2002 Minnesota Statutes

     97B.621 Raccoons. 

    Subdivision 1.    Season.  The statewide open season for 
 raccoon may be set by the commissioner. 

    Subd. 2.    Period for treeing raccoons.  
 Notwithstanding subdivision 1, a person may use dogs to pursue 
 and tree raccoons without killing or capturing the raccoons:  

    (1) from January 1 to April 15 and from July 15 to October 
 14; and 

    (2) from April 16 to July 14 in raccoon dog field trials 
 under special permit issued by the commissioner under section 
 97B.005, subdivision 1. 

    Subd. 3.    Nighttime hunting restrictions.  To take 
 raccoons between sunset and sunrise, a person:  

    (1) must be on foot; 

    (2) may use an artificial light only if hunting with dogs; 

    (3) may not use a rifle other than one of a .22 inch 
 caliber with .22 short, long, or long rifle, rimfire ammunition; 
 and 

    (4) may not use shotgun shells with larger than No. 4 shot. 

    Subd. 4.    Prohibited methods of taking.  A person may 
 not take a raccoon: 

    (1) in a den or hollow tree; 

    (2) by cutting down a tree occupied by raccoon; or 

    (3) by setting fire to a tree or using smoke.  

    HIST: 1986 c 386 art 2 s 46; 1987 c 81 s 1; 1993 c 51 s 1; 
 1993 c 269 s 19