Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 158 - Natural Resources Department
Chapter 6232 - BIG GAME
BEARS
Part 6232.2900 - BEAR PERMIT PROCEDURES

Universal Citation: MN Rules 6232.2900

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 13, September 23, 2024

Subpart 1. Limit on number of applications.

A person may not apply more than once per season, whether as an individual or as a member of a group.

Subp. 2. Drawings.

Drawings will be conducted by the department to determine those eligible to purchase a bear license within the bear quota areas.

A. An applicant must select a first choice of bear quota area and may select a second choice of bear quota area. Preference in the drawings will be given to applicants based upon:
(1) the number of times they have correctly applied for a license in a quota area in previous years but have not been selected; or

(2) the number of times they have correctly applied in the preference only area in previous years but have not been selected.

B. Upon issuance of a quota area license, all accumulated preference is lost. Obtaining a no-quota bear license has no effect upon eligibility or preference in the drawings.

C. In quota areas with fewer applicants than available licenses or licenses not purchased as described in subpart 9, the remaining available licenses may be first offered to unsuccessful applicants on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 12:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday following the deadline in subpart 9.

D. To obtain a remaining available license, an eligible person must apply individually and in person at an electronic license system agent location or individually through the ELS-Internet or ELS-Telephone system.

E. Any remaining available licenses not purchased by unsuccessful applicants may then be issued to any eligible person as prescribed by the commissioner on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 12:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday following the deadline in subpart 9. Individuals who purchase these remaining available licenses retain their accumulated preference.

Subp. 3. Required identification number, eligibility.

A person whose big game hunting privileges are not suspended and, if born after December 31, 1979, has successfully completed a firearms safety course approved by the commissioner prior to the opening day of the bear season, is eligible to purchase a bear license for the no-quota area or to enter a drawing for a permit area license. All applicants who will have reached their 18th birthday by September 1 must provide a driver's license number, a Minnesota identification card number issued by the Department of Public Safety, or a 13-digit Firearms Safety Certificate number. Eligible applicants under this age who do not submit one of these numbers will be assigned a number and entered into the preference drawing.

Subp. 4. Application deadline.

Applications must be returned to the License Bureau. The application deadline is the first Friday of May.

Subp. 5. Group application.

Persons may apply individually or as part of a group totaling no more than four persons. Those who wish to apply as a group must submit their applications for the drawing together in one envelope. All applications in a group must be for the same permit area. The individual within a group with the lowest preference rating will determine the preference rating of the group. Either all members of the group or none will be drawn. Improperly completed applications will be rejected but will not disqualify other members of the group.

Subp. 6. Modification of quota numbers for group applications.

The quota of licenses or permits for a drawing may be increased to accommodate group members if the last applicant to be selected is a member of a group.

Subp. 7. Notification of drawing results.

Successful applicants will receive a notice, with instructions, authorizing them to obtain a license. Successful applicants who do not purchase a license according to the instructions or who do not provide all of the requested information will be disqualified. All accumulated preference is lost upon issuance of a license.

Subp. 8. Application for preference only.

Applicants can accumulate preference only by selecting bear quota area 99.

Subp. 9. Successful bear hunt applicant deadline to purchase license.

A person selected through the bear permit drawing must purchase the license on or before the Friday nearest July 31. Any licenses not purchased by the deadline shall be issued following the drawing procedures in subpart 2.

Statutory Authority: MS s 14.389; 97B.405; 97B.411

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Minnesota may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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