Section 4004 - Unlawful actsIt is unlawful to do any of the following:
(a) Use a steel-jawed leghold trap, or use any trap with saw-toothed or spiked jaws.(b) Set or maintain a trap that does not bear a number or other identifying mark as provided in this subdivision. If the trap is set pursuant to Section 4152 or 4180, it shall bear an identifying mark in a manner specified by the department. In all other cases, the trap shall bear a number or other identifying mark registered to the department, or, in the case of a federal, state, county, or city agency, bear the name of that agency. No registration fee shall be charged pursuant to this subdivision.(c) Fail to visit and remove all animals from traps at least once daily. If the trapping is done pursuant to Section 4152 or 4180, the inspection and removal shall be done by the person who sets the trap, the owner of the land where the trap is set, or an agent of either.(d)(1) Use a conibear trap that is larger than 6 inches by 6 inches, unless partially or wholly submerged in water.(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a lawfully set conibear trap that is 10 inches by 10 inches or less may be set pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 465.5 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, unless prohibited by the department as a permit condition.(e) When any conibear trap is set on publicly owned land or land expressly open to public use, fail to post signs at each entrance and exit to the property indicating the presence of conibear traps and at least four additional signs within a radius of 50 feet of each trap, one in each cardinal direction, with lettering that is a minimum of three inches high stating: "Danger! Traps Set For Wildlife. Keep Out." Signs required to be posted by this subdivision shall be maintained and checked daily.(f) Kill any trapped mammal in accordance with this section by intentional drowning, injection with any chemical not sold for the purpose of euthanizing animals, or thoracic compression, commonly known as chest crushing. This subdivision does not apply to the use of a lawfully set conibear trap that is set partially or wholly submerged in water to trap beaver or muskrat, or the use of a lawfully set colony trap that is set in water to trap muskrat.Ca. Fish and Game Code § 4004
Amended by Stats 2023 ch 132 (AB 1760),s 82, eff. 1/1/2024.Amended by Stats 2019 ch 216 (AB 273),s 6, eff. 1/1/2020.Amended by Stats 2013 ch 155 (AB 789),s 1, eff. 1/1/2014.