Minnesota Statutes

Minn. Stat. § 97A.331 (2026)

Penalties Related To Hunting

✓ current as of May 2026

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Subdivision 1.Hunting while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

A person that violates the provision of section 97B.065 relating to hunting while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Subd. 2.Shining.

A person that violates section 97B.081, subdivision 1, relating to the use of an artificial light to locate wild animals is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Subd. 3.Transporting illegal big game.

A person that knowingly transports big game taken in violation of the game and fish laws is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Subd. 4.Taking and possessing big game out of season.

A person that takes or illegally possesses big game during the closed season is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Subd. 4a.Hunting big game while under revocation.

Notwithstanding section 97A.421, subdivision 7, a person who takes big game during the time the person is prohibited from obtaining a license to take big game under section 97A.421 is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Subd. 5.Moose; elk; caribou.

A person that unlawfully takes, transports, or possesses moose, elk, or caribou in violation of the game and fish laws is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Subd. 6.Pine marten; otter; fisher; wolverine.

A person that takes, transports, or possesses pine marten, otter, fisher, or wolverine in violation of the game and fish laws is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Subd. 7.

[Repealed, 2012 c 277 art 1 s 91]

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 3 cases, 1988–2017 · leading case: Humane Soc'y of the United States v. Ryan Zinke (Lead), 865 F.3d 585 (D.C. Cir. 2017).

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Humane Soc'y of the United States v. Ryan Zinke (Lead), 865 F.3d 585 (D.C. Cir. 2017). “See Minn. Stat. § 97A.331, subdiv. 7 (2011), repealed by Act of May 3, 2012, ch.”

State v. Butcher, 563 N.W.2d 776 (Minn. Ct. App. 1997). · cites it 2× “5 (1996); (2) taking and possession of big game out of season in violation of Minn.Stat. § 97A.331, subd. 4 (1996); (3) obstructing legal process in violation of Minn.”

State v. Hayes, 428 N.W.2d 871 (Minn. Ct. App. 1988). · cites it 2× “1 and Minn.Stat. § 97A.331, subd. 2 (1986). FACTS Around midnight of the opening day of deer bow hunting season, Department of Natural Resources conservation officers stopped appellant and two other men for using artificial lights to locate animals (deershining).”

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