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Trapping License Question

Okay, just got a call from a DNR Ranger. Just as Biker stated, if you set a trap, you need a permit.
I'm quite certain that ranger is wrong. Call 10 rangers get 10 answers. Been through it countless times before. It's actually embarrassing. If you aren't trapping to sell fur and it's not a furbearer, you are good to go. (I can show you my Holiday Inn Express receipt). By the way, do you own the land you want to set for coyotes? Just for fun I just texted two rangers I know. Answers should be interesting. Although I texted them in the same text my bet is they both wait for the other to answer. ;)
Also the Popular Guide that we all use to "follow the law" is ironically NOT the law. It's an attempt, and often not the best one, to put the horrible language of the ACTUAL law into layman's term.
This is the actual law.
27-2-1 (b) It shall be unlawful for any resident of this state who has attained the age of 16 years to hunt, fish in the waters of this state, or trap without a valid hunting license, fishing license, or trapping license, respectively, as provided in Code Section 27-2-23, except on premises owned by him or her or his or her immediate family; provided, however, that the resident owner of any vessel with a valid registration in accordance with Code Section 52-7-5 shall have, as part of the registration fee for such vessel, a paid three-day resident hunting and fishing license that begins on such owner's date of birth and extends two consecutive days thereafter in accordance with the requirements of this title and as otherwise specified by the department. It shall be unlawful for any resident of this state to hunt, fish, or trap in this state without carrying such license upon his or her person, except on premises owned by him or her or his or her immediate family and except when otherwise specifically directed by authorized personnel of the department.
 
Also in between throw in this phrase "I know my right's, I know my right's ". Also if the officer is of a different color say this "It's because I'm white isn't it"! It should work out just fine for you.
You forgot the get out of jail card... "Am I being detained?!?!' -1 for you.
 
FYI - I've beein having an indepth conversation with 2 wardens. The fact it is in depth should tell you all you need to know about the "clarity" of the current regs. In short neither one has ever ticketed someone for that and.... also note .... subsection d.

§ 27-3-62 - Open seasons
Universal Citation: GA Code § 27-3-62 (2015)
(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Code section, it shall be unlawful to trap any wildlife in this state between March 1 and November 19.

(b) It shall be unlawful to trap any wildlife during the period between November 20 and February 29, except as otherwise provided in this Code section and except that it shall not be unlawful to trap a fur-bearing animal during that period or a portion thereof if that period or portion thereof is designated by the board as an open trapping season for such fur-bearing animal.

(c) In accordance with subsection (b) of this Code section and as may be appropriate in accordance with sound wildlife management principles, the board is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations establishing open seasons for the trapping of fur-bearing animals on a state-wide, regional, or local basis.

(d) Notwithstanding subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section, it shall be lawful to trap beaver, rats, and mice at any time during the year. It shall also be lawful for any person to set steel traps within 200 yards of the residence or dwelling of any such person for the protection of livestock, ratites, poultry, or other fowl or domestic animals from any predatory bird or animal.
 
There is a slightly different meaning between a license and a permit.

I'm a State Licensed Commercial Trapper.

A permit, is typically given to homeowners who wish to trap nuisance wildlife on their own property. You can call up the DNR and get one easily for almost any species. And my understanding is it is still free. There is no closed season on coyote or beaver in Georgia.

A license is what you purchase to trap furbearers for the normal trapping season. And since there is no closed season on coyote you can also use that license to trap coyote anywhere you have permission.

You can also get both a commercial trapping license and a permit to take nuisance wildlife by taking a test and paying $35 for instate residents. This allows you to take nuisance wildlife year round within the legal methods allowed for those animals. And charge for it as well. (The guidelines for commercial trappers are on the website)

So for the average landowner a free permit should be all that is needed if you are taking nuisance coyotes. Or a normal trapping license if you are trapping coyotes for fun on someone else's property.

Please make sure your traps are also in compliance and are tagged with your info and follow the size requirements. If someone calls DNR on your traps they will make sure and it can be a warning or a ticket if they aren't right. For coyote trapping I would highly recommend a good quality catch pole. Since you are setting for canines, getting large stray dogs is not uncommon in rural areas.

Message me if you wanted some more details on trapping.
 
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