2012 Vermont Statutes
Title 10 Appendix Conservation and Development
Chapter 1 GAME
§ 44 Furbearing species

§ 44. Furbearing species

1.0 Authority

1.1 This rule is promulgated pursuant to 10 V.S.A. §§ 4081, 4082, 4084, 4828, and 4861. In promulgating this rule, the fish and wildlife board is following the policy established by the general assembly that the protection, propagation, control, management, and conservation of fish, wildlife, and fur-bearing animals in this state is in the interest of the public welfare and that the safeguarding of these valuable resources for the people of the state requires a constant and continual vigilance.

1.2 In accordance with 10 V.S.A. §§ 4082 and 4084, this rule is designed to maintain the best health, population, and utilization levels of the regulated species.

1.3 This rule shall apply to all persons who take or attempt to take fur-bearing animals by trapping or hunting.

2.0 Purpose

The purpose of this rule is to regulate the taking of fur-bearing animals.

3.0 Definitions

3.1 "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.

3.2 "Department" means the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.

3.3 "Board" means the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board.

3.4 "Fur-bearing animal" means beaver, otter, marten, mink, raccoon, fisher, fox, skunk, coyote, bobcat, weasel, opossum, lynx, wolf, and muskrat or as amended pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4001.

3.5 "Trapping" means to take or attempt to take fur-bearing animals with traps including the dispatching of such lawfully trapped fur-bearing animals.

3.6 A "trap" means a mechanical device used to capture, kill and/or restrain fur-bearing animals excluding firearms, muzzleloaders and archery equipment.

3.7 A "tanned" pelt is one that has been treated to turn the skin into leather.

4.0 Restrictions

4.1 A person trapping for fur-bearing animals under this rule shall visit his/her traps at least once every calendar day, except as provided in paragraph 4.2, and dispatch or release any animal caught therein.

4.2 A person who sets body gripping traps in the water or under the ice, or foothold or cage traps under the ice shall visit his/her traps at least once every three calendar days and remove any animal caught therein.

4.3 A person shall not set a trap on lands other than his/her own which does not have his/her name and address permanently and legibly stamped or engraved thereon, or on a tag of rustless material securely attached thereto.

4.4 All traps under ice will be marked with a tag visible above the ice.

4.5 A person shall not set a body gripping trap with a jaw spread over eight inches measured inside the jaws unless the trap is set five feet or more above the ground, or in the water.

4.6 A person shall not use toothed foothold traps or snares when trapping under this section.

4.7 A person shall not set a trap between December 31 and the following fourth Saturday in October unless the trap is in the water, under the ice, or on a float in the water.

4.8 A person shall not possess a living fur-bearing animal, except as provided by rules of the board or part 4 of Title 10.

4.9 A person shall not possess a fur-bearing animal trapped outside of its legal season without the written authorization of the Department, not to include animals taken pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4828.

4.10 A person shall not possess fur or skin of a fur-bearing animal unlawfully taken.

4.11 A person shall not take a fur-bearing animal by use of any poisonous mixture.

4.12 A person shall not take a fur-bearing animal from dens by cutting, digging, smoking, by the use of chemicals, or by the use of mechanical devices.

4.13 Beaver Muskrat

a.) When trapping muskrat between March 1 and March 31, body gripping traps are restricted to 5 inches or less.

b.) A person shall not disturb or destroy a beaver or muskrat house or den or place a trap therein, thereon, or in the entrance thereof.

c.) A person may set a trap within 10 feet of the nearest point, above the water, of a beaver house or dam only from the 4th Saturday in October through the last day of February, all dates inclusive.

d.) Except for the setting of traps as provided under 4.13b and 4.13c, a person shall not interfere in any manner with dams, dens, or houses of beaver except upon prior written approval from the Commssioner.

e.) When trapping beaver between March 1 and March 31, body gripping traps shall:

i.) Have a parallel trigger and trigger stop. Acceptable trigger stops include twisted wire, cable ties, wire wrap, or welded bead. The trigger should be offset at least 8" from one side of the trap and be no longer than 6 1/2 inches. Trigger wires must be joined together.

ii.) Include tension adjustable, square-notch trigger brackets. Four-way and/or V-notch triggers are illegal to use.

iii.) Diagram 1. below illustrates these requirements.

