Plain Language Summaries
Statutes & Regulations

1. Hunting of Black Bear
2. Hunting of Cottontail Rabbit, Snowshoe Hare, and Jackrabbit
3. Hunting of Crows
4. Hunting and Tagging of Deer
5. Hunting of Fox, Coyote, and Bobcat
6. Hunting of Gray Squirrels
7. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds
8. Hunting of Pheasant, Bobwhite Quail, and Ruffed Grouse
9. Hunting of Wild Turkey
10. Hunting and Trapping of Certain Mammals
11. Hunting, Fishing, Trapping, and Taking of Reptiles and Amphibians
12. Hunting with Archery
13. Hunting with Handguns
14. Hunting with Rifles
15. Hunting with Shotguns and Shotshell Cartridges
16. Taking of Certain Fish
17. Taking, Sale and Importation of Bait Fish
18. Wildlife Management Areas
    

Hunting of Black Bear

1. SEASON DATES: The open season is divided into two time periods. The first period begins on the day after Labor Day and ends on the 3rd Saturday thereafter, for a total of 17 days. The second period begins on the 1st Monday in November and ends on the 3rd Saturday thereafter, for a total of 18 days.

2. ZONE: The season is open only in wildlife management zones 01 through 09.

3. HUNTING HOURS: The hunting hours begin at ½ hour before sunrise and continue until ½ hour after sunset.

4. BAG LIMIT: The season bag limit is one black bear per calendar year. A person may kill a bear of any sex or any size.

5. LICENSES AND PERMITS: A resident of Massachusetts needs a resident hunting or sporting license to hunt black bear. A non-resident hunter needs a non-resident big game license. In addition, all bear hunters need a black bear hunting permit, for which there is an additional fee. The permit must be carried on the person at all times while hunting bear and must be shown on demand to a law enforcement officer or check station official.

6. BEAR TAG: There is a "bear tag" attached to the bear permit. Upon killing a bear, the hunter must immediately fill out the "bear tag", and must detach it from the permit and attach it to the bear in a conspicuous manner. The tag must remain attached to the bear until the bear is presented to an official check station, at which time the official in charge of the station will remove the tag. Tags which are detached except as provided herein are void and may be confiscated by a law enforcement officer.

7. CHECK STATIONS: Within 48 hours after killing a black bear, the entire carcass (the animal may be field-dressed) must be presented to an official check station, by the person who killed the bear. At this time, the bear will be recorded and examined for research purposes, and the check station official may remove a tooth from the bear. If lawfully taken, the official will remove the paper tag and affix a locking metal seal. The metal seal must remain on the bear until it is skinned or cut up or otherwise prepared for food purposes or for mounting by a taxidermist. Seals are non-transferable.

8. TRANSPORTATION: The carcass (or a part of it) of a black bear shall not be transported or under a person's control in a motor vehicle unless the bear is open to view. However, after the bear has been checked at an official check station and an official metal seal affixed, the bear no longer need be open to view.

9. HUNTING IMPLEMENTS:
During the September period of the open season, black bears may be hunted by the following means: (1) a centerfire rifle .23 caliber or larger; (2) a muzzle-loading firearm, .44 to .775 caliber, fired from the shoulder, using a single projectile, (3) a .357 Magnum revolver using .357 Magnum cartridges, or a revolver .40 caliber or larger; or (4) a bow and arrows, 40 lbs. at 28" draw or at peak draw for compound bows, using well-sharpened steel broadhead blades not less than 7/8 in. width.

During the November period of the open season, black bears may be hunted by the following means: (1) a centerfire rifle .23 caliber or larger; (2) a muzzle-loading firearm, .44 to .775 caliber, fired from the shoulder, using a single projectile, or (3) a bow and arrows, 40 lbs. at 28" draw or at peak draw for compound bows, using well-sharpened steel broadhead blades not less than 7/8 in. width.

