§ 4-211. Taxidermist and fur-tanning license

   (a) Required; effect. --

   (1) Any person who desires to commercially practice the art of taxidermy or who desires to mount or preserve any species of finfish for a person other than himself first shall obtain a taxidermist and fur-tanning license.

   (2) A taxidermist and fur-tanning license also shall permit the holder:

      (i) To mount, preserve, or tan any species of wildlife legally acquired; and

      (ii) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, with the written approval of the Department for each specimen, to sell or dispose of any tanned, cured, or mounted specimen legally acquired but unclaimed by the customer within 30 days after written notice to the customer by certified mail.

   (3) A license holder may not sell or dispose of any tanned, cured, or mounted specimen that is not permitted to be fished in the State.

(b) Application; fee; work samples; issuance. --

   (1) A person desiring a taxidermist and fur-tanning license shall:

      (i) Apply on forms the Secretary supplies;

      (ii) Pay a $ 50 annual license fee; and

      (iii) Provide recent work samples for examination by the Department.

   (2) Upon receipt of the application and license fee, and examination of work samples, the Secretary may issue the license permitting the practice of taxidermy or fur-tanning, as provided in the license, if the work samples meet minimum professional standards, as determined by the Department.

(c) Duration; renewal. -- A taxidermist and fur-tanning license:

   (1) Shall expire on June 30 following the date of issuance; and

   (2) May be renewed by providing information on forms the Secretary supplies and paying the $ 50 annual license fee.

(d) Licensees to maintain records. -- Each taxidermist or fur-tanner shall keep a ledger on a form provided by the Department indicating the name, address, telephone number, and current angling or fishing license number of each person, from whom finfish were purchased or received within or outside the State, the date of purchase or receipt and the quantity of each species of finfish purchased or received and the date the species was delivered or returned to the customer. The ledger shall indicate the country, state, and county or political subdivision in which the finfish were caught, along with the date the finfish were caught and identify any appropriate official possession tag or bill of sale. The tag or bill of sale shall be attached to the finfish. The licensee must also include in the ledger the same information with regard to any finfish caught by the licensee. The ledger shall cover all transactions from date of issuance of the taxidermist and fur-tanner's license until date of expiration and shall be kept up-to-date. In addition to any other penalty provided by this subtitle, any person failing to maintain or keep up-to-date a ledger required by this subsection or making false entries may have his license revoked for a period not to exceed 5 years.

(e) Licensees to allow inspection of premises and records. -- The licensee shall allow any Natural Resources police officer or any law enforcement officer to enter at all reasonable hours for the following purposes:

   (1) To inspect the premises and holding facilities where operations are being carried on;

   (2) To inspect finfish; and

   (3) To inspect records.

(f) Penalty. -- In addition to any other penalty provided by the provisions of this title, any person convicted of violating any provision of this subtitle shall be fined $ 5 for each specimen of finfish or any part of them mounted or possessed for mounting.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 66C, § 177; 1973, 1st Sp. Sess., ch. 4, § 1; 1976, ch. 183, § 1; 1988, ch. 385; 1989, ch. 5, § 1; 1993, ch. 424.