle-loading 
 11.15  firearms, between November 1 and December 15; 
 11.16     (2) taking with muzzle-loading firearms between September 1 
 11.17  and December 31; and 
 11.18     (3) taking by archery between September 1 and December 31. 
 11.19     (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner may 
 11.20  establish special seasons within designated areas at any time of 
 11.21  year. 
 11.22     Subd. 2.  [ALBINO DEER PROTECTED.] A person may not take an 
 11.23  albino deer. 
 11.24     Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97B.601, 
 11.25  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 11.26     Subd. 3.  [NONRESIDENTS:  RACCOON, BOBCAT, FOX, COYOTE, 
 11.27  CANADA LYNX.] A nonresident may not take raccoon, bobcat, fox, 
 11.28  coyote, or Canada lynx by firearms without a separate license to 
 11.29  take that animal in addition to a small game license.  
 11.30     Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97B.601, is 
 11.31  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 11.32     Subd. 3a.  [NONRESIDENTS; TRAPPING SMALL GAME.] A 
 11.33  nonresident may take small game by trapping only on land owned 
 11.34  by the nonresident, if the nonresident possesses a trapping 
 11.35  license and a small game license. 
 11.36     Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97B.721, is 
 12.1   amended to read: 
 12.2      97B.721 [LICENSE AND STAMP VALIDATION REQUIRED TO TAKE 
 12.3   TURKEY; TAGGING AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.] 
 12.4      (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) or section 97A.405, 
 12.5   subdivision 2, a person may not take a turkey without possessing 
 12.6   a turkey license and a turkey stamp validation.  
 12.7      (b) The requirement in paragraph (a) to have a turkey stamp 
 12.8   validation does not apply to persons under age 18.  An 
 12.9   unlicensed adult age 18 or older may assist a licensed wild 
 12.10  turkey hunter under the age of 16.  The unlicensed adult may not 
 12.11  shoot or possess a firearm or bow while assisting a youth under 
 12.12  this paragraph. 
 12.13     (c) The commissioner may by rule prescribe requirements for 
 12.14  the tagging and registration of turkeys. 
 12.15     Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97B.901, is 
 12.16  amended to read: 
 12.17     97B.901 [REGISTRATION AND TAGGING OF FUR-BEARING ANIMALS.] 
 12.18     (a) The commissioner may, by rule, require persons taking, 
 12.19  possessing, and transporting fur-bearing animals to tag the 
 12.20  animals.  The commissioner shall prescribe the manner of 
 12.21  issuance and the type of tag, which must show the year of 
 12.22  issuance.  The commissioner shall issue the tag, without a fee, 
 12.23  upon request. 
 12.24     (b) The pelt of each bobcat, fisher, pine marten, and otter 
 12.25  must be presented, by the person taking it, to a state wildlife 
 12.26  manager designee for registration before the pelt is sold and 
 12.27  before the pelt is transported out of the state, but in no event 
 12.28  more than 48 hours after the season closes for the species.  
 12.29  ~~Until March 1, 2003, a possession or site tag is not required~~ 
 12.30  ~~prior to registration of the fisher, pine marten, or otter.~~ 
 12.31     Sec. 28.  [97C.392] [SELLING LIVE BAIT.] 
 12.32     Subdivision 1.  [LICENSE REQUIRED.] A person may not sell 
 12.33  live bait at retail without a live bait retailer license.  A 
 12.34  person must purchase a live bait retailer license for each live 
 12.35  bait retail outlet operated. 
 12.36     Subd. 2.  [LICENSE APPLICATION.] (a) An applicant for a 
 13.1   live bait retailer license must give the business name and 
 13.2   address for the retail outlet.  The address must include a 
 13.3   street address or fire number. 
 13.4      (b) The retail outlet name and location may be changed for 
 13.5   licensing purposes upon application to the commissioner. 
 13.6      Subd. 3.  [EXEMPTIONS.] This section does not apply to: 
 13.7      (1) a person who possesses a minnow retailer or dealer 
 13.8   license; or 
 13.9      (2) a resident under age 18 who does not buy bait for 
 13.10  resale. 
 13.11     Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97C.605, 
 13.12  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 13.13     Subd. 2.  [TURTLE SELLER'S LICENSE.] (a) A person may not 
 13.14  take, possess, buy, or transport turtles for sale; sell turtles; 
 13.15  or take turtles for sale using commercial equipment without a 
 13.16  turtle seller's license, except as provided in subdivision 2c. 
 13.17     (b) Except for renewals, no new turtle seller's licenses 
 13.18  may be issued after August 1, 2002. 
 13.19     (c) A turtle seller's license is transferable by the turtle 
 13.20  seller licensee by making application to the commissioner.  A 
 13.21  turtle seller's license may be transferred only once under this 
 13.22  paragraph and the transfer must be to a child of the person 
 13.23  holding the turtle seller's license. 
 13.24     Sec. 30.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
 13.25  97C.605, subdivision 2c, is amended to read: 
 13.26     Subd. 2c.  [LICENSE EXEMPTIONS.] A person does not need a 
 13.27  turtle seller's license or an angling license: 
 13.28     (1) when buying turtles for resale at a retail outlet; 
 13.29     (2) when buying a turtle at a retail outlet; 
 13.30     (3) if the person is a nonresident buying a turtle from a 
 13.31  licensed turtle seller for export out of state.  Shipping 
 13.32  documents provided by the turtle seller must accompany each 
 13.33  shipment exported out of state by a nonresident.  Shipping 
 13.34  documents must include:  name, address, city, state, and zip 
 13.35  code of the buyer; number of each species of turtle; and name 
 13.36  and license number of the turtle seller; or 
 14.1      (4) to take, possess, and rent or sell up to 25 
 14.2   turtles greater than four inches in length for the purpose of 
 14.3   providing the turtles to participants at a nonprofit turtle 
 14.4   race, if the person is a resident under age 18.  The person is 
 14.5   responsible for the well-being of the turtles. 
