2007 Minnesota Statutes

CHAPTER 97A. GAME AND FISH

97A.001 APPLICATION OF LAWS 2005, CHAPTER 56, TERMINOLOGY CHANGES.
State agencies shall use the terminology changes specified in Laws 2005, chapter 56, section
1, when printed material and signage are replaced and new printed material and signage are
obtained. State agencies do not have to replace existing printed material and signage to comply
with Laws 2005, chapter 56, sections 1 and 2. Language changes made according to Laws 2005,
chapter 56, sections 1 and 2, shall not expand or exclude eligibility to services.
History: 2005 c 56 s 3

GENERAL PROVISIONS

97A.011 CITATION.
This chapter and chapters 97B and 97C may be cited as the "game and fish laws."
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 1

97A.015 DEFINITIONS.
    Subdivision 1. Applicability. The terms defined in this section apply to this chapter and
chapters 97B and 97C.
    Subd. 2. Angling. "Angling" means taking fish with a hook and line. An "angler" is a person
who takes fish by angling.
    Subd. 3. Big game. "Big game" means deer, moose, elk, bear, antelope, and caribou.
    Subd. 3a. Bonus permit. "Bonus permit" means a license to take and tag deer by archery or
firearms, in addition to deer authorized to be taken under regular firearms or archery licenses.
    Subd. 4. Buy. "Buy" includes barter, exchange for consideration, offer to buy, or attempt
to buy.
    Subd. 5. Camp. "Camp" means the temporary abode of a person fishing, hunting, trapping,
vacationing, or touring, while on a trip or tour including resorts, tourist camps, and other
establishments providing temporary lodging.
    Subd. 6. Chub. "Chub" means shortnose cisco, shortjaw cisco, longjaw cisco, bloater, kiyi,
blackfin cisco, and deepwater cisco.
    Subd. 7. Cisco. "Cisco" means Coregonus artedii and includes lake herring and tullibee.
    Subd. 8. Closed season. "Closed season" means the period when a specified protected wild
animal may not be taken.
    Subd. 9. Commercial fishing. "Commercial fishing" means taking fish, except minnows, for
sale.
    Subd. 10. Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of natural resources.
    Subd. 11. Condemnation. "Condemnation" means the exercise of the power of eminent
domain in the manner provided under chapter 117.
    Subd. 12. Contraband. "Contraband" means:
(1) a wild animal taken, bought, sold, transported, or possessed in violation of the game and
fish laws, and all instrumentalities and devices used in taking wild animals in violation of the
game and fish laws that are subject to confiscation; and
(2) wild rice and other aquatic vegetation harvested, bought, sold, transported, or possessed
in violation of chapter 84.
    Subd. 13. Conviction. "Conviction" means: (1) a final conviction after a trial or a plea of
guilty; (2) a forfeiture of cash or collateral deposited to guarantee an appearance of a defendant in
court, if the forfeiture has not been vacated or the court has not reinstated the trial within 15 days
after the forfeiture; or (3) a breach of a condition of release without bail.
    Subd. 14. Dark house. "Dark house" means a structure set on the ice of state waters that is
darkened to view fish in the water beneath the structure.
    Subd. 14a. Deer. "Deer" means white-tailed or mule deer.
    Subd. 15. Designated trout lake; designated trout stream. "Designated trout lake" or
"designated trout stream" means a lake or stream designated by the commissioner as a trout
lake or a trout stream under section 97C.005.
    Subd. 16. Director. "Director" means the director of any or all of the Divisions of
Enforcement, Fisheries, Wildlife, and Ecological Services unless a specific division is identified.
    Subd. 17. Division. "Division" means any or all of the Divisions of Enforcement, Fisheries,
Wildlife, and Ecological Services unless a specific division is identified.
    Subd. 18. Enforcement officer. "Enforcement officer" means the commissioner, the director
of the Enforcement Division, or a conservation officer.
    Subd. 19. Firearm. "Firearm" means a gun that discharges shot or a projectile by means of
an explosive, a gas, or compressed air.
    Subd. 20. Firearms safety certificate. "Firearms safety certificate" means the certificate
issued under section 97B.015 or an equivalent certificate issued by another state or other evidence
that meets with the requirements of section 97B.020.
    Subd. 21. Fish house. "Fish house" means a structure set on the ice of state waters to provide
shelter while taking fish by angling.
    Subd. 22. Fur-bearing animals. "Fur-bearing animals" means mammals that are protected
wild animals, except big game.
    Subd. 23. Game. "Game" means big game and small game.
    Subd. 24. Game birds. "Game birds" means migratory waterfowl, ring-necked pheasant,
ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, Canada spruce grouse, prairie chickens, gray partridge,
bob-white quail, wild turkeys, coots, gallinules, sora and Virginia rails, mourning dove, American
woodcock, and common snipe.
    Subd. 25. Game fish. "Game fish" means walleye, sauger, yellow perch, channel catfish,
flathead catfish; members of the pike family, Esocidae, including muskellunge and northern
pike; members of the sunfish family, Centrarchidae, including largemouth bass, smallmouth
bass, sunfish, rock bass, white crappie, black crappie, members of the temperate bass family,
Percichthyidae, including white bass and yellow bass; members of the salmon and trout subfamily,
Salmoninae, including Atlantic salmon, chinook salmon, coho salmon, pink salmon, kokanee
salmon, lake trout, brook trout, brown trout, rainbow (steelhead) trout, and splake; members of
the paddlefish family, Polyodontidae; members of the sturgeon family, Acipenseridae, including
lake sturgeon, and shovelnose sturgeon. "Game fish" includes hybrids of game fish.
    Subd. 25a. Guardian. "Guardian" means a legal guardian of a person under age 16, or a
person 18 or older who has been authorized by the parent or legal guardian to supervise the
person under age 16.
    Subd. 26. Hunting. "Hunting" means taking birds or mammals.
    Subd. 26a. In-the-round. "In-the-round" means fish with heads, tails, fins, skins, and scales
intact.
    Subd. 26b. Intensive deer area. "Intensive deer area" means an area of the state where
taking a deer of either sex is allowed and where multiple bonus permits are authorized.
    Subd. 26c. Immediately released or immediately returned to the water. "Immediately
released" or "immediately returned to the water" means that a fish must not be retained longer
than is needed at the site of capture to unhook, identify, measure, or photograph the fish. Placing
a fish on a stringer, in a live well, or in a cooler, bucket, or other container is not "immediately
released" or "immediately returned to the water."
    Subd. 27. License. "License" means a license or stamp issued under the game and fish laws.
    Subd. 27a. License identification number. "License identification number" means a
verification number issued under the authority of the commissioner in conjunction with the
electronic purchase of a license or stamp and valid until the license is received by the purchaser.
    Subd. 27b. Lottery deer area. "Lottery deer area" means an area of the state where taking
antlerless deer is allowed only by either-sex permit and where no bonus permits are authorized.
    Subd. 27c. Managed deer area. "Managed deer area" means an area of the state where
taking a deer of either sex is allowed and where one bonus permit is authorized.
    Subd. 28. Migratory waterfowl. "Migratory waterfowl" means brant, ducks, geese, tundra
swans, trumpeter swans, and whooper swans.
    Subd. 29. Minnows. "Minnows" means: (1) members of the minnow family, Cyprinidae,
except carp and goldfish; (2) members of the mudminnow family, Umbridae; (3) members of the
sucker family, Catostomidae, not over 12 inches in length; (4) bullheads, ciscoes, lake whitefish,
goldeyes, and mooneyes, not over seven inches long; (5) leeches; and (6) tadpole madtoms
(willow cats) and stonecats.
    Subd. 30. Minnow dealer. "Minnow dealer" means a person taking minnows for sale, buying
minnows for resale, selling minnows at wholesale, or transporting minnows for sale.
    Subd. 31. Minnow retailer. "Minnow retailer" means a person selling minnows at retail
from an established place of business.
    Subd. 32. Motor vehicle. "Motor vehicle" means a self-propelled vehicle or a vehicle
propelled or drawn by a self-propelled vehicle that is operated on a highway, on a railroad track,
on the ground, in the water, or in the air.
    Subd. 32a. Muzzle-loader season. "Muzzle-loader season" means the firearms deer season
option open only for legal muzzle-loading firearms, as prescribed by the commissioner.
    Subd. 33. Nonresident. "Nonresident" means a person who is not a resident.
    Subd. 34. Open season. "Open season" means the period when a specified protected wild
animal may be taken.
    Subd. 35. Person. "Person" means an individual only if used in reference to issuing licenses
to take wild animals, but otherwise means an individual, firm, partnership, joint stock company,
association, or public or private corporation.
    Subd. 36. Possession. "Possession" means both actual and constructive possession and
control of the things referred to.
    Subd. 37. Predator. "Predator" means a gray wolf, coyote, fox, lynx, or bobcat.
    Subd. 37a. Processing. "Processing" means rendering a species of aquatic life for food, bait,
or other purposes so that it is no longer alive.
    Subd. 38. Protected birds. "Protected birds" means all birds except unprotected birds.
    Subd. 39. Protected wild animals. "Protected wild animals" are the following wild animals:
big game, small game, game fish, rough fish, minnows, leeches, alewives, ciscoes, chubs, and
lake whitefish, and the subfamily Coregoninae, rainbow smelt, frogs, turtles, clams, mussels, gray
wolf, mourning doves, and wild animals that are protected by a restriction in the time or manner
of taking, other than a restriction in the use of artificial lights, poison, or motor vehicles.
    Subd. 40. Public access. "Public access" means an access that is publicly owned and
accessible to the public without charge.
    Subd. 41. Public waters. "Public waters" means waters defined in section 103G.005,
subdivision 15 .
    Subd. 41a. Regular firearms season. "Regular firearms season" means any of the firearms
deer season options prescribed by the commissioner that begin in November, exclusive of the
muzzle-loader season.
    Subd. 42. Resident. "Resident" means: (1) an individual who is a citizen of the United States
or a resident alien, and has maintained a legal residence in the state at least the immediately
preceding 60 days; (2) a nonresident under the age of 21 who is the child of a resident; (3) a
domestic corporation; or (4) a foreign corporation authorized to do business in the state that has
conducted a licensed business at a location within the state for at least ten years.
    Subd. 42a. Restitution value of the wild animals. "Restitution value of the wild animals"
means the total value of the wild animals taken in a violation based on:
(1) the values established under section 97A.345; or
(2) the values determined by the court under section 97A.341, subdivision 4, if the values are
not established under section 97A.345.
    Subd. 43. Rough fish. "Rough fish" means carp, buffalo, sucker, sheepshead, bowfin, burbot,
cisco, gar, goldeye, and bullhead.
    Subd. 44. Sale. "Sale" means an exchange for consideration, and includes barter, offer to
sell, and possession with intent to sell.
    Subd. 45. Small game. "Small game" means game birds, gray squirrel, fox squirrel,
cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, jack rabbit, raccoon, lynx, bobcat, red fox and gray fox, fisher,
pine marten, opossum, badger, cougar, wolverine, muskrat, mink, otter, and beaver.
    Subd. 46. Sunfish. "Sunfish" means bluegill, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, orange spotted
sunfish, longear sunfish, and warmouth. "Sunfish" includes hybrids of sunfish.
    Subd. 47. Taking. "Taking" means pursuing, shooting, killing, capturing, trapping, snaring,
angling, spearing, or netting wild animals, or placing, setting, drawing, or using a net, trap, or
other device to take wild animals. Taking includes attempting to take wild animals, and assisting
another person in taking wild animals.
    Subd. 48. Transport, transportation. "Transport, transportation" means causing or
attempting to cause wild animals to be carried or moved by a device and includes accepting or
receiving wild animals for transportation or shipment.
    Subd. 49. Undressed bird. "Undressed bird" means:
(1) a bird, excluding migratory waterfowl, pheasant, Hungarian partridge, turkey, or grouse,
with feet and feathered head intact;
(2) a migratory waterfowl, excluding geese, with a fully feathered wing and head attached;
(3) a pheasant, Hungarian partridge, turkey, or grouse with one leg and foot or the fully
feathered head or wing intact; or
(4) a goose with a fully feathered wing attached.
    Subd. 50. Undressed fish. "Undressed fish" means fish with heads, tails, fins and skins intact,
whether entrails, gills, or scales are removed or not.
    Subd. 51. Unloaded. "Unloaded" means, with reference to a firearm, without ammunition
in the barrels and magazine, if the magazine is in the firearm. A muzzle loading firearm with a
flintlock ignition is unloaded if it does not have priming powder in a pan. A muzzle loading
firearm with percussion ignition is unloaded if it does not have a percussion cap on a nipple.
    Subd. 52. Unprotected birds. "Unprotected birds" means English sparrow, blackbird,
starling, magpie, cormorant, common pigeon, chukar partridge, quail other than bob-white quail,
and mute swan.
    Subd. 53. Unprotected wild animals. "Unprotected wild animals" means wild animals
that are not protected wild animals including weasel, coyote (brush wolf), gopher, porcupine,
striped skunk, and unprotected birds.
    Subd. 54. Waters of this state; state waters. "Waters of this state" and "state waters"
include all boundary and inland waters.
    Subd. 55. Wild animals. "Wild animals" means all living creatures, not human, wild by
nature, endowed with sensation and power of voluntary motion, and includes mammals, birds,
fish, amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, and mollusks.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 2; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 2-6; 1988 c 588 s 1; 1990 c 391 art 8 s 21;
1991 c 254 art 2 s 25; 1992 c 462 s 4,5; 1993 c 269 s 4,5; 1994 c 623 art 1 s 20,21; 1Sp1995 c
1 s 15-17; 1996 c 410 s 22,23; 1997 c 216 s 77; 1997 c 226 s 12-14; 2000 c 463 s 22; 2002 c
270 s 1; 2002 c 323 s 2,3; 2004 c 215 s 1; 2005 c 104 s 1; 2005 c 146 s 6,7; 2006 c 214 s 20;
2006 c 281 art 1 s 20; art 2 s 10-16; 2007 c 131 art 1 s 19,20

97A.021 CONSTRUCTION.
    Subdivision 1. Code of Criminal Procedure. A provision of the game and fish laws that
is inconsistent with the Code of Criminal Procedure or of penal law is only effective under the
game and fish laws.
    Subd. 2. Authority of commissioner. A provision of the game and fish laws is subject to,
and does not change or modify the authority of the commissioner to delegate powers, duties,
and functions under section 84.083.
    Subd. 3. Parts of wild animals. A provision relating to a wild animal applies in the same
manner to a part of the wild animal.
    Subd. 4. Dates and open seasons. The dates specified in the game and fish laws and time
periods prescribed for certain activities or as open season are inclusive, unless otherwise specified.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 3; 1987 c 384 art 2 s 17

97A.025 OWNERSHIP OF WILD ANIMALS.
The ownership of wild animals of the state is in the state, in its sovereign capacity for the
benefit of all the people of the state. A person may not acquire a property right in wild animals,
or destroy them, unless authorized under the game and fish laws, sections 84.091 to 84.15, or
sections 17.47 to 17.498.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 4; 1991 c 309 s 13; 1996 c 410 s 58

97A.028 CROP PROTECTION ASSISTANCE.
    Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
(b) "Agricultural crops" means annually seeded crops, legumes, fruit orchards, tree farms
and nurseries, turf farms, and apiaries.
(c) "Parcel" has the meaning given in section 272.03, subdivision 6.
(d) "Specialty crops" means fruit orchards, vegetables, tree farms and nurseries, turf farms,
and apiaries.
(e) "Stored forage crops" means hay, silage, grain, or other crops that have been harvested
and placed in storage for commercial livestock feeding.
    Subd. 2. Technical assistance. The commissioner shall establish a statewide program to
provide technical assistance to persons for the protection of agricultural crops from destruction by
wild animals. As part of the program, the commissioner shall develop and identify the latest and
most effective abatement techniques; acquire appropriate demonstration supplies and materials
required to meet specialized needs; train property owners, field staff, public land managers,
extension agents, pest control operators, and others; provide technical manuals and brochures;
and provide field personnel with supplies and materials for damage abatement demonstrations and
short-term assistance and for the establishment of food or lure crops where appropriate.
    Subd. 3. Emergency deterrent materials assistance. (a) For the purposes of this
subdivision, "cooperative damage management agreement" means an agreement between a
landowner or tenant and the commissioner that establishes a program for addressing the problem
of destruction of the landowner's or tenant's specialty crops or stored forage crops by wild
animals, or destruction of agricultural crops by flightless Canada geese.
(b) A landowner or tenant may apply to the commissioner for emergency deterrent materials
assistance in controlling destruction of the landowner's or tenant's specialty crops or stored forage
crops by wild animals, or destruction of agricultural crops by flightless Canada geese. Subject to
the availability of money appropriated for this purpose, the commissioner shall provide suitable
deterrent materials when the commissioner determines that:
(1) immediate action is necessary to prevent significant damage from continuing or to
prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis; and
(2) a cooperative damage management agreement cannot be implemented immediately.
(c) A person may receive emergency deterrent materials assistance under this subdivision
more than once, but the cumulative total value of deterrent materials provided to a person, or for
use on a parcel, may not exceed $3,000 for specialty crops, $5,000 for measures to prevent the
spread of bovine tuberculosis within a five-mile radius of a cattle herd that is infected with bovine
tuberculosis as determined by the Board of Animal Health, $750 for protecting stored forage
crops, or $500 for agricultural crops damaged by flightless Canada geese. If a person is a co-owner
or cotenant with respect to the specialty crops for which the deterrent materials are provided, the
deterrent materials are deemed to be "provided" to the person for the purposes of this paragraph.
(d) As a condition of receiving emergency deterrent materials assistance under this
subdivision, a landowner or tenant shall enter into a cooperative damage management agreement
with the commissioner. Deterrent materials provided by the commissioner may include repellents,
fencing materials, or other materials recommended in the agreement to alleviate the damage
problem. If requested by a landowner or tenant, any fencing materials provided must be capable
of providing long-term protection of specialty crops. A landowner or tenant who receives
emergency deterrent materials assistance under this subdivision shall comply with the terms of
the cooperative damage management agreement.
History: 1993 c 172 s 50; 1994 c 632 art 2 s 23; 1996 c 407 s 40,41; 1997 c 216 s 78,79;
2006 c 282 art 9 s 9

97A.031 WANTON WASTE.
Unless expressly allowed, a person may not wantonly waste or destroy a usable part of a
protected wild animal.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 5

97A.035 REMOVAL OF SIGNS PROHIBITED.
A person may not remove or deface a Department of Natural Resources sign, without
approval of the commissioner.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 6

97A.037 HUNTER, TRAPPER, AND ANGLER HARASSMENT PROHIBITED.
    Subdivision 1. Interference with taking wild animals prohibited. A person who has the
intent to prevent or disrupt another person from taking or preparing to take a wild animal or
enjoyment of the out-of-doors must not disturb or interfere with that person if that person is
lawfully taking or preparing to take a wild animal. "Preparing to take a wild animal" includes
travel, camping, and other acts that occur on land or water where the affected person has the right
or privilege to take lawfully a wild animal.
    Subd. 2. Disturbing wild animals prohibited. A person who has the intent to prevent or
disrupt a person from lawfully taking the animals may not disturb or engage in an activity that
will tend to disturb wild animals.
    Subd. 3. Persons intending to harass hunters, trappers, and anglers may not remain on
land. A person who has intent to violate subdivision 1 or 2 may not enter or remain on public
lands, or on private lands without permission of the owner.
    Subd. 4. Peace officer order; penalty. A person must obey the order of a peace officer
to stop the harassing conduct that violates this section if the officer observes the conduct. For
purposes of this subdivision, "harassing conduct" does not include a landowner's or lessee's action
to enforce the Trespass Law. Violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.
History: 1989 c 287 s 1; 1998 c 401 s 33

97A.041 EXHIBITION OF WILDLIFE.
    Subdivision 1. Definition. For the purposes of this section, "wildlife" means any wild
mammal, wild bird, reptile, or amphibian.
    Subd. 2. Possession. A person connected with a commercial enterprise may not possess
wildlife in captivity for public exhibition purposes, except under permit as provided in this section.
    Subd. 3. Permit. The commissioner may issue a permit to possess wildlife for public
exhibition to an applicant qualified by education or experience in the care and treatment of
wildlife. The permit fee is $10. The commissioner may prescribe terms and conditions of the
permit. A permit issued under this section shall include a condition that allows an enforcement
officer to enter and inspect the facilities where the wildlife covered by the permit are held in
captivity.
    Subd. 4. Permit application. An application for a permit must include:
(1) a statement regarding the education or experience in the care and treatment of wildlife of
the applicant and each individual employed by the applicant for that purpose;
(2) a description of the facilities used to keep the wildlife in captivity;
(3) a statement of the number of species or subspecies of wildlife to be covered by the permit
and a statement describing where and from whom the wildlife was acquired;
(4) a signed agreement that the standards prescribed by the commissioner will be followed;
and
(5) other information requested by the commissioner.
    Subd. 5. Care and treatment. The commissioner shall adopt, under chapter 14, reasonable
standards for the care and treatment of captive wildlife for public display purposes, including
standards of sanitation.
    Subd. 6. Violation of possession standards. If a violation is found during an inspection,
the commissioner shall give the permittee notice to abate the violation within an adequate time
determined by the commissioner. If the violation has not been abated when the time expires, the
commissioner may request the attorney general to bring an action to abate the violation.
    Subd. 7. Exemption for zoos, circuses, pet shops. This section does not apply to a publicly
owned zoo or wildlife exhibit, privately owned traveling zoo or circus, or a pet shop.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 7

97A.045 COMMISSIONER, GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES.
    Subdivision 1. Duties; generally. The commissioner shall do all things the commissioner
determines are necessary to preserve, protect, and propagate desirable species of wild animals.
The commissioner shall make special provisions for the management of fish and wildlife to
ensure recreational opportunities for anglers and hunters. The commissioner shall acquire wild
animals for breeding or stocking and may dispose of or destroy undesirable or predatory wild
animals and their dens, nests, houses, or dams.
    Subd. 2. Power to protect wild animals. (a) The commissioner may protect a species of
wild animal in addition to the protection provided by the game and fish laws, by further limiting or
closing seasons or areas of the state, or by reducing limits in areas of the state, if the commissioner
determines the action is necessary to prevent unnecessary depletion or extinction, or to promote
the propagation and reproduction of the animal.
(b) The commissioner may protect a species of wild animal in the state by emergency rule
adopted under section 84.027, subdivision 13, by prohibiting or allowing taking of the animal
whether or not the animal is protected under the game and fish laws. The commissioner must
make findings of the necessity of a rule authorized under this paragraph and may authorize taking
by special permit with or without fee under conditions prescribed in the rule by the commissioner.
(c) The commissioner may protect a species of wild animal in the state by emergency
rule adopted under section 84.027, subdivision 13, by allowing importation, transportation, or
possession of the wild animal or prohibiting these activities except by special permit with or
without fee under conditions prescribed in the rule by the commissioner.
    Subd. 3. Power to modify dates of seasons. If the statutory opening date of a season for
taking protected wild animals, except a season prescribed under federal regulations, is not on
a Saturday, the commissioner may designate the nearest Saturday to the statutory date as the
opening day of the season. If the statutory closing date falls on a Saturday, the commissioner may
extend it through the following day.
    Subd. 4. Boundary waters. The commissioner may regulate the taking, possession, and
transportation of wild animals from state and international boundary waters. The rules may
include:
(1) special seasons for taking fish; and
(2) restrictions on the limits of fish that may be taken, possessed, or transported from
international boundary waters by a person possessing both a Minnesota angling license and an
angling license from an adjacent Canadian province.
    Subd. 5. Power to prescribe the form of permits and licenses. The commissioner may
prescribe the form of permits, licenses, and tags issued under the game and fish laws.
    Subd. 6. Duty to disseminate information. The commissioner shall collect, compile,
publish, and disseminate statistics, bulletins, and information related to conservation.
    Subd. 7. Duty to encourage stamp design and purchases. (a) The commissioner shall
encourage the purchase of:
(1) Minnesota migratory waterfowl stamps by nonhunters interested in migratory waterfowl
preservation and habitat development;
(2) pheasant stamps by persons interested in pheasant habitat improvement;
(3) trout and salmon stamps by persons interested in trout and salmon stream and lake
improvement; and
(4) turkey stamps by persons interested in wild turkey management and habitat improvement.
(b) The commissioner shall make rules governing contests for selecting a design for each
stamp, including those stamps not required to be in possession while taking game or fish.
    Subd. 8. Hunting and fishing license reciprocity with Wisconsin. The commissioner may
enter into an agreement with game and fish licensing authorities in the state of Wisconsin under
which Wisconsin residents owning real property in Minnesota are allowed to purchase annual
nonresident game and fish licenses at fees required of Minnesota residents, provided Minnesota
residents owning real property in Wisconsin are allowed to purchase identical nonresident licenses
in Wisconsin upon payment of the Wisconsin resident license fee. The commissioners of natural
resources in Minnesota and Wisconsin must agree on joint standards for defining real property
ownership. The commissioner shall present the joint standards to the senate and house committees
having jurisdiction over environment and natural resources matters.
    Subd. 9. Notice of rulemaking. In addition to notice requirements under chapter 14, the
commissioner shall attempt to notify persons or groups of persons affected by rules adopted under
the game and fish laws by public announcements, press releases, and other appropriate means as
determined by the commissioner.
    Subd. 10. Reciprocal agreements on violations. The commissioner, with the approval of
the attorney general, may enter into reciprocal agreements with game and fish authorities in other
states and the United States government to provide for:
(1) revocation of the appropriate Minnesota game and fish licenses of Minnesota residents
for violations of game and fish laws committed in signatory jurisdictions which result in license
revocation in that jurisdiction;
(2) reporting convictions and license revocations of residents of signatory states for
violations of game and fish laws of Minnesota to game and fish authorities in the nonresident's
state of residence; and
(3) release upon signature without posting of bail for residents of signatory states accused of
game and fish law violations in this state, providing for recovery, in the resident jurisdiction, of
fines levied if the citation is not answered in this state.
As used in this subdivision, "conviction" includes a plea of guilty or a forfeiture of bail.
    Subd. 11. Power to prevent or control wildlife disease. (a) If the commissioner determines
that action is necessary to prevent or control a wildlife disease, the commissioner may prevent
or control wildlife disease in a species of wild animal in addition to the protection provided by
the game and fish laws by further limiting, closing, expanding, or opening seasons or areas
of the state; by reducing or increasing limits in areas of the state; by establishing disease
management zones; by authorizing free licenses; by allowing shooting from motor vehicles by
persons designated by the commissioner; by issuing replacement licenses for sick animals; by
requiring sample collection from hunter-harvested animals; by limiting wild animal possession,
transportation, and disposition; and by restricting wildlife feeding.
(b) The commissioner shall restrict wildlife feeding within a 15-mile radius of a cattle
herd that is infected with bovine tuberculosis.
(c) The commissioner may prevent or control wildlife disease in a species of wild animal in
the state by emergency rule adopted under section 84.027, subdivision 13.
    Subd. 12. Establishing fees. Notwithstanding section 16A.1283, the commissioner may, by
written order published in the State Register, establish fees providing for the use of state wildlife
management area or aquatic management area lands for specific purposes, including dog trials,
special events, and commercial uses. The fees are not subject to the rulemaking provisions of
chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply.
History: 1985 c 248 s 70; 1986 c 386 art 1 s 8; 1989 c 19 s 1; 1991 c 259 s 11; 1993 c 231 s
5,6; 1993 c 269 s 6; 1995 c 233 art 2 s 56; 1Sp1995 c 1 s 18; 1997 c 226 s 15; 1Sp2001 c 2 s 104;
2003 c 128 art 1 s 49; 2005 c 146 s 8; 2006 c 281 art 5 s 1; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 79