10. PROHIBITED:

(a) trapping bear, or setting, placing, and tending traps for the purpose of taking bear;

(b) baiting bear, or the placing of bait for the purpose of taking bear or attracting them to a place where they may be hunted;

(c) hunting or pursuing bear with dogs, including the training of bear hounds on bear during the closed hunting season, except by special permit for bona-fide
research or damage situations;

(d) hunting bear with a shotgun, and the possession of shotgun cartridges loaded with slug or buckshot while hunting bear;

(e) taking black bear alive, or possession of a live black bear;

(f) sale of a black bear, or any parts thereof, including, but not restricted to, the hide, claws, and galls.

This is not the complete law, and is subject to change. Refer to the Black Bear hunting regulations in the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321 CMR 3.02(1), as well as to M.G.L. c. 131, §§ 5 and 21A, and other provisions of the General Laws.

Last Revised: 10-21-05.

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Hunting of Cottontail Rabbit, Snowshoe Hare, and Jackrabbit

1. SEASON DATES:

(a) the cottontail rabbit season in Massachusetts (except in Wildlife Management Zones 13 and 14) begins on the first Saturday after Columbus Day and continues until the following last day of February;

(b) the cottontail rabbit season in Wildlife Management Zones 13 and 14 begins on November 15 and continues until the following last day of February;

(c) the snowshoe hare season in Wildlife Management Zones 01 through 04N and 04S begins on the first Saturday after Columbus Day and continues until the following last day of February;

(d) the snowshoe hare season in Wildlife Management Zones 05 through 12 begins on the first Saturday after Columbus Day and continues until the following February 5;

(e) the snowshoe hare season in Wildlife Management Zones 13 and 14 begins on November 15 and continues until the following February 5;

(f) the black-tailed jackrabbit season begins on November 15 and continues until December 31.

(g) the season for hunting of cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, and black-tailed jackrabbit is CLOSED statewide during the 2-week "shotgun" deer season.

2. ZONES:

(a) the cottontail rabbit season is open statewide;

(b) the snowshoe hare season is open statewide;

(c) the black-tailed jackrabbit season is open only in Wildlife Management Zone 14.

3. FALCONRY: Licensed falconers possessing a hunting or sporting license and hunting by means of a falcon or other raptor may hunt:

(a) cottontail rabbits in zones 01 through 12 from the first Saturday after Columbus Day to the following March 15;

(b) cottontail rabbits in zones 13 and 14 from November 15 to the following March 15;

(c) snowshoe hare in zones 01 through 12 from the first Saturday after Columbus Day to the following March 15; and

(d) snowshoe hare in zones 13 and 14 from November 15 to the following March 15.

4. HUNTING HOURS: The hunting hours for cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, and black-tailed jackrabbit begin at ½ hour before sunrise and end at midnight. However, on wildlife management areas stocked with pheasant or quail, during the pheasant or quail seasons, hunting hours are from sunrise to sunset.

5. BAG LIMITS:

(a) cottontail rabbit: the bag limit is 5 daily, the possession limit is 10;

(b) snowshoe hare: the bag limit is 2 daily, the possession limit is 4;

(c) black-tailed jackrabbit: the bag limit is 1 daily, the possession limit is 2.

6. LICENSES: Resident Massachusetts hunters require a resident hunting or sporting license. Non-residents hunters require either a non-resident small game license or a non-resident big game license (a big game license includes small game also). No special permit is required.

7. HUNTING IMPLEMENTS: Cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, and black-tailed jackrabbit may be hunted with rifle, shotgun (shot not larger than #1), handgun, or archery except:

(a) on wildlife management areas stocked with pheasant or quail, during the pheasant or quail season, only shotgun and archery may be used;

(b) during the hours from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise, handguns are restricted to those chambered not larger than .38 caliber, and rifles to those chambered not larger than .22 long rifle;

(c) in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth counties, from November 1 to March 15, rifles are restricted to those chambered not larger than .22 long rifle.

This is not the entire law, and is subject to change. Refer to the Hare and Rabbit Hunting regulations in the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321 CMR 3.02(10) and to several provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 131.

Last Revised: 12-31-04.

