>From:    Anonymous Poster <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Joke for the Day
>For your amusement I'd like to show you an excerpt from the proposed ferret
>regulations in MA. .... can anybody see how it would be possible to comply?
>(9)  PROHIBITIONS.   It is unlawful to:
>      (h) to have a ferret in one's possession or under one's control in
>          any place where birds or mammals may be found;
>
>I can only assume this is an effort to protect wildlife and farm animals
>from the ravages of marauding ferrets ........
 
Well, perhaps...  We should remember however that the Mass Fish and Wildlife
rules presently in effect until at least March 7th, say that:
 
    "a person shall not take or attempt to take any bird or mammal by
    the aid or use of a ferret or a fitchew, commonly known as fitch
    (mustela putorium euro)....."
 
    Also section 9(g), preceding 9(h) quoted above, says the following:
 
    It is unlawful to: (g) "hunt for, catch, kill or cause to permit
    the hunting of any vertebrate animal with or through the use of
    a ferret."
 
A number of us have been in contact this past week with Fish and Wildlife
(That's where the first draft regs came from), as well as members of the pet
store industry, breeders, the MSPCA, veterinarians and others both in and
out of State.  Many have given us invaluable insights based on their
experience, all of which is getting fed back to the Fish and Wildlife
Division and others for their further input.
 
If you would like to participate in this process please let Rudi or any of
the rest of us know, and we would be more than happy to e-mail you a copy of
the first draft regs which are really too long to include here.
 
There are a lot of improvements still to be made, and concerns to be
addressed, but hopefully with many people and a POSITIVE attitude ;-) we
will all soon have a draft that we can be proud of.
[Posted in FML issue 1465]