97A.0451 AUTHORITY FOR USE OF EMERGENCY RULES PROCEDURE;
EXPIRATION OF AUTHORITY.
    Subdivision 1. When to use emergency rulemaking. When the commissioner is directed by
statute, federal law, or court order to adopt, amend, suspend, or repeal a rule in a manner that
does not allow for compliance with sections 14.14 to 14.28, or if the commissioner is expressly
required or authorized by statute to adopt emergency rules, the commissioner shall adopt
emergency rules in accordance with sections 97A.0451 to 97A.0459.
    Subd. 2. 180-day time limit. Unless the commissioner is directed by federal law or court
order to adopt, amend, suspend, or repeal a rule in a manner that does not allow for compliance
with sections 14.14 to 14.28, the commissioner may not adopt an emergency rule later than 180
days after the effective date of the statutory authority, except as provided in section 84.027,
subdivision 13 . If emergency rules are not adopted within the time allowed, the authority for
the rules expires. The time limit of this section does not include any days used for review by
the attorney general. If the 180-day period expires while the attorney general is reviewing the
rule and the attorney general disapproves the rule, the commissioner may resubmit the rule to
the attorney general after taking corrective action. The resubmission must occur within five
working days after the commissioner receives written notice of disapproval. If the rule is again
disapproved by the attorney general, it is withdrawn.
History: 1995 c 233 art 2 s 40

97A.0452 NOTICE OF PROPOSED ADOPTION OF EMERGENCY RULE.
The proposed emergency rule must be published with a notice of intent to adopt emergency
rules in the State Register, and the same notice must be mailed to all persons registered with
the commissioner to receive notice of any rulemaking proceedings. The notice must include a
statement advising the public that a free copy of the proposed rule is available on request from the
commissioner and that notice of the date of submission of the proposed emergency rule to the
attorney general will be mailed to any person requesting to receive the notice. For at least 25 days
after publication the commissioner shall afford all interested persons an opportunity to submit
data and views on the proposed emergency rule in writing. The notice must also include the date
on which the 25-day comment period ends.
History: 1995 c 233 art 2 s 41

97A.0453 NOTICE TO COMMITTEES FOR FEES FIXED BY RULE.
Before the commissioner submits notice to the State Register of intent to adopt emergency
rules that establish or adjust fees, the commissioner shall send a copy of the notice and the
proposed rules to the chairs of the house Ways and Means Committee and the senate Committee
on Finance.
History: 1995 c 233 art 2 s 42; 1996 c 305 art 3 s 8

97A.0454 MODIFICATIONS OF PROPOSED EMERGENCY RULE.
The proposed emergency rule may be modified if the modifications are supported by the
data and views submitted to the commissioner.
History: 1995 c 233 art 2 s 43

97A.0455 SUBMISSION OF PROPOSED EMERGENCY RULE TO ATTORNEY
GENERAL.
    Subdivision 1. Submission. The commissioner shall submit to the attorney general the
proposed emergency rule as published, with any modifications. On the same day that it is
submitted, the commissioner shall mail notice of the submission to all persons who requested
to be informed that the proposed emergency rule has been submitted to the attorney general. If
the proposed emergency rule has been modified, the notice must state that fact, and must state
that a free copy of the proposed emergency rule, as modified, is available upon request from the
commissioner.
    Subd. 2. Review. The attorney general shall review the proposed emergency rule as to its
legality, review its form to the extent the form relates to legality, and shall approve or disapprove
the proposed emergency rule and any modifications on the tenth working day following the date
of receipt of the proposed emergency rule from the commissioner. The attorney general shall send
a statement of reasons for disapproval of the rule to the commissioner, the chief administrative
law judge, the Legislative Coordinating Commission, and to the revisor of statutes.
The attorney general shall disregard any error or defect in the proceeding due to the
commissioner's failure to satisfy any procedural requirement imposed by law or rule if the
attorney general finds:
(1) that the failure did not deprive any person or entity of an opportunity to participate
meaningfully in the rulemaking process; or
(2) that the commissioner has taken corrective action to cure the error or defect so that the
failure did not deprive any person or entity of an opportunity to participate meaningfully in the
rulemaking process.
    Subd. 3. Costs. The attorney general shall assess the commissioner for the actual cost of
processing rules under this section. The commissioner shall include in the department's budget
money to pay the attorney general's assessment. Receipts from the assessment must be deposited
in the state treasury and credited to the general fund.
History: 1995 c 233 art 2 s 44; 1998 c 254 art 1 s 22

97A.0456 EFFECTIVE DATE OF EMERGENCY RULE.
The emergency rule takes effect five working days after approval by the attorney general.
The attorney general shall file two copies of the approved emergency rule with the secretary of
state. The secretary of state shall forward one copy of each approved and filed emergency rule
to the revisor of statutes. Failure of the attorney general to approve or disapprove a proposed
emergency rule within ten working days is approval.
History: 1995 c 233 art 2 s 45

97A.0457 PUBLICATION OF APPROVAL.
As soon as practicable, notice of the attorney general's decision must be published in the
State Register and the adopted rule must be published in the manner as provided for adopted
rules in section 14.18.
History: 1995 c 233 art 2 s 46

97A.0458 EFFECTIVE PERIOD OF EMERGENCY RULE.
Emergency rules adopted under sections 97A.0451 to 97A.0459 shall be effective for the
period stated in the notice of intent to adopt emergency rules which may not be longer than 180
days. The emergency rules may be continued in effect for an additional period of up to 180
days if the commissioner gives notice of continuation by publishing notice in the State Register
and mailing the same notice to all persons registered with the commissioner to receive notice
of any rulemaking proceedings. The continuation is not effective until these notices have been
mailed. No emergency rule may remain in effect on a date 361 days after its original effective
date. The emergency rules may not be continued in effect after 360 days without following the
procedure of sections 14.14 to 14.28.
History: 1995 c 233 art 2 s 47

97A.0459 APPROVAL OF FORM OF EMERGENCY RULE.
No approved emergency rule shall be filed with the secretary of state or published in the State
Register unless the revisor of statutes has certified that the emergency rule's form is approved.
History: 1995 c 233 art 2 s 48

97A.051 PUBLICATION OF RULES AND LAWS.
    Subdivision 1.[Repealed, 2003 c 28 art 1 s 20]
    Subd. 2. Summary of fish and game laws. (a) The commissioner shall prepare a summary
of the hunting and fishing laws and rules and deliver a sufficient supply to county auditors to
furnish one copy to each person obtaining a hunting, fishing, or trapping license.
(b) At the beginning of the summary, under the heading "Trespass," the commissioner shall
summarize the trespass provisions under sections 97B.001 to 97B.945, state that conservation
officers and peace officers must enforce the trespass laws, and state the penalties for trespassing.
(c) In the summary the commissioner shall, under the heading "Duty to Render Aid,"
summarize the requirements under section 609.662 and state the penalties for failure to render
aid to a person injured by gunshot.
    Subd. 3.[Repealed, 1989 c 155 s 5]
    Subd. 4. Rules have force and effect of law. When a rule is effective, it has the force and
effect of law. Violation of a rule has the same penalty as a violation of the law under which
the rule was adopted.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 9; 1989 c 155 s 3; 1991 c 243 s 1; 1991 c 259 s 12-14,23;
1994 c 585 s 1

97A.055 GAME AND FISH FUND.
    Subdivision 1. Establishment; purposes. The game and fish fund is established as a fund
in the state treasury.
    Subd. 2. Receipts. The commissioner of finance shall credit to the game and fish fund
all money received under the game and fish laws and all income from state lands acquired by
purchase or gift for game or fish purposes, including receipts from:
(1) licenses and permits issued;
(2) fines and forfeited bail;
(3) sales of contraband, wild animals, and other property under the control of the division;
(4) fees from advanced education courses for hunters and trappers;
(5) reimbursements of expenditures by the division;
(6) contributions to the division; and
(7) revenue credited to the game and fish fund under section 297A.94, paragraph (e),
clause (1).
    Subd. 2a. Federal aid disposition. (a) Federal aid reimbursements under the Federal Aid in
Wildlife Restoration Act, United States Code, title 16, sections 669 to 669i, shall be deposited
in the game and fish fund.
(b) Federal aid reimbursements under the Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Act, United States
Code, title 16, sections 777 to 777k, shall be deposited in the game and fish fund.
    Subd. 3. Game and fish fund fees. To reduce yearly fluctuations of the game and fish fund
balance and to provide improved long-range planning of the fund, the policy of the state is to
make fee adjustments as part of the budget process. Agency responsibilities are:
(a) The commissioner of natural resources must make specific requests for fee adjustments
for all receipt items in the game and fish fund as a part of the fee report.
(b) The commissioner of finance must review the fee report and make recommendations
for each fee. The commissioner of finance must submit a six-year projection on revenues and
expenditures to the legislature.
    Subd. 4. Game and fish annual reports. (a) By December 15 each year, the commissioner
shall submit to the legislative committees having jurisdiction over appropriations and the
environment and natural resources reports on each of the following:
    (1) the amount of revenue from the following and purposes for which expenditures were
made:
    (i) the small game license surcharge under section 97A.475, subdivision 4;
    (ii) the Minnesota migratory waterfowl stamp under section 97A.475, subdivision 5, clause
(1);
    (iii) the trout and salmon stamp under section 97A.475, subdivision 10;
    (iv) the pheasant stamp under section 97A.475, subdivision 5, clause (2);
    (v) the turkey stamp under section 97A.475, subdivision 5, clause (3); and
    (vi) the deer license donations and surcharges under section 97A.475, subdivisions 3,
paragraph (b), and 3a;
    (2) the amounts available under section 97A.075, subdivision 1, paragraphs (b) and (c), and
the purposes for which these amounts were spent;
    (3) money credited to the game and fish fund under this section and purposes for which
expenditures were made from the fund;
    (4) outcome goals for the expenditures from the game and fish fund; and
    (5) summary and comments of citizen oversight committee reviews under subdivision 4b.
    (b) The report must include the commissioner's recommendations, if any, for changes in the
laws relating to the stamps and surcharge referenced in paragraph (a).
    Subd. 4a.[Repealed, 2001 c 161 s 58]
    Subd. 4b. Citizen oversight subcommittees. (a) The commissioner shall appoint
subcommittees of affected persons to review the reports prepared under subdivision 4; review
the proposed work plans and budgets for the coming year; propose changes in policies,
activities, and revenue enhancements or reductions; review other relevant information; and make
recommendations to the legislature and the commissioner for improvements in the management
and use of money in the game and fish fund.
(b) The commissioner shall appoint the following subcommittees, each comprised of at
least three affected persons:
(1) a Fisheries Operations Subcommittee to review fisheries funding, excluding activities
related to trout and salmon stamp funding;
(2) a Wildlife Operations Subcommittee to review wildlife funding, excluding activities
related to migratory waterfowl, pheasant, and turkey stamp funding and excluding review of the
amounts available under section 97A.075, subdivision 1, paragraphs (b) and (c);
(3) a Big Game Subcommittee to review the report required in subdivision 4, paragraph
(a), clause (2);
(4) an Ecological Services Operations Subcommittee to review ecological services funding;
(5) a subcommittee to review game and fish fund funding of enforcement, support services,
and Department of Natural Resources administration;
(6) a subcommittee to review the trout and salmon stamp report and address funding issues
related to trout and salmon;
(7) a subcommittee to review the report on the migratory waterfowl stamp and address
funding issues related to migratory waterfowl;
(8) a subcommittee to review the report on the pheasant stamp and address funding issues
related to pheasants; and
(9) a subcommittee to review the report on the turkey stamp and address funding issues
related to wild turkeys.
(c) The chairs of each of the subcommittees shall form a Budgetary Oversight Committee to
coordinate the integration of the subcommittee reports into an annual report to the legislature;
recommend changes on a broad level in policies, activities, and revenue enhancements or
reductions; provide a forum to address issues that transcend the subcommittees; and submit a
report for any subcommittee that fails to submit its report in a timely manner.
(d) The Budgetary Oversight Committee shall develop recommendations for a biennial
budget plan and report for expenditures on game and fish activities. By August 15 of each
even-numbered year, the committee shall submit the budget plan recommendations to the
commissioner and to the senate and house committees with jurisdiction over natural resources
finance.
(e) Each subcommittee shall choose its own chair, except that the chair of the Budgetary
Oversight Committee shall be appointed by the commissioner and may not be the chair of any of
the subcommittees.
(f) The Budgetary Oversight Committee must make recommendations to the commissioner
and to the senate and house committees with jurisdiction over natural resources finance for
outcome goals from expenditures.
(g) Notwithstanding section 15.059, subdivision 5, or other law to the contrary, the Budgetary
Oversight Committee and subcommittees do not expire until June 30, 2010.
    Subd. 5. Pelting fees. The commissioner may pay a pelting fee to a person who recovers,
treats, preserves, or transports the pelt of a fur-bearing animal that is accidentally killed or is
lawfully taken under section 97B.655. The commissioner may adopt rules setting pelting fees
and governing their payment. The amounts necessary to pay the fees are appropriated from
the game and fish fund to the commissioner.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 10; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 7; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 85; 1993 c 172 s
51,52; 1993 c 231 s 7; 1994 c 561 s 2,3; 1996 c 364 s 1,2; 2000 c 418 art 1 s 44; 2000 c 463 s
2,3; 2000 c 488 art 3 s 26; 1Sp2001 c 2 s 105; 2002 c 376 s 6; 2003 c 112 art 2 s 50; 2004 c 228
art 1 s 21; 2004 c 255 s 27; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 95; 2006 c 281 art 2 s 17; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 80

97A.057 FEDERAL LAW COMPLIANCE; RESTRICTION ON LICENSE REVENUE.
    Subdivision 1. Compliance with federal law. The commissioner shall take any action
necessary to comply with the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, United States Code, title
16, sections 669 to 669i, and the Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Act, United States Code, title
16, sections 777 to 777k.
    Subd. 2. Restriction on license revenue. Money accruing to the state from fees charged for
hunting and angling licenses shall not be used for any purpose other than game and fish activities
and related activities under the administration of the commissioner.
History: 2002 c 376 s 7

97A.061 PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES.
    Subdivision 1. Applicability; amount. (a) The commissioner shall annually make a payment
to each county having public hunting areas and game refuges. Money to make the payments is
annually appropriated for that purpose from the general fund. Except as provided in paragraph
(b), this section does not apply to state trust fund land and other state land not purchased for game
refuge or public hunting purposes. Except as provided in paragraph (b), the payment shall be
the greatest of:
(1) 35 percent of the gross receipts from all special use permits and leases of land acquired
for public hunting and game refuges;
(2) 50 cents per acre on land purchased actually used for public hunting or game refuges; or
(3) three-fourths of one percent of the appraised value of purchased land actually used for
public hunting and game refuges.
(b) The payment shall be 50 percent of the dollar amount adjusted for inflation as determined
under section 477A.12, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1), multiplied by the number of acres
of land in the county that are owned by another state agency for military purposes and designated
as a game refuge under section 97A.085.
(c) The payment must be reduced by the amount paid under subdivision 3 for croplands
managed for wild geese.
(d) The appraised value is the purchase price for five years after acquisition. The appraised
value shall be determined by the county assessor every five years after acquisition.
    Subd. 2. Allocation. (a) Except as provided in subdivision 3, the county treasurer shall
allocate the payment among the county, towns, and school districts on the same basis as if the
payments were taxes on the land received in the year. Payment of a town's or a school district's
allocation must be made by the county treasurer to the town or school district within 30 days of
receipt of the payment to the county. The county's share of the payment shall be deposited in the
county general revenue fund.
(b) The county treasurer of a county with a population over 39,000 but less than 42,000 in
the 1950 federal census shall allocate the payment only among the towns and school districts on
the same basis as if the payments were taxes on the lands received in the current year.
    Subd. 3. Goose management croplands. (a) The commissioner shall make a payment
on July 1 of each year to each county where the state owns more than 1,000 acres of crop
land, for wild goose management purposes. The payment shall be equal to the taxes assessed
on comparable, privately owned, adjacent land. Money to make the payments is annually
appropriated for that purpose from the general fund. The county treasurer shall allocate and
distribute the payment as provided in subdivision 2.
(b) The land used for goose management under this subdivision is exempt from taxation
as provided in sections 272.01 and 273.19.
    Subd. 4. Offset of payments. Payments to a county or town under this section must be
reduced by the amount of payment to that county or town under section 477A.12 for the same
lands in the same year.
    Subd. 5. Allocation of payments. Notwithstanding section 477A.14, the amounts paid to a
county under section 477A.14 for lands that are also subject to payment under this section shall be
allocated within the county in accordance with subdivision 2.
History: 1986 c 383 s 15; 1986 c 386 art 1 s 11; 1987 c 404 s 117; 1993 c 375 art 17 s 3,4;
1994 c 561 s 4,5; 2000 c 490 art 6 s 1,2; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 96

NOTE: The amendment to subdivision 1 by Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 1,
article 2, section 96, is effective for aids paid in calendar year 2007 and thereafter. Laws 2005,
First Special Session chapter 1, article 2, section 96, the effective date.

97A.065 DEDICATION OF CERTAIN RECEIPTS.
    Subdivision 1. Fish and turtles from rough fish removal. Money received from the
sale of fish and turtles taken under rough fish removal operations is continuously available for
rough fish removal.
    Subd. 2. Fines and forfeited bail. (a) Fines and forfeited bail collected from prosecutions of
violations of: the game and fish laws or rules adopted thereunder; sections 84.091 to 84.15 or
rules adopted thereunder; sections 84.81 to 84.91 or rules adopted thereunder; section 169A.20,
when the violation involved an off-road recreational vehicle as defined in section 169A.03,
subdivision 16 ; chapter 348; and any other law relating to wild animals or aquatic vegetation,
must be paid to the treasurer of the county where the violation is prosecuted. The county treasurer
shall submit one-half of the receipts to the commissioner and credit the balance to the county
general revenue fund except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c). In a county in a judicial district
under section 480.181, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), the share that would otherwise go to the
county under this paragraph must be submitted to the commissioner of finance for deposit in the
state treasury and credited to the general fund.
(b) The county treasurer shall submit one-half of the receipts collected under paragraph
(a) from prosecutions of violations of sections 84.81 to 84.91 or rules adopted thereunder, and
169A.20, except receipts that are surcharges imposed under section 357.021, subdivision 6, to the
commissioner and credit the balance to the county general fund. The commissioner shall credit
these receipts to the snowmobile trails and enforcement account in the natural resources fund.
(c) The county treasurer shall indicate the amount of the receipts that are surcharges imposed
under section 357.021, subdivision 6, and shall submit all of those receipts to the commissioner
of finance.
    Subd. 3.[Repealed, 1994 c 561 s 28]
    Subd. 4.[Repealed, 1987 c 149 art 1 s 54]
    Subd. 5. Restitution for wild animals. Money collected from restitution under section
97A.341 for wild animals killed, injured, or possessed in violation of the game and fish laws must
be used by the commissioner for replacement, propagation, or protection of wild animals.
    Subd. 6. Deer license donations and surcharges. (a) The surcharges and donations
collected under section 97A.475, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), and subdivision 3a, shall be
deposited in an account in the special revenue fund and are appropriated to the commissioner for
deer management, including for grants or payments to agencies, organizations, or individuals for
assisting with the cost of processing deer taken for population management purposes for venison
donation programs. None of the additional license fees shall be transferred to any other agency
for administration of programs other than venison donation. If any money transferred by the
commissioner is not used for a venison donation program, it shall be returned to the commissioner.
    (b) By February 10, 2010, the commissioner shall report to the legislature on the participation
in and the effectiveness of the venison donation program.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 12; 1986 c 429 s 1; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 8; 1987 c 384 art 1 s 5;
1987 c 404 s 118; 1989 c 19 s 2; 1989 c 298 s 1; 1993 c 184 s 6; 1996 c 410 s 58; 1Sp1997 c 2 s
7; 1998 c 367 art 8 s 1; 1999 c 243 art 11 s 1; 2000 c 478 art 2 s 7; 2000 c 495 s 29; 2001 c
185 s 23; 1Sp2001 c 5 art 5 s 1; 2003 c 28 art 1 s 13; 2003 c 112 art 2 s 50; 2006 c 281 art 2
s 18; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 81

97A.071 WILDLIFE ACQUISITION ACCOUNT.
    Subdivision 1. Account established. The wildlife acquisition account is established as an
account in the game and fish fund.
    Subd. 2. Revenue from small game license surcharge and lifetime licenses. Revenue
from the small game surcharge and $6.50 annually from the lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund,
established in section 97A.4742, for each license issued under sections 97A.473, subdivisions 3
and 5 , and 97A.474, subdivision 3, shall be credited to the wildlife acquisition account and the
money in the account shall be used by the commissioner only for the purposes of this section,
and acquisition and development of wildlife lands under section 97A.145 and maintenance of the
lands, in accordance with appropriations made by the legislature.
    Subd. 2a. Use of wildlife acquisition account money. Of the money annually appropriated
and available from the wildlife acquisition account:
(1) at least 50 percent must be used for land costs; and
(2) the remainder may only be used for other land acquisition costs, development, and
maintenance of wildlife lands, and activities under subdivision 3.
    Subd. 3. Waterfowl breeding grounds in Canada. The wildlife acquisition account may
be used for developing, preserving, restoring, and maintaining waterfowl breeding grounds in
Canada under agreement or contract with any nonprofit organization dedicated to the construction,
maintenance, and repair of projects that are acceptable to the governmental agency having
jurisdiction over the land and water affected by the projects. The commissioner may execute
agreements and contracts if the commissioner determines that the use of the funds will benefit the
migration of waterfowl into the state.
    Subd. 4.[Repealed, 1994 c 561 s 28]
    Subd. 5. Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
(b) "Development" means fencing, signing, and on-site improvement of the land that
is related to the purposes for which the land was acquired. Development includes material
or equipment that is purchased or rented and labor that is necessary to provide for the onsite
improvement of the land.
(c) "Land costs" means the purchase price of land acquired by the commissioner under
section 97A.145.
(d) "Maintenance" means noxious weed control and other on-site functions performed on a
regular basis to sustain the environmental conditions that result from the original improvement
of the land.
(e) "Other acquisition costs" means acquisition coordination costs, costs of engineering
services, appraisal fees, attorney fees, taxes, assessments required at the time of purchase, and
recording fees for land acquired by the commissioner under section 97A.145.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 13; 1990 c 391 art 8 s 22; 1993 c 172 s 53; 1994 c 561 s 6-9;
2000 c 341 s 1; 2003 c 128 art 1 s 50

