09-137 C.M.R. ch. 17, § 04 - General Information for Trapping of Upland Game and Furbearing Animals

1. General Prohibition

It shall be unlawful for any person to have in their possession, at any time, any wild bird or wild animal, or part thereof, taken in violation of these regulations. There shall be a closed season for the hunting or trapping of any wild bird or wild animal for which an open season is not herein specifically provided or that is provided by law.

2. Limits

No person shall hunt, trap or have in their possession at any time more than the numerical limits of any given species of upland game or furbearing animal which are specifically set forth in these regulations.

3. Keeping Upland Game and Furbearing Animals Alive

No person shall keep alive any upland game or furbearing animal which such person has taken, whether by hunting or trapping, except in accordance with the provisions of 12 M.R.S. §12152 and § 12261 as amended, providing, among other things, for the issuance of permits for such purposes by the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

4. Incidental Catch of Lynx

Any lynx caught incidentally, whether dead or alive, during any trapping season must be reported to a game warden or biologist of the department as soon as possible and prior to removing the animal from the trap, unless a department official cannot be reached in time to prevent injury to the lynx. Any lynx released under this provision must be reported to the department within 24 hours from the time it was discovered.

5. Incidental Catch of Other Species

Any other furbearing animal caught incidentally during a closed season for that species must be immediately released alive, or, if found dead in the trap, must be reported to a game warden as soon as possible and prior to removal of the animal from the trap and trap site location except as otherwise provided within this chapter. Any such incidental catch found dead in the trap must be turned over to a game warden or biologist of the department within 48 hours from the time it was discovered.

6. Gray Squirrel Prohibition on Trapping in Certain Areas

No person shall hunt or trap gray squirrels on any land which have been dedicated as a public or private park or which are within the limits of compact or built-up portions of any city or town.

7. Destruction of Beaver and Muskrat House, Dams or Dens

No person except agents of the Commissioner or someone authorized by the department may damage, destroy, or disturb any beaver house, beaver dam, muskrat house, or muskrat den. However, in accordance with Title 38 §480 a person may be authorized to remove a beaver dam without a permit.

Notes

09-137 C.M.R. ch. 17, § 04