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Hunting of Crows

1. SEASON DATES: the season is open every Monday, Friday, and Saturday of each week except during the period from April 11 to June 30, inclusive, and except that the season is CLOSED during the 2-week "shotgun" deer season.

2. ZONE: the crow hunting season is open statewide.

3. FALCONRY: Licensed falconers holding a hunting or sporting license may hunt crows by means of a falcon or other raptor during the open season as specified above.

4. HUNTING HOURS: Hunting hours for crows begin at ½ hour before sunrise and end at ½ hour after sunset, except on wildlife management areas stocked with pheasant or quail where the hunting hours are from sunrise to sunset.

5. BAG LIMITS: there are no bag limits for crows.

6. LICENSES: Resident Massachusetts hunters require either a resident hunting or sporting license. Non-resident hunters require either a non-resident small game license or a non-resident big game license (a big game license includes a small game license also). No special permit is required.

7. HUNTING IMPLEMENTS: A person may hunt crows by means of a rifle, shotgun (shot not larger than #1), handgun, or archery except:

(a) on wildlife management areas stocked with pheasant or quail, during the pheasant or quail season, crows may be hunted only by shotgun or archery;

(b) in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth counties, during the period from November 1 to March 31, rifles are restricted to those chambered not larger than .22 long rifle.

8. OTHER HUNTING METHODS: It is lawful to hunt crows with an electronic call, or by means of bait.

This is not the entire law, and is subject to change. Refer to the Crow Hunting regulations in the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321 CMR 3.02(8) and to several provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 131. See also the Code of Federal Regulations, 50 CFR 20.133.

Last Revised: 12-31-04.

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Hunting and Tagging of Deer

1. SEASON DATES: there are four deer hunting seasons, as follows:

(a) Paraplegic season: this season is for the hunting of deer by paraplegics and is by permit only. The MassWildlife Director may select any 3 days for the season, beginning the last Monday in October and ending on the following Saturday;

(b) Archery season: this 6-week season begins on the third Monday prior to the first Monday in November and ends on the sixth Saturday thereafter;

(c) Shotgun season (Zones 01-11, 13-14): this 12-day season begins on the Monday after Thanksgiving and ends on the second Saturday thereafter;

(d) Shotgun season (Zone 12): this 6-day season begins on the Monday after Thanksgiving and ends on the following Saturday;

(e) Primitive firearms ("muzzleloader") season: this season begins on the third Monday after Thanksgiving (i.e., the Monday after the close of the 12-day shotgun season) and ends on December 31. Thus, there are a variable number of days in this season.

1A. WAMPANOAG TRIBAL LANDS: Members of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) on their tribal lands in the Town of Gay Head (Aquinnah) may hunt deer by means of archery from the third Monday prior to the first Monday in November until the last day of the primitive firearms season.

2. ZONES:

(a) the paraplegic season is supervised by MassWildlife and is held only at site(-s) of their choosing;

(b) the archery, shotgun, and primitive firearms seasons are open statewide;

(c) for the hunting of antlerless deer, there are 15 zones (Zone 04 is divided into 2 parts). These zones are described in detail in the annual "Abstracts" of the fish and wildlife laws, and in the formal version of the regulations.

3. HUNTING HOURS: The hunting hours begin at ½ hour before sunrise and continue until ½ hour after sunset, except that on wildlife management areas stocked with pheasant or quail, during the pheasant or quail seasons, the hunting hours are from sunrise to sunset.

4. BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS:

(a) The seasonal statewide bag limit is 2 ANTLERED deer, and as many antlerless deer as the hunter possesses valid permits and tags for. The seasonal bag limit is thus determined by the number of valid deer tags in the hunter's possession. Hunters may possess antlerless permits for multiple deer management zones or multiple permits for the same deer management zone. Two "antlered-only" tags are attached to the hunter's hunting or sporting license. Antlerless deer tags are attached to the accompanying antlerless permit.

