Minnesota’s New Ban on Beaver Meat Raises Eyebrows: A Puzzling Law with Few Answers
Minnesota recently rolled out an unexpected law prohibiting the consumption of beaver meat if the animals are killed for nuisance control. This new regulation, quietly included in a larger environmental bill, has left many Minnesotans scratching their heads.
While the law doesn’t restrict trapping or culling nuisance beavers, it specifically bars people from eating them, an odd restriction with no clear explanation.
A Law with Few Defenders
When lawmakers debated the provision, there was a mix of humor, confusion, and frustration. Republican Sen. Steve Green didn’t mince words: “I do know a lot of people who consume beaver, and I think it’s a little problematic that we are making it a crime.”
Green’s sentiment was echoed by many, including fellow Senator Nathan Wesenberg, who stated plainly, “I eat beaver. It’s fine.” Despite these objections, the rule passed without a clear rationale, leaving both legislators and citizens curious as to its purpose.
The law’s origins are murky. Sen. Foung Hawj, who co-chaired the committee that introduced the provision, suggested that there might be health risks associated with beaver meat, though he didn’t offer concrete evidence.
Even the Minnesota Department of Health was reportedly not consulted, and according to department official Amy Barrett, the risk from eating cooked beaver is minimal, as cooking generally mitigates bacterial risks.
Why Target Beaver Meat?
Maj. Scott Staples from the Department of Natural Resources explained that the ban only applies to nuisance beavers, killed outside of regular trapping season by landowners to prevent flooding or tree damage.
“If you catch a wild beaver with a license … there’s nothing that prohibits you from eating those,” Staples clarified. This narrow application only heightens the mystery surrounding the new rule.
For now, the law stands, and Minnesotans are left to wonder whether this peculiar provision will ever see serious enforcement.
Interested in the debate surrounding Minnesota’s beaver meat ban? Discover more about meat laws and cultural impacts on our homepage.