 14.6      Sec. 31.  [REPORT.] 
 14.7      By January 15, 2006, the commissioner shall report to the 
 14.8   chairs of the senate and house committees having jurisdiction 
 14.9   over natural resources policy, evaluating the impacts of the 
 14.10  change in shooting hours, including harvest success and the 
 14.11  effect on local waterfowl populations. 
 14.12     Sec. 32.  [REPORTS AND COOPERATIVE EFFORTS REGARDING LEAD 
 14.13  FISHING TACKLE.] 
 14.14     Subdivision 1.  [MULTIJURISDICTIONAL COOPERATION FOR LEAD 
 14.15  TACKLE RESTRICTIONS AND EDUCATION.] In order to promote 
 14.16  consistent, nationally applicable regulations and education, the 
 14.17  commissioner of natural resources shall coordinate and 
 14.18  participate in efforts to promote national laws and educational 
 14.19  programs regarding lead fishing tackle.  The commissioner may 
 14.20  participate with other jurisdictions, including federal, state 
 14.21  and international governments, in activities under this 
 14.22  subdivision, including advocacy for uniform laws, educational 
 14.23  efforts, and the creation of incentives to use nonlead tackle.  
 14.24  The commissioner may solicit and involve tackle manufacturers, 
 14.25  conservation organizations, and fishing associations in 
 14.26  cooperative efforts under this subdivision. 
 14.27     Subd. 2.  [LEAD TACKLE AWARENESS AND PUBLIC EDUCATION.] The 
 14.28  commissioner of natural resources and the director of the Office 
 14.29  of Environmental Assistance shall provide public education 
 14.30  regarding concerns about lead fishing tackle and promote the 
 14.31  availability of nonlead fishing tackle. 
 14.32     Subd. 3.  [VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION OFFICER PARTICIPATION IN 
 14.33  LEAD TACKLE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.] Conservation officers in the 
 14.34  Department of Natural Resources may provide information to 
 14.35  anglers regarding lead tackle and may provide samples of 
 14.36  lead-free sinkers and jigs. 
 15.1      Subd. 4.  [REPORT ON HEALTH HAZARDS OF HOME MANUFACTURE OF 
 15.2   FISHING TACKLE.] The commissioners of health and the Pollution 
 15.3   Control Agency may provide a report to the legislative 
 15.4   committees with jurisdiction over environmental and health 
 15.5   policies regarding the health hazards associated with the home 
 15.6   manufacture of lead fishing tackle.  The report may make 
 15.7   recommendations to mitigate the concerns associated with any 
 15.8   identifiable health hazard discussed in the report. 
 15.9      Sec. 33.  [GRANTS.] 
 15.10     The director of the Office of Environmental Assistance, in 
 15.11  consultation with the commissioner of natural resources, may 
 15.12  make grants under Minnesota Statutes, sections 115A.152 and 
 15.13  115D.04, to generators, conservation organizations, and angler 
 15.14  associations to assist in reducing the use of lead fishing 
 15.15  tackle, including grants for educational activities. 
 15.16     Sec. 34.  [REPORT.] 
 15.17     By August 1, 2005, the commissioner shall report to the 
 15.18  house and senate policy committees with jurisdiction over 
 15.19  natural resources on the results of the mourning dove season 
 15.20  authorized by this act.  The report must include a description 
 15.21  of the impact of the season on the mourning dove population in 
 15.22  the state. 
 15.23     Sec. 35.  [QUALITY DEER MANAGEMENT PILOT ZONE; YOUTH EARLY 
 15.24  SEASON FIREARMS DEER HUNT.] 
 15.25     (a) The commissioner of natural resources may establish a 
 15.26  quality deer management pilot zone, under Minnesota Statutes, 
 15.27  section 97B.311, consisting of Kittson, Lake of the Woods, 
 15.28  Marshall, Pennington, and Roseau Counties.  A person age 18 or 
 15.29  older may not take an antlered deer by firearms in the quality 
 15.30  deer management pilot zone with antlers that: 
 15.31     (1) are less than the width of the ears when the ears are 
 15.32  fully extended; and 
 15.33     (2) have fewer than four points on one side. 
 15.34     (b) The commissioner shall establish an early season 
 15.35  two-day, special firearms deer season, under Minnesota Statutes, 
 15.36  section 97B.112, for youth residents that are at least age 12 
 16.1   and under age 15 to take an antlerless deer in Kittson, Lake of 
 16.2   the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, and Roseau Counties.  The 
 16.3   two-day special season shall be established on the weekend 
 16.4   following the third Thursday in October. 
 16.5      (c) A violation related to antler size in the quality deer 
 16.6   management zone is not a crime and shall not result in a 
 16.7   penalty, but is punishable only by a warning. 
 16.8      (d) If a quality deer management pilot zone is established, 
 16.9   the commissioner shall annually report to the senate and house 
 16.10  of representatives committees with jurisdiction over natural 
 16.11  resources policy on the quality deer management pilot zone.  The 
 16.12  report must include information on the number of antlered deer 
 16.13  taken in the quality deer management pilot zone and estimates of 
 16.14  the antlered deer population in the zone, including the quality 
 16.15  of the population. 
 16.16     (e) This section expires on December 31, 2008. 
 16.17     Sec. 36.  [REPEALER.] 
 16.18     Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97B.731, subdivision 2, is 
 16.19  repealed.