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Bill would let children accumulate bear‑hunt preference points before age 10; DNR expresses support for youth access
Summary
Senate File 689 would let hunters younger than 10 purchase a license to accrue preference points for quota bear hunts so youths are more likely to draw tags when eligible at age 10. DNR and committee members discussed success rates, group applications and implementation; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion.
Senate File 689, carried by Senator Wiesenberg, would allow persons younger than 10 to begin accumulating preference points for quota bear hunts by purchasing a license before they are eligible to hunt. The measure aims to increase the chance that young hunters will draw tags when they become eligible at age 10.
Why it matters: In Minnesota quota bear zones operate by preference points; applicants who are not drawn gain a point each year, and applications are prioritized by points. In some quota areas, applicants may wait multiple years before drawing. Sponsors said allowing point accumulation before the minimum hunting age would give children a greater chance to participate early and help engage youth in hunting traditions.
Testimony and discussion: Senator Wiesenberg said the bill responded to requests from guides and hunting groups and described how preference points accumulate through repeated applications. Pat Roberts, deputy director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, told the committee that youth applicants (ages 10–12) historically have low draw rates—about 1%—while teenagers show a higher rate around 7.5%. Roberts said the DNR will work with the author to implement the change and supported the bill insofar as it provides more youth opportunity.
Members asked technical questions about how the preference system works, whether group (party) applications count preference points the same way, license costs and how the rule interacts with tag sharing and party applications. Senators noted that preference points generally accrue for each year a person applies and that group applications and party draws operate under separate rules. The DNR confirmed the agency uses screening and established rules to administer draw and preference systems.
Outcome: The committee laid Senate File 689 over for possible inclusion; no roll call vote was recorded in the transcript.
What’s next: DNR staff offered to continue working with the bill author and committee staff on implementation questions, including administration of points, fee structure and public education for prospective youth applicants.
