Female Softcrabs?

Started by duckboat, September 27, 2024, 08:19:29 AM

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duckboat

Question - Is it legal to keep a female softshell?  

Mikie

From everything I've read, yes, it is legal to have female soft crabs. You can't have female hard crabs or peelers unless you have a receipt that proves you purchased them, and you can't be engaged in crabbing at the time.

duckboat

That is my understanding as well.  I asked a DNR officer (a corporal who I would have thought would know) the last time I was checked and he did not know the answer.  He said he "thought" that no female crabs at all could be taken recreationally but wasn't sure.  

The current regulations state: "it's illegal to catch or possess female hard crabs or female peelers.  
They also state that:   The minimum size for soft crabs is 3½ inches.

It seems pretty clear to me that female soft crabs are legal, as long as they are 3 1/2 inches or greater.

I'll throw them back if it is against the regs but I don't see that being the case.  

duckboat

Sorry about the ransom note style of writing.  I'm new here and haven't come up to speed yet. 

Mikie

Under COMAR 08.02.03.10  - Recreational Daily Catch and Possession Limits, the soft crab limits just say "soft crabs"
with no mention of male or female. I think you're safe.

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