29.331 Trapping regulation.

(1) Tags.

(a) Except as provided under par. (b), each trap used under a trapping license shall be tagged with a metal tag stamped with the name and address or customer identification number of the operator of the trap. If a trap is operated by more than one licensed trapper, the trap shall be tagged with the metal stamp of each operator of the trap. All untagged traps shall be seized and confiscated, and the owner or person using or attending the untagged traps shall be punished as provided under s. 29.971 (4) and (12). This paragraph does not apply to a person under the age of 16 trapping under the supervision of a licensed trapper as provided in s. 29.241 (5).

(b) Each trap used by a person who is trapping with a qualified mentor as provided under s. 29.241 (6) shall be tagged with a metal tag stamped with the name and address or customer identification number of the person using the trap, the qualified mentor, or both. If the trap is tagged only by a person who is trapping with a qualified mentor, the trap may be operated only by that person or by the mentor and only when both are present.

(2) Shipments. All shipments of hides must be marked showing the number and kinds of hides in the package, the name and address of the shipper, and the number of the shipper's trapping license.

(3) Report. On or before June 1 annually, the licensee shall report to the department, by affidavit, on forms furnished by the department, the number of the licensee's license, the number and value of each variety of animals taken during the previous 12 months ending May 1, and other information required on the forms furnished.

(3m) Use of fees. From the moneys received from the sale of trapping licenses, the department shall credit an amount equal to $2 times the number of trapping licenses issued to the appropriation under s. 20.370 (1) (Lq).

(5) Molesting traps.

(a) No person may molest, take or appropriate a trap belonging to another person when the trap is lawfully placed. No person may take or appropriate the animal or contents of any lawfully placed trap belonging to another person. This paragraph does not apply to a person taking a trap belonging to a supervising trapper or mentor, or taking the contents of that trap, if the person is acting under the direction of a supervising trapper under s. 29.241 (5) or a mentor providing instruction under s. 29.241 (6).

(b) A person who violates this subsection shall be fined not less than $300 nor more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than 90 days or both. In addition, if a person violates this subsection, the court shall revoke all licenses issued to the person under this chapter for 5 years.

History: 1973 c. 90; 1975 c. 365 s. 62; 1979 c. 34; 1979 c. 190 s. 4; 1981 c. 236; 1981 c. 243 s. 7; 1981 c. 391; 1983 a. 27; 1991 a. 254, 316; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 283 to 287, 476; Stats. 1997 s. 29.331; 2001 a. 107; 2009 a. 38; 2017 a. 343.