This bill modifies existing trapping provisions in Minnesota's game and fish laws, specifically amending sections 97B.931 and 97B.945 of the Minnesota Statutes and proposing new legal language in section 97B.902. The bill establishes that trapping seasons for fur-bearing animals will begin at sunrise on the designated opening day. It also allows individuals to use portable artificial lights to tend traps during the day, while previously, tending traps at night was restricted. Additionally, it introduces a new provision stating that snares not capable of drowning captured animals need only be tended once every third calendar day, with the requirement that any captured animal must be removed from the snare.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the regulations regarding setting traps near water. It allows for the setting of foot-encapsulating traps within 50 feet of water without a special permit, while maintaining restrictions on other types of traps. The bill also repeals a specific Minnesota Rule that mandated daily tending of snares not capable of drowning animals, thus aligning the regulations with the new provisions established in the bill. Overall, these changes aim to provide more flexibility for trappers while ensuring the humane treatment of captured animals.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 97B.931, 97B.945