(b) The daily possession limit of unsealed deer is 2. That is, a person may have in possession 2 deer tagged only with the paper tag from the hunter's license or antlerless permit. All deer must be taken to a checking station within 48 hours. The daily and seasonal possession limit of sealed deer (deer checked and sealed at an official check station) is unlimited, provided that the hunter has complied with all license, permit, and checking requirements.

5. LICENSES: A resident of Massachusetts needs a resident hunting or sporting license to hunt deer. A non-resident hunter needs a non-resident big game license. Each hunting or sporting license has 2 antlered deer tags attached. Each antlerless deer permit has an antlerless deer tag attached to it.

6. ANTLERLESS PERMIT:
An antlerless permit is required to take an antlerless deer during ALL deer seasons with the exception of the paraplegic season. Antlerless permits are selected by random drawing, on the basis of the 15 antlerless deer zones. Applicants may apply for only 1 zone through the random drawing process and must apply before the July 16 deadline. An applicant who was not selected for their zone of choice through the drawing process will have the opportunity to reapply for a permit in an undersubscribed zone. Permits remaining after the reapplication process may be made available through a process announced annually by MassWildlife. There are special antlerless permits available for use during the Quabbin Reservation controlled hunt. Questions regarding the Quabbin hunt should be directed to the Division of Watershed Resources.

7. SECOND DEER PERMITS. In previous years, MassWildlife would issue a second deer permit and tag after the hunter harvested and checked the first deer. Since the implementation of the new licensing system, both antlered deer tags are now attached to the hunter's license and antlerless deer tags are attached to the antlerless permits. Check stations will no longer issue so-called "Second Deer Permits".

8. STAMPS: In order to hunt deer during the archery season, a hunter must have an "archery stamp" for which there is an additional fee. In order to hunt deer during the primitive firearms ("muzzleloader") season, the hunter must also have a "primitive firearms stamp" for which there is an additional fee. Archers may hunt during the primitive firearms season but must have a primitive firearms stamp. These stamps must be signed across the face in ink, and must be affixed to the top of the rear of the hunter's license. They must be shown upon demand to a law enforcement officer. Stamps are not needed during the paraplegic or shotgun deer seasons. Stamps must not obscure the face of the license. In instances where stamps are imprinted on the license (automated license format), the hunter must sign the license or equivalent form, but need not sign the actual stamp imprint.

9. DEER TAG: There are 2 deer tags attached to the hunter's hunting or sporting license. There is another deer tag attached to each antlerless deer permit, when issued. Upon killing a deer, the hunter must immediately fill out the respective "deer tag", and must detach it from the license or permit and attach it to the deer in a conspicuous manner. The tag must remain attached to the deer until the deer is presented to an official check station, at which time the official in charge of the station will remove the tag and attach a locking metal seal. Tags which are detached from the license or antlerless deer permit prior to harvesting a deer are void and may be confiscated by a law enforcement officer.

10. CHECK STATIONS: Within 48 hours after killing a deer, the entire carcass (the animal may be field-dressed) must be presented to an official check station, by the person who killed the deer. At this time, the deer will be recorded and examined for research purposes. If lawfully taken, the official will remove the paper tag and affix a locking metal seal. The metal seal must remain on the deer until it is skinned or cut up or otherwise prepared for food purposes or for mounting by a taxidermist. Seals are non-transferable. Deer taken in Nantucket County must be checked only on Nantucket; deer taken in Dukes County (exclusive of Gosnold) must be checked on Martha's Vineyard; deer taken in Gosnold must be checked on Cuttyhunk Island or such other place as the MassWildlife Director may determine.

11. TRANSPORTATION: The carcass of a deer shall not be transported or under a person's control in a motor vehicle unless the carcass is open to view. The entire carcass need not be displayed as long as a portion of the carcass is readily visible. However, after the deer has been checked at an official check station and an official metal seal affixed, the deer no longer need be open to view.

