DNR Violations

Have you been charged with violating Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) rules concerning hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreations? The state treats DNR violations more seriously than you might assume, and the consequences of conviction could include fines, property forfeiture, license suspensions, and even incarceration. Don’t face these possible outcomes alone. Instead, get help from an experienced Minnesota DNR violations attorney who can protect your rights and pursue the positive outcome you deserve.

Contact Bird, Stevens & Borgen, P.C. for a free initial case evaluation with a knowledgeable DNR defense attorney in southern Minnesota. Our experienced law firm has worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of our friends and neighbors, and we have built a proven reputation for vigorously pursuing the best outcomes possible. Don’t delay—reach out today.

Understanding DNR Laws in Minnesota

DNR regulations control how people can hunt or fish in Minnesota. These regulations serve several critical public purposes, including conserving wildlife, protecting species from becoming endangered, preserving fragile ecosystems, and ensuring public safety on the water or during the use of firearms or other deadly weapons. DNR regulations cover the following categories:

Hunting and trapping laws, which establish seasons for hunting specific species of animals, regulate the devices that people may use to hunt and trap animals, and create licensing requirements
Fishing rules, which establish seasons and catch limits, and regulate the devices that people may use to fish
Boating and water safety laws that govern the operation of watercraft on Minnesota’s lakes and rivers
Recreational vehicle use (e.g., ATVs, snowmobiles)

Violating DNR regulations can lead to various penalties. Less serious violations may result in a citation that allows a person to pay a fine to resolve the ticket. However, more serious violations can lead to criminal misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the nature of the offense.

Common Types of DNR Violations

Here are some common examples of DNR violations that can lead to citations and arrests:

Hunting violations, such as hunting out of season, exceeding bag limits, shining (spotlighting) deer, or hunting without a license
Fishing violations, including fishing without a license, exceeding catch limits, or using illegal methods or equipment
Boating violations, including boating while intoxicated, reckless operation, damaging waterways, or not having required safety equipment (e.g., life jackets, fire extinguishers, flares) on board
Recreational vehicle violations, such as operating in restricted areas, operating an unregistered vehicle, or operating under the influence

Penalties for DNR Violations in Minnesota

Penalties for a DNR violation in Minnesota vary depending on the nature of the offense. Most violations carry fines ranging from tens to thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the offense. Convictions for DNR violations can also lead to the suspension or revocation of hunting or fishing licenses. Certain violations may also authorize state officials to seize property or equipment used in a violation, including firearms, watercraft, ATVs, snowmobiles, traps, or fishing equipment.

Violations that result in misdemeanor or felony charges can also impose penalties such as incarceration, probation, and restitution obligations, which require a convicted individual to reimburse for unlawfully taken wild or private animals or for property damage caused by the violation.

Moreover, a criminal conviction for a DNR violation can have other collateral consequences, such as immigration consequences, like:

Deportation and prohibitions on reentering the U.S. for non-citizens
Loss of firearm rights for felony convictions
Suspension or revocation of certain professional licenses

Furthermore, a conviction may result in a criminal record that can appear in background checks for employment, housing, or educational applications, potentially causing personal and professional challenges for individuals with DNR violations on their record.

Defending Against DNR Violation Charges

An experienced criminal defense lawyer can review the facts of your case to identify potentially effective legal strategies, such as:

Mistaken identity: A defendant may deny having committed a violation by arguing that someone else committed the offense, challenging eyewitness identifications, or presenting alibi evidence to prove they were elsewhere when the alleged violation occurred.
Mistake of fact: Defendants may argue that they misunderstood essential facts underlying the violation, such as believing they had taken fewer fish or game than they actually possessed.
Unconstitutional searches or seizures: A defendant may try to exclude evidence supporting the state’s case by arguing that law enforcement obtained it in an unlawful search. However, law enforcement can board watercraft to conduct safety compliance checks.

What Should You Do After Getting Charged with a DNR Violation?

What you do after a DNR-related arrest can have a serious effect on your ability to mount a strong defense. Here are some critical steps you should take to protect yourself:

Invoke your right to remain silent and decline to speak to officers or answer their questions about the alleged violation.
Contact a defense attorney as soon as possible to discuss your citation or charges and review your legal options.
Gather relevant evidence that may help your defense, such as copies of licenses or other documents supporting the lawfulness of your activity.

Frequently Asked Questions About DNR Violations

Still have questions about DNR violations in Minnesota? We have the answers.

Will I lose my hunting or fishing license for a conviction for a DNR violation?

A conviction for a DNR violation can result in the revocation of your hunting or fishing license under certain circumstances. Minnesota law requires the revocation of a license following:

A second conviction within three years under a license to trap, take small game, or fish by angling or spearing
A third conviction within one year under a minnow dealer’s license
A second conviction within three years for certain violations of laws governing fur dealing, hide tanning, or taxidermy
Two or more misdemeanor convictions within three years under a private fish hatchery license
A conviction under another type of license
A conviction involving the assistance of a person in the illegal taking, transportation, or possession of wild animals, while acting as a hunting or angling guide

Can the state seize my boat, ATV, or firearm?

DNR regulations permit state officials to seize and compel the forfeiture of motor vehicles or boats used to shine wild animals, transport illegally taken big game animals, illegally transport minnows, engage in illegal net fishing, or take wild animals with a restitution value of more than $500.

Do DNR violations result in tickets or criminal charges?

Violating DNR regulations may result in a citation or a criminal charge, depending on the nature of the violation. For example, less serious offenses (such as fishing without a license, slightly exceeding catch limits, or trespassing onto restricted land) may result in a ticket that imposes a fine. However, more serious violations (such as unlawfully possessing or transporting firearms, hunting or fishing while intoxicated, taking protected animals, or taking animals with prohibited devices) can result in criminal charges.

Contact Us Today

DNR violations can result in serious consequences that can affect your finances and your ability to take part in your favorite activities. Don’t make the mistake of taking these charges lightly. Instead, contact Bird, Stevens & Borgen, P.C. today for a free, confidential consultation with an experienced DNR defense lawyer in southern Minnesota. We are ready to put our 30 years of experience and our considerable track record of success to work for you.

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To schedule a free initial consultation with a lawyer from our firm, contact us online now. You may also call our offices in Southern Minnesota or the Twin Cities. To reach our location in Rochester, call 507-282-1503. To reach us in Bloomington, call 612-421-0526. We are always happy to answer questions about important legal matters.