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THE MUSKRAT. 



States now protect the beaver absolutely, but in most of them the laws 

 came too late to accomplish much good. A majority of the Northern 

 States now have a closed season for certain fur bearers, and in some 

 of them the muskrat is specifically included; but in most parts of 

 the United States inhabited by this animal it may be killed at any 

 time and in any manner. 



CLOSED SEASONS. 



Nearly all the Canadian provinces protect the muskrat by a closed 

 season. These include Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick (certain 

 counties). Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, and 

 Saskatchewan. In the United States 13 States have laws affording 

 partial protection to the muskrat, as follows: 



Delaware. — The closed season for miiskrats is March 20 to December 1. Musk- 

 rats may not be hunted by use of lights at night, nor in Kent County during 

 freshets that drive them from their usual abodes. 



Illinois. — No fur-bearing animals may be captured for profit between May 1 

 and November 1. 



Iowa. — Muskrats are protected from April 1 to November 1, except when 

 found damaging private or public property. 



Maine. — The closed season on muskrats extends from May 1 to October 15, 

 but a few towns have special laws relating to these animals. The legislature 

 of 1909 changed the opening date for trapping muskrats from December 1 to 

 October 15, a change that no consideration can justify. 



Maryland. — Closed season April 1 to January 1. Seven counties have different 

 closed seasons as noted below. Ten counties have no protection for muskrats. 



Anne Arundel County. — The closed season for muskrats is from March 1 to 

 December 1. It is unlawful to destroy muskrat dens or houses. 



Caroline County. — Closed season April 1 to December 15. 



Dorclt ester County. — Closed season March 15 to January 1. It is unlawful 

 to use artificial light in taking these animals. 



Kent County.— -\t is unlawful to use light in hunting muskrats. 



Somerset County. — Closed season March 15 to December 15. Unlawful at all 

 times to shoot muskrats. 



Taltjot County. — Closed season March 15 to December 1. 



Wir(/ntieo C()unty. — Closed season March 15 to December 15. 



Patu.t-ent River marshes. — Muskrats may not be shot from two hours after 

 sunset to one hour before sunrise. 



Michigan. — Muskrats may not be killed from April 15 to October 31, both dates 

 included. It is unlawful to destroy muskrat houses at any time or to set 

 traps within 6 feet of a muskrat house. The owner of property may destroy 

 the animals on his own premises when it can be shown that they are doing 

 damage. 



Minnesota. — Muskrats are protected April 15 to November 15. Muskrat 

 houses are protected at all times. The animals may be killed at any time by 

 the owner of property injured by them. 



New Jersey. — Muskrats may not be killed April 1 to December 1, except on 

 embankments or on lands protected from overflow by embankments. This law 

 was passed January 21, 1829. 

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