12. HUNTING IMPLEMENTS:

(a) during the paraplegic season, a hunter may use a shotgun not larger than 10 gauge (including a shotgun with a rifled barrel); a muzzle-loading firearm (either rifled or smoothbore), fired from the shoulder, .44-.775 caliber; or archery (as provided below);

(b) during the shotgun deer season, a hunter may use a shotgun not larger than 10 gauge (including a shotgun with a rifled barrel); a muzzle-loading firearm (either rifled or smoothbore), fired from the shoulder, .44-.775 caliber; or archery (as provided below). NOTE: a person using archery or a primitive firearm during the shotgun season must abide by all the shotgun season requirements, including the wearing of "hunter orange" (see below);

(c) during the archery season, a person may use only a bow with a minimum drawn of 40 lbs. at 28 in. (or peak draw for compound bows) and well-sharpened steel broadhead arrows with a minimum width of 7/8 in. Crossbows are not lawful, except by permit. Hunters who are permanently disabled such that the person cannot operate conventional archery equipment can apply to MassWildlife for a crossbow permit (see archery regulations). Expanding broadheads are lawful, provided that at maximum expansion they fall within the acceptable widths stated above. During the archery season, no person hunting deer may have a rifle, shotgun or other firearm or a dog in his possession in any field or woodland.

(d) during the primitive firearms season, a person may use only a primitive firearm as described below except that archers may also hunt during the primitive firearms season, using archery equipment as in (c) above.

13. PRIMITIVE FIREARMS: A primitive firearm which is lawful for use during the primitive firearms deer season:

(a) must be either a flintlock or caplock firearm, and may have either rifled or smooth bores. So-called "in-line" ignition systems which have a horizontal firing mechanism in place of a traditional hammer system are lawful as long as they comply with all other provisions of these requirements;

(b) must be fired from the shoulder and have a barrel length of 18 inches or greater;

(c) must be loaded from the muzzle;

(d) must not have a break-open ("hinge-action") breech;

(e) must have only one operable barrel. Primitive firearms with double barrels must have one barrel made inoperable by removal of the nipple and hammer;

(f) must be not less than .44 caliber nor greater than .775 caliber;

(h) must be used only with black powder or an approved substitute such as "Pyrodex" which is approved by the National Muzzle-Loading Firearms Association;

(i) must use only a single lead or lead alloy projectile, including, but not restricted to, a pumpkin ball, Minie ball, Maxi ball, or similar projectile (i.e., buckshot is unlawful). So-called "sabot" rounds are also lawful, despite their composition, as are jacketed or belted projectiles;

(j) may have any type of sight, except laser sights or any other sight which projects a beam of light (see below);

(k) muzzle-loading firearms which use shotgun (209) primers are lawful when in compliance with other provisions of these requirements.

14. PROHIBITED:

(a) trapping deer, or setting, placing, and tending traps for the purpose of taking deer;

(b) baiting deer, hunting over bait, or the placing of bait for the purpose of taking deer or attracting them to a place where they may be hunted. Bait includes any artificial or natural substance, including but not restricted to salt, corn or other grains, apples or other fruit, vegetables, or any product or substance which constitutes a nutritional attraction or enticement to deer. A baited area is any area where bait has been placed and remains a baited area from 10 days prior to the opening of the archery season to 12:00 noon on the day following the close of the primitive firearms season.

(c) hunting or pursuing deer with dogs, or having a dog in possession during the shotgun deer season, except for the hunting of waterfowl on coastal waters;

(d) hunting deer with a rifle (except a shotgun or a primitive firearm with a rifled bore), a handgun, or a crossbow (except certain disabled persons; see archery regulations);

(e) hunting of deer by means of an artificial light, including laser sights or other sights which project a light beam on to the target. Illuminated sights or so-called "quick point" sights which do not project a light beam are lawful;

(f) hunting of deer with a live or artificial decoy;

(g) hunting or driving deer by means of any noise-making device, except for the use of artificial or natural deer antlers, grunt tubes, or the human voice;

(h) sale of a deer or the meat thereof. A person may sell the head and hide of a deer which has been lawfully taken to a licensed fur dealer or taxidermist, and may sell the hoofs and shinbones to any person;

(i) no person shall construct, maintain, or use a permanent deer stand on land of another without written permission of the landowner. A permanent tree stand is one which is constructed using nails, screws, or other fasteners which intrude into the wood of the tree, or which is in place more than 30 days.

