Subdivision 1. Authorization to take predators. If the commissioner determines that predators are damaging domestic or wild animals and further damage can be prevented, the commissioner shall authorize the taking of the predators by predator controllers. The commissioner shall define the area where the predators may be taken, the objectives to be achieved, procedures for notifying predator controllers, payments to be made, the methods to be used, and when the predator control shall cease.
Subd. 2. Certification of predator controllers. (a) The commissioner shall certify a person as a predator controller if the person has not violated a provision of this section and meets qualifications of experience, ability, and reliability. The commissioner shall establish application procedures, prescribe forms, and maintain a list of predator controllers. The application procedures must include reports from conservation officers and other department field personnel as to the ability and reliability of the applicants.
(b) The commissioner may revoke a certification if the predator controller violates a provision of sections 97B.601 to 97B.671 or 97B.901 to 97B.945 or a rule of the commissioner relating to fur-bearing animals.
Subd. 3. Predator-control payments. The commissioner shall pay a predator controller the amount the commissioner determines by written order published in the State Register for each coyote and fox taken. The commissioner may require the predator controller to submit proof of the taking and a signed statement concerning the predators taken. The fees are not subject to the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14, and section 14.386 does not apply.
Subd. 4. Wolf control. (a) The commissioner shall provide a wolf-control training program for certified predator controllers participating in wolf control.
(b) After the wolf is delisted under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, in zone B, as defined under section 97B.645, subdivision 12, if the commissioner, after considering recommendations from an extension agent or conservation officer, has verified that livestock, domestic animals, or pets were destroyed by a wolf within the previous five years, and if the livestock, domestic animal, or pet owner requests wolf control, the commissioner shall open a predator-control area for wolves.
(c) After the wolf is delisted under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, in zone A, as defined under paragraph (g), if the commissioner, after considering recommendations from an extension agent or conservation officer, verifies that livestock, domestic animals, or pets were destroyed by a wolf, and if the livestock, domestic animal, or pet owner requests wolf control, the commissioner shall open a predator-control area for wolves for up to 60 days.
(d) A predator-control area opened for wolves may not exceed a one-mile radius surrounding the damage site.
(e) The commissioner shall pay a certified wolf predator controller the amount the commissioner determines by written order published in the State Register for each wolf taken. The certified wolf predator controller must dispose of unsalvageable remains as directed by the commissioner. All salvageable wolf remains must be surrendered to the commissioner. The fees are not subject to the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14, and section 14.386 does not apply.
(f) The commissioner may, in consultation with the commissioner of agriculture, develop a cooperative agreement for wolf-control activities with the United States Department of Agriculture. The cooperative agreement activities may include, but not be limited to, wolf control, training for state predator controllers, and control monitoring and record keeping.
(g) For the purposes of this subdivision, "zone A" means that portion of the state lying outside of zone B, as defined under section 97B.645, subdivision 12.
1986 c 386 art 2 s 56; 1993 c 231 s 39,40; 2000 c 463 s 17,18; 2012 c 277 art 1 s 67,68
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 97 - 102 — Game And Fish
Section 97B.002 — Civil Trespass.
Section 97B.005 — Training Dogs.
Section 97B.011 — Dogs Pursuing Big Game.
Section 97B.015 — Firearms Safety And Wildlife Identification Course.
Section 97B.020 — Firearms Safety Certificate Required.
Section 97B.021 — Possession Of Firearms By Persons Under Age 16.
Section 97B.0215 — Parent Or Guardian Responsibility; Violation.
Section 97B.022 — Apprentice-hunter Validation.
Section 97B.025 — Hunter And Trapper Education.
Section 97B.026 — Trapper Education Certificate; Requirement.
Section 97B.031 — Use And Possession Of Firearms.
Section 97B.035 — Restrictions On Archery Equipment.
Section 97B.036 — Crossbow Hunting During Firearms Season.
Section 97B.037 — Crossbow Hunting; Age 60 Or Over.
Section 97B.041 — Possession Of Firearms And Ammunition Restricted In Deer Zones.
Section 97B.045 — Transporting Firearms.
Section 97B.051 — Transporting Archery Bows.
Section 97B.055 — Discharging Firearms And Bows And Arrows.
Section 97B.063 — Hunter Satisfaction Survey.
Section 97B.065 — Hunting While Under Influence Of Alcohol Or Controlled Substance.
Section 97B.066 — Chemical Testing.
Section 97B.071 — Clothing Requirements; Blaze Orange Or Blaze Pink.
Section 97B.075 — Hunting Restricted Between Evening And Morning.
Section 97B.081 — Using Artificial Lights To Locate Animals.