97A.075 USE OF LICENSE REVENUES.
    Subdivision 1. Deer, bear, and lifetime licenses. (a) For purposes of this subdivision, "deer
license" means a license issued under section 97A.475, subdivisions 2, clauses (4), (5), (9),
(11), (13), and (14), and 3, clauses (2), (3), and (7), and licenses issued under section 97B.301,
subdivision 4 .
(b) $2 from each annual deer license and $2 annually from the lifetime fish and wildlife
trust fund, established in section 97A.4742, for each license issued under section 97A.473,
subdivision 4 , shall be credited to the deer management account and shall be used for deer habitat
improvement or deer management programs.
(c) $1 from each annual deer license and each bear license and $1 annually from the lifetime
fish and wildlife trust fund, established in section 97A.4742, for each license issued under section
97A.473, subdivision 4, shall be credited to the deer and bear management account and shall be
used for deer and bear management programs, including a computerized licensing system.
(d) Fifty cents from each deer license is credited to the emergency deer feeding and wild
cervidae health management account and is appropriated for emergency deer feeding and
wild cervidae health management. Money appropriated for emergency deer feeding and wild
cervidae health management is available until expended. When the unencumbered balance in the
appropriation for emergency deer feeding and wild cervidae health management at the end of
a fiscal year exceeds $2,500,000 for the first time, $750,000 is canceled to the unappropriated
balance of the game and fish fund. The commissioner must inform the legislative chairs of the
natural resources finance committees every two years on how the money for emergency deer
feeding and wild cervidae health management has been spent.
Thereafter, when the unencumbered balance in the appropriation for emergency deer
feeding and wild cervidae health management exceeds $2,500,000 at the end of a fiscal year,
the unencumbered balance in excess of $2,500,000 is canceled and available for deer and bear
management programs and computerized licensing.
    Subd. 2. Minnesota migratory waterfowl stamp. (a) Ninety percent of the revenue from the
Minnesota migratory waterfowl stamps must be credited to the waterfowl habitat improvement
account. Money in the account may be used only for:
(1) development of wetlands and lakes in the state and designated waterfowl management
lakes for maximum migratory waterfowl production including habitat evaluation, the construction
of dikes, water control structures and impoundments, nest cover, rough fish barriers, acquisition
of sites and facilities necessary for development and management of existing migratory waterfowl
habitat and the designation of waters under section 97A.101;
(2) management of migratory waterfowl;
(3) development, restoration, maintenance, or preservation of migratory waterfowl habitat;
(4) acquisition of and access to structure sites; and
(5) the promotion of waterfowl habitat development and maintenance, including promotion
and evaluation of government farm program benefits for waterfowl habitat.
(b) Money in the account may not be used for costs unless they are directly related to a
specific parcel of land or body of water under paragraph (a), clause (1), (3), (4), or (5), or to
specific management activities under paragraph (a), clause (2).
    Subd. 3. Trout and salmon stamp. (a) Ninety percent of the revenue from trout and salmon
stamps must be credited to the trout and salmon management account. Money in the account
may be used only for:
(1) the development, restoration, maintenance, improvement, protection, and preservation of
habitat for trout and salmon in trout streams and lakes, including, but not limited to, evaluating
habitat; stabilizing eroding stream banks; adding fish cover; modifying stream channels;
managing vegetation to protect, shade, or reduce runoff on stream banks; and purchasing
equipment to accomplish these tasks;
(2) rearing trout and salmon, including utility and service costs associated with coldwater
hatchery buildings and systems; stocking trout and salmon in streams and lakes and Lake
Superior; and monitoring and evaluating stocked trout and salmon;
(3) acquisition of easements and fee title along trout waters;
(4) identifying easement and fee title areas along trout waters; and
(5) research and special management projects on trout streams, trout lakes, and Lake
Superior and portions of its tributaries.
(b) Money in the account may not be used for costs unless they are directly related to a
specific parcel of land or body of water under paragraph (a), to specific fish rearing activities
under paragraph (a), clause (2), or for costs associated with supplies and equipment to implement
trout and salmon management activities under paragraph (a).
    Subd. 4. Pheasant stamp. (a) Ninety percent of the revenue from pheasant stamps must be
credited to the pheasant habitat improvement account. Money in the account may be used only for:
(1) the development, restoration, and maintenance of suitable habitat for ringnecked
pheasants on public and private land including the establishment of nesting cover, winter cover,
and reliable food sources;
(2) reimbursement of landowners for setting aside lands for pheasant habitat;
(3) reimbursement of expenditures to provide pheasant habitat on public and private land;
(4) the promotion of pheasant habitat development and maintenance, including promotion
and evaluation of government farm program benefits for pheasant habitat; and
(5) the acquisition of lands suitable for pheasant habitat management and public hunting.
(b) Money in the account may not be used for:
(1) costs unless they are directly related to a specific parcel of land under paragraph (a), clause
(1), (3), or (5), or to specific promotional or evaluative activities under paragraph (a), clause (4); or
(2) any personnel costs, except that prior to July 1, 2009, personnel may be hired to provide
technical and promotional assistance for private landowners to implement conservation provisions
of state and federal programs.
    Subd. 5. Turkey stamps. (a) Ninety percent of the revenue from turkey stamps must be
credited to the wild turkey management account. Money in the account may be used only for:
(1) the development, restoration, and maintenance of suitable habitat for wild turkeys on
public and private land including forest stand improvement and establishment of nesting cover,
winter roost area, and reliable food sources;
(2) acquisitions of, or easements on, critical wild turkey habitat;
(3) reimbursement of expenditures to provide wild turkey habitat on public and private land;
(4) trapping and transplantation of wild turkeys; and
(5) the promotion of turkey habitat development and maintenance, population surveys and
monitoring, and research.
(b) Money in the account may not be used for:
(1) costs unless they are directly related to a specific parcel of land under paragraph (a),
clauses (1) to (3), a specific trap and transplant project under paragraph (a), clause (4), or to
specific promotional or evaluative activities under paragraph (a), clause (5); or
(2) any permanent personnel costs.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 14; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 9; 1991 c 254 art 2 s 24; 1993 c 172 s
54; 1994 c 561 s 10-12; 1996 c 294 s 1; 1996 c 364 s 3; 1997 c 216 s 80; 1997 c 226 s 16;
1999 c 249 s 11; 2000 c 341 s 2; 2002 c 376 s 8; 2003 c 128 art 1 s 51-53; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s
97; 2006 c 281 art 2 s 19
NOTE: The amendment to subdivision 1 by Laws 2006, chapter 281, article 2, section 19, is
effective July 1, 2007. Laws 2006, chapter 281, article 2, section 19, the effective date.

97A.081 POSTING LAND.
The commissioner may post land acquired for public hunting grounds, food and cover
planting areas, game refuges, wildlife lands, and conservation area lands so as to identify and
indicate the management purpose and whether hunting and trapping are allowed.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 15; 1991 c 259 s 15

97A.083 HUNTING AND FISHING ON STATE LAND.
The commissioner shall allow or prohibit hunting and fishing on state land as provided under
the game and fish laws. The commissioner shall publish information on hunting and fishing on
state land, including areas where taking wild animals is allowed or prohibited.
History: 1991 c 259 s 16

97A.085 GAME REFUGES.
    Subdivision 1. State parks. All state parks are designated as game refuges.
    Subd. 2. Establishment by commissioner. The commissioner may designate a game
refuge if more than 50 percent of the area is in public ownership. The game refuge must be a
contiguous area of at least 640 acres unless it borders or includes a marsh, or other body of water
or watercourse suitable for wildlife habitat.
    Subd. 3. Establishment by petition of land holders. The commissioner may designate a
land area or portion of a land area described in a petition as a game refuge. The petition must be
signed by the owner, the lessee, or the person in possession of each tract in the area. A certificate
of the auditor of the county where the lands are located must accompany the petition stating that
the persons named in the petition are the owners, lessees, or persons in possession of all of the
land described according to the county records. The game refuge must be a contiguous area of
at least 640 acres unless it borders or includes a marsh, or other body of water or watercourse
suitable for wildlife habitat.
    Subd. 4. Establishment by petition of county residents. The commissioner may designate
as a game refuge public waters or a contiguous area described in a petition, signed by 50 or more
residents of the county where the public waters or area is located. The game refuge must be a
contiguous area of at least 640 acres unless it borders or includes a marsh, or other body of water
or watercourse suitable for wildlife habitat. The game refuge may be designated only if the
commissioner finds that protected wild animals are depleted and are in danger of extermination,
or that it will best serve the public interest. If any of the land area in the proposed game refuge
is privately owned and the commissioner receives a petition opposing designation of the refuge
signed by the owners, lessees, or persons in possession of at least 75 percent of the private land
area within the proposed game refuge, the commissioner shall not designate the private lands as
a game refuge.
    Subd. 4a. Hearing required. Before designating a game refuge under this section, the
commissioner must hold a public hearing within the county where the majority of the proposed
game refuge exists. Notices of the time and place of the hearing must be posted in five
conspicuous places within the proposed game refuge at least 15 days before the hearing. A notice
of the hearing must be published in a legal newspaper in each county where the area is located at
least seven days before the hearing.
    Subd. 5. Game refuge for specified game. The commissioner may designate a game refuge
under this section for only specified species. The game refuge must be posted accordingly.
    Subd. 6. Area included in game refuge. A state game refuge includes all public lands,
waters, highways, and railroad right-of-way within the refuge boundary and, in the discretion of
the commissioner, may include adjacent public lands and waters.
    Subd. 7. Game refuge boundary posting. (a) The designation of a state game refuge is not
effective until the boundary has been posted with notices that measure at least 12 inches.
(b) The notices must be posted at intervals of not more than 500 feet or less along the
boundary. The notices must also be posted at all public road entrances to the refuges, except where
the boundary is also an international or state boundary in public waters. Where the boundary of
a refuge extends more than 500 feet continuously through a body of water, instead of placing
notices in the water, notices with the words, "Adjacent Waters Included," may be placed on the
shoreline at the intersection of the boundary and the water 20 feet or less above the high-water
mark and at intervals of 500 feet or less along the shoreline.
(c) A certification by the commissioner or the director of the Wildlife Division, or a
certification filed with the commissioner or director by a conservation officer, refuge supervisor,
or other authorized officer or employee, stating that the required notices have been posted is
prima facie evidence of the posting.
    Subd. 8. Modification or abandonment. A state game refuge may be vacated or modified by
the commissioner under the same procedures required for establishment of the refuge, except that
a refuge established or modified under subdivision 2 or 3 may be vacated or modified following a
public hearing as specified in subdivision 4a.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 16; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 10,11; 1992 c 462 s 6-11; 1997 c 187 art 3
s 23; 1997 c 226 s 17; 2002 c 323 s 4; 2004 c 215 s 2-4; 2006 c 281 art 2 s 20

97A.091 HUNTING ON GAME REFUGES.
    Subdivision 1. Hunting and possession of firearms. Except as provided in subdivision 2,
a person may not take a wild animal, except fish, within a state game refuge. A person may
not carry within a refuge:
(1) a firearm unless the firearm is unloaded and contained in a case, or unloaded and broken
down; or
(2) an uncased bow.
    Subd. 2. When hunting allowed. (a) The commissioner may allow hunting of a protected
wild animal species within any portion of a state game refuge, including a state park. Hunting
may be allowed under this paragraph only if the commissioner finds:
(1) the population of the species exceeds the refuge's carrying capacity;
(2) the species is causing substantial damage to agricultural or forest crops in the vicinity;
(3) the species or other protected wild animals are threatened by the species population; or
(4) a harvestable surplus of the species exists.
(b) The commissioner may allow hunting of unprotected wild animals in a game refuge.
(c) The commissioner may prescribe rules for any hunting allowed within a refuge.
(d) In any selection process for permits to take deer within a game refuge, the commissioner
may designate a certain number of permits that are available only to applicants who are age 70 or
over or are qualified for a special permit under section 97B.055, subdivision 3, or 97B.106.
    Subd. 3. Trap or target shooting. The commissioner may issue special permits, without
fee, to the owner or lessee of privately owned land within the boundaries of a state game refuge
for trap or target shooting.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 17; 1993 c 231 s 8,9; 1994 c 561 s 13

97A.092 CONTROLLED HUNTING ZONES.
The commissioner may by rule establish controlled hunting zones in areas on or adjacent to
wildlife management areas and game refuges where the commissioner determines it is necessary
to limit the distribution of waterfowl hunters. The commissioner may by rule establish conditions
for entry and restrictions on hunting in a controlled hunting zone, including procedures for
impartially selecting hunters for the zone.
History: 1993 c 231 s 10

97A.093 HUNTING, TRAPPING, AND FISHING IN SCIENTIFIC AND NATURAL
AREAS.
Except as otherwise provided by law, scientific and natural areas are closed to hunting,
trapping, and fishing unless:
(1) the designating document allows hunting, trapping, or fishing; or
(2) the commissioner allows hunting, trapping, or fishing in accordance with the procedure
in section 86A.05, subdivision 5, paragraph (d).
History: 1991 c 259 s 17; 1992 c 462 s 12; 2005 c 161 s 2

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

97A.098 TRESPASS ON FEDERAL LANDS.
A person may not enter or use a national wildlife refuge or federal waterfowl production area
in violation of federal law.
History: 1993 c 231 s 12

97A.101 PUBLIC WATER RESERVES AND MANAGEMENT DESIGNATION.
    Subdivision 1. Reserves. The commissioner may designate and reserve public waters of the
state to propagate and protect wild animals.
    Subd. 2. Management designation. (a) The commissioner may designate, reserve, and
manage public waters for wildlife after giving notice and holding a public hearing. The hearing
must be held in the county where the major portion of the waters is located. Notice of the hearing
must be published in a legal newspaper within each county where the waters are located at least
seven days before the hearing. The designation by the commissioner shall be by written order
published in the State Register. Designations are not subject to the rulemaking provisions of
chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply.
(b) The commissioner may contract with riparian owners for water projects under section
103G.121, subdivision 3, and may acquire land, accept local funding, and construct, maintain, and
operate structures to control water levels under section 103G.505 to manage designated waters.
    Subd. 3. Fishing may not be restricted. Seasons or methods of taking fish may not be
restricted under this section.
    Subd. 4. Restrictions on airboats, watercraft, and recreational vehicles. (a) The use of
airboats is prohibited at all times on lakes designated for wildlife management purposes under
this section unless otherwise authorized by the commissioner.
(b) The commissioner may restrict the use of motorized watercraft and recreational vehicles
on lakes designated for wildlife management purposes by posting all public access points on
the designated lake. To minimize disturbance to wildlife or to protect wildlife habitat, the
commissioner may restrict the type of allowable motorized watercraft or recreational vehicle,
horsepower or thrust of motor, speed of operation, and season or area of use. Designation of areas,
times, and types of restrictions to be posted shall be by written order published in the State
Register. Posting of the restrictions is not subject to the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14
and section 14.386 does not apply.
(c) Before the commissioner establishes perpetual restrictions under paragraph (b), public
comment must be received and a public meeting must be held in the county where the largest
portion of the lake is located. Notice of the meeting must be published in a news release issued
by the commissioner and in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the waters are
located. The notice must be published at least once between 30 and 60 days before the public
meeting and at least once between seven and 30 days before the meeting. The notices required
in this paragraph must summarize the proposed action, invite public comment, and specify a
deadline for the receipt of public comments. The commissioner shall mail a copy of each required
notice to persons who have registered their names with the commissioner for this purpose. The
commissioner shall consider any public comments received in making a final decision. This
paragraph does not apply to temporary restrictions that expire within 90 days of the effective
date of the restrictions.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 19; 1990 c 391 art 8 s 23; 1991 c 199 art 1 s 13; 1997 c 226 s
18; 2004 c 221 s 37; 2006 c 281 art 2 s 21

97A.105 GAME AND FUR FARMS.
    Subdivision 1. License requirements. (a) A person may breed and propagate fur-bearing
animals, game birds, bear, or mute swans only on privately owned or leased land and after
obtaining a license. Any of the permitted animals on a game farm may be sold to other licensed
game farms. "Privately owned or leased land" includes waters that are shallow or marshy, are
not actually navigable, and are not of substantial beneficial public use. Before an application for
a license is considered, the applicant must enclose the area to sufficiently confine the animals
to be raised in a manner approved by the commissioner. A license may be granted only if the
commissioner finds the application is made in good faith with intention to actually carry on the
business described in the application and the commissioner determines that the facilities are
adequate for the business.
(b) A person may purchase live game birds or their eggs without a license if the birds or
eggs, or birds hatched from the eggs, are released into the wild, consumed, or processed for
consumption within one year after they were purchased or hatched. This paragraph does not apply
to the purchase of migratory waterfowl or their eggs.
(c) A person may not introduce mute swans into the wild without a permit issued by the
commissioner.
    Subd. 2. Transfer of license. (a) A game or fur farm license is transferable with the transfer
of all or a portion of the title or leasehold of the land if:
(1) the land transferred complies with the license requirements;
(2) the land is used for the purposes of the license; and
(3) a verified written report of the existing and intended land use is made to the
commissioner, accompanied by a copy of deed, assignment, lease, or other instrument transferring
the corresponding title or leasehold in the enclosed land.
(b) A transfer of less than the whole interest in the license is not valid. Each bona fide partner
or associate in the ownership or operation of a game or fur farm must obtain a separate license.
    Subd. 3. Ownership of wild animals. All wild animals and their offspring, of the species
identified in the license, that are within the enclosure are the property of the game and fur
farm licensee.
    Subd. 3a.[Repealed, 2003 c 128 art 1 s 176]
    Subd. 3b.[Repealed, 2003 c 128 art 1 s 176]
    Subd. 4. Sale of live animals. (a) A sale of live animals from a licensed fur or game farm
is not valid unless the animals are delivered to the purchaser or they are identified and kept
separately.
(b) Live animals sold through auction or through a broker are considered to be sold by the
game farm licensee.
(c) The sale agreement or contract must be in writing. The licensee must notify a purchaser of
the death of an animal within 30 days and of the number of increase before July 20 of each year.
    Subd. 5. Sale of pelts. The commissioner shall prescribe:
(1) the manner that pelts and products of wild animals raised on fur or game farms may
be sold or transported; and
(2) the tags or seals to be affixed to the pelts and products.
    Subd. 6. Fox and mink. Fox and mink may not be bought or sold for breeding or propagating
unless they have been pen-bred for at least two generations.
    Subd. 7. Transportation of live beaver. Live beaver may not be transported without a
permit from the commissioner.
    Subd. 8. Penalty. A licensee that does not comply with a provision of this section subjects all
wild animals on the game or fur farm to confiscation.
    Subd. 9. Rules. The commissioner may adopt rules for:
(1) the issuance of game farm licenses;
(2) the inspection of game farm facilities;
(3) the acquisition and disposal of game farm animals; and
(4) record keeping and reporting by game farm licensees, including transactions handled
by auction or broker.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 20; 1987 c 121 s 1; 1987 c 404 s 119; 1993 c 231 s 13,14; 1996
c 385 art 2 s 2; 2001 c 185 s 24,25; 2002 c 373 s 28,29; 2003 c 128 art 1 s 54

97A.111 [Repealed, 1997 c 226 s 51]

97A.115 ESTABLISHMENT OF SHOOTING PRESERVES.
    Subdivision 1. Licenses; rules. A person may not operate a shooting preserve without a
license. The commissioner may issue licenses to operate commercial shooting preserves and
private shooting preserves if the commissioner determines that it is in the public interest and that
there will not be an adverse effect on wild game bird populations. Private shooting preserves
may only be located outside of the pheasant range as determined by the commissioner. The
commissioner may adopt rules to implement this section and section 97A.121.
    Subd. 2. Species available. Species that may be released and hunted in a licensed shooting
preserve must be specified in the license and are limited to unprotected birds, adult pheasant,
and bob-white quail for private shooting preserves and adult pheasant, bob-white quail, turkey,
mallard duck, black duck, and other species designated by the commissioner for commercial
shooting preserves. These game birds must be pen hatched and raised.
    Subd. 3. Size of preserve. A shooting preserve must be at least 40 but not more than
160 contiguous acres for private shooting preserves and at least 100 but not more than 1,000
contiguous acres, including any water area, for commercial shooting preserves.
    Subd. 4. Posting of boundaries. The boundaries of a shooting preserve must be clearly
posted in a manner prescribed by the commissioner.
    Subd. 5. Revocation of license. The commissioner may revoke a shooting preserve license
if the licensee or persons authorized to hunt in the preserve have been convicted of a violation
under this section or section 97A.121. After revocation, a new license may be issued in the
discretion of the commissioner.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 22; 1990 c 605 s 1; 1994 c 623 art 1 s 22; 1995 c 186 s 27

97A.121 HUNTING IN PRIVATE SHOOTING PRESERVES.
    Subdivision 1. Hunter's license. (a) A person hunting released birds in a private shooting
preserve must have the licenses required by law for hunting pheasants.
(b) A license is not required to hunt authorized game birds on a commercial shooting
preserve.
    Subd. 2. Season. (a) The open season for hunting in commercial shooting preserves is
continuous. Sanctioned registered field trials in commercial shooting preserves may be held from
April 16 to July 14 after notification to the commissioner.
(b) The open season for hunting in a private shooting preserve is September 15 until
December 31.
(c) The commissioner may restrict the open season after receiving a complaint, holding a
public hearing, and finding that the population of wild game birds is in danger by hunting in the
preserve.
    Subd. 3. Operator may establish restrictions. A shooting preserve licensee may determine
who is allowed to hunt in the preserve. In each preserve the licensee may establish the charge
for taking game, the shooting hours, the season, limitations, and restrictions on the age, sex, and
number of each species that may be taken by a hunter. These provisions may not conflict with this
section or section 97A.115 and may not be less restrictive than any rule.
    Subd. 4. Limits and marking of game birds. Except as provided in subdivision 4a, the
commissioner shall prescribe the minimum number of each authorized species that may be
released and the percentage of each species that may be taken. The commissioner shall prescribe
methods for identifying birds to be released.
    Subd. 4a. Pheasants. (a) A private shooting preserve licensed to release pheasants may
release no more than 300 adult pheasants on the licensed shooting preserve area during the private
shooting preserve hunting season. The number of pheasants harvested may not exceed 95 percent
of the number of pheasants released.
(b) A commercial shooting preserve must release at least 1,000 adult pheasants.
    Subd. 5. Marking harvested game. Harvested game, except ducks that are marked in
accordance with regulations of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, must be marked
or identified by the shooting preserve in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. The
commissioner may issue the tags or other markings at a cost of 15 cents each. The marking must
remain attached on the bird while the bird is transported.
    Subd. 6. Record keeping. A shooting preserve licensee must maintain a registration book
listing the names, addresses, and hunting license numbers, if applicable, of all hunters, the date
when they hunted, the amount and species of game taken, and the tag numbers or other markings
affixed to each bird. A shooting preserve must keep records of the number of each species raised
and purchased and the date and number of each species released. The records must be open to
inspection by the commissioner at all reasonable times.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 23; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 14; 1988 c 588 s 2,3; 1990 c 605 s 2;
1991 c 259 s 23

97A.125 WILDLIFE HABITAT ON PRIVATE LAND.
The commissioner may enter into agreements with landowners to develop or improve wildlife
habitat on private land and provide financial, technical, and professional assistance and material.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 24

97A.127 FINANCING WATERFOWL DEVELOPMENT.
The commissioner may use funds appropriated for fish and wildlife programs for the purpose
of developing, preserving, restoring, and maintaining waterfowl breeding grounds in Canada
under agreement or contract with any nonprofit organization dedicated to the construction,
maintenance, and repair of projects that are acceptable to the governmental agency having
jurisdiction over the land and water affected by the projects. The commissioner may execute
agreements and contracts if the commissioner determines that use of the funds will benefit the
migration of waterfowl into the state.
History: 1993 c 269 s 7

97A.131 GAME FARMS AND HATCHERIES.
The commissioner may acquire property by gift, lease, purchase, or condemnation and may
construct, maintain, operate, and alter facilities for game farms and hatcheries.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 25

