1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to game and fish; modifying restrictions on using lights to locate animals;
1.3 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.081, subdivision 1.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.081, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.6 		Subdivision 1.With firearms and bows. (a) A person may not cast the rays of a 
1.7 	spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light on a highway, or in a field, woodland, or forest, 
1.8 	to spot, locate, or take a wild animal, except while taking raccoons in accordance with 
1.9 	section  97B.621, subdivision 3, or tending traps in accordance with section  97B.931, 
1.10 	while having in possession, either individually or as one of a group of persons, a firearm, 
1.11 	bow, or other implement that could be used to kill big game. 
1.12 	(b) This subdivision does not apply to a firearm that is:
1.13 	(1) unloaded;
1.14 	(2) in a gun case expressly made to contain a firearm that fully encloses the firearm 
1.15 	by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened without any portion of 
1.16 	the firearm exposed; and
1.17 	(3) in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.
1.18 	(c) This subdivision does not apply to a bow that is:
1.19 	(1) completely encased or unstrung; and
1.20 	(2) in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.
1.21 	(d) If the motor vehicle under paragraph (b) or (c) does not have a trunk, the firearm 
1.22 	or bow must be placed in the rearmost location of the vehicle.
1.23 	(e) This subdivision does not apply to persons taking raccoons under section  
1.24 	97B.621, subdivision 3. 
2.1 	(f) This subdivision does not apply to a person hunting raccoon, fox, or coyote from 
2.2 	January 1 to March 15 while using a hand-held artificial light, provided that the person:
2.3 	(1) is on foot;
2.4 	(2) is not within a public road right-of-way;
2.5 	(3) is using a hand-held or electronic calling device; and
2.6 	(4) is not within 200 feet of a motor vehicle.