Minnesota light law for effective predator management

PROPOSED REGULATION CHANGE

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 97B.081,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
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 this subdivision 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 hand-held 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.


(PROPOSED CHANGE) A person may, while on foot and at least 200 feet from a vehicle, use a hand-held artificial light to assist in the hunting of foxes, bobcats, coyotes and raccoons while using hand-held, mouth operated or electronic calling devices.