1. The department may by regulation permit trapping of beaver, fisher,
otter, bobcat, coyote, fox, raccoon, opossum, weasel, skunk, muskrat,
pine marten and mink, or any of them, in specified areas, and may
regulate the taking, possession and disposition of such animals. The
periods in which trapping of such animals is so permitted are open
seasons for the trapping of the species for which the period is fixed,
in the area or areas for which it is so fixed.
2. When an investigation made by the department in the month of March
of any year reveals that during the current open season for muskrats in
any county or part thereof in the Southern Zone, reasonable
opportunities were not afforded to trappers to harvest the muskrat crop
of such season because of abnormal trapping conditions, the department
shall have power to extend by regulation the open season in such county
or part thereof for a period not to exceed twenty days.