TRAPPING, TRANSPORTING, AND TRANSPLANTING GAME ANIMALS AND GAME BIRDS; PERMIT REQUIRED.

(a) No person may capture, transport, or transplant any game animal or game bird from the wild in this state unless that person has obtained a permit to trap, transport, and transplant from the department.

(b) The department may issue permits for trapping, transporting, and transplanting game animals or game birds from the wild to allow adjustments in game populations for better wildlife management. The permits may be issued only if recommended by separate wildlife stocking plans approved by the department for both the origin and the destination of the game animals or game birds.

(c) The state is not liable for and may not incur any expense for the trapping, transporting, and transplanting of game animals and game birds under a permit issued under this section.

(d) A person receiving a permit under this section commits an offense if that person does not comply with the conditions listed on the permit, including conditions designed to minimize stress and maximize the humane treatment of trapped or transplanted animals and to minimize human health and safety risks.

(e) This section does not apply to any game animals or game birds that are possessed or propagated under a license or permit issued for that activity under another section of this code or to an activity conducted under a permit issued under Section 43.0611.

(f) The commission by rule may set fees for review of permit applications or other department actions necessary to implement this section. If the permit authorizes the applicant to trap, transport, and transplant squirrels that are causing damage to personal property, the applicant is exempt from the payment of the fee.

(g) The commission shall adopt rules for the content of wildlife stocking plans, certification of wildlife trappers, and the trapping, transporting, and transplanting of game animals and game birds under this subchapter.