Maine § 12204. - Apprentice trapper license

§ 12204.. Apprentice trapper license

1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A. "In the presence of" means in visual and voice contact without the use of visual or audio enhancement devices, including but not limited to binoculars and citizen band radios.   [PL 2011, c. 51, §1 (NEW).]

B. "Apprentice trapper supervisor" means a person who is 18 years of age or older and has held a valid adult trapping license under this subchapter for the prior 3 consecutive years.   [PL 2019, c. 639, §12 (AMD).]

2.  Apprentice trapper supervisor required.  A holder of an apprentice trapper license may not trap other than in the presence of an apprentice trapper supervisor.

3.  Apprentice trapper supervisor responsibility.  An apprentice trapper supervisor shall ensure that the holder of an apprentice trapper license follows safe and ethical trapping protocol and adheres to the laws under this Part. An apprentice trapper supervisor may not intentionally permit a person trapping under an apprentice trapper license with that apprentice trapper supervisor to violate subsection 2.

4.  Eligibility.  A resident or nonresident 16 years of age or older who has never held a valid adult trapping license in this State, or any other state, province or country, is eligible to obtain an apprentice trapper license. Notwithstanding section 12201, subsection 3, a person is eligible to obtain an apprentice trapper license without having successfully completed a trapper education course as described in section 10108, subsection 7. A person may not obtain an apprentice trapper license more than twice.

5.  Expiration of apprentice trapper license.  An apprentice trapper license is valid for up to 12 calendar months and expires on June 30th.

6.  Issuance; fee.  The commissioner, through the commissioner's authorized agent, shall issue an apprentice trapper license to an eligible person. The fee for an apprentice trapper license is $36 for residents and $318 for nonresidents.

7.  Restrictions.  The holder of an apprentice trapper license is not eligible to obtain a permit to trap for bear under section 12260-A.

8.  Penalties.  The following penalties apply to violations of this section.

A. A person who violates this section commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500 may be adjudged.   [PL 2011, c. 51, §1 (NEW).]

B. A person who violates this section after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.   [PL 2011, c. 51, §1 (NEW).]