1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; modifying horse trail pass requirements; creating 
1.3 	a new resident deer license fee category; allowing scopes on muzzleloaders; 
1.4 	providing for a special bear hunting permit;amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, 
1.5 	sections 85.46, subdivision 1; 97B.031, subdivision 5; 97B.301, by adding a 
1.6 	subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 97A.475, subdivision 
1.7 	2.
1.8 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.9 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 85.46, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.10 		Subdivision 1.Pass in possession. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), while 
1.11 	riding, leading, or driving a horse on horse trails and associated day use areas on state 
1.12 	trails, in state parks, in state recreation areas, and in state forests, a person 16 years of age 
1.13 	or over shall carry in immediate possession and visibly display on person or horse tack,
1.14 	a valid horse trail pass. The pass must be available for inspection by a peace officer, a 
1.15 	conservation officer, or an employee designated under section 84.0835.
1.16 	(b) A valid horse pass is not required under this section for a person riding, leading, 
1.17 	or driving a horse only on the portion of a horse trail that is owned by the person or the 
1.18 	person's spouse, child, or parent.

1.19 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 97A.475, subdivision 2, is 
1.20 	amended to read:
1.21 		Subd. 2.Resident hunting. Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to residents 
1.22 	only, are:
1.23 	(1) for persons age 18 or over and under age 65 to take small game, $12.50;
1.24 	(2) for persons ages 16 and 17 and age 65 or over, $6 to take small game;
2.1 	(3) to take turkey, $18;
2.2 	(4) for persons age 18 or over to take deer with firearms, $26;
2.3 	(5) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by archery, $26;
2.4 	(6) to take moose, for a party of not more than six persons, $310;
2.5 	(7) to take bear, $38;
2.6 	(8) to take elk, for a party of not more than two persons, $250;
2.7 	(9) multizone license to take antlered deer in more than one zone, $52;
2.8 	(10) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4;
2.9 	(11) all season license to take three deer throughout the state in any open deer 
2.10 	season, except as restricted under section 97B.305, $78;
2.11 	(12) all-firearm season license to take two deer throughout the state in any open 
2.12 	firearms deer season, except as restricted under section 97B.305, $52;
2.13 	(13) to take prairie chickens, $20;
2.14 	(13) (14) for persons at least age 12 and under age 18 to take deer with firearms 
2.15 	during the regular firearms season in any open zone or time period, $13; and
2.16 	(14) (15) for persons at least age 12 and under age 18 to take deer by archery, $13.

2.17 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.031, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
2.18 		Subd. 5.Scopes; visually impaired hunters on muzzleloaders. (a) 
2.19 	Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the commissioner may issue a special 
2.20 	permit, without a fee, to A person may use a muzzleloader with a scope to take deer 
2.21 	during the muzzleloader season to a person who obtains the required licenses and who has 
2.22 	a visual impairment. The scope may not have magnification capabilities.
2.23 	(b) The visual impairment must be to the extent that the applicant is unable 
2.24 	to identify targets and the rifle sights at the same time without a scope. The visual 
2.25 	impairment and specific conditions must be established by medical evidence verified in 
2.26 	writing by a licensed physician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist. The commissioner 
2.27 	may request additional information from the physician if needed to verify the applicant's 
2.28 	eligibility for the permit.
2.29 	(c) A permit issued under this subdivision may be valid for up to five years, based 
2.30 	on the permanence of the visual impairment as determined by the licensed physician, 
2.31 	ophthalmologist, or optometrist.
2.32 	(d) The permit must be in the immediate possession of the permittee when hunting 
2.33 	under the special permit.
2.34 	(e) The commissioner may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke a permit issued under 
2.35 	this subdivision for cause, including a violation of the game and fish laws or rules.
3.1 	(f) A person who knowingly makes a false application or assists another in making 
3.2 	a false application for a permit under this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor. A 
3.3 	physician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist who fraudulently certifies to the commissioner 
3.4 	that a person is visually impaired as described in this subdivision is guilty of a 
3.5 	misdemeanor.

3.6 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.301, is amended by adding a subdivision 
3.7 	to read:
3.8 		Subd. 8.All-firearm season deer license. (a) A resident may obtain an all-firearm 
3.9 	season deer license that authorizes the resident to hunt during the regular firearms and 
3.10 	muzzleloader seasons. The all-firearm season license is valid for taking two deer, no more 
3.11 	than one of which may be a legal buck.
3.12 	(b) The all-firearm season deer license is valid for taking antlerless deer as prescribed 
3.13 	by the commissioner.
3.14 	(c) The commissioner shall issue two tags when issuing a license under this 
3.15 	subdivision.

3.16 	Sec. 5. ADDITIONAL BEAR HUNTING PERMITS.
 3.17 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 97B.405, and rules adopted thereunder, 
3.18 	until December 1, 2009, the commissioner of natural resources may issue up to ten 
3.19 	additional bear hunting permits for the promotion of scientific, conservation, or 
3.20 	educational purposes.