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S.F. No. 1945 - Wolf Hunting and Trapping (First Engrossment)
 
Author: Senator Paul E. Gazelka
 
Prepared By: Stephanie James, Senate Counsel (651/296-0103)
 
Date: March 12, 2012



 

Section 1 [Unprotected wild animals definition] removes reference to “brush wolf” in describing coyotes.

Section 2 [Wolf license] provides that the revenue from selling wolf licenses is  dedicated and appropriated to the DNR for wolf management, research damage control, enforcement, and education.

Section 3 [Under age 16 trapping] provides that wolves may not be taken by persons under age 16 who are trapping without a trapping license.

Sections 4 to 6 [Lifetime licenses] provide that a person with a lifetime hunting license does not include the trapping of wolves.

Section 7 [Resident wolf hunting license fee] establishes the wolf hunting license fee for residents is $26.

Section 8 [Nonresident wolf hunting license fee] establishes the nonresident wolf hunting license fee is $230.

Section 9 [Wolf trapping license] establishes the wolf trapping fee is $26 and may be issued to residents only.

Sections 10 and 11 [Firearms and ammunition to take wolves] provide that the firearms and ammunition allowed to take big game are the same firearms and ammunition allowed to take wolves.

Section 12 [Bow hunting for wolves] provides that a bow used for taking wolves must have a pull of 30 pounds or greater.

Section 13 [Hunting hours for wolves] provides that wolves may be taken from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

Section 14 [Nonresident trapping] excludes wolves from the animals that may be trapped by a nonresident on land owned by the nonresident.

Section 15 [License exceptions] provides that landowners and residents under age 16 may not trap wolves without a wolf license and that a person may take a wolf without a small game license.

Section 16 [Party hunting] provides that small game party hunting provisions do not apply to the taking of wolves.  Similar to turkey hunting, a person licensed for the same zone may assist a licensee as long as they do not tag the wolf.

Section 17 [DNR restrictions] allows the DNR to restrict the taking of wolves and designated areas where wolf taking is allowed.

Section 18 [Technical] deletes the term “gray” when referring to “wolves.”

Section 19 [Taking wolves] provides that a person may not take a wolf without a wolf license and allows the DNR to establish open seasons, open areas, daily and possession limits, limits on number of hunters in an area for the taking of wolves, and a method to select hunters and trappers in an area.  This section also establishes a $4 fee for the wolf license application and allows the DNR to establish annual wolf quotas.  The DNR is authorized to established a method to monitor harvest and close the season when a quota is reached.  The DNR must reserve a portion of the annual quota for trapping.

Section 20 [Wolf predator controllers] eliminates the $150 amount currently specified in statute for predator controllers and allows the DNR to establish the fee by written order in the State Register.

Section 21 [Wolf carcass registration] requires the whole carcass of the wolf, with the pelt removed, for registration with a state wildlife manager designee before the pelt is sold or transported out of state.

Section 22 [Restitution value for wolves] directs the DNR to amend rules to set the restitution value for wolves at $500. The current rule has the restitution value set at $2,000.

Section 23 [Use of snares] directs the DNR to amend rules on snares related to the taking of wolves.

Section 24 [2012 and 2013 wolf seasons] directs the DNR to have the first wolf hunting season start no later than the deer opener.

Section 25 [Revisor instruction] directs the Revisor of the Statutes to delete the term “gray” when referring to “wolves.”

Section 26 [Repealer] repeals Minnesota Statutes, sections:

            97A.3331, subdivision 7 – gross misdemeanor for taking wolves; and

            97B.645, subdivision 2 – requiring a permit to snare a wolf.

GK/SJJ

 

 
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