97A.133 STATE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS.
    Subdivision 1. Establishment. State wildlife management areas are established and
designated as provided under this section. State wildlife management areas are located and named
as indicated in this section.
2000 c 485 s 16
    Subd. 2. Payment in lieu of taxes. The consolidated conservation lands included in state
wildlife management areas are subject to the payment in lieu of tax as provided in section
477A.12, paragraph (a), clause (1).
2000 c 485 s 16
    Subd. 3. All-terrain vehicle travel within designated wildlife management areas. (a) On
lands acquired by the state under chapter 84A that are designated after January 1, 1986, as wildlife
management areas, the commissioner shall, by January 15, 2004, identify, designate, and sign at
least 90 miles of all-terrain vehicle trails, not including public roads that are maintained and open
to travel by other noncommercial vehicles, in corridors of disturbance that:
(1) the commissioner determines are appropriate to connect trails, forest roads established
under section 89.71, subdivision 1, and public highways to provide reasonable travel for
all-terrain vehicles; or
(2) are areas of historic all-terrain vehicle use, including trails that end within a wildlife
management area.
The designated trails must be either within or contiguous to the wildlife management
areas. The commissioner shall consult with wildlife management area users, including both
motorized and nonmotorized trail users, in identifying and designating trails under this paragraph.
Trail establishment must be in compliance with other state and federal law. Local governments
and other trail sponsors may propose the designation of trails, including the designation as a
grant-in-aid trail for the purposes of funding under section 84.927, subdivision 2. Designation of
trails by the commissioner, authorized under this subdivision, shall be by written order published
in the State Register. Designations are not subject to the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14
and section 14.386 does not apply.
(b) The following roads shall be open to travel by all-terrain vehicles when the roads are
open to other noncommercial vehicles:
(1) the Rapid River Forest Road, beginning at the west boundary of the Red Lake Wildlife
Management Area at the southwest corner of Section 7, Township 156 North, Range 35 West,
Beltrami County, thence in an easterly and northeasterly direction through the Red Lake Wildlife
Management Area to the east boundary of the Red Lake Wildlife Management Area at the
southwest corner of Section 7, Township 157 North, Range 33 West, Lake of the Woods County;
(2) the Blanchard Forest Road, beginning at the junction of the North Shore Road along the
northern shore of Upper Red Lake and the Blanchard State Forest Road at the west section line of
Section 30, Township 155 North, Range 31 West, Beltrami County, thence in a westerly direction
to the west section line of Section 31, Township 155 North, Range 32 West;
(3) the Moose River Forest Road, beginning at the junction of Dick's Parkway State Forest
Road and the Moose River State Forest Road at the southwest corner of Section 31, Township 36
West, Range 158 North, thence in a westerly direction along the Moose River State Forest Road
to the junction of Beltrami County Road 706; and
(4) the existing west access road to the Moose River dike, which is included in meeting the
required all-terrain vehicle trail mileage specified in paragraph (a).
(c) The commissioner shall sign each road and trail designated under this subdivision
indicating the motorized uses allowed.
(d) During the regular firearms deer season, on all wildlife management area lands within the
area described in paragraph (e), a person licensed to take deer may operate an all-terrain vehicle:
(1) before legal shooting hours;
(2) after legal shooting hours; and
(3) from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
(e) Paragraph (d) applies from where State Highway No. 1 intersects the west boundary
of the Red Lake Indian Reservation, then west to State Highway No. 219, then north on State
Highway No. 219 to State Highway No. 89, then north on State Highway No. 89 to County
Highway No. 6, then east on County Highway No. 6 to County Highway No. 54 and County
Highway No. 1 (Beltrami/Marshall county line) then north along the Beltrami/Marshall county
line to Roseau county line, then east on Beltrami/Roseau county line to Dick's Parkway, then south
on Dick's Parkway to County Road No. 704, Beltrami County, then south to County State-Aid
Highway No. 44 to Fourtown, then south on State Highway No. 89 to the north boundary of the
Red Lake Indian Reservation, then west and south following the boundary of the Red Lake Indian
Reservation to where it intersects State Highway No. 1.
(f) For the purposes of this subdivision, "corridors of disturbance" means rights-of-way
such as ditches, ditch banks, transmission lines, pipelines, permanent roads, winter roads, and
recreational trails. The existence of a corridor of disturbance eligible for corridor designation may
be demonstrated by physical evidence, document recorded in the office of the county recorder
or other public official, aerial survey, or other evidence similar to the above. Cross-country
motorized use of land shall not cause that land to be considered a corridor of disturbance.
2000 c 485 s 16; 2002 c 353 s 1; 2004 c 221 s 38
    Subd. 4.Agder Wildlife Management Area, Marshall County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 5.Aitkin Wildlife Management Area, Aitkin County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 2001 c 206 s 11
    Subd. 6.Bear Creek Wildlife Management Area, Roseau County.
2000 c 485 s 16,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 7.Benville Wildlife Management Area, Beltrami County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 8.Border Wildlife Management Area, Roseau County.
2000 c 485 s 16,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 9.Carmalee Wildlife Management Area, Beltrami County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 10.Carp Swamp Wildlife Management Area, Lake of the Woods County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 11.Cedar Wildlife Management Area, Marshall County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 12.Cedarbend Wildlife Management Area, Roseau County.
2000 c 485 s 16,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 13.Clear River Wildlife Management Area, Roseau County.
2000 c 485 s 16,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 14.East Branch Wildlife Management Area, Roseau County.
2000 c 485 s 16,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 15.East Park Wildlife Management Area, Marshall County.
2000 c 485 s 16,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 16.Eckvoll Wildlife Management Area, Marshall County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 17.Elm Lake Wildlife Management Area, Marshall County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 18.Enstrom Wildlife Management Area, Roseau County.
2000 c 485 s 16,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 19.Espelie Wildlife Management Area, Marshall County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 20.Fireweed Wildlife Management Area, Beltrami County.
2000 c 485 s 16,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 21.Foote Wildlife Management Area, Mahnomen County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 22.Four Mile Bay Wildlife Management Area, Lake of the Woods County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 23.Golden Valley Wildlife Management Area, Roseau County.
2000 c 485 s 16,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 24.Graceton Wildlife Management Area, Lake of the Woods County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 25.Grayling Marsh Wildlife Management Area, Aitkin County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 26.Grygla Wildlife Management Area, Marshall County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 27.Gun Dog Wildlife Management Area, Beltrami County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 28.Hamre Wildlife Management Area, Beltrami County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 29.Hayes Wildlife Management Area, Roseau County.
2000 c 485 s 16,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 29a.Hill Lake Wildlife Management Area, Aitkin County.
2001 c 206 s 9
    Subd. 30.Huntly Wildlife Management Area, Marshall County.
2000 c 485 s 16,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 31.Killian Wildlife Management Area, Mahnomen County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 32.Kimberly Wildlife Management Area, Aitkin County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 33.Larry Bernhoft Wildlife Management Area, Lake of the Woods County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 34.Lee Wildlife Management Area, Beltrami County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 2002 c 353 s 4; 2004 c 262 art 2 s 15 subd 1
    Subd. 35.Little Willow Wildlife Management Area, Aitkin County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 36.Marbel Wildlife Management Area, Roseau County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 37.McGregor Marsh Wildlife Management Area, Aitkin County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 38.Moose River Wildlife Management Area, Beltrami County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 39.Moylan Wildlife Management Area, Marshall County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 40.Nereson Wildlife Management Area, Roseau County.
2000 c 485 s 16,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 41.New Maine Wildlife Management Area, Marshall County.
2000 c 485 s 16,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 42.Palmville Wildlife Management Area, Marshall and Roseau Counties.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 43.Prosper Wildlife Management Area, Lake of the Woods County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 44.Red Lake Wildlife Management Area, Beltrami County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 1Sp2003 c 13 s 12; 2004 c 262 art 2 s 15 subd 2
    Subd. 45.Robert Wickstrom Wildlife Management Area, Aitkin County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 46.Rocky Point Wildlife Management Area, Lake of the Woods County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 47.Roseau Lake Wildlife Management Area, Roseau County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 48.Rosver Wildlife Management Area, Roseau County.
2000 c 485 s 16,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 49.Salo Wildlife Management Area, Aitkin County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 50.Saw-Whet Wildlife Management Area, Beltrami County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 2002 c 353 s 4; 2004 c 262 art 2 s 15 subd 3
    Subd. 51.Sem Wildlife Management Area, Marshall County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 52.Sharp Wildlife Management Area, Marshall County.
2000 c 485 s 16,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 53.Skime Wildlife Management Area, Roseau County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 54.Snowshoe Wildlife Management Area, Marshall County.
2000 c 485 s 16,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 55.South Shore Wildlife Management Area, Lake of the Woods and Roseau Counties.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 56.Spooner Wildlife Management Area, Lake of the Woods County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 57.Thief Lake Wildlife Management Area, Marshall County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 58.Valley Wildlife Management Area, Marshall County.
2000 c 485 s 16,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 59.Vanose Wildlife Management Area, Mahnomen County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 60.Wabun Wildlife Management Area, Mahnomen County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 61.Wannaska Wildlife Management Area, Roseau County.
2000 c 485 s 16,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 62.Wapiti Wildlife Management Area, Beltrami County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 63.Willow Run Wildlife Management Area, Beltrami County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 64.Willowsippi Wildlife Management Area, Aitkin County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27
    Subd. 65.Wolf Trail Wildlife Management Area, Beltrami County.
2000 c 485 s 16,21,27; 2002 c 353 s 4
    Subd. 66. Vermillion Highlands Wildlife Management Area, Dakota County.
History: 2007 c 57 art 1 s 82,168

97A.135 ACQUISITION OF WILDLIFE LANDS.
    Subdivision 1. Public hunting and wildlife areas. (a) The commissioner or the
commissioner of administration shall acquire and improve land for public hunting, game refuges,
and food and cover planting. The land may be acquired by a gift, lease, easement, purchase, or
condemnation. At least two-thirds of the total area acquired in a county must be open to public
hunting. The commissioner may designate, by written order published in the State Register, land
acquired under this subdivision as a wildlife management area for the purposes of the outdoor
recreation system. Designations of wildlife management areas are exempt from the rulemaking
provisions of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply.
(b) The commissioner of administration may transfer money to the commissioner for
acquiring wildlife lands to qualify for Pittman-Robertson funds. The transferred money is
reappropriated to the commissioner for the wildlife land acquisition.
    Subd. 2. Disposal of unsuitable hunting areas. The commissioner shall sell or exchange
land acquired for public hunting that is unnecessary or unsuitable. The land may not be sold
for less than its purchase price. The land may be exchanged for land of equal value that adds
to existing public hunting areas. The sales and exchanges must be approved by the Executive
Council. This subdivision does not apply to land in a wildlife management area.
    Subd. 2a. Disposal of land in wildlife management areas. (a) The commissioner may sell
or exchange land in a wildlife management area authorized by designation under section 86A.07,
subdivision 3 , 97A.133, or 97A.145 if the commissioner vacates the designation before the sale
or exchange in accordance with this subdivision. The designation may be vacated only if the
commissioner finds, after a public hearing, that the disposal of the land is in the public interest.
(b) A sale under this subdivision is subject to sections 94.09 to 94.16. An exchange under
this subdivision is subject to sections 94.341 to 94.347.
(c) Revenue received from a sale authorized under paragraph (a) is appropriated to the
commissioner for acquisition of replacement wildlife management lands.
(d) Land acquired by the commissioner under this subdivision must meet the criteria in
section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and as soon as possible after the acquisition must be designated as
a wildlife management area under section 86A.07, subdivision 3, 97A.133, or 97A.145.
(e) In acquiring land under this subdivision, the commissioner must give priority to land
within the same geographic region of the state as the land conveyed.
    Subd. 3. Cooperative farming agreements. On any public hunting, game refuge, wildlife
management area, or scientific and natural area lands, the commissioner may enter into written
cooperative farming agreements on a sharecrop basis, without competitive bidding, for the
purpose of wildlife and plant management. Cooperative farming agreements may also be used to
allow pasturing of livestock. The agreements may provide for the bartering of a share of any crop,
produced from these lands, for services or products that will enhance or benefit the management of
state lands for plant and animal species. Cooperative farming agreements pursuant to this section
shall not be considered leases for tax purposes under section 272.01, subdivision 2, or 273.19.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 26; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 15; 1990 c 605 s 3; 1993 c 285 s 16,17;
1994 c 561 s 14; 1994 c 622 s 1; 2000 c 485 s 17; 2004 c 221 s 39; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 98

97A.137 HUNTING, FISHING, AND TRESPASSING IN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
AREAS.
    Subdivision 1. Hunting and fishing. Wildlife management areas are open to hunting and
fishing unless closed by rule of the commissioner or by posting under subdivision 2.
    Subd. 2. Commissioner may restrict entry to designated areas. The commissioner may,
by posting in accordance with section 97B.001, subdivision 4, designate areas within wildlife
management areas that are closed to entry for the purpose of providing areas where disturbance of
wildlife can be minimized. A person may not enter an area posted under this subdivision except
as authorized by rule or a permit issued by the commissioner.
    Subd. 3. Use of motorized vehicles by disabled hunters. The commissioner may issue a
special permit, without a fee, authorizing a hunter with a permanent physical disability to use a
snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle in wildlife management areas. To qualify for a permit under this
subdivision, the disabled person must possess:
(1) the required hunting licenses; and
(2) a permit to shoot from a stationary vehicle under section 97B.055, subdivision 3.
History: 1991 c 259 s 18; 1993 c 231 s 15; 2000 c 265 s 1

97A.141 PUBLIC WATER ACCESS SITES.
    Subdivision 1. Acquisition; generally. The commissioner shall acquire access sites adjacent
to public waters and easements and rights-of-way necessary to connect the access sites with
public highways. The land may be acquired by gift, lease, or purchase, or by condemnation with
approval of the Executive Council. An access site may not exceed seven acres and may only be
acquired where access is inadequate.
    Subd. 2. Acquisition; limitations. Access sites may not be acquired under this section
adjacent to public waters that are unmeandered or completely surrounded by land owned and
maintained for the purpose of an educational or religious institution. Access sites adjacent to
public waters that contain less than 200 acres within the meander lines may not be acquired by
condemnation and may only be acquired if:
(1) the public water contains at least 150 acres within the meander lines; or
(2) the public waters are to be managed intensively for fishing.
    Subd. 3. Maintenance. The commissioner shall maintain the sites, easements, and
rights-of-way acquired under this section. The commissioner may make an agreement for the
maintenance of the site easements and rights-of-way with a county board if the connecting public
highway is a county state-aid highway or county highway, or the town board if the connecting
highway is a town road. The county board and town board may spend money from its road and
bridge funds for maintenance under the agreement.
    Subd. 4. Cooperation with metropolitan governmental units. Local units of government
owning lands adjacent to public waters within the seven-county metropolitan area shall cooperate
with the commissioner to use those lands for public access purposes when identified by the
commissioner under subdivision 1. If cooperation does not occur, the commissioner may use
condemnation authority under this section to acquire an interest in the local government lands
for public access purposes.
    Subd. 5. Hunting generally prohibited. A person may not hunt on water access sites unless
allowed by rule of the commissioner.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 27; 1991 c 254 art 2 s 26; 1991 c 259 s 19

97A.145 WETLANDS FOR WILDLIFE.
    Subdivision 1. Acquisition; generally. (a) The commissioner or the commissioner of
administration may acquire wetlands and bordering areas, including marshes, ponds, small lakes,
and stream bottoms for water conservation relating to wildlife development. The lands that are
acquired may be developed for wildlife, recreation, and public hunting. The wetlands may be
acquired by gift, lease, purchase, or exchange of state lands.
(b) The commissioner may also acquire land owned by the state and tax-forfeited land that
is suitable for wildlife development. The wetlands may not be acquired unless public access by
right-of-way or easement from a public road is also acquired or available. In acquiring wetlands
under this section the commissioner shall assign highest priority to type 3 and 4 wetlands, as
defined in United States Fish and Wildlife Service Circular No. 39 (1971 edition), that are public
waters. Lands purchased or leased under this section may not be used to produce crops unless
needed for wildlife. The commissioner may designate, by written order published in the State
Register, land acquired under this section as a wildlife management area for purposes of the
outdoor recreation system. Designations of wildlife management areas are exempt from the
rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply.
    Subd. 2. Acquisition procedure. (a) Lands purchased or leased under this section must be
acquired in accordance with this subdivision.
(b) The commissioner must notify the county board and the town officers where the land is
located and furnish them a description of the land to be acquired. The county board must approve
or disapprove the proposed acquisition within 90 days after being notified. The commissioner may
extend the time up to 30 days. The soil and water conservation district supervisors shall counsel
the county board on drainage and flood control and the best utilization and capability of the land.
(c) If the county board approves the acquisition within the prescribed time, the commissioner
may acquire the land.
(d) If the county board disapproves the acquisition, it must state valid reasons. The
commissioner may not purchase or lease the land if the county board disapproves the acquisition
and states its reasons within the prescribed time period. The landowner or the commissioner may
appeal the disapproval to the district court having jurisdiction where the land is located.
(e) The commissioner or the owner of the land may submit the proposed acquisition to the
Land Exchange Board if: (1) the county board does not give reason for disapproval, or does not
approve or disapprove the acquisition within the prescribed time period; or (2) the court finds that
the disapproval is arbitrary and capricious, or that the reasons stated for disapproval are invalid.
(f) The Land Exchange Board must conduct a hearing and make a decision on the acquisition
within 60 days after receiving the proposal. The Land Exchange Board must give notice of the
hearing to the county board, the commissioner, the landowner, and other interested parties. The
Land Exchange Board must consider the interests of the county, the state, and the landowner in
determining whether the acquisition is in the public interest. If a majority of the Land Exchange
Board members approves the acquisition, the commissioner may acquire the land. If a majority
disapproves, the commissioner may not purchase or lease the land.
    Subd. 3. Management. If a drainage outlet is petitioned and drainage proceedings are
conducted under the Drainage Code, chapter 103E, the commissioner should not interfere with or
unnecessarily delay the proceedings.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 28; 1990 c 391 art 10 s 3; 2004 c 221 s 40

97A.151 LEECH LAKE INDIAN RESERVATION AGREEMENT.
    Subdivision 1. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to give recognition and effect to the
rights of the Leech Lake Band of Chippewa Indians that are preserved by federal treaty relating
to hunting, fishing, and trapping, and to the gathering of wild rice on the Leech Lake Indian
Reservation. These rights have been recognized and given effect by the decision of the United
States District Court in the following entitled actions: Leech Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, et
al v. Robert L. Herbst, No. 3-69 Civ. 65; and United States of America v. State of Minnesota,
No. 3-70 Civ. 228. The state of Minnesota desires to settle all outstanding issues and claims
relating to the above rights.
    Subd. 2. Definitions. The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
(a) "Band" means the Leech Lake Band of Chippewa Indians.
(b) "Committee" means the Reservation Business Committee of the Leech Lake Band of
Chippewa Indians.
(c) "Reservation" means the Leech Lake Indian Reservation described in the settlement
agreement.
(d) "Settlement agreement" means the document entitled "Agreement and Settlement" on file
and of record in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Third Division, in
the following entitled actions: Leech Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, et al v. Robert L. Herbst,
No. 3-69 Civ. 65; and United States of America v. State of Minnesota, No. 3-70 Civ. 228.
    Subd. 3. Ratification of settlement agreement. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other
law to the contrary, the state of Minnesota by this section ratifies and affirms the agreement set
forth in the settlement agreement.
    Subd. 4. Commissioner's powers and duties. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of any
other law to the contrary, the commissioner, on behalf of the state of Minnesota, shall take all
actions, by rule or otherwise, necessary to carry out the duties and obligations of the state of
Minnesota arising from the agreement entered into by the parties to the settlement agreement.
(b) These actions include but are not limited to the following:
(1) the implementation of the exemption of members of the band and other members of the
Minnesota Chippewa tribe from state laws relating to hunting, fishing, trapping, the taking of
minnows and other bait, and the gathering of wild rice within the reservation, together with
exemption from related possession and transportation laws, to the extent necessary to effectuate
the terms of the settlement agreement;
(2) the establishment of a system of special licenses and related license fees for persons who
are not members of the Minnesota Chippewa tribe for the privilege of hunting, fishing, trapping,
or taking minnows and other bait within the reservation. All money collected by the commissioner
for special licenses shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the Leech Lake Band
and White Earth Band special license account, which is hereby created. All money in the state
treasury credited to the Leech Lake Band and White Earth Band special license account, less
any deductions for administrative costs authorized by the terms of the settlement agreement, is
appropriated to the commissioner who shall remit the money to the committee pursuant to the
terms of the settlement agreement;
(3) to the extent necessary to effectuate the terms of the settlement agreement, the
promulgation of rules for the harvesting of wild rice within the reservation by non-Indians;
(4) to the extent necessary to effectuate the terms of the settlement agreement, the
establishment of policies and procedures for the enforcement by conservation officers of the
Conservation Code adopted by the band; and
(5) the arbitration of disputes arising under the terms of the settlement agreement.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 29; 1991 c 259 s 23

97A.155 AMENDMENTS TO LEECH LAKE INDIAN RESERVATION AGREEMENT.
    Subdivision 1. Payment in lieu of special licenses. The commissioner may enter into an
agreement with authorized representatives of the Leech Lake Band of Chippewa Indians to amend
the settlement agreement adopted by section 97A.151 by providing that in lieu of the system of
special licenses and license fees for persons who are not members of the Minnesota Chippewa
tribe for the privilege of hunting, fishing, trapping, or taking minnows and other bait within the
reservation, five percent of the proceeds from all licenses sold in the state for hunting, fishing,
trapping, and taking minnows and other bait shall be credited to the special license account
established by section 97A.151. The funds shall be remitted to the Leech Lake Band in the
manner and subject to the terms and conditions that may be mutually agreed upon.
    Subd. 2. Payment in lieu of migratory waterfowl stamp fee. The commissioner may
enter into an agreement with the Reservation Business Committee of the Leech Lake Indian
Reservation to amend the settlement agreement adopted in section 97A.151 by providing that
in lieu of collecting an additional fee in connection with the state migratory waterfowl stamp
for the privilege of hunting waterfowl on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation five percent of
the proceeds from the sale of state migratory waterfowl stamps shall be credited to the special
license account established by section 97A.151. The funds shall be remitted to the Leech Lake
Reservation Business Committee in the manner and subject to the terms and conditions provided
in section 97A.151.
    Subd. 3. Aquaculture allowed. The commissioner shall not interpret commercial fishing
in the settlement agreement in a manner that restricts aquaculture by the Leech Lake Band, or
Leech Lake Band members, that is conducted consistent with state policies, laws, and regulations
relating to aquaculture.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 30; 1990 c 502 s 3

97A.157 1854 TREATY AREA AGREEMENT.
    Subdivision 1. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to effectuate resolution of issues in
dispute between the state of Minnesota and the Grand Portage, Bois Forte, and Fond du Lac
Bands of Chippewa Indians that relate to hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering in the ceded
area described in the September 30, 1854, treaty between the Lake Superior Chippewa and the
government of the United States. This treaty was ratified by the United States Senate on January
10, 1855, and was recognized and affirmed in a subsequent treaty between the Bois Forte Band of
Chippewa Indians and the government of the United States dated April 7, 1866, and ratified by
the United States Senate on April 26, 1866. The enforcement of certain rights claimed by Lake
Superior Chippewas under these treaties has been sought in a civil action brought in the United
States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Fourth Division, that is entitled Grand Portage
Band of Chippewas, et al. v. State of Minnesota, et al., Civ. No. 4-85-1090. The state of Minnesota
desires to settle all outstanding matters relating to the above dispute.
    Subd. 2. Settlement agreement. The parties to the above named civil action have negotiated
a settlement of the dispute and have filed an executed copy of their "Memorandum of Agreement"
with the court on February 16, 1988.
    Subd. 3. Ratification of settlement agreement. The state of Minnesota, by the enactment
of this section, ratifies and affirms the Memorandum of Agreement, provided the agreement
is amended by July 1, 1988, by the addition of the following language: "Any party in the
Memorandum of Agreement may cancel this agreement upon one year's written notice to the
other parties."
    Subd. 4. Commissioner's powers and duties. The commissioner of natural resources,
on behalf of the state of Minnesota, shall take all actions, by rule or otherwise, necessary to
carry out the duties and obligations of the state of Minnesota arising from the Memorandum of
Agreement. Powers and duties provided by this subdivision apply to payment of money under the
Memorandum of Agreement only to the extent and to the amount specifically appropriated by the
legislature to carry out the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement.
History: 1988 c 525 s 1; 1991 c 259 s 23

97A.161 AGREEMENT WITH WHITE EARTH INDIANS.
The commissioner may enter into an agreement with authorized representatives of the White
Earth Band of Chippewa Indians on substantially the same terms as the agreement adopted by
section 97A.151 and amended under section 97A.155; except that the agreement shall provide that
2-1/2 percent of the proceeds from all licenses sold in the state for hunting, fishing, trapping, and
taking of minnows and other bait shall be credited to the special license account established by
section 97A.151. The funds shall be remitted to the White Earth Band in the manner and subject
to the terms and conditions that may be mutually agreed upon. An agreement negotiated under
this section shall be for a term of at least four years following the date of its execution.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 31

97A.165 SOURCE OF PAYMENTS FOR INDIAN AGREEMENT.
Money to make payments to the Leech Lake Band, the 1854 treaty area agreement, and White
Earth Band special license account under sections 97A.151, subdivision 4, 97A.155, subdivision
2 , and 97A.157, subdivision 4, is annually appropriated for that purpose from the general fund.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 32; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 86; 1994 c 561 s 15

ENFORCEMENT

97A.201 ENFORCEMENT.
    Subdivision 1. Enforcement by the commissioner. The commissioner shall execute and
enforce the laws relating to wild animals. The commissioner may delegate execution and
enforcement of the wild animal laws to the director and enforcement officers.
    Subd. 2. Duty of county attorneys and peace officers. County attorneys and all peace
officers must enforce the game and fish laws.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 33; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 16

97A.205 ENFORCEMENT OFFICER POWERS.
    An enforcement officer is authorized to:
    (1) execute and serve court issued warrants and processes relating to wild animals, wild rice,
public waters, water pollution, conservation, and use of water, in the same manner as a sheriff;
    (2) enter any land to carry out the duties and functions of the division;
    (3) make investigations of violations of the game and fish laws;
    (4) take an affidavit, if it aids an investigation;
    (5) arrest, without a warrant, a person who is detected in the actual violation of the game
and fish laws, a provision of chapters 84, 84A, 84D, 85, 86A, 88 to 97C, 103E, 103F, 103G,
sections 86B.001 to 86B.815, 89.51 to 89.64; or 609.66, subdivision 1, clauses (1), (2), (5), and
(7); and 609.68; and
    (6) take an arrested person before a court in the county where the offense was committed
and make a complaint.
    Nothing in this section grants an enforcement officer any greater powers than other licensed
peace officers.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 34; 1987 c 109 s 12; 1987 c 384 art 1 s 6; 1990 c 391 art 10 s 3;
1990 c 558 s 1; 1Sp1995 c 1 s 19; 1996 c 385 art 2 s 3; 2005 c 10 art 2 s 4; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 83

97A.211 ARREST PROCEDURES.
    Subdivision 1. Notice to appear in court. (a) A person must be given notice to appear in
court for a misdemeanor violation of the game and fish laws; chapter 84, 84D, 103E, or 103G;
sections 103F.201 to 103F.221; or section 103F.601 or 609.68 if:
(1) the person is arrested and is released from custody prior to appearing before a court; or
(2) the person is subject to a lawful arrest and is not arrested because it reasonably appears to
the enforcement officer that arrest is unnecessary to prevent further criminal conduct and that
there is a substantial likelihood that the person will respond to a notice.
(b) The enforcement officer shall prepare, in quadruplicate, a written notice to appear in
court. The notice must be in the form and has the effect of a summons and complaint. The notice
must contain the name and address of the person charged, the offense, and the time and the
place to appear in court. The court must have jurisdiction within the county where the offense
is alleged to have been committed.
    Subd. 2. Release after arrest. A person arrested for a misdemeanor violation of the game
and fish laws; chapter 84, 84D, 103E, or 103G; sections 103F.201 to 103F.221; or section
103F.601 or 609.68 may obtain release by signing the written notice prepared by the arresting
officer promising to appear in court. The officer shall deliver a copy marked "SUMMONS" to the
person arrested. The officer must then release the person from custody.
    Subd. 3. Court appearance. On or before the court appearance date, the enforcement officer
must deliver the summons and complaint to the court. If the person summoned fails to appear in
court on the day specified, the court shall issue a warrant for the person's arrest.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 35; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 17,18; 1990 c 391 art 8 s 24,25; 1996 c
385 art 2 s 4,5

97A.215 INSPECTIONS.
    Subdivision 1. Storage of wild animals. (a) When an enforcement officer has probable
cause to believe that wild animals possessed or stored in violation of the game and fish laws are
present, the enforcement officer may enter and inspect any commercial cold storage warehouse,
hotel, restaurant, ice house, locker plant, butcher shop, and other building used to store dressed
meat, game, or fish, to determine whether wild animals are kept and stored in compliance with the
game and fish laws.
(b) When an enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that wild animals taken or
possessed in violation of the game and fish laws are present, the officer may:
(1) enter and inspect any place or vehicle; and
(2) open and inspect any package or container.
    Subd. 2. Records. An enforcement officer may inspect the relevant records of any person
that the officer has probable cause to believe has violated the game and fish laws.
    Subd. 3. Licensed activity. An enforcement officer may, at reasonable times:
(1) enter and inspect the premises of an activity requiring a license under the game and fish
laws; and
(2) stop and inspect a motor vehicle requiring a license under the game and fish laws.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 36; 1987 c 169 s 1

