There are regulations on the traps, they are just covered in a different area of the regs.

quote " In New Jersey, a trapping license is required and a Trapper Education course must be passed to trap in the state. To use a snare a person must have first passed a Fish and Wildlife-approved trapper education course which included use of snares and carry on their person appropriate certification thereof.

All traps set or used must bear a legible tag of durable material with the name and address of the person setting, using and maintaining the traps. A trap identification number issued by the Division may be used in lieu of a name and address (contact the Bureau of Wildlife Management at 609-292-6685 for more information).

All traps must be checked and tended at least once every 24 hours, preferably in the morning. When trapping beaver or otter, the trap tag must be clearly visible above the level of water or ice. Any person (including a farmer) who traps a coyote must notify a Division law enforcement office within 24 hours. Licensed trappers at least 18 years of age and in possession of a valid rifle permit may carry a .22 caliber rifle, and use only .22 caliber short rimfire cartridges to kill legally trapped animals

For more information please consult the appropriate section(s) of the Fish and Wildlife Digest. "endquote.

In addition, the trappers have to fill out a form listing all of the snapper removed, where they went and all species caught and released (see http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/comm_turtle_rptform.pdf for the form).

The are some sketchy issues with the story as given by the lady.. for example, she claims she didn't know they were turtle traps but were instead kids toys (possibly attached to drowning kids) when she went out on the lake but she can swear that no one came and checked the traps for 29 hours...

Regardless of the issues with her story, she committed a violation, her violation is seperate from whether or not the trapper committed a violation and she should not be able to claim her interference with the trapping was justified... as this is the slippery slope which results in rights to hunt, fish and trap being lost. There by law had to be contact information on the traps which she could have used or she could have contacted the authorities.

Ed

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