# N.M. Stat. § 17-5-5: Trapper's licenses

> New Mexico · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NM_STATUTES_C17_A5_S17-5-5

## Section

- **Citation:** N.M. Stat. § 17-5-5
- **Heading:** Trapper's licenses
- **Jurisdiction:** New Mexico
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** NM_STATUTES Code / Chapter 17 / Article 5 / Section 17-5-5

## Text

A. No resident who has reached his twelfth birthday shall capture, trap or possess any fur-bearing animal or attempt to do so without first procuring a resident trapper's license; or, in the case of a resident who has reached his twelfth birthday but not his eighteenth birthday, a resident junior trapper's license.

B. No nonresident shall capture, trap or possess any fur-bearing animal or skunk or coyote or attempt to do so without first procuring a nonresident trapper's license.

C. No nonresident who resides in a state that does not permit New Mexico residents to procure nonresident trapper's licenses may purchase a New Mexico nonresident trapper's license.

D. Trappers shall release all fur-bearing animals trapped during closed seasons, and resident trappers who release all fur-bearing animals during open seasons need not procure a trapper's license.

E. Trappers on official business, paid from state and federal funds and under supervision of the department of game and fish, the New Mexico department of agriculture or the United States fish and wildlife service need not purchase a trapper's license.

F. Trapping of animals, both fur-bearing and nongame, by a resident in order to protect his livestock or domesticated animals or fowl shall not be subject to rules and regulations on trapping made pursuant to Section 17-5-4 NMSA 1978 or to licensing requirements provided in this section.

G. The state game commission may by regulation require holders of trapper's licenses to use bobcat pelt tags and may specify the conditions for use of the tags.

## Nearby sections

- [N.M. Stat. § 17-5-1 § 17-5-1. Declaration of policy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NM_C17_A5_S17-5-1.md)
- [N.M. Stat. § 17-5-1 § 17-5-1. Declaration of policy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NM_STATUTES_C17_A5_S17-5-1.md)
- [N.M. Stat. § 17-5-2 § 17-5-2. Fur-bearing and nongame animals defined; property of state](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NM_C17_A5_S17-5-2.md)
- [N.M. Stat. § 17-5-2 § 17-5-2. Fur-bearing and nongame animals defined; property of state](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NM_STATUTES_C17_A5_S17-5-2.md)
- [N.M. Stat. § 17-5-3 § 17-5-3. Seasons; special permits to take animals doing damage](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NM_STATUTES_C17_A5_S17-5-3.md)
- [N.M. Stat. § 17-5-3 § 17-5-3. Seasons; special permits to take animals doing damage](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NM_C17_A5_S17-5-3.md)
- [N.M. Stat. § 17-5-4 § 17-5-4. State game commission to administer act; rules and regulations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NM_C17_A5_S17-5-4.md)
- [N.M. Stat. § 17-5-4 § 17-5-4. State game commission to administer act; rules and regulations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NM_STATUTES_C17_A5_S17-5-4.md)
- [N.M. Stat. § 17-5-5 § 17-5-5. Trapper's licenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NM_STATUTES_C17_A5_S17-5-5.md)
- [N.M. Stat. § 17-5-5 § 17-5-5. Trapper's licenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NM_C17_A5_S17-5-5.md)
- [N.M. Stat. § 17-5-6 § 17-5-6. Fur dealer licenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NM_STATUTES_C17_A5_S17-5-6.md)
- [N.M. Stat. § 17-5-6 § 17-5-6. Fur dealer licenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NM_C17_A5_S17-5-6.md)
- [N.M. Stat. § 17-5-7 § 17-5-7. Disposition of license fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NM_C17_A5_S17-5-7.md)
- [N.M. Stat. § 17-5-7 § 17-5-7. Disposition of license fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NM_STATUTES_C17_A5_S17-5-7.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NM_STATUTES_C17_A5_S17-5-5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