(j) possession of shotgun shells loaded with single ball or slug, or buckshot of any size, except during the paraplegic and shotgun deer seasons, or on a target range.

15. SEASON CLOSURE: During the shotgun deer season, no person shall hunt any bird or mammal except deer, unless the waterfowl season is open and coincides with the shotgun deer season. After having killed the season limit of deer applicable to the zone or area where hunting, a person shall not hunt in any zone where the deer season remains open, or enter the fields or wood with any firearm, archery equipment or dog, except for the hunting of waterfowl on coastal waters. There are certain exceptions for licensed commercial shooting preserves.

16. HUNTER ORANGE: During any season when deer may be hunted by means of a firearm, including the paraplegic, shotgun, and primitive firearms deer season, any person entering the fields or woods for the purpose of hunting deer must wear on head, chest, and back a minimum of 500 square inches of "hunter orange" clothing. A person hunting waterfowl during the shotgun deer season must wear the same 500 square inches of hunter orange, except when hunting from within a blind or a boat. During the archery season, a person is not required to wear hunter orange, except that on wildlife management areas stocked with pheasant or quail, during the pheasant or quail seasons, all hunters must wear a "hunter orange" cap or hat (except night hunting for raccoon).

17. DEFINITIONS: There are technical definitions of certain terms, including "antlerless deer", "bait", "baited area", "baiting", "barrel length", "bow and arrow", "caplock", "decoy", "flintlock", "grunt tube", "lead projectile", "loaded from the muzzle" or "muzzle-loading", "loaded primitive firearm", "permanent tree stand", "primitive firearm", "Quabbin Reservoir Area", "scent", "shotgun deer season", and "unloaded primitive firearm". These terms are formally defined in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(a).

This is not the complete law, and is subject to change. Refer to the Deer Hunting regulations in the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321 CMR 3.02(4), as well as to several provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 131.

Last Revised: 9-22-06.

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Hunting of Fox, Coyote, and Bobcat

1. SEASON DATES:

(a) the fox (both red and gray) and coyote seasons open on November 1st and close on the following last day of February (4-month season).

(b) the bobcat season begins on December 20 and closes on the following March 8th.

(c) the fox and coyote seasons are CLOSED during the 2-week "shotgun" deer season.

2. ZONES:

(a) the fox and coyote seasons are open statewide.

(b) the bobcat season is open only in Wildlife Management Zones 01 through 08.

3. HUNTING HOURS:

(a) the hunting hours for bobcat run from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.

(b) the hunting hours for fox and coyote run from ½ hour before sunrise to midnight.

(c) NOTE: on wildlife management areas stocked with pheasant or quail, during the pheasant and quail seasons, the hunting hours for all species are from sunrise to sunset.

4. BAG LIMITS: There are no daily, possession, or seasonal bag limits for fox, coyote, and bobcat.

5. HARVEST QUOTA: When the season total reaches 50 bobcats, whether by hunting, trapping, or a combination of both, the MassWildlife Director shall close the season. There are no harvest quotas for fox or coyote.

6. LICENSES: Resident Massachusetts hunters require a resident hunting or sporting license. Non-residents hunters require either a non-resident small game license or a non-resident big game license (big game license includes small game also). No special permit is required.

7. PELT TAGGING and SALE OF PELTS: All pelts of fox, coyote, and bobcat must be brought to an official check station prior to sale, exchange, disposal, or retention by the hunter. Pelts of fox and coyote must be checked no later than 4 working days (Monday-Friday, except legal holidays) after the close of the season. Pelts of bobcat must be checked within 4 days of the date the animal was taken. Lawfully taken animals will be tagged with a locking seal at the check station. The seal must remain attached to the pelt until it is tanned, dressed, or prepared for mounting by a taxidermist. Seals are not transferable. No pelts of fox, coyote, or bobcat may be sold in Massachusetts unless tagged or sealed by the state of origin, or another state which has been authorized to do so.

