2006 Minnesota Statutes

97A.095 WATERFOWL PROTECTED AREAS.
    Subdivision 1. Migratory waterfowl sanctuary. The commissioner may designate by rule
any part of a state game refuge or any part of a public water that is designated for management
purposes under section 97A.101, subdivision 2, as a migratory waterfowl sanctuary if there is
presented to the commissioner a petition signed by ten resident licensed hunters describing an
area that is primarily a migratory waterfowl refuge. The commissioner shall post the area as a
migratory waterfowl sanctuary. A person may not enter a posted migratory waterfowl sanctuary
during the open migratory waterfowl season unless accompanied by or under a permit issued by
a conservation officer or wildlife manager. Upon a request from a private landowner within a
migratory waterfowl sanctuary, an annual permit must be issued to provide access to the property
during the waterfowl season. The permit shall include conditions that allow no activity which
would disturb waterfowl using the refuge during the waterfowl season.
    Subd. 2. Waterfowl feeding and resting areas. The commissioner may, by rule, designate
any part of a lake as a migratory feeding and resting area. Before designation, the commissioner
must receive a petition signed by at least ten local resident licensed hunters describing the area
of a lake that is a substantial feeding or resting area for migratory waterfowl, and find that the
statements in the petition are correct, and that adequate, free public access to the lake exists near
the designated area. The commissioner shall post the area as a migratory waterfowl feeding and
resting area. Except as authorized in rules adopted by the commissioner, a person may not enter a
posted migratory waterfowl feeding and resting area, during a period when hunting of migratory
waterfowl is allowed, with watercraft or aircraft propelled by a motor, other than an electric motor
of less than 30 pounds thrust. The commissioner may, by rule, further restrict the use of electric
motors in migratory waterfowl feeding and resting areas.
    Subd. 3. Hunting on Muskrat Lake. The commissioner may prohibit migratory waterfowl
hunting on Muskrat Lake in Beltrami County by posting accordingly.
    Subd. 4. Swan Lake Migratory Waterfowl Sanctuary. The land described in Laws
1999, chapter 81, section 2, is designated Swan Lake Migratory Waterfowl Sanctuary under
subdivision 1.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 18; 1987 c 119 s 1; 1991 c 259 s 23; 1993 c 231 s 11; 1999
c 81 s 1; 2000 c 495 s 30; 2004 c 215 s 5-7