4.14 Bobcat; Otter; Fisher

a.) From December 17 to December 31, both dates inclusive, in order to minimize incidental bobcat harvest during the remainder of the fisher season, a person shall not set a body gripping trap with a jaw spread over 6 inches measured inside the jaws unless the trap is set 5 or more feet above the ground, or in the water.

b.) The skins of bobcat, otter, and fisher legally taken may be possessed, transported, bought and sold only when tagged and marked as hereinafter provided.

c.) A person who takes bobcats, otter, or fisher during these seasons shall notify authorized Department staff within 48 hours of the close of the season. Pelts shall be presented to authorized Department staff for tagging. Such tags shall remain affixed to the pelts until tanned. Carcasses shall be surrendered to authorized Department staff at the time of tagging.

d.) No bobcat, otter, or fisher pelts or carcasses taken during these seasons shall be transported out of the state of Vermont prior to being tagged by authorized Department staff.

e.) A person who takes bobcat, fisher, and otter pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4828 and who desires to keep the pelt shall notify authorized Department staff with 84 hours of the taking. Pelts shall be presented to authorized Department staff for tagging. Such tags shall remain affixed to the pelts until tanned. Carcasses shall be surrendered to authorized Department staff at the time of tagging.

4.15 Raccoons

a.) A person shooting raccoons during the raccoon hunting season shall use a 0.22 caliber rimfire firearm or a shotgun with #2 shot or smaller.

b.) A light may be used to illuminate and shoot a raccoon once treed by a dog, or dogs, during the raccoon hunting season. A light may also be used to illuminate a raccoon once treed by a dog, or dogs, during the training season.

5.0 Seasons, Bag Limits

The following seasons, methods and bag limits are hereby established for the species listed. All hunting seasons will be with or without dogs, except as otherwise provided. Below is the exclusive, exhaustive list of season and means of take of fur-bearing animals. The taking of fur-bearing animals at other times or by other means, except where otherwise provided by law, is prohibited. All dates are inclusive.

Seasons Dates Bag Limit 5.1 Beaver By trapping Fourth Sat. in Oct. No limit through March 31 By hunting No open season Zero 5.2 Otter By trapping Fourth Sat. in Oct.- No limit last day of Feb. By hunting No open season Zero 5.3 Marten No open season Zero 5.4 Mink By trapping Fourth Sat in Oct.-Dec. 31 No limit By hunting No open season Zero 5.5 Raccoon By trapping Fourth Sat. in Oct.-Dec. 31 No limit By hunting Second Sat. in Oct.-Dec. 31 No limit 5.6 Bobcat By trapping December 1-December 16 No limit By hunting January 10-February 7 No limit 5.7 Fox (red or grey) By trapping Fourth Sat. in Oct.-Dec. 31 No limit By hunting Fourth Sat. in Oct. through No limit the second Sun. in Feb. 5.8 Skunk Fourth Sat. in Oct.-Dec. 31 No limit By trapping Fourth Sat. in Oct.-Dec. 31 No limit By hunting No closed Season No limit 5.9 Muskrat By trapping Fourth Sat. in Oct.-March 31 No limit By hunting March 20-April 19 No limit 5.10 Coyote By trapping Fourth Sat. in Oct.-Dec. 31 No

limit By hunting No closed season No limit 5.14 Fisher By trapping December 1-December 31 No limit By hunting No open season Zero 5.15 Weasel By trapping Fourth Sat. in Oct.-Dec. 31 No limit By hunting No closed season No limit 5.16 Opossum By trapping Fourth Sat. in Oct.-Dec. 31 No limit By hunting No closed season No limit 5.17 Wolf No open season Zero 5.18 Lynx No open season Zero

(Added 1961, No. 119, § 2, eff. May 9, 1961; amended 1966, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. -, eff. Jan. 1, 1967; 1974, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 883, eff. Jan. 18, 1974; 1977, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 904, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; 1977, No. 231 (Adj. Sess.); 1980, Fish and Game Board Regs. No. 917, eff. July 2, 1980; No. 925,§§ 1, 2, eff. Dec. 27, 1980; 1984, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 949, eff. June 2, 1984; 1989, No. 36, § 2; 1995, Fish and Game Board Reg. No. 1008, eff. July 9, 1994; 2003, Fish and Wildlife Reg. No. 1008, eff. Oct. 31, 2003; 2007, Fish and Wildlife Reg. No. 1008, eff. Jan. 12, 2007; 2012 Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. eff. July 14, 2012.)