§ 4828. Taking of rabbit or fur-bearing animals by landowner; selectboard; certificate; penalty

(a)(1) The provisions of law or rules of the Board relating to the taking of rabbits or fur-bearing animals shall not apply to:

(A) an owner, the owner’s employee, tenant, or caretaker of property protecting the property from damage by rabbits or fur-bearing animals; or

(B) a member of the selectboard of a town protecting public highways or bridges from such damage or submersion with the permission of the owner of lands affected.

(2) A person who for compensation sets a trap for rabbits or fur-bearing animals on the property of another in defense of that property shall possess a valid trapping license.

(3) if required by rule of the Board, an owner; the owner’s employee, tenant, or caretaker; a member of the selectboard; or a person who sets a trap for compensation who desires to possess during the closed season the skins of any fur-bearing animals taken in defense of property, highways, or bridges shall notify the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s representative within 84 hours after taking the animal, and shall hold the pelts for inspection by such authorized representatives.

(b) Before disposing of pelts taken under this section, if required by rule of the Board, the property owner; the owner’s employee, tenant, or caretaker; a member of the selectboard; or a person who sets a trap for compensation shall secure from the Commissioner or a designee a certificate describing the pelts, and showing that the pelts were legally taken during a closed season and in defense of property, highways, or bridges. In the event of storage, sale, or transfer, the certificates shall accompany the pelts. (Added 1961, No. 119, § 1, eff. May 9, 1961; amended 1983, No. 213 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1995, No. 93 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 28, 1996; 2017, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. Jan. 1, 2020.)