Section 97B.085 — Using Radios To Take Animals.
Section 97B.086 — Possessing Night Vision Or Thermal Imaging Equipment.
Section 97B.091 — Using Motor Vehicles To Chase Wild Animals Prohibited.
Section 97B.095 — Disturbing And Taking From Burrows And Dens.
Section 97B.099 — Prohibited Hunting Methods.
Section 97B.101 — Hunting With Ferrets Prohibited.
Section 97B.105 — Hunting By Falconry.
Section 97B.1055 — Hunting By Persons With A Permanent Physical Or Developmental Disability.
Section 97B.106 — Crossbow Permits For Hunting And Fishing.
Section 97B.111 — Special Firearm Hunting Seasons For Physically Disabled.
Section 97B.112 — Special Hunts.
Section 97B.115 — Computer-assisted Remote Hunting Prohibited.
Section 97B.201 — No Open Season For Caribou Or Antelope.
Section 97B.205 — Using Dogs And Horses To Take Big Game Prohibited.
Section 97B.207 — Using Dogs To Locate Wounded Deer Or Bear.
Section 97B.211 — Hunting Big Game By Archery.
Section 97B.22 — Collecting Antler Sheds.
Section 97B.301 — Deer Licenses And Limits.
Section 97B.303 — Venison Donations.
Section 97B.305 — Commissioner May Limit Number Of Deer Hunters.
Section 97B.311 — Deer Seasons And Restrictions.
Section 97B.318 — Arms Use Areas And Restrictions; Regular Firearms Season.
Section 97B.321 — Snares, Traps, Set Guns, And Swivel Guns Prohibited.
Section 97B.325 — Deer Stand Restrictions.
Section 97B.326 — Stands And Blinds On Public Lands.
Section 97B.327 — Report; Deer Other Than White-tailed Or Mule.
Section 97B.328 — Baiting Prohibited.
Section 97B.401 — Bear License Required; Application.
Section 97B.405 — Commissioner May Limit Number Of Bear Hunters.
Section 97B.411 — Bear Season And Restrictions.
Section 97B.415 — Taking Bear To Protect Property.
Section 97B.421 — Permit Required To Snare Bears.
Section 97B.425 — Baiting Bears.
Section 97B.426 — Baiting Bear; Use Of Drum.
Section 97B.431 — Bear-hunting Outfitters.
Section 97B.501 — Moose License Required.
Section 97B.505 — Moose Season And Restrictions.
Section 97B.516 — Plan For Elk Management.
Section 97B.601 — Small-game Licenses.
Section 97B.603 — Taking Small Game By Party.
Section 97B.605 — Commissioner May Restrict Taking Small Game Animals.
Section 97B.641 — Cougar, Lynx, And Wolverine.
Section 97B.646 — Wolf Management.
Section 97B.647 — Taking Wolves.
Section 97B.648 — Wolves; Unlawful Taking; Penalty.
Section 97B.651 — Unprotected Mammals And Birds.
Section 97B.655 — Taking Animals Causing Damage.
Section 97B.657 — Taking Wild Animals To Protect Public Safety.
Section 97B.661 — Removing Beaver From State Lands.
Section 97B.665 — Beaver Dams; Threats To Safety Or Property.
Section 97B.668 — Game Birds Causing Damage.
Section 97B.671 — Predator-control Program.
Section 97B.701 — Protected Birds.
Section 97B.705 — Restrictions On Trapping Birds.
Section 97B.716 — Prairie Chickens.
Section 97B.721 — License Required To Take Turkey; Tagging And Registration Requirements.
Section 97B.722 — Possessing Firearms; Hunting Turkey.
Section 97B.723 — Commissioner May Limit Number Of Turkey Hunters.
Section 97B.725 — Guiding Hunters.
Section 97B.731 — Migratory Birds.
Section 97B.801 — Minnesota Migratory-waterfowl Stamp Required.
Section 97B.802 — Special Canada-goose Season; License Required.
Section 97B.805 — Restrictions On Method Of Taking Waterfowl On Water.
Section 97B.811 — Decoys And Blinds On Public Lands And Waters.
Section 97B.901 — Registration And Tagging Fur-bearing Animals.
Section 97B.903 — Use Of Body-gripping Traps.
Section 97B.905 — Fur Dealer's Licenses.
Section 97B.9251 — Beaver Season.
Section 97B.926 — Pine Marten And Fisher Zone.
Section 97B.928 — Identifying Traps And Snares.
Section 97B.931 — Tending Traps.
Section 97B.941 — Tampering With Traps.
Section 97B.945 — Setting Traps Near Water Restricted.
Section 97B.951 — Use Of Snares To Take Unprotected Mammals.