SF943 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Open season for taking wolves prohibition
AI Generated Summary
Senate File No. 943 is a legislative bill introduced in Minnesota that aims to manage and regulate wolf hunting and trapping. It includes several major points:
It prohibits any open season for wolf hunting until wolves are removed from the endangered species list. Even then, new seasons and restrictions can only be instituted following public comment.
It outlines specific conditions under which persons, including critically ill individuals, can obtain special hunting licenses via lotteries managed by a commissioner. These licenses cover various game animals, but notably exclude moose and elk.
The bill establishes a specific fund – the Wolf Management and Monitoring Account – where all revenue from wolf license sales will go. This money will be dedicated solely to activities such as wolf population management, research, and education, explicitly prohibiting its use for indirect costs or shared services.
It details amendments affecting youth hunting. For instance, residents and nonresidents under age 16 can hunt small game without a license under certain conditions, and specific accommodation is made for turkey hunting by young people without the need for a safety certificate if accompanied by a licensed adult.
The bill makes comprehensive changes to fee structures and license availability for both residents and nonresidents across a wide range of wildlife-related activities, including hunting various animals and trapping.
Finally, it repeals existing statutes permitting the taking of wolves, effectively tightening protections against hunting wolves without proper authorization and adjustments to their legal status regarding endangered species protections.
Overall, S.F. No. 943 seeks to increase protection for wolves in Minnesota while adjusting hunting and trapping regulations for various game species, and specifying how license funds should be allocated within wildlife management.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 02, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| February 02, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Referred to | Environment, Climate, and Legacy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Includes wolf in the list of licenses that can be provided to critically ill persons."
],
"removed": [
"Does not remove any existing provisions."
],
"summary": "This bill modifies licensing for critically ill persons to include exemptions for wolf licenses under section 84.027 subdivision 20.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies exceptions where moose and elk licenses cannot be issued."
]
},
"citation": "84.027 subdivision 20"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Revenue from wolf licenses must be credited to a new account for management purposes."
],
"removed": [
"There was no removal of previous provisions, only amendments to existing ones."
],
"summary": "This bill creates funding specifications and usage for the wolf management and monitoring account under section 97A.075 subdivision 7.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies that the account funds can only be used for specific wolf-related activities."
]
},
"citation": "97A.075 subdivision 7"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarified conditions under which residents under 16 may take small game."
],
"removed": [
"No explicit removals noted."
],
"summary": "Modifications to small game licenses in relation to wolves under section 97A.451 subdivision 3.",
"modified": [
"Provides conditions under which small game other than wolves might be hunted or trapped without a license."
]
},
"citation": "97A.451 subdivision 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Conditions specific to wolves and other small games are detailed."
],
"removed": [
"Not specifically addressed; focuses more on amendments and additions."
],
"summary": "Adjustments to lifetime licenses for small game under section 97A.473 subdivisions 3, 5, and 5a.",
"modified": [
"Details on lifetime small game and sporting licenses while excluding wolves."
]
},
"citation": "97A.473 subdivisions 3, 5, 5a"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Includes wolf licensing fees in the context of resident and nonresident licenses."
],
"removed": [
"No specific removals were noted in the text provided."
],
"summary": "Changes to licensing fees under section 97A.475 subdivisions 2, 3, and 20.",
"modified": [
"Revised fee structures for certain licenses, including those related to wolves."
]
},
"citation": "97A.475 subdivisions 2, 3, 20"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarification that wolf licenses also require an issuing fee similar to other licenses."
],
"removed": [
"No elements have been specifically removed."
],
"summary": "Wolf licenses included in issuing fees specifications under section 97A.485 subdivision 6.",
"modified": [
"Details covering issuing fees for various licenses have been adjusted."
]
},
"citation": "97A.485 subdivision 6"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Outlined firearm requirements for hunting wolves."
],
"removed": [
"No direct removals in terms of firearm specifications."
],
"summary": "Permissible firearms and ammunition specifications involving wolves under section 97B.031 subdivisions 1 and 2.",
"modified": [
"Clarified permissible calibers for firearms used in wolf hunting."
]
},
"citation": "97B.031 subdivisions 1, 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Includes wolves in the list of target species requiring specific bow draw weights."
],
"removed": [
"No previous specifications were removed, only added to."
],
"summary": "Adjustments to bow draw weight specifications for wolf hunting under section 97B.035 subdivision 1a.",
"modified": [
"Draw weight requirements have been specified for wolves as well."
]
},
"citation": "97B.035 subdivision 1a"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Prohibitions apply to wolves within established timeframes."
],
"removed": [
"No elements removed, only specifications added."
],
"summary": "Restrictions on hunting times, specifically including wolves under section 97B.075.",
"modified": [
"Defines when wolves can be hunted within existing small game protocols."
]
},
"citation": "97B.075"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Specifically states exclusions for wolves in nonresident trapping licenses."
],
"removed": [
"Existing provisions remain, with a focus on clarification and additions."
],
"summary": "Changes to small game trapping by nonresidents under section 97B.601 subdivisions 3a and 4.",
"modified": [
"Clarification that nonresident trapping does not include wolves except under specific license conditions."
]
},
"citation": "97B.601 subdivisions 3a, 4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Wolf hunting parties must adhere to new rules."
],
"removed": [
"General small game rules maintained with special clauses added for wolves."
],
"summary": "Party hunting regulations are affected by wolf-specific measures under section 97B.603.",
"modified": [
"Details that party hunting rules do not apply to wolves except under defined conditions."
]
},
"citation": "97B.603"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Explicitly removes wolves from the general small game categorization."
],
"removed": [
"No direct removal other than contextual reclassification."
],
"summary": "Allowances for small game hunting exemptions under section 97B.605 while excluding wolves.",
"modified": [
"Wolves are explicitly excluded from general small game amendments."
]
},
"citation": "97B.605"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Stipulates conditions for potential future open wolf seasons following federal delisting."
],
"removed": [
"Removes any automatic assumptions of an existing wolf season."
],
"summary": "No open wolf season until delisting under federal law, with public input provisions under section 97B.645 subdivision 9.",
"modified": [
"Establishes a conditional framework for future regulation adjustments post-federal delisting."
]
},
"citation": "97B.645 subdivision 9"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Provides enhanced penalties for repeated unlawful wolf takings."
],
"removed": [
"Prior penalty provisions supplemented not removed."
],
"summary": "Illegal wolf take penalties specified under section 97B.648 enforcement provisions.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies penalties associated with prior offenses and civil restitutions for unlawful actions."
]
},
"citation": "97B.648"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Details registration and tagging requirements, specifically including wolves."
],
"removed": [
"Existing mandates remain but expanded upon in light of wolves."
],
"summary": "Furbearing animal registration mandates include wolves under section 97B.901.",
"modified": [
"Tagging specifications now include wolves alongside traditional furbearers."
]
},
"citation": "97B.901"
}
]