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

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

(a) The provisions of law or regulations of the board relating to the taking of rabbits or fur-bearing animals shall not apply to an owner, the owner's employee, tenant, or caretaker of property protecting the property from damage by rabbits or fur-bearing animals, or to the selectboard of a town protecting public highways or bridges from such damage or submersion with the permission of the owner of lands affected. However, if required by rule of the board, an owner, employee, tenant or caretaker, or the members of the selectboard, who desire 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 eighty-four hours after taking such animal, and shall hold such pelts for inspection by such authorized representatives.

(b) Before disposing of such pelts, if required by rule of the board, the property owner, employee, tenant, caretaker or selectboard 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, such certificates shall accompany the pelts described therein. (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.)