97A.221 SEIZURE AND CONFISCATION OF PROPERTY.
    Subdivision 1. Property subject to seizure and confiscation. (a) An enforcement officer
may seize:
(1) wild animals, wild rice, and other aquatic vegetation taken, bought, sold, transported, or
possessed in violation of the game and fish laws or chapter 84 or 84D; and
(2) firearms, bows and arrows, nets, boats, lines, poles, fishing rods and tackle, lights,
lanterns, snares, traps, spears, dark houses, fish houses, and wild rice harvesting equipment that
are used with the owner's knowledge to unlawfully take or transport wild animals, wild rice, or
other aquatic vegetation and that have a value under $1,000 are subject to this section.
(b) An item described in paragraph (a), clause (2), that has a value of $1,000 or more is
subject to the provisions of section 97A.225.
(c) An enforcement officer must seize nets and equipment unlawfully possessed within ten
miles of Lake of the Woods or Rainy Lake.
    Subd. 2. Seizure of commingled shipments. A whole shipment or parcel is contraband if
two or more wild animals are shipped or possessed in the same container, vehicle, or room, or in
any way commingled, and any of the animals are contraband. Seizure of any part of a shipment
includes the entire shipment.
    Subd. 3. Procedure for confiscation of property seized. The enforcement officer must hold
the seized property. The property held may be confiscated when:
(1) the person from whom the property was seized is convicted, the conviction is not under
appeal, and the time period for appeal of the conviction has expired; or
(2) the property seized is contraband consisting of a wild animal, wild rice, or other aquatic
vegetation.
    Subd. 4. Disposal of confiscated property. Confiscated property may be disposed of or
retained for use by the commissioner, or sold at the highest price obtainable as prescribed by
the commissioner. Upon acquittal or dismissal of the charged violation for which the property
was seized:
(1) all property, other than contraband consisting of a wild animal, wild rice, or other aquatic
vegetation, must be returned to the person from whom the property was seized; and
(2) the commissioner shall reimburse the person for any seized or confiscated property that
is sold, lost, or damaged.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 37; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 19; 1Sp1995 c 1 s 20; 1996 c 385 art 2 s
6; 2006 c 281 art 2 s 22,23

97A.223 SEIZURE AND ADMINISTRATIVE FORFEITURE OF CERTAIN FIREARMS
AND ABANDONED PROPERTY.
    Subdivision 1. Property subject to seizure and forfeiture. (a) An enforcement officer
must seize:
(1) firearms possessed in violation of state or federal law or court order; and
(2) property described in section 97A.221, subdivision 1, where no owner can be determined.
(b) Property seized under this section is subject to administrative forfeiture.
    Subd. 2. Notice of seizure and intent to forfeit. When property is seized under subdivision
1, the enforcement officer shall serve any known owner and person possessing the property
with a notice of the seizure and intent to forfeit the property. The notice must be in writing,
describing the property seized, the date of seizure, and notice of the right to appeal the seizure
and forfeiture as described in subdivision 3.
    Subd. 3. Appeal; final order. Seizure and administrative forfeiture of property under
this section may be appealed under the procedures in section 116.072, subdivision 6, if the
owner or other person from whom the property was seized requests a hearing by notifying the
commissioner in writing within 45 days after seizure of the property. For purposes of this section,
the terms "commissioner" and "agency" as used in section 116.072 mean the commissioner of
natural resources. If a hearing is not requested within 45 days of seizure, the forfeiture becomes a
final order and not subject to further review.
    Subd. 4. Other remedies. The authority to forfeit firearms and other property under this
section is in addition to other remedies available under state and federal law.
    Subd. 5. Disposal of forfeited property. Forfeited property under this section may be
disposed of as contraband according to section 97A.221, subdivision 4.
History: 2000 c 466 s 1

97A.225 SEIZURE AND CONFISCATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND BOATS.
    Subdivision 1. Seizure. (a) An enforcement officer must seize all motor vehicles used to:
(1) shine wild animals in violation of section 97B.081, subdivision 1;
(2) transport big game animals illegally taken or fur-bearing animals illegally purchased; or
(3) transport minnows in violation of section 97C.501, 97C.515, or 97C.525.
(b) An enforcement officer must seize all boats and motors used in netting fish on Lake of
the Woods, Rainy Lake, Lake Superior, Namakan Lake, and Sand Point Lake in violation of
licensing or operating requirements of section 97A.475, subdivision 30, 97C.825, 97C.831, or
97C.835, or a rule of the commissioner relating to these provisions.
(c) An enforcement officer may seize all boats and motors with their trailers that are used to
take, possess, or transport wild animals when the restitution value of the wild animals exceeds
$500.
    Subd. 2. Procedure for confiscation of property seized. The enforcement officer must hold
the seized property, subject to the order of the court having jurisdiction where the offense was
committed. The property held is confiscated when:
(1) the commissioner complies with this section;
(2) the person from whom it was seized is convicted of the offense; and
(3) the conviction is not under appeal and the time period for appeal of the conviction
has expired.
    Subd. 3. Complaint against property. The commissioner shall file with the court a separate
complaint against the property held. The complaint must identify the property, describe its use in
the violation, and specify the time and place of the violation. A copy of the complaint must be
served upon the defendant or the owner of the property.
    Subd. 4. Release of property after posting bond. At any time after seizure of the property
specified in this section, the property must be returned to the owner or person having the legal
right to possession upon execution of a valid bond to the state with a corporate surety. The bond
must be approved by a judge of the court of jurisdiction, conditioned to abide by an order and
judgment of the court and to pay the full value of the property at the time of seizure. The bond
must be for $100 or for a greater amount not more than twice the value of the property seized.
    Subd. 5. Court order. (a) If the person arrested is acquitted, the court shall dismiss the
complaint against the property and:
(1) order it returned to the person legally entitled to it; and
(2) order the commissioner to reimburse the person for any seized or confiscated property
that is sold, lost, or damaged.
(b) Upon conviction of the person, the court shall issue an order directed to any person that
may have any right, title, or interest in, or lien upon, the seized property. The order must describe
the property and state that it was seized and that a complaint against it has been filed. The order
shall require a person claiming right, title, or interest in, or lien upon, the property to file with the
court administrator an answer to the complaint, stating the claim, within ten days after the service
of the order. The order shall contain a notice that if the person fails to file an answer within the
time limit, the property may be ordered sold by the commissioner.
(c) The court order must be served upon any person known or believed to have any right,
title, interest, or lien in the same manner as provided for service of a summons in a civil action,
and upon unknown persons by publication, in the same manner as provided for publication of a
summons in a civil action.
    Subd. 6. Court ordered sale after no answer. If an answer is not filed within the time
provided in subdivision 5, the court administrator shall notify the court and the court shall order
the commissioner to sell the property. The net proceeds of the sale shall be deposited in the state
treasury and credited to the game and fish fund.
    Subd. 7. Hearing after answer. If an answer is filed within the time provided in subdivision
5, the court shall schedule a hearing within ten to 30 days after the time expired for filing the
answer. The court, without a jury, shall determine whether any of the property was used in a
violation specified in the complaint and whether the owner had knowledge or reason to believe
that the property was being used, or intended to be used, in the violation. The court shall order the
commissioner to sell the property that was unlawfully used with knowledge of the owner and to
return to the owner property that was not unlawfully used with the knowledge of the owner. If
the property is to be sold, the court shall determine the priority of liens against the property and
whether the lienholders had knowledge that the property was being used or was intended to be
used. Lienholders that had knowledge of the property's use in the violation are not to be paid.
The court order must state the priority of the liens to be paid.
    Subd. 8. Proceeds of sale. After determining the expense of seizing, keeping, and selling the
property, the commissioner must pay the liens from the proceeds according to the court order. The
remaining proceeds shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the game and fish fund.
    Subd. 9. Cancellation of security interests. A sale under this section cancels all liens
on and security interests in the property sold.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 38; 1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 82; 1991 c 259 s 23; 2002 c 270 s
2; 2006 c 281 art 2 s 24,25

97A.231 SEARCH WARRANTS.
Upon complaint establishing that the complainant has probable cause to believe that a wild
animal taken, bought, sold, transported, or possessed in violation of the game and fish laws,
or contraband, is concealed or illegally kept in a place, a judge, authorized to issue warrants
in criminal cases, may issue a search warrant. The judge may direct that the place be entered,
broken open, and examined. Property seized under the warrant shall be safely kept under the
direction of the court so long as necessary for the purpose of being used as evidence in a trial and
subsequently disposed of as otherwise provided.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 39

97A.235 JURISDICTION OVER BOUNDARY WATERS.
Courts in counties having jurisdiction adjacent to boundary waters and enforcement officers
have jurisdiction over the entire boundary waters. The courts and enforcement officers of North
Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan have concurrent jurisdiction over
boundary waters.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 40

97A.241 RECIPROCITY WITH OTHER STATES IN APPOINTING OFFICERS.
    Subdivision 1. Officers of other jurisdictions as special conservation officers. With
approval of the proper authority of another state or the United States, the commissioner may
appoint any salaried and bonded officer of that jurisdiction authorized to enforce its wild animal
laws a special conservation officer of this state. A special conservation officer is subject to the
supervision and control of and serves at the pleasure of the commissioner, but may not be
compensated by this state. A special conservation officer has powers of and is subject to the
liabilities of conservation officers of this state, except as otherwise directed by the commissioner.
    Subd. 2. Officers of this state as officers of other jurisdictions. An enforcement officer or
peace officer of this state may enforce wild animal laws of another state, or the United States,
under conditions prescribed by the commissioner. The officer may serve under the laws of another
jurisdiction to the extent they are compatible with the duties of an officer of this state.
    Subd. 3. Reciprocal effect. This section is effective with respect to another state or the
United States to the extent that there is a similar provision in effect in that jurisdiction with
respect to this state.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 41

97A.245 REWARDS.
The commissioner may pay rewards for information leading to the conviction of a person
that has violated a provision of laws relating to wild animals or threatened or endangered species
of wildlife. A reward may not exceed $500, except a reward for information relating to big game
or threatened or endangered species of wildlife, may be up to $1,000 and a reward for information
relating to gray wolves may be up to $2,500. The rewards may only be paid from funds donated
to the commissioner for these purposes and may not be paid to salaried conservation officers or
peace officers.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 42; 1998 c 401 s 34; 2000 c 463 s 22

97A.251 OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICERS.
    Subdivision 1. Unlawful conduct. A person may not:
(1) intentionally hinder, resist, or obstruct an enforcement officer, agent, or employee of the
division in the performance of official duties;
(2) refuse to submit to inspection of equipment used to take wild animals while in the field,
licenses, or wild animals; or
(3) refuse to allow inspection of a motor vehicle, boat, or other conveyance used while
taking or transporting wild animals.
    Subd. 2. Civil actions. In addition to criminal prosecution, the state may bring a civil action
to recover damages resulting from and enjoin the continuance of a violation of this section. The
civil actions may be brought by the attorney general on the request of the commissioner.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 43; 2006 c 281 art 2 s 26

97A.255 PROSECUTIONS.
    Subdivision 1. Statute of limitations. A prosecution under the game and fish laws may not
be brought more than three years after commission of the offense.
    Subd. 2. Burden of proof. (a) In a prosecution that alleges animals have been taken, bought,
sold, transported, or possessed in violation of the game and fish laws, the burden of establishing
that the animals were domesticated, reared in a private preserve, raised in a private fish hatchery or
aquatic farm, taken for scientific purposes, lawfully taken, or received as a gift, is on the defendant.
(b) The commissioner may by rule prescribe the documentation or other evidence sufficient
to demonstrate lawful possession of:
(1) a wild animal received as a gift; and
(2) a wild animal taken on an Indian reservation or in another state, province, or country.
    Subd. 3.[Repealed, 1987 c 149 art 1 s 54]
    Subd. 4. Each violation a separate offense. Each wild animal unlawfully taken, bought,
sold, transported, or possessed is a separate offense. If acquitted, a person may not be prosecuted
for a similar offense involving another animal in the same incident.
    Subd. 5. Joint and several liability. When two or more people intentionally aid, advise,
counsel, conspire with, or act in concert with each other to unlawfully take, transport, or possess
wild animals when the restitution value of the wild animals exceeds $500, each person is jointly
and severally liable for the wild animals for purposes of:
(1) license seizure and revocation under sections 97A.420 and 97A.421;
(2) equipment and property seizure under section 97A.221;
(3) boat, motor, and trailer seizure under section 97A.225; and
(4) restitution under section 97A.341.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 44; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 20; 1993 c 231 s 16; 2002 c 270 s 3

PENALTIES

97A.301 GENERAL PENALTY PROVISIONS.
    Subdivision 1. Misdemeanor. Unless a different penalty is prescribed, a person is guilty of a
misdemeanor if that person:
(1) takes, buys, sells, transports or possesses a wild animal in violation of the game and
fish laws;
(2) aids or assists in committing the violation;
(3) knowingly shares in the proceeds of the violation;
(4) fails to perform a duty or comply with a requirement of the game and fish laws;
(5) knowingly makes a false statement related to an affidavit regarding a violation of the
game and fish laws; or
(6) violates or attempts to violate a rule under the game and fish laws.
    Subd. 2. Gross misdemeanor. Unless a different penalty is prescribed, a person convicted of
violating a provision of the game and fish laws that is defined as a gross misdemeanor is subject
to a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $3,000 and imprisonment in the county jail for
not less than 90 days or more than one year.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 45; 1991 c 259 s 23

97A.305 IMPERSONATION OF AN ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.
A person that purports to be acting in an official capacity and causes another to be injured
or defrauded while falsely impersonating an enforcement officer or other officer acting under
authority of the game and fish laws, or falsely claiming to have special authority under those laws,
is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 46

97A.311 LICENSES.
    Subdivision 1. Alteration of a license. A person that alters a license in a material manner
is guilty of a misdemeanor.
    Subd. 2. False statement. A person that knowingly makes a false statement related to an
application for a license, a license, or certificate, required by or issued under the game and fish
laws, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
    Subd. 3. License agent violations. A license agent that knowingly issues a license to an
ineligible person or predates a license is guilty of a misdemeanor.
    Subd. 4. License agent suspension. In addition to other penalties, a license agent that
violates a law or rule of the commissioner relating to license sales, handling, or accounting
forfeits the right to sell and handle licenses for a period of one year.
    Subd. 5. Refunds. (a) The commissioner may issue a refund on a license, not including any
issuing fees paid under section 97A.485, subdivision 6, if:
(1) the licensee dies before the opening of the licensed season. The original license and a
copy of the death certificate must be provided to the commissioner; or
(2) the licensee is unable to participate in the licensed activity because the licensee is called
to active military duty or military leave is canceled during the entire open season of the licensed
activity. The original license and a copy of the military orders or notice of cancellation of leave
must be provided to the commissioner.
(b) This subdivision does not apply to lifetime licenses.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 47; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 21; 1991 c 259 s 23; 2004 c 255 s 28

97A.315 TRESPASS.
    Subdivision 1. Criminal penalties. (a) A person that violates a provision of section 97B.001,
relating to trespass is guilty of a misdemeanor except as provided in paragraph (b).
(b) A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if the person:
(1) knowingly disregards signs prohibiting trespass;
(2) trespasses after personally being notified by the landowner or lessee not to trespass; or
(3) is convicted of violating this section more than once in a three-year period.
    Subd. 2. License revocations. (a) If a person is convicted of trespassing under subdivision 1
while exercising or attempting to exercise an activity licensed under the game and fish laws or
requiring snowmobile registration under section 84.82, the applicable license and registration
are null and void.
(b) A person convicted of a gross misdemeanor under subdivision 1, paragraph (b), may not
be issued a license to take game for two years after the conviction.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 48; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 22

97A.321 DOGS PURSUING OR KILLING BIG GAME.
The owner of a dog that pursues but does not kill a big game animal is subject to a civil
penalty of $100 for each violation. The owner of a dog that kills a big game animal is subject
to a civil penalty of $500 for each violation.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 49; 2006 c 281 art 2 s 27

97A.325 PENALTIES FOR UNLAWFULLY BUYING OR SELLING WILD ANIMALS.
    Subdivision 1. Gross misdemeanor for sales of $300 or more. (a) A person that buys or
sells protected wild animals in violation of the game and fish laws where the sales total $300 or
more is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. The person is subject to the penalty in section 97A.301,
subdivision 2 , except that the fine may not be less than $3,000 or more than $10,000.
(b) Licenses possessed by a person convicted under this subdivision are null and void and the
person may not take wild animals for three years after the conviction.
    Subd. 2. Deer; bear; moose; elk; caribou. Except as provided in subdivision 1, a person
that violates a provision of the game and fish laws relating to buying or selling deer, bear, moose,
elk, or caribou is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
    Subd. 3. Small game and game fish. Except as provided in subdivision 1, a person that buys
or sells small game or game fish in violation of the game and fish laws where the sales total
$50 or more is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
    Subd. 4. Fur-bearing animals. Except as provided in subdivision 1, a person that buys
fur-bearing animals in violation of the game and fish laws is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 50; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 23; 1991 c 254 art 2 s 27

97A.331 PENALTIES RELATED TO HUNTING.
    Subdivision 1. Hunting while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. A
person that violates the provision of section 97B.065 relating to hunting while under the influence
of alcohol or a controlled substance is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
    Subd. 2. Shining. A person that violates section 97B.081, relating to the use of an artificial
light to locate wild animals while in possession of a firearm, bow, or other implement capable of
killing big game is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
    Subd. 3. Transporting illegal big game. A person that knowingly transports big game taken
in violation of the game and fish laws is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
    Subd. 4. Taking and possessing big game out of season. A person that takes or illegally
possesses big game during the closed season is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
    Subd. 5. Moose; elk; caribou. A person that unlawfully takes, transports, or possesses
moose, elk, or caribou in violation of the game and fish laws is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
    Subd. 6. Pine marten; otter; fisher; wolverine. A person that takes, transports, or possesses
pine marten, otter, fisher, or wolverine in violation of the game and fish laws is guilty of a
gross misdemeanor.
    Subd. 7. Gray wolf. A person who takes, harasses, destroys, buys, sells, possesses, transports,
or ships a gray wolf in violation of the game and fish laws is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 51; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 24; 2000 c 463 s 4

97A.335 PENALTIES RELATED TO FISHING.
    Subdivision 1. Taking fish with illegal devices or substances. A person that takes fish with
devices, chemicals or substances in violation of section 97C.325, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
    Subd. 2. Illegally taking or possessing muskellunge. A person who takes or possesses a
muskellunge in violation of the game and fish laws is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a
fine of up to $1,000.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 52

97A.338 GROSS OVERLIMITS OF WILD ANIMALS; PENALTY.
A person who takes, possesses, or transports wild animals over the legal limit, in closed
season, or without a valid license, when the restitution value of the wild animals is over $1,000 is
guilty of a gross overlimit violation. A violation under this section is a gross misdemeanor.
History: 2002 c 270 s 4

97A.341 RESTITUTION FOR WILD ANIMALS ILLEGALLY TAKEN.
    Subdivision 1. Liability for restitution. A person who kills, injures, or possesses a wild
animal in violation of the game and fish laws is liable to the state for the value of the wild animal
as provided in this section. Species afforded protection include members of the following groups
as defined by statute or rule: game fish, game birds, big game, small game, fur-bearing animals,
minnows, and threatened and endangered animal species. Other animal species may be added by
rule of the commissioner as determined after public meetings and notification of the chairs of the
environment and natural resources committees in the senate and house of representatives.
    Subd. 2. Arrest and charging procedure. (a) An enforcement officer who arrests a person
for killing, injuring, or possessing a wild animal in violation of the game and fish laws must
describe the number, species, and restitution value of wild animals illegally killed, injured, or
possessed on the warrant or the notice to appear in court.
(b) As part of the charge against a person arrested for killing, injuring, or possessing a wild
animal in violation of the game and fish laws, the prosecuting attorney must include a demand that
restitution be made to the state for the value of the wild animal killed, injured, or possessed. The
demand for restitution is in addition to the criminal penalties otherwise provided for the violation.
    Subd. 3. Sentencing procedure. If a person is convicted of or pleads guilty to killing,
injuring, or possessing a wild animal in violation of the game and fish laws, the court must
require the person to pay restitution to the state for replacement of the wild animal as part of
the sentence or state in writing why restitution was not imposed. The court may consider the
economic circumstances of the person and, in lieu of monetary restitution, order the person to
perform conservation work representing the amount of restitution that will aid the propagation of
wild animals. If the court does not order a person to pay restitution, the court administrator must
send a copy of the court order to the commissioner.
    Subd. 4. Amount of restitution. The amount of restitution shall be determined by the court
by a preponderance of the evidence. In determining the amount of restitution, the court must
consider the value of the wild animal under section 97A.345.
    Subd. 5. Restitution credited to game and fish fund. The court administrator shall forward
restitution collected under this section to the commissioner of finance and the commissioner shall
credit all money forwarded to the game and fish fund in the state treasury.
History: 1989 c 298 s 2; 1991 c 259 s 23

97A.345 RESTITUTION VALUE OF WILD ANIMALS.
(a) The commissioner may, by rules adopted under chapter 14, prescribe the dollar value to
the state of species of wild animals. The value may reflect the value to other persons to legally
take the wild animal, the replacement cost, or the intrinsic value to the state of the wild animals.
Species of wild animals with similar values may be grouped together.
(b) The value of a wild animal under the rules adopted by the commissioner is prima facie
evidence of a wild animal's value under section 97A.341.
(c) The commissioner shall report annually to the legislature the amount of restitution
collected under section 97A.341 and the manner in which the funds were expended.
History: 1989 c 298 s 3

LICENSES AND PERMITS

97A.401 SPECIAL PERMITS.
    Subdivision 1. Commissioner's authority. The commissioner may issue special permits for
the activities in this section.
    Subd. 2. Zoological specimen collecting. Special permits may be issued without a fee to
municipalities, incorporated natural history societies, high schools, colleges, and universities
that maintain a zoological collection, to collect specimens of eggs, nests, and wild animals for
scientific or exhibition purposes.
    Subd. 3. Taking, possessing, and transporting wild animals for certain purposes. (a)
Except as provided in paragraph (b), special permits may be issued without a fee to take, possess,
and transport wild animals as pets and for scientific, educational, rehabilitative, wildlife disease
prevention and control, and exhibition purposes. The commissioner shall prescribe the conditions
for taking, possessing, transporting, and disposing of the wild animals.
(b) A special permit may not be issued to take or possess wild or native deer for exhibition,
propagation, or as pets.
    Subd. 4. Taking wild animals from game refuges, wildlife management, and other areas.
Special permits may be issued, with or without a fee, to take a wild animal from game refuges,
wildlife management areas, state parks, controlled hunting zones, and other areas of the state that
the commissioner may open for the taking of a wild animal during a special season or subject to
special restrictions. In addition, an application fee may be charged for a special permit. Local
units of government may charge an administrative fee in connection with special hunts under their
jurisdiction. Fees to be collected shall be based upon the estimated cost of conducting the special
season or administering the special restrictions.
    Subd. 5. Wild animals damaging property. Special permits may be issued with or without
a fee to take protected wild animals or to remove or destroy their dens, nests, eggs, houses, or
dams for the purpose of preventing or reducing damage or injury to people, property, agricultural
crops, or other interests. The commissioner may prescribe rules for taking Canada geese and their
nests and eggs, with or without a permit, consistent with federal regulations.
    Subd. 6. Endangered muskrats. Special permits may be issued with or without a fee to
take muskrats in danger of freezing out or starving in the winter.
    Subd. 7. Raptors. The commissioner shall prescribe conditions and may issue permits for
persons to breed, propagate, and sell raptors.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 53; 1986 c 450 s 2; 1989 c 287 s 2; 1993 c 231 s 17; 1Sp1995 c
1 s 21; 1996 c 410 s 24; 2003 c 128 art 1 s 55; 2005 c 146 s 9; 2007 c 131 art 1 s 21

97A.405 LICENSE REQUIREMENTS.
    Subdivision 1. Protected wild animals. Unless allowed under the game and fish laws, a
person may not take, buy, sell, transport, or possess protected wild animals of this state without
a license.
    Subd. 2. Personal possession. (a) A person acting under a license or traveling from an area
where a licensed activity was performed must have in personal possession either: (1) the proper
license, if the license has been issued to and received by the person; or (2) the proper license
identification number or stamp validation, if the license has been sold to the person by electronic
means but the actual license has not been issued and received.
    (b) If possession of a license or a license identification number is required, a person must
exhibit, as requested by a conservation officer or peace officer, either: (1) the proper license if
the license has been issued to and received by the person; or (2) the proper license identification
number or stamp validation and a valid state driver's license, state identification card, or other
form of identification provided by the commissioner, if the license has been sold to the person by
electronic means but the actual license has not been issued and received. A person charged with
violating the license possession requirement shall not be convicted if the person produces in court
or the office of the arresting officer, the actual license previously issued to that person, which
was valid at the time of arrest, or satisfactory proof that at the time of the arrest the person was
validly licensed. Upon request of a conservation officer or peace officer, a licensee shall write the
licensee's name in the presence of the officer to determine the identity of the licensee.
    (c) If the actual license has been issued and received, a receipt for license fees, a copy of a
license, or evidence showing the issuance of a license, including the license identification number
or stamp validation, does not entitle a licensee to exercise the rights or privileges conferred by
a license.
    (d) A license issued electronically and not immediately provided to the licensee shall be
mailed to the licensee within 30 days of purchase of the license. A pictorial turkey, migratory
waterfowl, pheasant, or trout and salmon stamp shall be provided to the licensee after purchase of
a stamp validation only if the licensee pays an additional $2 fee.
    Subd. 3. Duplicate licenses. The commissioner shall prescribe rules for issuing duplicate
licenses to persons whose licenses are lost or destroyed. A duplicate license may not be issued
unless the applicant takes an oath covering the facts of loss or destruction of the license.
    Subd. 4. Replacement licenses. (a) The commissioner may permit licensed deer hunters to
change zone, license, or season options. The commissioner may issue a replacement license if
the applicant submits the original deer license and unused tags that are being replaced and the
applicant pays any increase in cost between the original and the replacement license. A refund of
the difference in fees may be issued when a person changes from a regular deer license to a youth
deer license. When a person submits both an archery and a firearms license for replacement, the
commissioner may apply the value of both licenses towards the replacement license fee.
    (b) A replacement license may be issued only if the applicant has not used any tag from the
original license or licenses and meets the conditions of paragraph (c). The original license or
licenses and all unused tags for the licenses being replaced must be submitted to the issuing agent
at the time the replacement license is issued.
    (c) A replacement license may be issued under the following conditions, or as otherwise
prescribed by rule of the commissioner:
    (1) when the season for the license being surrendered has not yet opened;
    (2) when the person is upgrading from a regular firearms or archery deer license to an all
season deer license;
    (3) when the person is upgrading from a regular firearms license to a multizone deer license;
or
    (4) when the person is changing from a regular firearms deer license to a youth deer license.
    (d) Notwithstanding section 97A.411, subdivision 3, a replacement license is valid
immediately upon issuance if the license being surrendered is valid at that time.
    Subd. 5. Resident licenses. To obtain a resident license, a resident 21 years of age or older
must:
(1) possess a current Minnesota driver's license;
(2) possess a current identification card issued by the commissioner of public safety; or
(3) present evidence showing proof of residency in cases when clause (1) or (2) would
violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, Public Law 103-141.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 54; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 25; 1997 c 216 s 81; 2000 c 495 s 31;
1Sp2001 c 2 s 106; 2005 c 146 s 10,11; 2006 c 281 art 2 s 28; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 84; 2007
c 131 art 1 s 22,23

