2018 Minnesota Statutes

97B.811 DECOYS AND BLINDS ON PUBLIC LANDS AND WATERS.

Subdivision 1.Blinds and decoys prohibited before season.

A person may not erect a blind or place decoys in public waters or on public land more than one hour before the open season for waterfowl.

Subd. 2.Hours for placing decoys.

Except as provided in subdivisions 3 and 4, a person may not place decoys in public waters or on public lands more than two hours before lawful shooting hours for waterfowl.

Subd. 3.Restrictions on leaving decoys unattended.

During the open season for waterfowl, a person may not leave decoys in public waters between sunset and two hours before lawful shooting hours or leave decoys unattended during other times for more than three consecutive hours unless:

(1) the decoys are in waters adjacent to private land under the control of the hunter; and

(2) there is not natural vegetation growing in water sufficient to partially conceal a hunter.

Subd. 4.Navigational hazard prohibited.

A person may not leave decoys in public waters between sunset and one hour before lawful shooting hours if the decoys constitute a navigational hazard.

Subd. 4a.Restrictions on certain motorized decoys.

From the opening day of the duck season through the Saturday nearest October 8, a person may not use a motorized decoy, or other motorized device designed to attract migratory waterfowl. During the remainder of the duck season, the commissioner may, by rule, designate all or any portion of a wetland or lake closed to the use of motorized decoys or motorized devices designed to attract migratory waterfowl. On water bodies and lands fully contained within wildlife management area boundaries, a person may not use motorized decoys or motorized devices designed to attract migratory waterfowl at any time during the duck season.

Subd. 5.Rules governing blinds.

The commissioner may adopt rules for the use of blinds on public lands and public waters.

History:

1986 c 386 art 2 s 66; 1988 c 587 s 2; 1988 c 677 s 2; 1993 c 231 s 44; 2002 c 351 s 20; 2005 c 146 s 41,42; 2009 c 176 art 2 s 48,49