09-137 C.M.R. ch. 17, § 08 - Types and Sizes of Traps

1. In WMDs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11, animals may be trapped with:

A. Any common ordinary steel trap except no foothold trap may be used that has an inside jaw spread of more than 5 3/8 inches, except a foothold trap with an inside jaw spread of more than 5 3/8 inches may be used if it is set so as to be fully or partially covered by water at all times. Inside jaw spread is the distance, with the trap in the set position, from the inside center of one jaw (at the dog) to the inside center of the opposite jaw when measured directly across the center of the pan and perpendicular to the base plate.

B. Only killer-type traps with a jaw spread not to exceed 8 inches may be used, as provided within section 17.09 paragraph 5 and 6. However, during the open season on beaver it shall be lawful to use a killer-type trap with a jaw spread larger than 8 inches if, when set, placed and tended, the trap is completely under water. Killer-type traps shall include Conibear traps and all other traps of that type. It shall be unlawful to use any trap with teeth on the jaws unless when set, placed and tended, the trap is completely covered with water.

2. It is lawful to trap furbearing animals with a cage-type trap, except suitcase-style traps used for beaver (see section 17.06-C.) and cage-style traps in WMDs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11, must have an opening less than 13 inches in width or less than 13 inches in height, unless the cage trap is being used:

A. For official wildlife research and survey activities that have been permitted by the department;

B. For the removal of animals that are causing damage to property; or

C. To capture bear.

3. Furbearing animals may be trapped with colony traps having outside dimensions no greater than 7 inches high by 7 inches wide by 40 inches long, only if set, placed, and tended so as to remain completely under water.

4. Furbearing animals may be trapped with dog-proof traps also known as enclosed foothold traps (as defined within section 17.03) and all other traps of that type that are designed primarily to capture raccoons and avoid incidental catches of other animals.

5. Wooden-base rat traps may be set on land for weasel and red squirrel trapping if recessed in a wooden box with a hole no larger than 2 inches in diameter.

Notes

09-137 C.M.R. ch. 17, § 08