MN SF4509

Amends Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 97B.405 to allow the commissioner to award preference points toward bear hunting permits to youth who are too young to hunt bear.

Youth accumulate preference points before reaching legal hunting age so they build up points by the time they become eligible to be bear hunters.

Commissioner may limit the number of bear hunters in an area to prevent overharvest or improve hunter distribution, using drawings to impartially select hunters.

Hunters who previously applied but were not selected receive preference in future drawings.

One bear hunting permit must be reserved and offered first to residents of Minnesota veterans homes when permits are limited in an area.