SF 1543

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/30/2021 09:49am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; providing for taking nuisance bear by wildlife control
operators; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 97B.415.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 97B.415, is amended to read:

97B.415 TAKING BEAR TO PROTECT PROPERTY; SPECIAL PERMIT FOR
TAKING NUISANCE BEAR.

(a) A person may take a bear at any time to protect the person's property. The person
must report the bear taken to a conservation officer within 48 hours. The bear may be
disposed of as prescribed by the commissioner.

(b) The commissioner must issue a bear control special permit according to section
97A.401 for 12 or more wildlife control operators to take nuisance bear by live trapping
and relocating the bear. When a bear is trapped and released, an enforcement officer or a
wildlife manager may approve the release location. The commissioner must provide specific
training to wildlife control operators who are issued a permit under this paragraph, including
a refresher course every five years. The commissioner may not charge a fee for the bear
control special permit or training. A wildlife control operator with a special permit issued
under this paragraph may use remote surveillance equipment to monitor live traps.