97A.411 VALIDITY OF LICENSES.
    Subdivision 1. License period. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (d), and (e), a
license is valid during the lawful time within the license year that the licensed activity may be
performed. Except as provided in paragraph (c), a license year begins on the first day of March
and ends on the last day of February.
    (b) A license issued under section 97A.475, subdivision 6, clause (5), 97A.475, subdivision
7 , clause (2), (3), (5), or (6), or 97A.475, subdivision 12, clause (2), is valid for the full license
period even if this period extends into the next license year, provided that the license period
selected by the licensee begins at the time of issuance.
    (c) The license year for resident fishing, the angling portion of a sporting license, nonresident
fishing, resident fish house, resident dark house, and nonresident fish house begins on March 1
and ends on April 30 of the following year.
    (d) A lifetime license issued under section 97A.473 or 97A.474 is valid during the lawful time
within the license year that the licensed activity may be performed for the lifetime of the licensee.
    (e) A three-year fish house or dark house license is valid during the license year that it is
purchased and the two succeeding license years.
    Subd. 2. Signature on stamps. A migratory waterfowl or pheasant stamp issued under the
game and fish laws must be signed by the licensee across the front of the stamp to be valid.
    Subd. 3. Deer license. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), a license to take deer
by archery, firearms, or muzzleloader issued after the opening of the related archery, firearms, or
muzzleloader deer season, respectively, is not valid until the second day after it is issued.
(b) The commissioner may issue a license to take additional deer under section 97B.301,
subdivision 4 , that is valid immediately upon issuance.
(c) Paragraph (a) does not apply to deer licenses for discharged military personnel under
section 97A.465, subdivision 4.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 55; 1992 c 462 s 13; 1996 c 410 s 25; 1997 c 226 s 19,20; 1998
c 252 s 1; 2000 c 341 s 3; 1Sp2001 c 2 s 107; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 85; 2007 c 131 art 1 s 24

97A.415 LICENSE RESTRICTIONS.
    Subdivision 1. One license per person. Only one trapping and big game license of each kind
may be issued to a person in a license year unless authorized by commissioner's rule.
    Subd. 2. Transfer prohibited. A person may not lend, transfer, borrow, or solicit a license or
permit, license identification number, application for a license or permit, coupon, tag, or seal,
or use a license, permit, license identification number, coupon, tag, or seal not issued to the
person unless otherwise expressly authorized.
    Subd. 3. Nonresidents. Nonresidents may not obtain a license for an activity unless the
activity is expressly authorized for nonresidents.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 56; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 26; 1991 c 259 s 23; 1993 c 231 s 18;
1997 c 216 s 82

97A.418 PERMIT RULES.
Wherever the game and fish laws specifically provide for the issuance of a permit by the
commissioner, the commissioner may do the following in accordance with criteria and procedures
established in rules adopted by the commissioner:
(1) issue a permit with reasonable conditions; and
(2) deny, modify, suspend, or revoke a permit for cause, including violation of the game and
fish laws or rules adopted thereunder.
History: 1993 c 231 s 19

97A.420 SEIZURE OF LICENSES.
    Subdivision 1. Seizure. (a) An enforcement officer shall immediately seize the license of a
person who unlawfully takes, transports, or possesses wild animals when the restitution value of
the wild animals exceeds $500. Except as provided in subdivisions 2, 4, and 5, the person may not
obtain any license to take the same type of wild animals involved, including a duplicate license,
until an action is taken under subdivision 6.
(b) In addition to the license seizure under paragraph (a), if the restitution value of the wild
animals unlawfully taken, possessed, or transported is $5,000 or more, all other game and fish
licenses held by the person shall be immediately seized. Except as provided in subdivision 2, 4, or
5, the person may not obtain any game or fish license or permit, including a duplicate license,
until an action is taken under subdivision 6.
(c) A person may not take wild animals covered by a license seized under this subdivision
until an action is taken under subdivision 6.
    Subd. 2. Administrative review. (a) At any time after the seizure of a license under
subdivision 1 and before revocation under section 97A.421, a person may request in writing a
review of the seizure under this section. Upon receiving the request for review, the commissioner
shall review the seizure, the evidence upon which it was based, and other material information
brought to the attention of the commissioner, and determine whether sufficient cause exists
to sustain the seizure.
(b) Within 15 days after receiving the request for administrative review, the commissioner
shall issue a written report of the review and shall order that the seizure be either sustained or
rescinded.
(c) The review provided in this subdivision is not subject to the contested case provisions of
the Administrative Procedure Act under chapter 14. The availability of administrative review
does not preclude judicial review under this section.
    Subd. 3. Judicial review. (a) Within 30 days following the seizure of a license under
subdivision 1, a person may petition the court for review. The petition must be filed with the
district court administrator in the county where the incident occurred, together with proof of
service of a copy on the commissioner and the county attorney. A responsive pleading is not
required of the commissioner of natural resources and court fees may not be charged for the
appearance of the representative of the commissioner in the matter.
(b) The petition must be captioned in the name of the person making the petition as petitioner
and the commissioner as respondent. The petition must state specifically the grounds upon which
the petitioner seeks rescission of the license seizure.
(c) The filing of the petition does not stay the license seizure. The judicial review shall be
conducted according to the Rules of Civil Procedure.
    Subd. 4. Hearing. (a) A hearing under subdivision 3 must be before a district court judge in
the county where the incident occurred giving rise to the license seizure. The hearing must be to
the court and may be conducted at the same time as hearings upon pretrial motions in a related
criminal prosecution. The commissioner must be represented by the county attorney.
(b) The hearing must be held at the earliest practicable date and in any event no later than 60
days following the filing of the petition for review.
(c) The scope of the hearing must be limited to the issue of whether there is probable cause
to believe that the person had unlawfully taken, possessed, or transported wild animals with a
restitution value over $500.
(d) The court shall order that the license seizure be either sustained or rescinded. Within 14
days following the hearing, the court shall forward a copy of the order to the commissioner.
(e) Any party aggrieved by the decision of the reviewing court may appeal the decision as
provided in the Rules of Civil Appellate Procedure.
    Subd. 5. Temporary release of commercial licenses. At any time during the period
that a game or fish license is seized under subdivision 1, a person possessing a commercial
license issued under the game and fish laws may make a written request to the commissioner
to temporarily release the commercial license. If the commissioner determines that the public
welfare will not be injured, the commissioner may temporarily reinstate the commercial license
upon payment of a temporary reinstatement fee of $1,000 cash or bond in favor of the state
for each commercial license to be released. An additional fee is not required for vehicles
licensed under section 97A.475, subdivision 26, clause (2) or (4). If the license is returned under
subdivision 6, paragraph (a), the temporary reinstatement fee shall be returned to the licensee. If
the license is revoked under subdivision 6, paragraph (b), the temporary reinstatement fee shall
be deposited in the game and fish fund and is not refundable.
    Subd. 6. Return or revocation of licenses upon dismissal or conviction. (a) Upon
acquittal, dismissal, or determination not to charge a person for a violation, the license seizure
under subdivision 1 is immediately rescinded and any license seized in connection with the
incident must be returned to the licensee.
(b) Upon conviction of a violation when the restitution value of the wild animals exceeds
$500, revocation of licenses and license privileges must be imposed as provided under section
97A.421, subdivision 2a.
History: 2002 c 270 s 5; 2004 c 215 s 8

97A.421 VALIDITY AND ISSUANCE OF LICENSES AFTER CONVICTION.
    Subdivision 1. General. (a) The annual license of a person convicted of a violation of the
game and fish laws relating to the license or wild animals covered by the license is void when:
(1) a second conviction occurs within three years under a license to take small game or
to take fish by angling or spearing;
(2) a third conviction occurs within one year under a minnow dealer's license;
(3) a second conviction occurs within three years for violations of section 97A.425 that do
not involve falsifications or intentional omissions of information required to be recorded, or
attempts to conceal unlawful acts within the records;
(4) two or more misdemeanor convictions occur within a three-year period under a private
fish hatchery license;
(5) the conviction occurs under a license not described in clause (1), (2), or (4) or is for a
violation of section 97A.425 not described in clause (3); or
(6) the conviction is related to assisting a person in the illegal taking, transportation, or
possession of wild animals, when acting as a hunting or angling guide.
(b) Except for big game licenses and as otherwise provided in this section, for one year after
the conviction the person may not obtain the kind of license or take wild animals under a lifetime
license, issued under section 97A.473 or 97A.474, relating to the game and fish law violation.
    Subd. 2. Issuance of license after conviction for buying and selling wild animals. A
person may not obtain a license to take any wild animal or take wild animals under a lifetime
license, issued under section 97A.473 or 97A.474, for a period of three years after being convicted
of buying or selling game fish, big game, or small game, and the total amount of the sale is
$300 or more.
    Subd. 2a. License revocation after conviction. (a) A person may not obtain a license to
take a wild animal and is prohibited from taking wild animals for a period of five years after
the date of conviction of:
(1) a violation when the restitution value of the wild animals is $5,000 or more; or
(2) a violation when the restitution value of the wild animals exceeds $500 and the violation
occurs within ten years of one or more previous license revocations under this subdivision.
(b) A person may not obtain a license to take the type of wild animals involved in a violation
when the restitution value of the wild animals exceeds $500 and is prohibited from taking the type
of wild animals involved in the violation for a period of three years after the date of conviction
of a violation.
(c) The time period of multiple revocations under paragraph (a), clause (2), shall be
consecutive and no wild animals of any kind may be taken during the entire period.
(d) The court may not stay or reduce the imposition of license revocation provisions under
this subdivision.
    Subd. 3. Issuance of a big game license after conviction. A person may not obtain any
big game license or take big game under a lifetime license, issued under section 97A.473, for
three years after the person is convicted of:
(1) a gross misdemeanor violation under the game and fish laws relating to big game;
(2) doing an act without a required big game license; or
(3) the second violation within three years under the game and fish laws relating to big game.
    Subd. 4. Issuance after intoxication or narcotics conviction. A person convicted of a
violation under section 97B.065, relating to hunting while intoxicated or using narcotics, may not
obtain a license to hunt with a firearm or by archery or hunt with a firearm or by archery under a
lifetime license, issued under section 97A.473 or 97A.474, for five years after conviction.
    Subd. 4a. Suspension for failure to appear in court or pay a fine or surcharge. When
a court reports to the commissioner that a person (1) has failed to appear in court under the
summons issued for a violation of the game and fish laws or (2) has been convicted of violating
a provision of the game and fish laws, has been sentenced to the payment of a fine or had a
surcharge levied against them, and refused or failed to comply with that sentence or to pay the
fine or surcharge, the commissioner shall suspend the game and fish license and permit privileges
of the person until notified by the court that the person has appeared in court under clause (1) or
that any fine or surcharge due the court has been paid under clause (2).
    Subd. 5. Commissioner may reinstate certain licenses after conviction. If the
commissioner determines that the public welfare will not be injured, the commissioner may
reinstate licenses voided under subdivision 1 and issue licenses to persons ineligible under
subdivision 2 or 2a. The commissioner's authority applies only to licenses to:
(1) maintain and operate fur or game farms, aquatic farms, or private fish hatcheries;
(2) take fish by commercial netting;
(3) buy fish from commercial netting licensees; and
(4) sell or export turtles or live minnows.
    Subd. 6. Applicability to moose or elk licenses. In this section the term "license" includes
an application for a license to take either moose or elk.
    Subd. 7. Taking wild animals while privileges are suspended. A person who takes a
protected wild animal during the time the person is prohibited from obtaining a license to take
that animal under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 57; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 27; 1987 c 373 s 3; 1992 c 589 s 1; 1997
c 226 s 21; 2000 c 341 s 4; 2001 c 185 s 26; 2002 c 270 s 6,7; 2002 c 351 s 6; 2004 c 215
s 9; 2007 c 131 art 1 s 25

97A.425 RECORD AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR DEALERS, TANNERS,
AND TAXIDERMISTS.
    Subdivision 1. License and record requirements. (a) A person must have the required
license under the game and fish laws to buy or sell wild animals, to tan animal hides or dress raw
furs, or to mount specimens of wild animals and must keep complete records of all transactions
and activities covered by the license and submit reports to the commissioner.
(b) A person is not required to be licensed to tan animal hides or dress raw furs or to mount
specimens of wild animals if the person is not compensated for the service.
    Subd. 2. Records. (a) The records must show:
(1) the names and addresses of persons from whom wild animals were obtained and to
whom they were transferred;
(2) the dates of receipt, shipment, and sale of wild animals;
(3) detailed descriptions of the number and type of wild animals purchased, sold, and shipped;
(4) serial numbers of seals, tags, or permits required to be attached to the wild animals; and
(5) trapping license numbers for protected fur-bearing animals, unless the trapper is exempt
from the license requirement, which must be noted.
(b) A licensed fur dealer, buying for one employer at the employer's place of business, is
not required to keep separate records if the employer notifies the commissioner in writing that
the employer will account for the fur dealer.
(c) The records required under this section must be available for inspection by the
commissioner, the director, or their agents at all reasonable times. The records must be preserved
and available for two years after the expiration of a license that required them.
(d) Records required of persons licensed to buy or sell wild animals, or to tan or dress raw
furs, must be kept in a book supplied by the commissioner.
    Subd. 3. Reports. Except for persons licensed to mount specimens of wild animals, an
annual report covering the preceding license year must be submitted to the commissioner by
March 15. The commissioner may require other reports for statistical purposes. The reports must
be on forms supplied by the commissioner.
    Subd. 4. Rules. The commissioner may adopt rules, not inconsistent with subdivisions 1 to
3, governing record keeping, reporting, and marking of specimens by taxidermists.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 58; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 28; 1992 c 589 s 2; 2001 c 185 s 27

97A.431 MOOSE LICENSES.
    Subdivision 1. Number of licenses; party size. The commissioner shall include in a rule
setting the dates for a moose season:
(1) the number of licenses to be issued; and
(2) the size of a moose hunting party, not to exceed six persons.
    Subd. 2. Eligibility. Persons eligible for a moose license shall be determined under this
section and commissioner's rule. A person is eligible for a moose license only if the person:
(1) is a resident;
(2) is at least age 16 before the season opens; and
(3) has not been issued a moose license for any of the last five seasons or after January 1,
1991.
    Subd. 3. Application for license. An application for a moose license must be on a form
provided by the commissioner and accompanied by a $3 nonrefundable application fee per person.
A person may not make more than one application for each season. If a person makes more than
one application, the person is ineligible for a license for that season after determination by the
commissioner, without a hearing.
    Subd. 4. Separate selection; eligibility. (a) The commissioner may conduct a separate
selection for up to 20 percent of the moose licenses to be issued for an area. Only owners of, and
tenants living on, at least 160 acres of agricultural or grazing land in the area, and their family
members, are eligible for the separate selection under this paragraph.
(b) The commissioner must conduct a separate selection for 20 percent of the moose licenses
to be issued each year. Only individuals who have applied at least ten times for a moose license
and who have never received a license are eligible for this separate selection.
(c) The commissioner may by rule establish criteria for:
(1) determining eligible family members under paragraph (a); and
(2) verifying that an individual has made at least ten unsuccessful applications for the
purposes of paragraph (b).
(d) A person who is unsuccessful in a separate selection under this subdivision must be
included in the selection for the remaining licenses.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 59; 1987 c 373 s 4; 1991 c 254 art 2 s 28; 1991 c 259 s 23; 1993
c 231 s 20,21; 2000 c 473 s 1; 2000 c 495 s 32

97A.433 ELK LICENSES.
    Subdivision 1. Number of licenses; party size. The commissioner shall include in a rule
setting the dates for an elk season:
(1) the number of licenses to be issued; and
(2) the size of an elk hunting party, not to exceed two persons.
    Subd. 2. Eligibility. Persons eligible for an elk license shall be determined under this section
and commissioner's rule. A person is eligible for an elk license only if the person:
(1) is a resident;
(2) is at least age 16 before the season opens; and
(3) has never been issued an elk license.
    Subd. 3. Application for license. An application for an elk license must be on a form
provided by the commissioner and accompanied by a $10 nonrefundable application fee per
person. A person may not make more than one application for each season. If a person makes
more than one application, the person is ineligible for a license for that season after determination
by the commissioner, without a hearing.
    Subd. 4. Separate selection; eligibility. (a) The commissioner may conduct a separate
selection for up to 20 percent of the elk licenses to be issued for an area. Only owners of, and
tenants living on, at least 160 acres of agricultural or grazing land in the area, and their family
members, are eligible for the separate selection. Persons that are unsuccessful in a separate
selection must be included in the selection for the remaining licenses. Persons who obtain an elk
license in a separate selection must allow public elk hunting on their land during the elk season
for which the license is valid.
(b) The commissioner may by rule establish criteria for determining eligible family members
under this subdivision.
History: 1987 c 373 s 5; 1991 c 259 s 23; 1993 c 231 s 22,23

97A.434 PRAIRIE CHICKEN LICENSES.
    Subdivision 1. Number of licenses to be issued. If the commissioner establishes an open
season for prairie chickens under section 97B.711, the commissioner shall also determine, by rule,
the number of licenses to be issued.
    Subd. 2. Eligibility. Eligibility for a prairie chicken license shall be determined by this
section and by rule adopted by the commissioner. A person is eligible for a prairie chicken
license only if the person:
(1) is a resident; and
(2) was born before January 1, 1980, or possesses a firearms safety certificate.
    Subd. 3. Application for license. An application for a prairie chicken license must be
made in a manner provided by the commissioner and accompanied by a $4 application fee. The
$4 application fee is appropriated as prescribed in section 84.027, subdivision 15, paragraph
(c), to pay for costs associated with conducting the prairie chicken license drawing. A person
may not make more than one application for each season. If a person makes more than one
application, the person is ineligible for a license for that season after determination by the
commissioner, without a hearing.
    Subd. 4. Separate selection of eligible licensees. (a) The commissioner may conduct a
separate selection for up to 20 percent of the prairie chicken licenses to be issued for any area.
Only persons who are owners or tenants of at least 40 acres of prairie or grassland in the area, and
their family members, are eligible applicants for prairie chicken licenses for the separate selection.
The qualifying prairie or grassland may be noncontiguous. Persons who are unsuccessful in a
separate selection must be included in the selection for the remaining licenses. Persons who
obtain a license in a separate selection must allow public prairie chicken hunting on their land
during that prairie chicken season.
(b) The commissioner may by rule establish criteria for determining eligible family members
under this subdivision.
History: 2002 c 351 s 7; 2004 c 255 s 29

97A.435 TURKEY LICENSES; APPLICATION AND ELIGIBILITY.
    Subdivision 1. Number of licenses to be issued. The commissioner shall include in a rule
setting the dates for a turkey season the number of licenses to be issued.
    Subd. 2. Eligibility. Persons eligible for a turkey license shall be determined by this section
and commissioner's rule. A person is eligible for a turkey license only if the person is at least
age 16 before the season opens, possesses a firearms safety certificate, or, if under age 12, is
accompanied by a parent or guardian.
    Subd. 3. Application for license. An application for a turkey license must be on a form
provided by the commissioner and accompanied by a $3 application fee. A person may not
make more than one application for each season. If a person makes more than one application
the person is ineligible for a license for that season after determination by the commissioner,
without a hearing.
    Subd. 4. Separate selection of eligible licensees. (a) The commissioner may conduct a
separate selection for up to 20 percent of the turkey licenses to be issued for any area. Only
persons who are owners or tenants of and who live on at least 40 acres of land in the area, and
their family members, are eligible applicants for turkey licenses for the separate selection. The
qualifying land may be noncontiguous. Persons who are unsuccessful in a separate selection must
be included in the selection for the remaining licenses. Persons who obtain a license in a separate
selection must allow public turkey hunting on their land during that turkey season. A license
issued under this subdivision is restricted to the permit area where the qualifying land is located.
(b) The commissioner may by rule establish criteria for determining eligible family members
under this subdivision.
    Subd. 5. Spring season. (a) A person who has not applied for a turkey license through the
lottery or applied for a license and was unsuccessful in the lottery, may purchase a turkey hunting
license to hunt by archery for the spring turkey season during a combined seventh and eighth
time period. A turkey hunting license under this subdivision is separate from the normal lottery
process and is effective for hunting only in a wild turkey permit area in the state where 50 or more
licenses are issued during an established time period.
(b) Turkey lottery preference points shall not be reduced for a person purchasing a license
under this subdivision.
(c) A person may take only one bearded turkey in a spring turkey season regardless of whether
the hunter purchased a license through the lottery system or as provided in this subdivision.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 60; 1988 c 588 s 4; 1991 c 254 art 2 s 29; 1991 c 259 s 23; 1993
c 231 s 24; 2000 c 473 s 2; 2000 c 495 s 33; 2004 c 215 s 10,11; 2005 c 146 s 12,13

97A.438 RELEASE OF WILD TURKEYS; PERMIT REQUIRED.
A person may not release a wild turkey or wild turkey hybrid without a permit from the
commissioner.
History: 1993 c 231 s 25

97A.441 LICENSES TO BE ISSUED WITHOUT A FEE.
    Subdivision 1. Angling and spearing; disabled residents. Licenses to take fish by angling
or spearing shall be issued without a fee to a resident who is:
(1) blind;
(2) a recipient of supplemental security income for the aged, blind, and disabled;
(3) a recipient of Social Security aid to the disabled under United States Code, title 42,
section 416, paragraph (i)(l) or section 423(d);
(4) a recipient of workers' compensation based on a finding of total and permanent disability;
or
(5) 65 years of age or older and was qualified under clause (2) or (3) at the age of 64.
    Subd. 2. Angling; foreign exchange students. A license to take fish by angling shall be
issued without a fee to a citizen of a foreign country that is attending school in this state as
an exchange student.
    Subd. 3. Angling; residents of state institutions. The commissioner may issue a license,
without a fee, to take fish by angling to a person that is a ward of the commissioner of human
services and a resident of a state institution upon application by the commissioner of human
services.
    Subd. 4. Angling; developmentally disabled residents. A person authorized to issue
licenses must issue, without a fee, a permanent license to take fish by angling to a resident at
least 16 years old that is developmentally disabled upon being furnished satisfactory evidence
of the disability.
    Subd. 5. Angling; disabled veterans. A person authorized to issue licenses must issue,
without a fee, a permanent license to take fish by angling to a resident who is a veteran, as defined
in section 197.447, and that has a 100 percent service connected disability as defined by the
United States Veterans Administration upon being furnished satisfactory evidence.
    Subd. 6. Taking deer; disabled veterans. A person authorized to issue licenses must issue,
without a fee, a license to take deer with firearms or by archery to a resident that is a veteran, as
defined in section 197.447, and that has a 100 percent service connected disability as defined by
the United States Veterans Administration upon being furnished satisfactory evidence.
    Subd. 6a. Taking small game; disabled veterans. A person authorized to issue licenses
must issue, without a fee, a license to take small game to a resident who is a veteran, as defined in
section 197.447, and who has a 100 percent service connected disability as defined by the United
States Veterans Administration upon being furnished satisfactory evidence.
    Subd. 7. Owners or tenants of agricultural land. (a) The commissioner may issue, without
a fee, a license to take an antlerless deer to a person who is an owner or tenant of at least 80 acres
of agricultural land, as defined in section 97B.001, in deer permit areas that have deer archery
licenses to take additional deer under section 97B.301, subdivision 4. A person may receive only
one license per year under this subdivision. For properties with co-owners or cotenants, only one
co-owner or cotenant may receive a license under this subdivision per year. The license issued
under this subdivision is restricted to land leased for agricultural purposes or owned by the holder
of the license within the permit area where the qualifying land is located. The holder of the license
may transfer the license to the holder's spouse or dependent. Notwithstanding sections 97A.415,
subdivision 1 , and 97B.301, subdivision 2, the holder of the license may purchase an additional
license for taking deer and may take an additional deer under that license.
    (b) A person who obtains a license under paragraph (a) must allow public deer hunting on
their land during that deer hunting season, with the exception of the first Saturday and Sunday
during the deer hunting season applicable to the license issued under section 97A.475, subdivision
2 , clauses (4) and (13).
    Subd. 8. Duplicate licenses. There is no fee for a duplicate license if the original license
was issued without a fee.
    Subd. 9. Angling assistance to disabled residents. An individual who is providing angling
assistance to a disabled resident licensed under subdivision 1, 4, or 5, is not required to possess
a license to take fish by angling provided that no lines in addition to those permitted for an
individual under section 97C.315 are in the water.
    Subd. 10. Taking wild animals for wildlife disease prevention and control. The
commissioner may issue, without a fee, licenses to take wild animals for the purposes of wildlife
disease prevention and control.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 61; 1987 c 384 art 1 s 7; 1993 c 172 s 55; 1993 c 231 s 26; 1994
c 623 art 1 s 23; 1994 c 632 art 2 s 24; 1997 c 95 s 1; 2000 c 473 s 3; 2001 c 185 s 28; 2003 c
128 art 1 s 56,57; 2005 c 56 s 1; 2005 c 146 s 14; 2007 c 131 art 1 s 26

