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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.

(f) This subdivision does not apply to a person hunting fox or coyote from January 1 to March 15 while using a handheld artificial light, provided that the person:

(1) is on foot;

(2) is using a shotgun;

(3) is not within a public road right-of-way;

(4) is using a handheld or electronic calling device; and

(5) is not within 200 feet of a motor vehicle.

Subd. 2.Without firearms.

(a) 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.

(b) Between one-half hour after sunset until sunrise, a person may not cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light to spot, locate, or take a wild animal on fenced, agricultural land containing livestock, as defined in section 17A.03, subdivision 5, or poultry that is marked with signs prohibiting the shining of lights. The signs must:

(1) display reflectorized letters that are at least two inches in height and state "no shining" or similar terms; and

(2) be placed at intervals of 1,000 feet or less along the boundary of the area.

(c) It is not a violation of paragraph (a) or (b) 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.

(d) Between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., a person may not project a spotlight or handheld light onto residential property or building sites from a moving motor vehicle being operated on land, except for the following purposes:

(1) safety;

(2) emergency response;

(3) normal vehicle operations; or

(4) performing an occupational duty.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes