Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-27
Recent Changes
and RevisiOns i'm
State Game Laws

In view of numerous changes in
the game laws by the last Legisla-
ture, the Department of Inland Fish
cries and Game has issued a sum-
mary of the revised trapping laws,
for the benefit of lrappers.
Under the laws which are now in
force, there is no closed season on
bears, bob cats, Canada lynx, loup
cervier or weaSelS, but of course
they cannot be taken in territory
closed to hunting, and can be taken
only when the hunter is equipped
with the hunting license or licenses
required by law.
Beaver
There is no open season on beaver
except when declared by the COM
missioner upon complaint of timber
land owners of actual, substantial
damage to their property. Trappers
of beaver, however, must secure a
twenty-five dollar license in order to
trap them on land opened to such
trapping. Beaver skins must be
sealed by the commissioner or one
of his agents before transportation
or traffic is legal.
Whoever at any time molests or
destroys a beaver house. or sets a
trap within % feet thereof, shall pay
a fine of one hundred dollars and
costs for each offense. This is the
law of the last Legislature.
Muskrat
The open season on muSkrat in
the counties of Androscoggin, Cum
berland. York, Sagadahoc, Lincoln.
Waldo and Knox is from December
list until April Both. inclusive. The
open season on muskrat in Wash
ington. Hancock. Aroostook, Penob-
scot, Piscataquis, Franklin and OK
ford counties is from November LIST
to May 18th, inclusive. The open
season on muskrat in Somerset coun-
ty is from October 10th to April
10Th, inclusive. Note: There is a
two-year closed time on muskrats in
7 Kennebec county, which was placed
| thereon by the last Legislature
Special Muskrat Laws
The above is the general law on
muskrats, so-called. In certain ter
| ritory, however, in various counties,
| there are special muskrat laws,
which should be consulted before
trappers undertake to trap any
muskrats. These special laws ap-
! ply to Lower KeZar Pond. in Oxford
! and Cumberland counties, the outlet
stream of said Lower Kezar Pond,
| kezar Meadows, and adjacent wa
tiers.
! Five-year closed time on musk
rats in Songon river, a tributary to
Sebago Lake, and a portion of
Crooked river, also tributary to
Sebago Lake.
| Two-year closed time on musk
rats in Royal river and tributaries,
in Cumberland county. except from
April 10th to April Both of each year
trapping in such waters permitted
| Two-year closed time on muskrats
= in Gardiner Lake. in the towns of
East Machias. Marion and Whiting,
in the county of Washington. and
| in the tributaries to said lake.
Three-year closed time on musk
rats and mink in Winnegance Creek
or Winnegance Stream. and nearby
{ waters, in Sagadahoc county.
; Two-year closed time on muskrats
! in Pleasant Pond. so-called. and in
Mud Pond Tin Kennebec and Saga
| dahoc counties) portions of
! these ponds in Kennebec county
also closed under the above men
! toned Kennebec county law.
! 1t is unlawful to modest or destroy,
at any time. any muskrat house, or
! set trap, at any time, within %
! feet thereof
SPeH season on All Other ur Bear
ing Animals
! The open season on all other fur
| bearing animals. which include.
, among others, fox. raccoon, mink. is
! from November LIST to the last day
! of the following February.
! The Fish and Game Laws. pub
: lished by the Department of Inland
Fisheries and Game. should be con-
suited with reference to territory in
various counties which Is closed to
all hunting.
Tranpers in unorganized places
i must be equipped with a ten dollar
trapping license. except such license
is not required in taking bears and
: bob cats alone.
Beaver can be taken only under
a special twenty-five dollar trapping
! license and only in territory opened
to such trapping by the commission
err.
Under the hunting laws. as
amended by the 1923 Legislature, it
is closed season on wild birds from
sunset to half an hour before sun
rise of the following morning, and
on wild animals from one hour after
sunset until one hour before sunrise
Of the following morning, except
night hunting for Sl<upls ;S loo,1