97A.445 EXEMPTIONS FROM LICENSE REQUIREMENT.
    Subdivision 1. Angling; Take a Kid Fishing Weekends. A resident over age 18 may take
fish by angling without an angling or fish house license during one three-day consecutive period
of the open water angling season and one three-day consecutive period of the ice angling season
designated by rule of the commissioner if accompanied by a child who is under age 16. The
commissioner shall publicize the three-day periods as "Take a Kid Fishing Weekend" for the open
water angling season and "Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend" for the ice angling season.
    Subd. 2. Angling; institutional residents. A license is not required to take fish by angling
with the written consent of the superintendent or chief executive of the institution for the
following persons:
(1) a resident of a state hospital;
(2) a patient of a United States Veterans Administration hospital;
(3) an inmate of a state correctional facility;
(4) a resident of a licensed nursing or boarding care home, a person who is enrolled in and
regularly participates in an adult day care program or other similar organized activity sponsored
by a licensed nursing or boarding care home, or a resident of a licensed board and lodging
facility; and
(5) a resident of a drug or alcohol residential treatment program under the age of 20.
    Subd. 3. Angling and spearing; disabled railroad and postal retirees. A license is not
required to take fish by angling or spearing for a resident that is:
(1) receiving aid under the federal Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, United States Code, title
45, section 231a(a)(1)(v); or
(2) a former employee of the United States Postal Service receiving disability pay under
United States Code, title 5, section 8337.
    Subd. 4. Angling; Take a Mom Fishing Weekend. Any mother who is a resident of
Minnesota may take fish by angling without a license during the Saturday and Sunday of the
angling season that coincides with Mother's Day. The commissioner shall publicize the Saturday
and Sunday as "Take a Mom Fishing Weekend."
    Subd. 5. Small game hunting; Take a Kid Hunting Weekend. A resident over age 18 may
take small game by hunting without a license during one Saturday and Sunday of the small game
hunting season designated by rule of the commissioner if accompanied by a child who is under age
16. The commissioner shall publicize the Saturday and Sunday as "Take a Kid Hunting Weekend."
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 62; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 29; 1987 c 384 art 1 s 8; 1987 c 404 s
120; 1988 c 588 s 5; 1989 c 242 s 1; 1990 c 605 s 4; 1991 c 241 s 5; 1991 c 259 s 23; 2000 c 473
s 4; 2006 c 212 art 1 s 4; 2007 c 131 art 1 s 27

97A.451 LICENSE REQUIREMENTS AND EXEMPTIONS RELATING TO AGE.
    Subdivision 1.[Repealed, 1988 c 437 s 6]
    Subd. 2. Residents under age 16; fishing. A resident under the age of 16 years may take
fish without a license.
    Subd. 3. Residents under age 16; small game. (a) A resident under age 16 may not obtain a
small game license but may take small game by firearms or bow and arrow without a license if
the resident is:
    (1) age 14 or 15 and possesses a firearms safety certificate;
    (2) age 13, possesses a firearms safety certificate, and is accompanied by a parent or guardian;
    (3) age 13, 14, or 15, possesses an apprentice hunter validation, and is accompanied by a
parent or guardian who possesses a small game license that was not obtained using an apprentice
hunter validation; or
    (4) age 12 or under and is accompanied by a parent or guardian.
    (b) A resident under age 16 may take small game by trapping without a small game license,
but a resident 13 years of age or older must have a trapping license. A resident under age 13 may
trap without a trapping license, but may not register fisher, otter, bobcat, or pine marten unless the
resident is at least age five. Any fisher, otter, bobcat, or pine marten taken by a resident under age
five must be included in the limit of the accompanying parent or guardian.
    (c) A resident under age 12 may apply for a turkey license and may take a turkey without a
firearms safety certificate if the resident is accompanied by an adult parent or guardian who has a
firearms safety certificate.
    Subd. 3a. Nonresidents under age 18; small game. (a) A nonresident under age 18 may
obtain a small game license at the resident fee under section 97A.475, subdivision 2, clause
(2), if the nonresident:
    (1) possesses a firearms safety certificate; or
    (2) if age 13 or under, is accompanied by a parent or guardian when purchasing the license.
    (b) A nonresident age 13 or under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to take
small game. A nonresident age 12 or under is not required to possess a firearms safety certificate
under section 97B.020 to take small game.
    Subd. 4. Persons under age 16; big game. A person under the age of 16 may not obtain a
license to take big game unless the person possesses a firearms safety certificate. A person under
the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to hunt big game.
    Subd. 5. Nonresidents under age 16. (a) A nonresident under the age of 16 may take fish by
angling without a license if a parent or guardian has a fishing license. Fish taken by a nonresident
under the age of 16 without a license must be included in the limit of the parent or guardian.
(b) A nonresident under age 16 may purchase a fishing license at the resident fee or be
included under a nonresident family license, take fish by angling, and possess a limit of fish.
    Subd. 6. Nonresidents under age 16 attending camps; fishing. A nonresident under the
age of 16 that is attending a camp conducted by a nonprofit organization may take fish by
angling in adjacent and connected public waters without a license. The organization must have a
certificate from the commissioner that describes the public waters where the fishing is allowed.
The nonresident must possess a document, prescribed by the commissioner, for identification of
the nonresident and the authorized fishing waters. The document must be signed and dated within
the current calendar year by the person in charge of the camp.
    Subd. 7. Residents over age 65; spearing. A resident age 65 or over may take fish by
spearing without a spearing license if the resident has an angling license.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 63; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 30,31; 1989 c 168 s 1; 1Sp1995 c 1 s 22;
1996 c 410 s 26,27; 2002 c 323 s 5; 2005 c 146 s 15,16; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 86; 2007 c 131 art 1 s 28

97A.455 NONRESIDENT STUDENTS; FISHING, SMALL GAME, AND BIG GAME.
(a) A nonresident that is a full-time student at an educational institution in the state and
resides in the state during the school year may obtain a resident license to take fish, small game,
or big game, except moose, by providing proof of student status and residence as prescribed
by the commissioner.
(b) A nonresident that is a full-time foreign exchange student at a high school in the state and
resides with persons in the state may obtain a resident license to take big game, except moose, by
providing proof of foreign exchange student status as prescribed by the commissioner.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 64; 1987 c 47 s 1; 1996 c 410 s 28

97A.461 NONRESIDENT LICENSES FOR BOUNDARY WATER HUNTING OR
FISHING.
Licenses to take fish or small game in or on boundary waters may be granted to nonresidents
upon the same terms and conditions as licenses granted by the adjacent state or province to
nonresidents of the adjacent state or province for those boundary waters. The fees for a license
granted by this state may not be less than the fees for a corresponding resident license.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 65

97A.465 MILITARY PERSONNEL; FISHING AND HUNTING.
    Subdivision 1. Residents on leave. A resident that is in the armed forces of the United
States, stationed outside of the state, and in the state on leave, may hunt and fish without a license
if the resident possesses official military leave papers. The resident must obtain the seals, tags,
and coupons required of a licensee, which must be furnished without charge. This subdivision
does not apply to the taking of moose or elk.
    Subd. 1a. Spouses of residents on active military duty. Notwithstanding section 97A.405,
subdivision 5 , the spouse of a resident who is on active military duty may obtain resident hunting
and fishing licenses.
    Subd. 1b. Residents discharged from active service. (a) A resident who has served at any
time during the preceding 24 months in federal active service, as defined in section 190.05,
subdivision 5c , outside the United States as a member of the National Guard, or as a reserve
component or active duty member of the United States armed forces and has been discharged
from active service may take small game and fish without a license if the resident possesses
official military discharge papers. The resident must obtain the seals, tags, and coupons required
of a licensee, which must be furnished without charge.
    (b) The commissioner shall issue, without fee, a deer license to a resident who has served at
any time during the preceding 24 months in federal active service, as defined in section 190.05,
subdivision 5c , outside the United States as a member of the National Guard, or as a reserve
component or active duty member of the United States armed forces and has been discharged
from active service. Eligibility under this paragraph is limited to one license per resident.
    Subd. 2. Camp Ripley personnel. A nonresident who is in the military and in training at
Camp Ripley may obtain a resident license to take fish.
    Subd. 3. Nonresidents stationed in the state. The commissioner may issue a resident
license to take fish or game to a person in the armed forces of the United States that is stationed in
the state. This subdivision does not apply to the taking of moose or elk.
    Subd. 4. Discharged resident; obtaining deer license during season. A resident who is
discharged from the United States armed forces during, or within ten days before, the firearms
deer season may, upon showing the official discharge paper, obtain a firearm deer license during
the season that is valid immediately upon issuance.
    Subd. 5. Preference to service members. (a) For purposes of this subdivision:
(1) "qualified service member or veteran" means a Minnesota resident who is currently
serving, or has served at any time during the past 24 months, in active service as a member of the
United States armed forces, including the National Guard or other military reserves; and
(2) "active service" means service defined under section 190.05, subdivision 5b or 5c.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, chapter 97B or 97C, or
administrative rules, the commissioner may give first preference to qualified service members
or veterans in any drawing or lottery involving the selection of applicants for hunting or fishing
licenses, permits, and special permits. This subdivision does not apply to licenses or permits for
taking moose, elk, or prairie chickens. Actions of the commissioner under this subdivision are not
rules under the Administrative Procedure Act and section 14.386 does not apply.
    Subd. 6. Special hunts for military personnel. The commissioner may by rule establish
criteria, special seasons, and limits for military personnel and veterans to take big game and small
game by firearms or archery in designated areas or times. A person hunting under this subdivision
must be participating in a hunt sponsored and administered by the Minnesota Department of
Military Affairs or the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 66; 1987 c 373 s 6,7; 1987 c 384 art 1 s 9; 1997 c 226 s 22;
2005 c 146 s 17; 2006 c 281 art 2 s 29; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 87,88

97A.471 NONRESIDENT COURTESY LICENSES.
    Subdivision 1. Game and fish officers of other jurisdictions. The commissioner may
issue a courtesy nonresident license to take game or fish without charge to a game and fish or
conservation employee of another state or of the United States that is in the state to assist or
cooperate with the commissioner.
    Subd. 2. Guests of the governor or commissioner. The commissioner may issue a
nonresident courtesy license to take game or fish without charge to an official of another state,
the United States, or foreign country and to a representative of a conservation organization or
publication that is in the state as a guest of the governor or commissioner.
    Subd. 3. Nonapplicability to moose or elk hunting. This section does not apply to taking
moose or elk.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 67; 1987 c 373 s 8

97A.472 PLACE OF SALE OF NONRESIDENT LICENSES; RESTRICTION.
The commissioner shall not sell or issue in any place outside this state a nonresident license
to take fish in this state.
History: 1987 c 404 s 121

97A.473 RESIDENT LIFETIME LICENSES.
    Subdivision 1. Resident lifetime licenses authorized. (a) The commissioner may issue a
lifetime angling license, a lifetime small game hunting license, a lifetime firearm or archery deer
hunting license, or a lifetime sporting license to a person who is a resident of the state for at least
one year or who is under age 21 and the child of a person who is a resident of the state for at least
one year. The license fees paid for a lifetime license are nonrefundable.
(b) The commissioner may require the holder of a lifetime license issued under this section
to notify the department each year that the license is used, by:
(1) telephone or Internet notification, as specified by the commissioner;
(2) the purchase of stamps for the license; or
(3) registration and tag issuance, in the case of the resident lifetime deer license.
    Subd. 2. Lifetime angling license; fee. (a) A resident lifetime angling license authorizes
a person to take fish by angling in the state. The license authorizes those activities authorized
by the annual resident angling license. The license does not include a trout and salmon stamp
validation or other stamps required by law.
(b) The fees for a resident lifetime angling license are:
(1) age 3 and under, $227;
(2) age 4 to age 15, $300;
(3) age 16 to age 50, $383; and
(4) age 51 and over, $203.
    Subd. 3. Lifetime small game hunting license; fee. (a) A resident lifetime small game
hunting license authorizes a person to hunt and trap small game in the state. The license authorizes
those hunting and trapping activities authorized by the annual resident small game hunting and
trapping licenses. The license does not include a turkey stamp validation or any other hunting
stamps required by law.
    (b) The fees for a resident lifetime small game hunting license are:
    (1) age 3 and under, $217;
    (2) age 4 to age 15, $290;
    (3) age 16 to age 50, $363; and
    (4) age 51 and over, $213.
    Subd. 4. Lifetime deer hunting license; fee. (a) A resident lifetime deer hunting license
authorizes a person to take deer with firearms or by archery in the state. The license authorizes
those activities authorized by the annual resident firearm deer hunting license or the annual
resident archery deer hunting license. The licensee must register and receive tags each year that
the license is used. The tags shall be issued at no charge to the licensee.
(b) The fees for a resident lifetime firearm or archery deer hunting license are:
(1) age 3 and under, $337;
(2) age 4 to age 15, $450;
(3) age 16 to age 50, $573; and
(4) age 51 and over, $383.
    Subd. 5. Lifetime sporting license; fee. (a) A resident lifetime sporting license authorizes a
person to take fish by angling and hunt and trap small game in the state. The license authorizes
those activities authorized by the annual resident angling, resident small game hunting, and
resident trapping licenses. The license does not include a trout and salmon stamp validation, a
turkey stamp validation, or any other hunting stamps required by law.
    (b) The fees for a resident lifetime sporting license are:
    (1) age 3 and under, $357;
    (2) age 4 to age 15, $480;
    (3) age 16 to age 50, $613; and
    (4) age 51 and over, $413.
History: 2000 c 341 s 5; 1Sp2001 c 2 s 108-110; 2002 c 351 s 8,9; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 89,90

97A.474 NONRESIDENT LIFETIME LICENSES.
    Subdivision 1. Nonresident lifetime licenses authorized. (a) The commissioner may issue a
lifetime angling license or a lifetime small game hunting license to a nonresident. The license fees
paid for a lifetime license are nonrefundable.
(b) The commissioner may require the holder of a lifetime license issued under this section
to notify the department each year that the license is used, by:
(1) telephone or Internet notification, as specified by the commissioner; or
(2) the purchase of stamps for the license.
    Subd. 2. Nonresident lifetime angling license; fee. (a) A nonresident lifetime angling
license authorizes a person to take fish by angling in the state. The license authorizes those
activities authorized by the annual nonresident angling license. The license does not include a
trout and salmon stamp validation or other stamps required by law.
(b) The fees for a nonresident lifetime angling license are:
(1) age 3 and under, $447;
(2) age 4 to age 15, $600;
(3) age 16 to age 50, $773; and
(4) age 51 and over, $513.
    Subd. 3. Nonresident lifetime small game hunting license; fee. (a) A nonresident lifetime
small game hunting license authorizes a person to hunt small game in the state. The license
authorizes those hunting activities authorized by the annual nonresident small game hunting
license. The license does not include a turkey stamp validation or any other hunting stamps
required by law.
(b) The fees for a nonresident lifetime small game hunting license are:
(1) age 3 and under, $947;
(2) age 4 to age 15, $1,280;
(3) age 16 to age 50, $1,633; and
(4) age 51 and over, $1,083.
History: 2000 c 341 s 6; 1Sp2001 c 2 s 111,112

97A.4742 LIFETIME FISH AND WILDLIFE TRUST FUND.
    Subdivision 1. Establishment; purpose. The lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund is
established as a fund in the state treasury. All money received from the issuance of lifetime
angling, small game hunting, deer hunting, and sporting licenses and earnings on the fund shall be
credited to the lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund.
    Subd. 2. Investment of fund; use of income from fund. Money in the lifetime fish and
wildlife trust fund shall be invested by the State Investment Board to secure the maximum return
consistent with the maintenance of the perpetuity of the fund. The income received and accruing
from investments of the fund shall be deposited in the lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund. Each
year the commissioner of finance shall transfer from the lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund to the
game and fish fund an amount equal to the amount that would otherwise have been collected from
annual license fees for each lifetime license. Surcharge amounts shall be transferred based on
sections 97A.071, subdivision 2, and 97A.075, subdivision 1.
    Subd. 3. Lifetime license fees. By October 15 of each even-numbered year, the
commissioner shall report on the adequacy of lifetime license fees and make specific requests
for fee adjustments for the lifetime licenses to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
environment and natural resources finance and the commissioner of finance. The commissioner of
finance shall review the fee report and make recommendations to the governor and legislature
for each fee category under sections 97A.473 and 97A.474, as part of the biennial budget, under
sections 16A.10 and 16A.11.
    Subd. 4. Annual report. By December 15 each year, the commissioner shall submit a
report to the legislative committees having jurisdiction over environment and natural resources
appropriations and environment and natural resources policy. The report shall state the amount
of revenue received in and expenditures made from revenue transferred from the lifetime fish
and wildlife trust fund to the game and fish fund. The report may be included in the game and
fish fund report required by section 97A.055, subdivision 4. The commissioner shall make the
annual report available to the public.
History: 2000 c 341 s 7; 2002 c 351 s 10; 2004 c 255 s 30; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 99

97A.475 LICENSE FEES.
    Subdivision 1. Requirements for issuance. A license shall be issued when the requirements
of the law are met and the license fee specified in this section is paid.
    Subd. 2. Resident hunting. Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to residents only, are:
    (1) for persons age 18 or over and under age 65 to take small game, $12.50;
    (2) for persons ages 16 and 17 and age 65 or over, $6 to take small game;
    (3) to take turkey, $18;
    (4) for persons age 18 or over to take deer with firearms, $26;
    (5) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by archery, $26;
    (6) to take moose, for a party of not more than six persons, $310;
    (7) to take bear, $38;
    (8) to take elk, for a party of not more than two persons, $250;
    (9) multizone license to take antlered deer in more than one zone, $52;
    (10) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4;
    (11) all season license to take three deer throughout the state in any open deer season, except
as restricted under section 97B.305, $78;
    (12) to take prairie chickens, $20;
    (13) for persons at least age 12 and under age 18 to take deer with firearms during the regular
firearms season in any open zone or time period, $13; and
    (14) for persons at least age 12 and under age 18 to take deer by archery, $13.
    Subd. 3. Nonresident hunting. (a) Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to
nonresidents, are:
    (1) for persons age 18 and older to take small game, $73;
    (2) for persons age 18 and older to take deer with firearms, $135;
    (3) for persons age 18 and older to take deer by archery, $135;
(4) to take bear, $195;
    (5) to take turkey, $73;
    (6) to take raccoon or bobcat, $155;
    (7) multizone license to take antlered deer in more than one zone, $270;
    (8) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4;
    (9) for persons at least age 12 and under age 18 to take deer with firearms during the regular
firearms season in any open zone or time period, $13; and
    (10) for persons at least age 12 and under age 18 to take deer by archery, $13.
    (b) A $5 surcharge shall be added to nonresident hunting licenses issued under paragraph (a),
clauses (1) to (7). An additional commission may not be assessed on this surcharge.
    Subd. 3a. Deer license surcharge. A person may agree to add a donation of $1, $3, or
$5 to the fees for annual resident and nonresident licenses to take deer by firearms or archery
established under subdivisions 2, clauses (4), (5), (9), and (11), and 3, clauses (2), (3), and (7).
Beginning March 1, 2008, fees for bonus licenses to take deer by firearms or archery established
under section 97B.301, subdivision 4, must be increased by a surcharge of $1. An additional
commission may not be assessed on the donation or surcharge and the following statement must
be included in the annual deer hunting regulations: "The deer license donations and surcharges are
being paid by hunters for deer management, including assisting with the costs of processing deer
donated for charitable purposes."
    Subd. 4. Small game surcharge. Fees for annual licenses to take small game must be
increased by a surcharge of $6.50. An additional commission may not be assessed on the surcharge
and the following statement must be included in the annual small game hunting regulations: "This
$6.50 surcharge is being paid by hunters for the acquisition and development of wildlife lands."
    Subd. 5. Hunting stamps. Fees for the following stamps and stamp validations are:
(1) migratory waterfowl stamp, $7.50;
(2) pheasant stamp, $7.50; and
(3) turkey stamp validation, $5.
    Subd. 6. Resident fishing. Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to residents only, are:
(1) to take fish by angling, $17;
(2) to take fish by angling, for a combined license for a married couple, $25;
(3) to take fish by spearing from a dark house, $17; and
(4) to take fish by angling for a 24-hour period selected by the licensee, $8.50.
    Subd. 7. Nonresident fishing. (a) Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to
nonresidents, are:
    (1) to take fish by angling, $37.50;
    (2) to take fish by angling limited to seven consecutive days selected by the licensee, $26.50;
    (3) to take fish by angling for a 72-hour period selected by the licensee, $22;
    (4) to take fish by angling for a combined license for a family for one or both parents and
dependent children under the age of 16, $50.50;
    (5) to take fish by angling for a 24-hour period selected by the licensee, $8.50; and
    (6) to take fish by angling for a combined license for a married couple, limited to 14
consecutive days selected by one of the licensees, $38.50.
    (b) A $2 surcharge shall be added to all nonresident fishing licenses, except licenses issued
under paragraph (a), clause (5). An additional commission may not be assessed on this surcharge.
    Subd. 8. Minnesota sporting. The commissioner shall issue Minnesota sporting licenses to
residents only. The licensee may take fish by angling and small game. The fee for the license is:
(1) for an individual, $23; and
(2) for a combined license for a married couple to take fish and for one spouse to take
small game, $32.
    Subd. 9.[Repealed, 1994 c 561 s 28]
    Subd. 10. Trout and salmon stamp validation. The fee for a trout and salmon stamp
validation is $10.
    Subd. 11. Fish houses and dark houses; residents. Fees for the following licenses are:
    (1) annual for a fish house or dark house that is not rented, $11.50;
    (2) annual for a fish house or dark house that is rented, $26;
    (3) three-year for a fish house or dark house that is not rented, $34.50; and
    (4) three-year for a fish house or dark house that is rented, $78.
    Subd. 12. Fish houses; nonresident. Fees for fish house licenses for a nonresident are:
    (1) annual, $33;
    (2) seven consecutive days, $19; and
    (3) three-year, $99.
    Subd. 13. Netting whitefish and ciscoes for personal consumption. The fee for a license
to net whitefish and ciscoes in inland lakes and international waters for personal consumption
is, for each net, $10.
    Subd. 14.[Repealed by amendment, 1997 c 216 s 83]
    Subd. 15. Fishing guides. The fee for a license to operate a charter boat and guide anglers on
Lake Superior or the St. Louis River Estuary is:
(1) for a resident, $125;
(2) for a nonresident, $400; or
(3) if another state charges a Minnesota resident a fee greater than $440 for a Lake Superior
or St. Louis River Estuary fishing guide license in that state, the nonresident fee for a resident of
that state is that greater fee.
    Subd. 16. Resident hunting guides. The fee for a resident license to guide bear hunters is
$82.50 and is available only to a Minnesota resident individual.
    Subd. 17.[Repealed, 1994 c 623 art 1 s 47]
    Subd. 18. Shooting preserves. The fee for a shooting preserve license is:
(1) for a private shooting preserve, $100; and
(2) for a commercial shooting preserve, $500.
    Subd. 19. Taxidermists. The fee for a taxidermist license, to be issued for a three-year
period to residents only, is:
(1) for persons age 18 and older, $44; and
(2) for persons under age 18, $27.50.
    Subd. 20. Trapping license. The fee for a license to trap fur-bearing animals is:
(1) for residents over age 13 and under age 18, $6;
(2) for residents age 18 or over and under age 65, $20;
(3) for residents age 65 or over, $10; and
(4) for nonresidents, $73.
    Subd. 21. Fur buying and selling; residents. (a) The fee for a license for a resident to buy
and sell raw furs is $110.
(b) The fee for a supplemental license to buy and sell furs is $55.
    Subd. 22. Fur buying and selling; nonresidents. The fee for a license for a nonresident to
buy and sell raw furs is $500.
    Subd. 23. Raw fur tanning. The fee for a license to tan and dress raw furs to be issued to
residents and nonresidents is $16.50.
    Subd. 24. Game and fur farms. The fee for a game and fur farm license is $16.50.
    Subd. 25. Muskrat farms. The fee for a muskrat farm license is $11.
    Subd. 26. Minnow dealers. The fees for the following licenses are:
(1) minnow dealer, $310;
(2) minnow dealer's vehicle, $15;
(3) exporting minnow dealer for residents and nonresidents, $700; and
(4) exporting minnow dealer's vehicle for residents and nonresidents, $15.
    Subd. 27. Minnow retailers. The fees for the following licenses, to be issued to residents
and nonresidents, are:
(1) minnow retailer, $47; and
(2) minnow retailer's vehicle, $15.
    Subd. 28.[Repealed, 2004 c 255 s 51]
    Subd. 29. Private fish hatcheries. The fees for the following licenses to be issued to
residents and nonresidents are:
(1) for a private fish hatchery, with annual sales under $200, $70;
(2) for a private fish hatchery, with annual sales of $200 or more, $210; and
(3) to take sucker eggs from public waters for a private fish hatchery, $400, plus $6 for
each quart in excess of 100 quarts.
    Subd. 29a.[Repealed, 1992 c 566 s 23]
    Subd. 30. Commercial netting of fish. The fees to take commercial fish are:
(1) commercial license fees:
(i) for residents and nonresidents seining and netting in inland waters, $120;
(ii) for residents netting in Lake Superior, $120;
(iii) for residents netting in Lake of the Woods, Rainy, Namakan, and Sand Point Lakes, $120;
(iv) for residents seining in the Mississippi River from St. Anthony Falls to the St. Croix
River junction, $120;
(v) for residents seining, netting, and set lining in Wisconsin boundary waters from Lake St.
Croix to the Iowa border, $120; and
(vi) for a resident apprentice license, $55; and
(2) commercial gear fees:
(i) for each gill net in Lake Superior, Wisconsin boundary waters, and Namakan Lake, $5
per 100 feet of net;
(ii) for each seine in inland waters, on the Mississippi River as described in section 97C.801,
subdivision 2 , and in Wisconsin boundary waters, $9 per 100 feet;
(iii) for each commercial hoop net in inland waters, $2;
(iv) for each submerged fyke, trap, and hoop net in Lake Superior, St. Louis Estuary, Lake
of the Woods, and Rainy, Namakan, and Sand Point Lakes, and for each pound net in Lake
Superior, $20;
(v) for each stake and pound net in Lake of the Woods, $90; and
(vi) for each set line in the Wisconsin boundary waters, $45.
    Subd. 31.[Repealed by amendment, 1997 c 216 s 83]
    Subd. 32.[Repealed by amendment, 1997 c 216 s 83]
    Subd. 33.[Repealed by amendment, 1997 c 216 s 83]
    Subd. 34.[Repealed by amendment, 1997 c 216 s 83]
    Subd. 35.[Repealed by amendment, 1997 c 216 s 83]
    Subd. 36.[Repealed by amendment, 1997 c 216 s 83]
    Subd. 37.[Repealed by amendment, 1997 c 216 s 83]
    Subd. 38.[Repealed, 2007 c 131 art 1 s 96]
    Subd. 39. Fish packer. The fee for a license to prepare dressed game fish for transportation
or shipment is $40.
    Subd. 40. Fish vendors. The fee for a license to use a motor vehicle to sell fish is $70.
    Subd. 41. Turtle licenses. (a) The fee for a turtle seller's license to sell turtles and to take,
transport, buy, and possess turtles for sale is $250.
(b) The fee for a recreational turtle license to take, transport, and possess turtles for personal
use is $25.
(c) The fee for a turtle seller's apprentice license is $100.
    Subd. 42. Frog dealers. The fee for the licenses to deal in frogs that are to be used for
purposes other than bait are:
(1) for a resident to purchase, possess, and transport frogs, $220;
(2) for a nonresident to purchase, possess, and transport frogs, $550; and
(3) for a resident to take, possess, transport, and sell frogs, $35.
    Subd. 43. Duplicate licenses. The fees for duplicate licenses are:
(1) for licenses to take big game, $5; and
(2) for other licenses, $2.
    Subd. 44. Replacement licenses. The fee for a replacement firearms deer license is $5.
    Subd. 45. Camp Ripley archery deer hunt. The application fee for the Camp Ripley
archery deer hunt is $8.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 68; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 32; 1987 c 318 s 2; 1987 c 373 s 9; 1987 c
404 s 122-131; 1988 c 437 s 1,2; 1989 c 266 s 1; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 87-123; 1990 c 605 s 5;
1991 c 254 art 2 s 30-32; 1993 c 172 s 56; 1993 c 231 s 27; 1994 c 561 s 16-20; 1994 c 623 art 1
s 24; 1Sp1995 c 1 s 23,24; 1996 c 364 s 4; 1996 c 410 s 29-36; 1997 c 216 s 83; 1997 c 226 s
23,24; 1999 c 57 s 1; 2000 c 341 s 8; 2000 c 463 s 5-13; 2000 c 473 s 5; 2000 c 495 s 34,35;
1Sp2001 c 2 s 113-115; 2002 c 351 s 11,12; 2003 c 128 art 1 s 58-73; 2004 c 215 s 12-15; 2004
c 255 s 31,51; 2005 c 146 s 18,19; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 100; 2006 c 281 art 2 s 30-32; 2007
c 57 art 1 s 91-95; 2007 c 131 art 1 s 29,30
NOTE: The amendment to subdivision 20 by Laws 2006, chapter 281, article 2, section 32,
is effective March 1, 2007. Laws 2006, chapter 281, article 2, section 32, the effective date.
NOTE:The amendment to subdivision 7 by Laws 2007, chapter 57, article 1, section 93, is
effective March 1, 2008. Laws 2007, chapter 57, article 1, section 93, the effective date.

