Source: https://www.animallaw.info/statute/mt-fur-chapter-4-commercial-activities
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 08:28:15+00:00

Document:
Full Statute Name: West's Montana Code Annotated. Title 87. Fish and Wildlife. Chapter 4. Commercial Activities. Part 10. Fur Farms.
87-4-1014 Repealed by Laws 2011, ch. 258, § 120, eff. Oct. 1, 2011.
(1) “Fur farm” means the enclosed land area upon which furbearers may be kept for purposes of obtaining, rearing in captivity, keeping, and selling furbearers or parts of furbearers as authorized under this part.
(2) “Furbearer” means a marten or sable, otter, muskrat, fisher, bobcat, lynx, wolverine, or beaver. The term does not include fox or mink.
Enacted by Laws 1983, ch. 570, § 36.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person may not own, control, or propagate furbearers unless the person holds a current fur farm license from the department.
(2) This part does not apply to the ownership, control, or propagation of furbearers if the ownership, control, or propagation is not for the sale or conveyance of furbearers or parts of furbearers.
(3) A person who violates this section is subject to the penalties provided in 87-6-717.
Enacted by Laws 1983, ch. 570, § 37. Amended by Laws 2009, ch. 56, § 2864, eff. Oct. 1, 2009; amended by Laws 2011, ch. 258, § 116, eff. Oct. 1, 2011.
(f) the source of furbearers.
(2)(a) A fur farm license may be issued only to a responsible applicant who owns or leases the premises on which the operations are to be conducted and who has properly fenced the place where the fur farm is to be located.
(b) Any fur farm owned by a nonresident must have a resident agent who is responsible for the daily operation of the fur farm and who is authorized by the nonresident owner to receive service of process.
(3) Within 30 days of receiving the application, the department shall notify the applicant of its decision to approve or deny the application. If required fencing has not been completed, the department shall approve the application subject to the fencing being completed. If the application is denied, the department shall specify the reasons for denial.
Enacted by Laws 1983, ch. 570, § 38. Amended by Laws 2009, ch. 56, § 2865, eff. Oct. 1, 2009.
(1) Fur farm license and annual renewal fees must be set by department rule.
(2) The fees must be deposited in the state special revenue fund for the use of the department for purposes of this part.
Enacted by Laws 1983, ch. 570, § 39. Amended by Laws 1983, ch. 281, § 48.
(1) A fur farm license is valid only for the license year in which it is issued. The licensee shall apply for renewal annually, and the department shall renew the license if the licensee has not violated any provision under which it was granted.
(2) The licensee shall notify the department of any proposed changes in the species managed or in the size or location of the enclosure prior to the institution of such change.
Enacted by Laws 1983, ch. 570, § 40.
A fur farm license is nontransferable.
Enacted by Laws 1983, ch. 570, § 41.
Upon receipt of an application for a license, the department shall inspect each fur farm and thereafter shall inspect each fur farm and the records required to be kept by such fur farm on a scheduled basis or on such other reasonable basis as may be determined necessary.
Enacted by Laws 1983, ch. 570, § 42.
All furbearers lawfully raised on a licensed fur farm are the private property of the licensee, and the licensee may sell or transfer such furbearers as private property.
Enacted by Laws 1983, ch. 570, § 43.
Any furbearers purchased for use on a fur farm or any furbearers raised on a fur farm may be transported only in compliance with Title 81, chapter 2, part 7, and applicable administrative rules.
Enacted by Laws 1983, ch. 570, § 44.
A fur farm owner who desires to sell furs shall comply with all the requirements of part 3 of this chapter.
Enacted by Laws 1983, ch. 570, § 45.
(1) Each licensee shall keep accurate records of the number and species of furbearers purchased, transferred, or sold and the name of each person to whom or from whom such furbearers were purchased, transferred, or sold.
(2) On or before January 31 of each year, each licensee shall file a report with the director, showing the number and species of furbearers on hand on January 1 and the number and species of furbearers purchased, transferred, or sold during the past year. All records described in this section must be kept for not less than 3 years.
Enacted by Laws 1983, ch. 570, § 46.
The department may adopt and enforce only such rules as are necessary to implement this part. The rules may address but are not limited to fencing requirements, reporting requirements, the care and maintenance of the furbearers held by fur farm operators, and licensing requirements for applicants.
Enacted by Laws 1983, ch. 570, § 47.
(1) A fur farm license may be revoked for failure to operate the fur farm according to the provisions of this part or rules adopted under this part.
(2) Upon discovery of a violation, the department shall give notice of such violation to the licensee, with a statement of a specific time by which the violation must be corrected.
(3) Upon failure of the licensee to correct the violation, the department may institute revocation proceedings. If the department institutes revocation proceedings, it shall provide reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing to the licensee. After hearing, upon proof of violation, the department may revoke the fur farm license.
Enacted by Laws 1983, ch. 570, § 48.

References: § 120
 § 36
 § 37
 § 2864
 § 116
 § 38
 § 2865
 § 39
 § 48
 § 40
 § 41
 § 42
 § 43
 § 44
 § 45
 § 46
 § 47
 § 48