8. HUNTING IMPLEMENTS: It is lawful to hunt fox, coyote, and bobcat with rifle, shotgun (shot not larger than #1), handgun, or archery, provided that:

(a) on wildlife management areas stocked with pheasant or quail, during the pheasant and quail season, only shotgun and archery may be used;

(b) during the hours from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise, handguns are restricted to those chambered not larger than .38 caliber, and rifles to those chambered not larger than .22 long rifle;

(c) in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth counties, from November 1 to March 31, rifles are restricted to those chambered not larger than .22 long rifle.

9. PROHIBITED: It is unlawful to hunt or pursue bobcat with dogs, or to train bobcat hounds on bobcat during the closed hunting season, except by special permit for bona-fide research or damage situations.

10. OTHER HUNTING METHODS: It is lawful to hunt fox and coyote with hounds and bait. It is lawful to hunt fox, coyote, and bobcat with electronic or manually operated calls.

11. DEFINITIONS: There are technical definitions of certain terms, including "fox", "green pelt". "raw fur or pelt", and "state". These terms are formally defined in 321 CMR 3.02(3)(a).

This is not the entire law, and is subject to change. Refer to the Fox, Coyote, and Bobcat hunting regulations in the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321 CMR 3.02(3) and to several provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 131.

Last Revised: 12-31-04.

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Hunting of Gray Squirrels

1. SEASON DATES:

(a) gray squirrels may be hunted in Wildlife Management Zones 01 through 09 from the second Monday in September to the following January 2;

(b) gray squirrels may be hunted in Wildlife Management Zones 10 through 14 from the first Saturday after Columbus Day to the following January 2;

(c) hunting of gray squirrels is CLOSED statewide during the 2-week "shotgun" deer season.

2. FALCONRY: Licensed falconers holding a hunting or sporting license may hunt gray squirrel by means of a falcon or other raptor:

(a) in Wildlife Management Zones 10 through 14 from the first Saturday after Columbus Day to the following March 15;

(b) in Wildlife Management Zones 01 through 09 from the second Monday in September to the following March 15.

3. HUNTING HOURS: Hunting hours for gray squirrel begin at ½ hour before sunrise and end at ½ hour after sunset, except on wildlife management areas stocked with pheasant or quail where the hunting hours are from sunrise to sunset.

4. BAG LIMITS: the bag limit for gray squirrels is 5 daily and the possession limit is 10.

5. LICENSES: Resident Massachusetts hunters require either a resident hunting or sporting license. Non-resident hunters require either a non-resident small game license or a non-resident big game license (a big game license includes small game also). No special permit is required.

6. HUNTING IMPLEMENTS: Gray squirrels may be hunted with rifle, shotgun (shot not larger than #1), handgun, or archery except:

(a) in Wildlife Management Zones 10 through 14, gray squirrels may be hunted only by shotgun or by archery;

(b) on wildlife management areas stocked with pheasant or quail, during the pheasant or quail season, gray squirrels may be hunted only by shotgun or by archery.

8. PROHIBITED: Gray squirrels may not be taken by means of a trap or a net, nor shall a person set a trap or a net for taking gray squirrels, except as provided in M.G.L. c. 131, §§ 4 and 37.

This is not the entire law, and is subject to change. Refer to the Gray Squirrel Hunting regulations in the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321 CMR 3.02(7) and to several provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 131.

Last Revised: 12-31-04.

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Hunting of Migratory Game Birds

1. SCOPE: These regulations address the hunting of migratory game birds, including ducks, geese, woodcock, snipe, and rails.

2. SEASON DATES: The dates of the open seasons are set annually, in accordance with guidelines established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The public hearing to set these seasons is normally held in late August. A special "Migratory Game Bird Regulations" pamphlet is then issued by MassWildlife about October 1, prior to the season openings.

3. ZONES: For the hunting of waterfowl (ducks and geese), Massachusetts has been divided into three zones: Coastal, Central, and Berkshire. The boundaries of these 3 zones are described in detail in the annual "Migratory Bird Regulations" as well as in the formal text of these regulations.