97A.481 LICENSE APPLICATIONS; PENALTY.
All information required on a license application form must be furnished. The application
must be made in writing and is subject to the penalty prescribed in section 97A.301, subdivision
1 , clause (5).
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 69; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 33; 1989 c 287 s 3

97A.482 LICENSE APPLICATIONS; COLLECTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY
NUMBERS.
(a) All applicants for individual noncommercial game and fish licenses under this chapter
and chapters 97B and 97C must include the applicant's Social Security number on the license
application. If an applicant does not have a Social Security number, the applicant must certify that
the applicant does not have a Social Security number.
(b) The Social Security numbers collected by the commissioner on game and fish license
applications are private data under section 13.355, subdivision 1, and must be provided by the
commissioner to the commissioner of human services for child support enforcement purposes.
Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, section 666(a)(13), requires
the collection of Social Security numbers on game and fish license applications for child support
enforcement purposes.
(c) The commissioners of human services and natural resources shall request a waiver from
the secretary of health and human services to exclude any applicant under the age of 16 from
the requirement under this section and under cross-country ski licensing sections to provide
the applicant's Social Security number. If a waiver is granted, this section will be so amended
effective January 1, 2006, or upon the effective date of the waiver, whichever is later.
History: 1Sp2003 c 14 art 10 s 2; 2004 c 228 art 1 s 22; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 101

97A.485 ISSUANCE OF LICENSES.
    Subdivision 1. Commissioner. The commissioner shall issue and sell licenses. The
commissioner shall furnish licenses and applications to agents authorized to issue licenses.
    Subd. 1a.[Repealed, 1992 c 513 art 3 s 79]
    Subd. 2.[Repealed, 2004 c 255 s 51]
    Subd. 2a. Licenses to take additional deer. The commissioner may appoint federal, state,
or local government employees to be agents of the commissioner for the sale of licenses or
permits to take additional deer under section 97B.301, subdivision 4. A bond is not required of a
government employee appointed under this subdivision.
    Subd. 3. Appointment of agents. The commissioner may appoint agents of the commissioner
to issue and sell licenses. The appointment may be revoked by the commissioner at any time.
    Subd. 4. Application to sell licenses by agent. To be an agent, a person must apply to the
commissioner in writing and in a manner approved by the commissioner.
    Subd. 5. Agents responsible for fees. An agent must promptly deposit and remit all money
received from the sale of licenses, except issuing fees, to the commissioner.
    Subd. 6. Licenses to be sold and issuing fees. (a) Persons authorized to sell licenses under
this section must issue the following licenses for the license fee and the following issuing fees:
(1) to take deer or bear with firearms and by archery, the issuing fee is $1;
(2) Minnesota sporting, the issuing fee is $1; and
(3) to take small game, to take fish by angling or by spearing, and to trap fur-bearing
animals, the issuing fee is $1;
(4) for a stamp that is not issued simultaneously with a license, an issuing fee of 50 cents
may be charged at the discretion of the authorized seller;
(5) for stamps issued simultaneously with a license, there is no fee;
(6) for licenses, seals, tags, or coupons issued without a fee under section 97A.441 or
97A.465, an issuing fee of 50 cents may be charged at the discretion of the authorized seller;
(7) for lifetime licenses, there is no fee; and
(8) for all other licenses, permits, renewals, or applications or any other transaction through
the electronic licensing system under this chapter or any other chapter when an issuing fee is not
specified, an issuing fee of 50 cents may be charged at the discretion of the authorized seller.
(b) An issuing fee may not be collected for issuance of a trout and salmon stamp if a stamp
validation is issued simultaneously with the related angling or sporting license. Only one issuing
fee may be collected when selling more than one trout and salmon stamp in the same transaction
after the end of the season for which the stamp was issued.
(c) The agent shall keep the issuing fee as a commission for selling the licenses.
(d) The commissioner shall collect the issuing fee on licenses sold by the commissioner.
(e) A license, except stamps, must state the amount of the issuing fee and that the issuing fee
is kept by the seller as a commission for selling the licenses.
(f) For duplicate licenses, including licenses issued without a fee, the issuing fees are:
(1) for licenses to take big game, 75 cents; and
(2) for other licenses, 50 cents.
(g) The commissioner may issue one-day angling licenses in books of ten licenses each to
fishing guides operating charter boats upon receipt of payment of all license fees, excluding the
issuing fee required under this section. Copies of sold and unsold licenses shall be returned to the
commissioner. The commissioner shall refund the charter boat captain for the license fees of all
unsold licenses. Copies of sold licenses shall be maintained by the commissioner for one year.
    Subd. 7. Electronic licensing system commission. The commissioner shall retain for the
operation of the electronic licensing system the commission established under section 84.027,
subdivision 15 , and issuing fees collected by the commissioner on all license fees collected,
excluding:
    (1) the small game surcharge;
    (2) the deer license surcharges or donations under section 97A.475, subdivisions 3,
paragraph (b), and 3a; and
    (3) $2.50 of the license fee for the licenses in section 97A.475, subdivisions 6, clauses
(1) , (2), and (4), 7, 8, 12, and 13.
    Subd. 8.[Repealed, 2004 c 255 s 51]
    Subd. 9. Certain licenses not to be issued after season opens. A license to guide bear
hunters may not be issued after the day before the opening of the related firearms season.
    Subd. 10.[Repealed, 2004 c 255 s 51]
    Subd. 11. Rules for accounting and procedures. The commissioner shall prescribe rules for
the accounting and procedural requirements necessary to assure the efficient handling of licenses
and license fees. The commissioner may, by rule, establish standards for the appointment and
revocation of agents to assure the efficient distribution of licenses throughout the state.
    Subd. 12. Youth deer license. The commissioner may, for a fee of $5.50, issue to a resident
under the age of 16 a license, without a tag, to take deer with firearms. A youth holding a license
issued under this subdivision may hunt under the license only if accompanied by a licensed hunter
who is at least 18 years of age and possesses a valid tag. A deer taken by a youth holding a license
issued under this subdivision must be promptly tagged by the licensed hunter accompanying the
youth. Section 97B.301, subdivision 6, does not apply to a youth holding a license issued under
this subdivision.
    Subd. 13. One-day paper fishing licenses. The commissioner must allow one-day paper
fishing licenses to be sold by fishing guides operating charter boats.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 70; 1987 c 404 s 132; 1988 c 437 s 3; 1989 c 287 s 4; 1989 c 335
art 1 s 124; 1990 c 608 art 7 s 1; 1991 c 227 s 1; 1991 c 254 art 2 s 33; 1991 c 259 s 23; 1992 c
462 s 14; 1993 c 231 s 28,29; 1993 c 310 s 5; 1994 c 561 s 21,22; 1994 c 623 art 1 s 25; 1994 c
632 art 2 s 25; 1997 c 226 s 25-27; 2000 c 463 s 14; 1Sp2001 c 2 s 116; 2002 c 376 s 9; 2003 c 128
art 1 s 74; 2004 c 255 s 32-37; 2005 c 146 s 20; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 102,103; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 96

POSSESSION AND TRANSPORTATION

OF WILD ANIMALS

97A.501 WILD ANIMALS; GENERAL RESTRICTIONS.
    Subdivision 1. General restrictions. A person may not take, buy, sell, transport, or possess a
protected wild animal unless allowed by the game and fish laws. The ownership of all wild
animals is in the state, unless the wild animal has been lawfully acquired under the game and fish
laws. The ownership of a wild animal that is lawfully acquired reverts to the state if a law relating
to sale, transportation, or possession of the wild animal is violated.
    Subd. 2. Endangered species. A person may not take, import, transport, or sell an
endangered species of wild animal, or sell, or possess with intent to sell an article made from the
parts of a wild animal, except as provided in section 84.0895.
    Subd. 3. Contraceptive chemicals. (a) A person may not administer contraceptive chemicals
to noncaptive wild animals without a permit issued by the commissioner.
(b) The commissioner shall adopt rules establishing standards and guidelines for the
administration of contraceptive chemicals to noncaptive wild animals. The rules may specify
chemical delivery methods and devices and monitoring requirements.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 71; 1987 c 384 art 1 s 10; 1994 c 623 art 1 s 26

97A.502 DEER KILLED BY MOTOR VEHICLES.
Deer killed by a motor vehicle on a public road must be removed by the road authority, as
defined by section 160.02, subdivision 25. The commissioner of natural resources must provide to
all road authorities standard forms for statistical purposes and the tracking of wild animals.
History: 1987 c 404 s 133; 1988 c 437 s 4

97A.505 POSSESSION OF WILD ANIMALS.
    Subdivision 1.[Repealed, 1987 c 149 art 1 s 54]
    Subd. 2. Possession of unlawful animals brought into the state prohibited. A person may
not possess a wild animal that has been unlawfully taken, bought, sold, or possessed outside
the state, or unlawfully shipped into the state.
    Subd. 3.[Repealed, 1987 c 149 art 1 s 54]
    Subd. 3a. Transportation of animals into state. Wild animals lawfully taken, bought,
sold, or possessed outside the state may be brought or shipped into the state unless otherwise
provided by law.
    Subd. 3b. Wild animals taken on Red Lake Reservation lands within the Northwest
Angle. Wild animals taken and tagged in accordance with the Red Lake Band's Conservation
Code on the Red Lake Reservation lands in Minnesota north of the 49th parallel shall be
considered lawfully taken and possessed under state law.
    Subd. 4. Storage of protected wild animals. A person that stores protected wild animals for
others must plainly mark the package, in ink, with the name and address of the owner, the license
number of the person taking the animal, and the number and species in the package.
    Subd. 5. License not required for animals acquired by gift. Lawfully taken protected wild
animals may be transferred by gift. A person is not required to have a license to possess and
transport protected wild animals acquired by gift.
    Subd. 6.[Repealed, 1987 c 149 art 1 s 54]
    Subd. 7. Exceptions to this section. This section does not apply to mounted specimens of
wild animals, antlers, tanned hides, and dressed furs lawfully taken.
    Subd. 8. Importation of hunter-harvested cervidae. Importation into Minnesota of
hunter-harvested cervidae carcasses from known chronic wasting disease endemic areas, as
determined by the Board of Animal Health, is prohibited except for cut and wrapped meat,
quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached, antlers,
hides, teeth, finished taxidermy mounts, and antlers attached to skull caps that are cleaned of all
brain tissue. Hunter-harvested cervidae carcasses taken from chronic wasting disease endemic
areas outside of Minnesota may be transported on a direct route through the state by nonresidents.
    Subd. 9. Possession of live cervidae. A person may not possess live cervidae, except as
authorized in sections 17.452, 35.153, and 35.155 or 97A.401.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 72; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 34,35; 1993 c 231 s 30,31; 2000 c 406 s
1; 2003 c 128 art 1 s 75,76; 2004 c 215 s 16; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 1 s 97; 2007 c 131 art 1 s 31

97A.510 GAME FOR CONSUMPTION AT FUND-RAISING EVENTS.
(a) Nonprofit organizations may charge a fee for admission to fund-raising events when
lawfully taken and possessed game, excluding migratory game birds, as defined in Code of
Federal Regulations, title 50, section 20.11, that cannot be sold under federal law, is donated to the
organization and is served for consumption on the premises where the fund-raising event is held.
(b) Game donated to the nonprofit organization must be marked as provided in section
97A.505, subdivision 4. The game donated to a nonprofit organization and stored by the
organization is considered to be in the possession of the person making the donation, and is
subject to inspection as provided in section 97A.215, subdivision 1. As provided in section
97A.505, subdivision 5, a license is not required for the nonprofit organization to possess or
transport the donated game.
(c) The nonprofit organization must keep records of the game donated to the organization,
and the records must be available for inspection for two years from the date of the fund-raising
event. The records must show:
(1) the names and addresses of persons donating the game;
(2) the license number or possession permit number under which the game was lawfully
taken or possessed; and
(3) the date, location, and purpose of the fund-raising event that utilized the donation.
History: 2002 c 351 s 13

97A.511 FUR-BEARING ANIMALS.
    The skins of fur-bearing animals and the flesh of beaver, muskrat, raccoon, rabbits and hares,
legally taken and bearing the required seals or tags required by the game and fish laws, may
be bought, sold, and transported at any time.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 73; 2007 c 131 art 1 s 32

97A.512 SALE OF INEDIBLE PORTIONS OF BIG GAME ANIMALS, FUR-BEARING
ANIMALS, FISH, AND GAME BIRDS OTHER THAN MIGRATORY WATERFOWL.
(a) Except as otherwise provided by the game and fish laws and as restricted in this section,
a person may possess, transport, buy, or sell the following inedible portions of lawfully taken
or acquired big game animals, fur-bearing animals, fish, and game birds other than migratory
waterfowl: bones, including skulls; sinews; hides and skins; hooves; teeth; claws; and antlers.
(b) A person may not buy or sell bear paws, unless attached to the hide, or bear gallbladders.
History: 1992 c 589 s 3; 2001 c 185 s 29

97A.515 PELTS, SKINS, AND HIDES TAKEN ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS.
The pelts, skins, and hides of protected wild animals taken on an Indian reservation in this
state, except the Fond du Lac Reservation, may be transported, sold, and disposed of as prescribed
by the commissioner.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 74

97A.521 TRANSPORTATION OF WILD ANIMALS; GENERALLY.
    Subdivision 1. General authority; residents. A resident may transport wild animals to any
place in the state if the resident and the animals are in the same vehicle.
    Subd. 2. General authority; nonresidents. A nonresident may transport wild animals taken
in the state if the nonresident and the animals are in the same vehicle.
    Subd. 3. Wild animals in containers. A person that transports wild animals in a
container must mark or identify the container as prescribed under the game and fish laws or by
commissioner's rule.
    Subd. 4. Animals that may be lawfully sold. During the open season a person may transport
a protected wild animal within the state, and to a destination outside the state, if the animal may
be lawfully sold and the transportation is not otherwise prohibited.
    Subd. 5. Unlawful wild animals prohibited. A person may not transport wild animals taken,
bought, sold, or possessed in violation of the game and fish laws.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 75; 1991 c 259 s 23

97A.525 TRANSPORTATION OF WILD ANIMALS BY COMMON CARRIER.
    Subdivision 1. Residents. A resident may transport wild animals within the state by common
carrier without being in the vehicle if the resident has the license required to take the animals and
they are shipped to the resident. The wild animals that may be transported by common carrier are:
(1) deer, bear, elk, and moose;
(2) undressed game birds; and
(3) fish.
    Subd. 2. Nonresidents. A nonresident may transport wild animals by common carrier
without being in the vehicle if the nonresident has the license required to take the animals and
they are shipped to the nonresident.
    Subd. 3. Employee of carrier. An employee of a carrier may not transport wild animals as
baggage while performing duties for the carrier.
    Subd. 4. Statement required for protected wild animals. A person that transports protected
wild animals by common carrier, including animals carried in baggage, must attach a statement to
each shipment. The statement must include the name, address, and license number of the person
shipping the animals, the number and species of the animals in the shipment, and the signature
of the licensee.
    Subd. 5. Carrier must be shown shipper's license. A common carrier may not accept a
shipment of big or small game unless the carrier is shown the license of the shipper to take
the game.
    Subd. 6. Waybill must specify animals. The waybill or receipt issued by a common carrier
to a shipper must specify the number and species of wild animals being shipped.
    Subd. 7. Animals in possession of shipper. Wild animals that are transported by common
carrier are considered to be in the possession of the shipper.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 76; 1987 c 373 s 10

97A.531 SHIPMENT OF WILD ANIMALS TAKEN IN CANADA.
    Subdivision 1. Shipping coupons. A person may ship, within or out of the state, wild
animals lawfully taken and possessed in Canada and that have lawfully entered the state. The
shipment must have the shipping coupons required for a shipment originating in the province
where the animals were taken.
    Subd. 2.[Repealed, 1995 c 220 s 141; 1995 c 224 s 126; 1Sp1995 c 1 s 48]
    Subd. 3.[Repealed, 1995 c 220 s 141; 1995 c 224 s 126; 1Sp1995 c 1 s 48]
    Subd. 4.[Repealed, 1995 c 220 s 141; 1995 c 224 s 126; 1Sp1995 c 1 s 48]
    Subd. 5.[Repealed, 1995 c 220 s 141; 1995 c 224 s 126; 1Sp1995 c 1 s 48]
    Subd. 6.[Repealed, 1995 c 220 s 141; 1995 c 224 s 126; 1Sp1995 c 1 s 48]
    Subd. 7.[Repealed, 1995 c 224 s 127; 1Sp1995 c 1 s 49]
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 77; 1993 c 269 s 8; 1994 c 479 s 1; 1994 c 623 art 1 s 27;
1995 c 224 s 51; 1Sp1995 c 1 s 25

97A.535 POSSESSION AND TRANSPORTATION OF DEER, BEAR, ELK, AND MOOSE.
    Subdivision 1. Tags required. (a) A person may not possess or transport deer, bear, elk, or
moose taken in the state unless a tag is attached to the carcass in a manner prescribed by the
commissioner. The commissioner must prescribe the type of tag that has the license number of the
owner, the year of its issue, and other information prescribed by the commissioner.
(b) The tag and the license must be validated at the site of the kill as prescribed by the
commissioner.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the tag must be attached to the deer, bear,
elk, or moose at the site of the kill before the animal is removed from the site of the kill.
(d) The tag must remain attached to the animal until the animal is processed for storage.
(e) A person may move a lawfully taken deer, bear, elk, or moose from the site of the kill
without attaching the validated tag to the animal only while in the act of manually or mechanically
dragging, carrying, or carting the animal across the ground and while possessing the validated tag
on their person. A motor vehicle may be used to drag the animal across the ground. At all other
times, the validated tag must be attached to the deer, bear, elk, or moose:
(1) as otherwise provided in this section; and
(2) prior to the animal being placed onto and transported on a motor vehicle, being hung from
a tree or other structure or device, or being brought into a camp or yard or other place of habitation.
    Subd. 2. Registration required. Deer, bear, elk, and moose must be registered as prescribed
by the commissioner, in addition to the tag required in subdivision 1.
    Subd. 2a. Quartering of deer allowed. A deer that has been tagged as required in
subdivision 1 may be quartered at the site of the kill. The animal's head must remain attached to
one of the quarters. The quarters must be presented together for registration under subdivision 2
and must remain together until the deer is processed for storage.
    Subd. 3. Transportation period restricted. A person may transport deer, bear, one elk,
or moose during the open season and the two days following the season, and afterwards as
prescribed by the commissioner.
    Subd. 4. Transportation by person other than licensee. A person other than the licensee
may transport deer, bear, elk, or moose that the licensee has registered as prescribed by the
commissioner. A tag must be attached to the animal and marked in ink with the address, license
number, signature of the licensee, and the locations from which and to which the animal is being
transported.
    Subd. 5. Heads, hides, and claws. A resident that has a license to take deer, bear, elk, or
moose may transport the head or hide of the animal within or out of the state for mounting or
tanning. The hides of deer, bear, elk, and moose, and the claws of bear legally taken and with the
tags that are required by this section, may be bought, sold, and transported at any time.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 78; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 36,37; 1987 c 373 s 11; 1991 c 241 s 6;
1993 c 231 s 32; 1996 c 410 s 37; 2006 c 281 art 2 s 33

97A.541 [Repealed, 1993 c 269 s 32]

97A.545 TRANSPORTATION OF GAME BIRDS.
    Subdivision 1. Residents shipping by common carrier. A resident that ships game birds
to the resident by common carrier without being in the vehicle may not make more than three
shipments during a license year. A shipment may not contain more than the resident's daily limit.
    Subd. 2. Nonresidents shipping by common carrier. A nonresident that ships game birds
to the nonresident by common carrier without being in the vehicle must obtain a shipping permit
from the commissioner. The commissioner shall issue the permit upon request, without a fee. The
carrier receiving the shipment must cancel the permit as prescribed by the commissioner.
    Subd. 3. Shipping to other persons. A person must obtain a permit from the commissioner
to ship game birds to another person within or out of the state. The person must have the licenses
required to take the game birds.
    Subd. 4. Game birds taken outside of this state. (a) A person may transport into the state
game birds that are lawfully taken and possessed outside of this state.
(b) A resident may ship the game birds by common carrier within the state. A nonresident
may ship the game birds out of the state by common carrier. Each shipment must be tagged or
sealed by a conservation officer as prescribed by the commissioner.
    Subd. 5. Birds must be in undressed condition; exceptions. (a) Except as provided in
paragraph (b), a person may ship or otherwise transport game birds in an undressed condition only.
(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply if the birds being shipped or otherwise transported:
(1) were taken on a shooting preserve and are marked or identified in accordance with
section 97A.121, subdivision 5;
(2) were taken, dressed, and lawfully shipped or otherwise transported in another state; or
(3) are migratory game birds that were lawfully tagged and packed by a federally permitted
migratory bird preservation facility.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 80; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 38; 1987 c 384 art 1 s 11; 1993 c 231
s 33-36; 2004 c 215 s 17

97A.551 POSSESSION AND TRANSPORTATION OF FISH.
    Subdivision 1.[Repealed, 1987 c 149 art 1 s 54]
    Subd. 2. Fish transported through state. A person may not transport game fish taken in
another state or country through the state during the closed season or in excess of the possession
limit unless the fish are:
(1) transported by common carrier; or
(2) tagged, sealed, or marked as prescribed by the commissioner.
    Subd. 3. Shipping fish. A person that has a license to take fish may make three shipments
of fish in a license year to any person within or out of the state after obtaining a permit for each
shipment from the commissioner. A shipment may not contain more than a possession limit
of one species of fish per licensee.
    Subd. 4. Walleye; northern pike. Walleye and northern pike may be possessed, transported,
or shipped in a dressed or undressed condition.
    Subd. 5. Preparation and packing of fish for transportation. The commissioner may
adopt rules for the preparation and packing of fish for transportation.
    Subd. 6. Tagging and registration. The commissioner may, by rule, require persons taking,
possessing, and transporting certain species of fish to tag the fish with a special fish management
tag and may require registration of tagged fish. A person may not possess or transport a fish
species taken in the state for which a special fish management tag is required unless a tag is
attached to the fish in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. The commissioner shall prescribe
the manner of issuance and the type of tag as authorized under section 97C.087. The tag must
be attached to the fish as prescribed by the commissioner immediately upon reducing the fish to
possession and must remain attached to the fish until the fish is processed or consumed. Species
for which a special fish management tag is required must be transported undressed, except as
otherwise prescribed by the commissioner.
History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 81; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 39; 1993 c 185 s 1; 1993 c 231 s 37;
1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 104; 2006 c 281 art 2 s 34

97A.552 FISHING REGULATIONS; EXECUTIVE ORDER.
    Subdivision 1. Order authorized. (a) The governor may by executive order:
(1) require that fish that are lawfully taken by angling and possessed in Canada be brought
into the state in-the-round;
(2) authorize fish lawfully taken by angling in Canada to be transported within the state
or out of the state by a nonresident;
(3) require that a Minnesota resident transporting in Minnesota fish that have been taken by
angling in Canada possess a Minnesota angling license; and
(4) require that any advertisement of fishing resorts or facilities in Canada in printed
or broadcast form originating or distributed within the state must contain a summary of the
requirement of clause (1) and penalty for noncompliance.
(b) An executive order issued under paragraph (a) is effective the day following the filing
of a certified copy thereof in the Office of the Secretary of State, and remains in effect until
rescinded by order of the governor.
    Subd. 2. Penalty for noncompliance. A violation of an executive order imposing the
requirement in subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1), is a misdemeanor, and in addition to
any criminal penalty imposed, fish brought into or transported within the state contrary to that
executive order must be confiscated, and a penalty of $10 for each fish must be imposed.
History: 1995 c 224 s 52; 1Sp1995 c 1 s 26