WATER FOWL—BIRDS AND GAME. 1281

State of Maryland, or have the meat or pelts in possession if trapped,
caught or killed, between the fifteenth day of March and the first day of
January following in each and every year, both dates exclusive, whether
same are trapped, caught or killed within the State of Maryland, or any
other State, territory or country; provided, however, nothing herein con-
tained shall prohibit the possession of the skins of such animals for busi-
ness purposes, when dried and cured; provided, that any person may have
in possession green skins until the twenty-fifth day of March, following the
close of each season, in order to allow skins caught late in the season to be
come cured for market. It shall be unlawful to pursue or kill any Otter
in this State at any time.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to shoot, or shoot at, or gig, or
in any manner kill or catch, except for trapping, any muskrat, and it shall
be unlawful for any person to dig for any muskrat or dig into or in any
manner molest or destroy any part of a muskrat house or den. And it shall
further be unlawful to have in possession any muskrat hide or skins that
have been shot at or into or killed in any manner except by trapping; and
any muskrat hide perforated with small holes, having the appearance of
shot or bullet holes, shall be prima facie evidence that it was a muskrat so
shot or killed. It shall be unlawful for any person at any time to use or
have in possession for use a light for the purpose of hunting muskrats at
night time, and any such light so found in possession shall be prima facie
evidence that such light was for the purpose of a violation of this sub-title.

(b) It shall be lawful for any person to hunt any Raccoon or Opossum
within the State of Maryland, between the first day of November and the
thirty-first day of January following, in each and every year, both dates
inclusive. It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt any Raccoon or
Opossum between sunrise and sunset. It shall be unlawful to cut a tree
at any time for the purpose of catching, killing or dislodging a Raccoon
or Opossum unless by consent of owner of said tree or trees, and no person
shall set, place, keep or maintain any steel traps or other similar device
for the purpose of caching Raccoon or Opossum.

Provided, however, an owner of a dog or dogs, between October 1st and
October 20th, both dates inclusive, may be permitted to run or train such
dog or dogs on Raccoon or Opossum, provided an attendant accompanies it
or them but in so doing no person shall be allowed or permitted to carry a
gun or firearms of any description, climbers or ax. Be it further provided
that it shall be unlawful to shake or throw out from any tree or hollow any
Raccoon or Opossum between the 31st day of January and the 31st day
of October, inclusive, or have same in possession dead or alive except live
Raccoon or Opossum may be kept in captivity for propagation purposes
upon securing a permit from the State Game Warden.

Be it further provided that it shall be lawful to hunt, pursue or kill any
raccoon or raccoons found in the marsh areas of this State when said
raccoon or raccoons are destroying muskrats or their homes.

(c) Any person found guilty before any Justice of the Peace of this
41