Section 97B.621 Raccoons - Minnesota Statutes

97B.621 RACCOONS.

Subdivision 1.Season.

The statewide open season for raccoon may be set by the commissioner.

Subd. 2.Period for treeing raccoons.

Notwithstanding subdivision 1 and section 97B.005, subdivision 1, a person may use dogs to pursue and tree raccoons without killing or capturing the raccoons during the closed season and a license is not required.

Subd. 3.Nighttime hunting restrictions.

To take raccoons between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, a person:

(1) must be on foot;

(2) may use an artificial light only if hunting with dogs;

(3) may use a handgun or rifle capable of firing only rimfire cartridges of .17 or .22 caliber, including .22 magnum; and

(4) may not use shotgun shells with larger diameter of shot than No. 4 shot.

Subd. 4.Prohibited methods of taking.

A person may not take a raccoon:

(1) in a den or hollow tree;

(2) by cutting down a tree occupied by raccoon; or

(3) by setting fire to a tree or using smoke.

History:

1986 c 386 art 2 s 46; 1987 c 81 s 1; 1993 c 51 s 1; 1993 c 269 s 19; 2005 c 146 s 33; 2008 c 368 art 2 s 56