2006 Minnesota Statutes

97B.055 DISCHARGING FIREARMS AND BOWS AND ARROWS.
    Subdivision 1. Restrictions related to highways. (a) A person may not discharge a firearm
or an arrow from a bow on, over, or across an improved public highway at a big game animal. A
person may not discharge a firearm or bow and arrow within the right-of-way of an improved
public highway at a big game animal. The commissioner may by rule extend the application of
this subdivision to the taking of migratory waterfowl in designated locations.
(b) A person may not discharge a firearm or an arrow from a bow on, over, across, or within
the right-of-way of an improved public highway at a decoy of a big game animal that has been
set out by a licensed peace officer.
    Subd. 2. Restrictions related to motor vehicles. A person may not take a wild animal with
a firearm or by archery from a motor vehicle except as permitted in this section. Notwithstanding
section 97B.091, a person may transport a bow uncased while in an electric motor-powered
boat and may take rough fish while in the boat.
    Subd. 3. Hunting from vehicle by disabled hunters. (a) The commissioner may issue a
special permit, without a fee, to discharge a firearm or bow and arrow from a stationary motor
vehicle to a person who obtains the required licenses and who has a permanent physical disability
that is more substantial than discomfort from walking. The permit recipient must be:
(1) unable to step from a vehicle without aid of a wheelchair, crutches, braces, or other
mechanical support or prosthetic device; or
(2) unable to walk any distance because of a permanent lung, heart, or other internal disease
that requires the person to use supplemental oxygen to assist breathing.
(b) The permanent physical disability must be established by medical evidence verified
in writing by a licensed physician or chiropractor. The commissioner may request additional
information from the physician or chiropractor if needed to verify the applicant's eligibility
for the permit. Notwithstanding section 97A.418, the commissioner may, in consultation with
appropriate advocacy groups, establish reasonable minimum standards for permits to be issued
under this section. In addition to providing the medical evidence of a permanent disability, the
applicant must possess a valid disability parking certificate authorized by section 169.345 or
license plates issued under section 168.021.
(c) A person issued a special permit under this subdivision and hunting deer may take a deer
of either sex, except in those antlerless permit areas and seasons where no antlerless permits are
offered. This subdivision does not authorize another member of a party to take an antlerless
deer under section 97B.301, subdivision 3.
(d) A permit issued under this subdivision is valid for five years.
(e) The commissioner may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke a permit issued under this
section for cause, including a violation of the game and fish laws or rules.
(f) A person who knowingly makes a false application or assists another in making a false
application for a permit under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. A physician or chiropractor
who fraudulently certifies to the commissioner that a person is permanently disabled as described
in this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
    Subd. 4. Taking bounty animals from airplanes and snowmobiles. The commissioner
may issue a special permit, without fee, to take animals that the state pays a bounty for, from an
airplane or a snowmobile.
History: 1986 c 386 art 2 s 12; 1990 c 558 s 2; 1991 c 241 s 7; 1991 c 259 s 23; 1994 c 561
s 23; 1Sp1995 c 1 s 27; 1997 c 226 s 28; 2000 c 265 s 2; 2000 c 428 s 2; 2001 c 185 s 30