New Minnesota Law Bans Eating Nuisance Beavers, Leaving Residents Puzzled

Minnesota recently enacted a surprising law making it illegal for landowners to consume nuisance beavers removed from their property. The new rule, which took effect just as beaver trapping season began, has left residents, hunters, and even lawmakers questioning its necessity.

Despite numerous questions, there’s no clear answer for why the regulation was introduced. Major Scott Staples from Minnesota’s DNR enforcement division admitted he’s in the dark, saying, “I wasn’t involved with the legislative process and have yet to receive a solid answer for the law’s purpose.”

He clarified that while beaver meat can still be legally eaten if harvested with a license, the new rule only applies to nuisance beavers removed for causing property damage.

Staples, a trapper himself, acknowledged that while beaver meat is not widely consumed, “I have eaten them, and it is pretty good.”

Senator Steve Green voiced his concerns about the unexpected restriction during a Senate debate. “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,” he commented.

Many Minnesotans share his confusion, as beaver meat has a longstanding reputation as an edible, even tasty, game meat.

Efforts by the Minnesota Star Tribune to trace the origin of the provision in the 2024 omnibus bill yielded little information.

Molly Niehls of the state’s Legislative Reference Library shared, “There’s no clear-cut account of who introduced it,” noting it seemed to appear suddenly in the final version of the bill.

Health officials were similarly unconsulted. According to Amy Barrett of the Minnesota Health Department, “health officials would not have recommended such a prohibition” had they been approached.

While there are health risks associated with handling raw beaver carcasses, foodborne transmission of illnesses from properly cooked beaver meat remains low.

Ultimately, the law has left many Minnesotans scratching their heads, with some, like trapper Bert Highland, taking the news in stride. Highland noted, “I’ve tried eating it. It’s excellent,” underscoring the ongoing debate around this unusual new regulation.

Stay informed about changes to hunting and wildlife laws by visiting our homepage for the latest updates.