HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2275

Section 10-408.1

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1974 Volume and 1979 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article - Natural Resources

10-408.1.

(a)  A person, while trapping or attempting to trap
animals, may not place, set, maintain, or operate any
snares, body-gripping, or leghold traps within 150 yards of
a permanent human residence.

(b)  This section does not apply to:

(1)  State and federal wetlands;

(2)  [private] PRIVATE wetlands as designated by
the Department [of Natural Resources];

(3)  [land] LAND which qualifies   for agricultural
assessments as provided in Article 81 of    the [Annotated]
Code [of Maryland] and timberland and lands used for
reforestation; [and]

(4)  EXCEPT IN BALTIMORE HOWARD AND HARFORD
COUNTIES, owners and lessees of any privately owned land;
AND

(5)  OWNERS AND LESSEES OF ANY PRIVATELY OWNED
LAND IN BALTIMORE HOWARD AND HARFORD COUNTIES AS LONG AS A
TRAP DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION IS NOT
WITHIN 150 YARDS OF THE PERMANENT RESIDENCE OF ANOTHER
PERSON.

(c)  This section does not apply to the use of
body-gripping traps with a jaw spread of less than 6 inches
that are placed, maintained, and operated completely
submerged in water.

(d)  This section does not apply to the use of
snap-type traps used to catch rats and mice.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1980.

Approved May 20, 1980.