Trapper's licenses

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 [department of wildlife], 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 [state wildlife 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.