1998 Minnesota Statutes

     97B.081 Using artificial lights to locate animals. 

    Subdivision 1.    With firearms and bows.  (a) A person 
 may not cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other 
 artificial light on a highway, or in a field, woodland, or 
 forest, to spot, locate, or take a wild animal, except while 
 taking raccoons in accordance with section 97B.621, subdivision 
 3, or tending traps in accordance with section 97B.931, while 
 having in possession, either individually or as one of a group 
 of persons, a firearm, bow, or other implement that could be 
 used to kill big game.  

    (b) This subdivision does not apply to a firearm that is: 

    (1) unloaded; 

    (2) in a gun case expressly made to contain a firearm that 
 fully encloses the firearm by being zipped, snapped, buckled, 
 tied, or otherwise fastened without any portion of the firearm 
 exposed; and 

    (3) in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.  

    (c) This subdivision does not apply to a bow that is: 

    (1) completely encased or unstrung; and 

    (2) in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.  

    (d) If the motor vehicle under paragraph (b) or (c) does 
 not have a trunk, the firearm or bow must be placed in the 
 rearmost location of the vehicle.  

    (e) This subdivision does not apply to persons taking 
 raccoons under section 97B.621, subdivision 3.  

    Subd. 2.    Without firearms.  Between the hours of 
 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. from September 1 to December 31, a 
 person may not cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other 
 artificial light in a field, woodland, or forest to spot, 
 locate, or take a wild animal except to take raccoons under 
 section 97B.621, subdivision 3, or to tend traps under section 
 97B.931.  It is not a violation of this subdivision for a person 
 to carry out any agricultural, occupational, or recreational 
 practice, including snowmobiling that is not related to 
 spotting, locating, or taking a wild animal.  

    HIST: 1986 c 386 art 2 s 17; 1987 c 131 s 1; 1987 c 149 art 1 
 s 46