Subdivision 1. License requirements. (a) A person may breed and propagate fur-bearing animals, game birds, bear, or mute swans only on privately owned or leased land and after obtaining a license. Any of the permitted animals on a game farm may be sold to other licensed game farms. "Privately owned or leased land" includes waters that are shallow or marshy, are not actually navigable, and are not of substantial beneficial public use. Before an application for a license is considered, the applicant must enclose the area to sufficiently confine the animals to be raised in a manner approved by the commissioner. A license may be granted only if the commissioner finds the application is made in good faith with intention to actually carry on the business described in the application and the commissioner determines that the facilities are adequate for the business.

(b) A person may purchase live game birds or their eggs without a license if the birds or eggs, or birds hatched from the eggs, are released into the wild, consumed, or processed for consumption within one year after they were purchased or hatched. This paragraph does not apply to the purchase of migratory waterfowl or their eggs.

(c) A person may not introduce mute swans into the wild without a permit issued by the commissioner.

Subd. 2. Transfer of license. (a) A game or fur farm license is transferable with the transfer of all or a portion of the title or leasehold of the land if:

(1) the land transferred complies with the license requirements;

(2) the land is used for the purposes of the license; and

(3) a verified written report of the existing and intended land use is made to the commissioner, accompanied by a copy of deed, assignment, lease, or other instrument transferring the corresponding title or leasehold in the enclosed land.

(b) A transfer of less than the whole interest in the license is not valid. Each bona fide partner or associate in the ownership or operation of a game or fur farm must obtain a separate license.

Subd. 3. Ownership of wild animals. All wild animals and their offspring, of the species identified in the license, that are within the enclosure are the property of the game and fur farm licensee.

Subd. 3a. [Repealed, 2003 c 128 art 1 s 176]

Subd. 3b. [Repealed, 2003 c 128 art 1 s 176]

Subd. 4. Sale of live animals. (a) A sale of live animals from a licensed fur or game farm is not valid unless the animals are delivered to the purchaser or they are identified and kept separately.

(b) Live animals sold through auction or through a broker are considered to be sold by the game farm licensee.

(c) The sale agreement or contract must be in writing. The licensee must notify a purchaser of the death of an animal within 30 days and of the number of increase before July 20 of each year.

Subd. 5. Sale of pelts. The commissioner shall prescribe:

(1) the manner that pelts and products of wild animals raised on fur or game farms may be sold or transported; and

(2) the tags or seals to be affixed to the pelts and products.

Subd. 6. Fox and mink. Fox and mink may not be bought or sold for breeding or propagating unless they have been pen-bred for at least two generations.

Subd. 7. Transporting live beaver. Live beaver may not be transported without a permit from the commissioner.

Subd. 8. Penalty. A licensee that does not comply with a provision of this section subjects all wild animals on the game or fur farm to confiscation.

Subd. 9. Rules. The commissioner may adopt rules for:

(1) the issuance of game farm licenses;

(2) the inspection of game farm facilities;

(3) the acquisition and disposal of game farm animals; and

(4) record keeping and reporting by game farm licensees, including transactions handled by auction or broker.

History: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 20; 1987 c 121 s 1; 1987 c 404 s 119; 1993 c 231 s 13,14; 1996 c 385 art 2 s 2; 2001 c 185 s 24,25; 2002 c 373 s 28,29; 2003 c 128 art 1 s 54