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SF3195 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Minimum age to take big game lowered from ten to eight years of age provision

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

  • The bill aims to lower the minimum age requirement for hunting big game in Minnesota. This change would allow younger residents and nonresidents to participate legally in big game hunting activities, under specific conditions.

Main Provisions

  • Age Requirement Changes:
    • The bill lowers the minimum age for obtaining a license to hunt big game from ten years old to eight years old.
    • Individuals aged 8 to 12 must be under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian when hunting big game.
  • Licensing Requirements:
    • The proposed age group (ages 8 to 12) must obtain a hunting license to take big game at no fee.
    • Those aged 12 to 15 must have a firearms safety certificate or an apprentice hunter validation and, if nonresident, be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • No-Fee Licenses:
    • Deer and bear hunting licenses for residents and nonresidents aged 8 to 12, whether by firearm, archery, or muzzleloader, are available at no fee.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Age and Supervision Adjustments:

    • Previous laws prohibited hunting of big game by those under 10; this bill reduces the age limit to 8, essentially opening hunting opportunities to younger participants.
    • It mandates direct supervision of young hunters, ensuring the safety and learning process is adequately monitored by an adult.

  • License Fees Adjustments:

    • The fee structure for certain age groups has been changed to waive the cost of licenses for those aged 8 to 12, encouraging early participation without financial barriers.

Relevant Terms

  • Big game hunting
  • Firearms safety certificate
  • Apprentice hunter validation
  • Supervision requirement
  • Hunting license fee waiver

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
April 01, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
April 01, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toEnvironment, Climate, and Legacy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Lowering the age to obtain a license for big game hunting from 10 to 8."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This legislation modifies the age requirements for obtaining a license to take big game under section 97A.451.",
      "modified": [
        "Changes in supervision requirements for young hunters."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97A.451",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "No fee for persons age 8 to 12 to take deer by firearm, archery, or muzzleloader."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill revises the fee structure for resident hunting licenses under section 97A.475.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts license fee amounts for various age groups."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97A.475",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "No fee for nonresidents age 8 to 12 to take deer by firearm, archery, or muzzleloader."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendments to the fee structure for nonresident hunting licenses under section 97A.475.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts license fee amounts for various nonresident age groups."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97A.475",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section specifies the allocation of migratory waterfowl stamp fees to the waterfowl habitat improvement account.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "97A.075",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section specifies the allocation of pheasant stamp fees to the pheasant habitat improvement account.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "97A.075",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors