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.

Subd. 2. Without firearms.

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. It is not a violation of this subdivision 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.