§ 4924. Exceptions

The requirements of sections 4922 and 4923 of this title shall not apply:

(1) when the failure to retrieve, the failure to salvage, or the failure to retain the covered wild animal is beyond the control of the person due to:

(A) theft of the covered wild animal by another person;

(B) unavoidable loss in the field to a wild animal;

(C) lack of legal access to property where a wounded or dead covered wild animal is located, including when signage on the property would lead a reasonable person to believe that hunting is prohibited on the land; or

(D) other circumstances that prevent salvage, retrieval, or retention;

(2) in order to defend a person or property, including defense of property authorized under this part or rules adopted under this part;

(3) when the covered wild animal is sick or diseased;

(4) to a State, federal, or municipal law enforcement officer or employee when the law enforcement officer or employee is acting within the course of the officer’s or employee’s employment; or

(5) when following generally accepted hunting or trapping practices for retrieval of a covered wild animal when a practice is:

(A) set forth under this part or rules adopted under this part; or

(B) approved as a best practice by the Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife. (Added 2021, No. 110 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 11, 2022.)