Hunters and anglers will see many changes if bill becomes law

By DOUG SMITH, Star Tribune

May 1, 2012 at 10:38PM

Besides raising hunting and fishing license fees and setting the state's first wolf-hunting season, a large game and fish bill expected to be signed into law by Gov. Mark Dayton this week contains numerous other provisions affecting hunters and anglers.

It also:

• Clarifies the laws prohibiting baiting of deer and tightens penalties: A person convicted of hunting deer with bait would lose their license for one year -- or two years if the deer scored more than 170.

• Adds a $4 application fee for bear hunting licenses.

• Allows motorized waterfowl and dove decoys to be used with wireless remote controls.

• Allows the DNR to provide areas -- probably large lakes -- where waterfowl hunters wouldn't have to be concealed in vegetation, meaning they could use layout boats. Minnesota is one of the few states that hasn't allowed open-water waterfowl hunting.

• Removes a requirement that all portable ice shelters must have the name of the owner displayed, as long as anglers are either in or within 200 feet of it.

• Requires hunting and fishing licenses to be sold even if the state government is shut down.

• Adds two weeks of winter fishing for stream trout within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

• Directs the DNR to launch activities to recruit new outdoor recreational participants, including youth, women and minorities.

• Prohibits the DNR from using revenue from game and fish licenses and permits, excluding stamps, to acquire land.

• Requires the DNR to conduct hunter-satisfaction surveys.

• Allows landowners donating land to the DNR to stipulate in the deed that it can't later be sold.

• Allows archery deer hunters in a stationary location to take small game without complying with the blaze-orange clothing requirement.

• Prohibits the importation of minnows to feed fish at private hatcheries or fish farms beginning July 1, 2012, to prevent the spread of Asian carp.

about the writer

about the writer

DOUG SMITH, Star Tribune