Senator Proposes Reversing Ban on Eating Nuisance Beavers in Minnesota

A Minnesota senator is pushing to reverse a law that bans the consumption of nuisance beavers. The law, enacted in 2024 as part of the environment omnibus bill, currently prohibits eating beavers trapped under nuisance permits while allowing the consumption of beavers trapped during the regulated beaver season.
Background on Beaver Management:
Minnesota law permits homeowners to trap or kill beavers if the animals are damaging their property, but they must notify a conservation officer if a beaver is killed. Beavers can cause significant problems by cutting down hundreds of trees each year and flooding areas with dams.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says that while trappers remove between 20,000 and 30,000 beavers annually, nuisance populations still create issues in some areas.
Why the Ban Was Enacted:
Concerns about disease and parasites prompted the restriction in 2024. Senator Foung Hawj (DFL-Saint Paul) explained that the decision was made due to a lack of research on the safety of consuming beaver meat.
However, Senator Steve Green (R-Fosston) questioned the reasoning, saying, “I have eaten [beaver]. It is pretty good… But I do know a lot of people that do consume beaver, and I think it’s problematic that we’re making it a crime.”
Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown) has now introduced a bill to remove the line banning “human consumption of a retained beaver” from the state statute.
What Does Beaver Meat Taste Like?
Reviews from hunters and outdoor enthusiasts describe beaver meat as similar to beef or venison, although it can be greasy. Some even say the tail, when prepared correctly, tastes like bacon. For more information, visit mn.gov.