§9-11-262. Opening or closing of season for killing of beaver; payment of bounty for killing of beaver.

(a) Whenever the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources determines that a reduction in the number of beavers is necessary to the public health and welfare of the people of this state or for the preservation of the species or to prevent serious damage resulting from the damming or diversion of public streams by beavers, said Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources shall be authorized to open or close a season in any county, area or section of the state for the killing of beavers and to provide for the payment of a bounty of $5.00 for each beaver killed.

(b) The Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources shall be authorized to promulgate such reasonable rules and regulations as he may deem necessary or desirable to implement the provisions of this section and to prescribe the conditions under which such payment shall be made, including the opening and closing dates therefor and the manner and procedure for paying such bounty.

(c) All bounties paid pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be paid out of any funds of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources available for such purposes.

(Acts 1971, No. 242, p. 559, §§ 1-3.)