1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to game and fish; prohibiting the taking of 
  1.3             white deer; amending Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 
  1.4             97B.311. 
  1.5   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.6      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 97B.311, is 
  1.7   amended to read: 
  1.8      97B.311 [DEER SEASONS AND RESTRICTIONS.] 
  1.9      (a) The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe restrictions 
  1.10  and designate areas where deer may be taken, including hunter 
  1.11  selection criteria for special hunts established under section 
  1.12  97A.401, subdivision 4.  The commissioner may, by rule, 
  1.13  prescribe the open seasons for deer within the following periods:
  1.14     (1) taking with firearms, other than muzzle-loading 
  1.15  firearms, between November 1 and December 15; 
  1.16     (2) taking with muzzle-loading firearms between September 1 
  1.17  and December 31; and 
  1.18     (3) taking by archery between September 1 and December 31. 
  1.19     (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner may 
  1.20  establish special seasons within designated areas between 
  1.21  September 1 and January 15. 
  1.22     (c) A person may not take a white deer.