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FARMERS* BULLETIN 869. 



Farmers' Bulletins, issued annually, on laws relating to fur-bearing 

 animals. 1 Laws at 'present in force (December 31, 1916) are here 

 summarized by States and Provinces. 



Delaware. — Close season, Newcastle County, March 10 to December i; a Kent 

 and Sussex Counties, March 15 to November 20. Unlawful to shoot muskrats 

 at night; to hunt them with a dog; to take them in time of hood or freshet 

 when driven from their usual places of shelter; or to destroy their nests, 

 dens, or lairs. 



Illinois. — Close season April 1 to October 31. 



Indiana. — Close season April 1 to October 31. 



Towa. — Close season April 1 to November 30. 



Kansas. — Close season March 15 to November 15. 



Louisiana. — Close season for trapping, February 16 to October 31. May be 

 taken at any time within 6 miles of any levee. 



Maine. — Close season, May 1 to October 31. Traps may not be set within 

 25 feet of a muskrat house. A special law protects these animals on Lower 

 Kezar Pond and certain adjacent territory, until July 3. 1919. 



Maryland. — A State law protecting otters, raccoons, and muskrats from 

 April 1 to December 31, passed in 1900, has been amended until it applies to 

 only 6 counties, and some of these have local laws which take precedence. 

 The local laws applying to muskrats follow : 



Anne Arundel County. — Close season, March 1 to December 1. Unlawful to destroy 

 dens or houses unless the animals are destroying property (1906, ch. 589). 

 Baltimore County. — Trapping season, November 10 to December 20. 



Caroline County. — Close season, April 1 to December 14. Unlawful to dig into or open 

 muskrats' dens unless animals are destroying property; unlawful to use artificial light 

 or reflector in taking muskrats. 



Cecil County. — Close season, March 1 to November 30; may be taken only by use of 

 traps. 



Charles County. — Unlawful to shoot muskrats on Nonjemoy Creek and tributaries by 

 aid of light. 



Dorchester County. — Close season March 16 to December 31 ; unlawful to shoot musk- 

 rats or to use artificial light in pursuing them. 



Frederick County. — Close season, March 1 to November 14. 

 Harford County. — Trapping forbidden except November 15 to December 25. 

 Kent County. — Close season, April 1, to December 31 (State law). 

 Montgomery County. — Close season, March 1 to November 14. 



Prince Georges County. — Unlawful to hunt, shoot, or trap muskrats in Aquasco district 

 between March 15 and December 31, or to spear them at any time. 



Queen Anncs County. — Close season, April 1 to December 31 (State law). 

 Somerset County. — Close season, March 16 to December 31. 



Talbot County. — Close season, March 16 to December 15. Unlawful to take at night 

 except in traps. 



Washington County. — Close season, April 1 to November 30. 



Wicomico County. — Close season, March 1 to December 14. Unlawful to use light to 

 hunt muskrats. 



Worcester County. — Close season, March 1 to December 14. Unlawful to trap on 

 marshes or lands of another without permission. 



Michigan. — Close season, April 15 to October 31. Unlawful to destroy muskrat 

 house, to set a trap within 6 feet of such house, or to use firearms or explosives 

 in taking muskrats. 



Minnesota. — Close season, April 15 to November 30. Houses and dens partly 

 protected ; may not be hunted with dog. 



Missouri. — Close season, February 1 to October 31. 

 Nebraska. — Close season. April 15 to February 14. 



1 For 1915, Farmers' Bulletin 706; for 1916. Farmers' Bulletin 7S3. 



2 The dates given are the first and the last days of the close season. 



