A. No resident who has reached his twelfth birthday shall capture, trap or possess any fur-bearing animal or attempt to do so without first procuring a resident trapper's license; or, in the case of a resident who has reached his twelfth birthday but not his eighteenth birthday, a resident junior trapper's license.

B. No nonresident shall capture, trap or possess any fur-bearing animal or skunk or coyote or attempt to do so without first procuring a nonresident trapper's license.

C. No nonresident who resides in a state that does not permit New Mexico residents to procure nonresident trapper's licenses may purchase a New Mexico nonresident trapper's license.

D. Trappers shall release all fur-bearing animals trapped during closed seasons, and resident trappers who release all fur-bearing animals during open seasons need not procure a trapper's license.

E. Trappers on official business, paid from state and federal funds and under supervision of the department of game and fish, the New Mexico department of agriculture or the United States fish and wildlife service need not purchase a trapper's license.

F. Trapping of animals, both fur-bearing and nongame, by a resident in order to protect his livestock or domesticated animals or fowl shall not be subject to rules and regulations on trapping made pursuant to Section 17-5-4 NMSA 1978 or to licensing requirements provided in this section.

G. The state game commission may by regulation require holders of trapper's licenses to use bobcat pelt tags and may specify the conditions for use of the tags.

History: Laws 1939, ch. 178, § 5; 1941 Comp., § 43-505; 1953 Comp., § 53-5-5; Laws 1955, ch. 57, § 3; 1964 (1st S.S.), ch. 17, § 9; 1980, ch. 15, § 5; 1981, ch. 342, § 2; 1983, ch. 117, § 5.

Cross references. — For power of commission to withhold license, see 17-1-14 NMSA 1978.

For duration of license, see 17-3-1 NMSA 1978.

For amount of license fee, see 17-3-13 NMSA 1978.

For revocation of license, see 17-5-9 NMSA 1978.