Subdivision 1. Requirement. A person may not take small game without a small-game license except as provided in subdivision 4.

Subd. 2. Trapping small game. A person may not take small game with traps without a trapping license and a small-game license except as provided in subdivision 4.

Subd. 3. Nonresidents; raccoon or bobcat. A nonresident may not take raccoon or bobcat by firearms without a separate license to take that animal in addition to a small-game license.

Subd. 3a. Nonresidents; trapping small game. A nonresident may take small game, except wolves, by trapping only on land owned by the nonresident, if the nonresident possesses a trapping license for fur-bearing animals other than wolves and a small-game license.

Subd. 4. Exception to license requirements. (a) A resident under age 16 may take small game, other than wolves, without a small-game license, and a resident under age 13 may trap small game and fur-bearing animals, other than wolves, without a trapping license, as provided in section 97A.451, subdivision 3.

(b) A person may take small game, other than wolves, without a small-game license on land occupied by the person as a principal residence.

(c) An owner or occupant may take certain small game causing damage without a small-game or trapping license as provided in section 97B.655.

(d) A person may use dogs to pursue and tree raccoons under section 97B.621, subdivision 2, during the closed season without a license.

(e) A person may take a wolf, turkey, or prairie chicken without a small-game license.

History: 1986 c 386 art 2 s 42; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 47; 1991 c 254 art 2 s 34; 2002 c 351 s 18; 2004 c 215 s 24,25; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 109; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 98; 2012 c 277 art 1 s 60,61