Subd. 1. With firearms and bows.

1. (a) A person may not cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light on a highway, or in a field, woodland, or forest, to spot, locate, or take a wild animal, except while taking raccoons in accordance with section 97B.621, subdivision 3 , or tending traps in accordance with section 97B.931, while having in possession, either individually or as one of a group of persons, a firearm, bow, or other implement that could be used to kill big game.

2. (b) This subdivision does not apply to a firearm that is:

   1. (1) unloaded;
   2. (2) in a gun case expressly made to contain a firearm that fully encloses the firearm by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened without any portion of the firearm exposed; and
   3. (3) in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.

3. (c) This subdivision does not apply to a bow that is:

   1. (1) completely encased or unstrung; and
   2. (2) in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.
4. (d) If the motor vehicle under paragraph (b) or (c) does not have a trunk, the firearm or bow must be placed in the rearmost location of the vehicle.
5. (e) This subdivision does not apply to persons taking raccoons under section 97B.621, subdivision 3 .

6. (f) This subdivision does not apply to a person hunting fox or coyote from January 1 to March 15 while using a hand-held artificial light, provided that the person:

   1. (1) is on foot;
   2. (2) is using a shotgun;
   3. (3) is not within a public road right-of-way;
   4. (4) is using a hand-held or electronic calling device; and
   5. (5) is not within 200 feet of a motor vehicle.

Subd. 2. Without firearms.

1. (a) Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. from September 1 to December 31, a person may not cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light in a field, woodland, or forest to spot, locate, or take a wild animal except to take raccoons under section 97B.621, subdivision 3, or to tend traps under section 97B.931.

2. (b) Between one-half hour after sunset until sunrise, a person may not cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light to spot, locate, or take a wild animal on fenced, agricultural land containing livestock, as defined in section 17A.03, subdivision 5, or poultry that is marked with signs prohibiting the shining of lights. The signs must:

   1. (1) display reflectorized letters that are at least two inches in height and state "no shining" or similar terms; and
   2. (2) be placed at intervals of 1,000 feet or less along the boundary of the area.
3. (c) It is not a violation of paragraph (a) or (b) for a person to carry out any agricultural, occupational, or recreational practice, including snowmobiling that is not related to spotting, locating, or taking a wild animal.

4. (d) Between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., a person may not project a spotlight or hand-held light onto residential property or building sites from a moving motor vehicle being operated on land, except for the following purposes:

   1. (1) safety;
   2. (2) emergency response;
   3. (3) normal vehicle operations; or
   4. (4) performing an occupational duty.