Full Statute Name:  West's Annotated Code of Maryland. Natural Resources. Title 10. Wildlife. Subtitle 4. Hunting Restrictions--in General. § 10-408.1. Trapping restrictions

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Primary Citation:  MD Code, Natural Resources, § 10-408.1 Country of Origin:  United States Last Checked:  November, 2024 Alternate Citation:  MD NAT RES § 10-408.1 Date Adopted:  1978 Historical: 
Summary: This Maryland law restricts some forms of trapping. Specifically, it provides that a person, while trapping or attempting to trap animals, may not place, set, maintain, or operate any snares, body-gripping, or leghold traps within 150 yards of a permanent human residence. However, the restriction does not apply to body-gripping traps with a jaw spread of less than 6 inches that are placed, maintained, and operated completely submerged in water or snare-type traps used to catch rats or mice.

(a)(1) A person, while trapping or attempting to trap animals, may not place, set, maintain, or operate any snares, body-gripping, or leghold traps within 150 yards of a permanent human residence.

(2) This subsection does not apply to:

(i) State and federal wetlands;

(ii) Private wetlands as designated by the Department;

(iii) Land which qualifies for agricultural assessments, as provided under § 8-209 of the Tax--Property Article, and timberland and lands used for reforestation;

(iv) Except in Howard and Harford counties, owners and lessees of any privately owned land; and

(v) Owners and lessees of any privately owned land in Howard and Harford counties as long as a trap described in paragraph (1) of this subsection is not within 150 yards of the permanent residence of another person.

(3) This subsection does not apply to :

(i) The use of body-gripping traps with a jaw spread of less than 6 inches that are placed, maintained, and operated completely submerged in water; or

(ii) The use of snap-type traps used to catch rats and mice.

Identification numbers

(b)(1) A person who is not required to be licensed or permitted under this title shall obtain a free Department identification number from the electronic system under § 1-403 of this article before using a snare, a trap, or another similar device to capture wildlife.

(2)(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a person who uses a snare, a trap, or another similar device to capture wildlife must ensure the person's Department identification number is stamped on the device or on a metal tag affixed to the device.

(ii) The Department may waive the identification requirement under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph if the device is used only on private property that is owned or rented by the person placing the device.

(3) A person who finds a snare, a trap, or another similar device that does not meet the identification requirements of this subsection may report the device to the Department or the Natural Resources Police Force.

Credits
Added by Acts 1978, c. 613. Amended by Acts 1980, c. 656; Acts 1980, c. 712, § 2; Acts 1985, c. 480, § 1; Acts 1990, c. 6, § 2; Acts 2023, c. 539, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023; Acts 2023, c. 540, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023.
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