4. HUNTING HOURS: The hunting hours are generally from ½ hour before sunrise to sunset. However, this is subject to change and should be checked annually. Note that, on wildlife management areas stocked with pheasant and quail, during the pheasant and quail seasons, the hunting hours are from sunrise to sunset.

5. BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS: The bag and possession limits for migratory game birds are set annually, in accordance with guidelines established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The public hearing to set these is normally held in late August. A special "Migratory Game Bird Regulations" pamphlet is then issued by MassWildlife about October 1, prior to the season openings.

6. LICENSES AND PERMITS: A resident Massachusetts hunter must have a resident hunting or sporting license. A non-resident hunter must have a non-resident small game or big game license (a non-resident big game license includes small game also). There are no general permits required for waterfowl hunting (but see "Stamps" below).

7. STAMPS: A person shall not hunt, take, or possess waterfowl in Massachusetts unless that person possesses on his person while hunting a current and valid Massachusetts waterfowl stamp. Stamps are required by all hunters aged 15 years or older. In addition, all waterfowl hunters aged 16 years and older must possess a current and valid federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp ("Duck Stamp"). All stamps shall be signed across the face in ink, and are not transferable. Stamps are not required for the hunting of woodcock, snipe, rails, or American coot. Stamps should not obscure the face of the license. When electronic licenses are issued, stamps may be imprinted on the license or on an accompanying form and the person's signature on the license or other form constitutes signature of the stamp.

8. HUNTING IMPLEMENTS: Migratory game birds may be hunted or taken only by means of a shotgun, not larger than 10 gauge, fired from the shoulder, or by archery, or by falconry. Repeating shotguns capable of holding more than 3 cartridges in chamber and magazine combined must be plugged with a one-piece filler incapable of being removed without disassembling the shotgun, so as to render the shotgun incapable of holding more than 3 cartridges.

9. FALCONRY. Falconers may have an extended season (see annual Migratory Game Bird Regulations) but may not hunt waterfowl on Sundays.

10. PROHIBITIONS:

(a) hunting, taking, or enticing of migratory game birds by means of salt, bait, grain or other means used to lure or attract them to areas where hunters are taking or attempting to take them;

(b) hunting migratory game birds by means or aid of any motor-driven land, water or air conveyance or any sailboat, or to use the same for the purpose of concentrating, driving, rallying, or stirring up migratory game birds, except as provided in #8 above, and except that paraplegics may hunt from a stationary motor vehicle or other land conveyance;

(c) hunting migratory game birds by means of or aid of any sinkbox or battery, or by means or air of any live waterfowl decoys or domesticated fowl of any kind;

(d) hunting migratory game birds by the use or aid of recorded or electronically amplified bird calls or sounds, or recorded or electronically amplified imitations of bird calls or sounds;

(e) killing or crippling of migratory game birds without making a reasonable effort to retrieve the bird and including it in one's daily bag;

(f) hunting or taking of migratory game birds by means of a trap, snare, net, crossbow, rifle, pistol or revolver, swivel or punt gun, fish hook, poison, drug, or stupefying substance;

(g) hunting or taking of waterfowl or American coot with any shot other than non-toxic shot, or possession of any shot, including loose shot for a muzzle-loading firearm, other than non-toxic shot, while hunting migratory game birds. NOTE: non-toxic shot is not currently required for the hunting of woodcock, snipe, or rails.

(h) hunting of migratory game birds with any shotgun cartridge loaded with shot larger than BBB shot.

11. LOADED SHOTGUNS IN MOTOR BOATS: A person may have a loaded shotgun in his possession or under his control in a motor boat while such boat is beached, resting at anchor, or fastened within or tied immediately alongside any type of fixed hunting blind. Loaded shotguns may not be possessed in a motor boat at any other time.

12. RETRIEVAL OF DEAD OR CRIPPLED BIRDS: A hunter may pick up or retrieve dead or crippled migratory game birds from a water craft under power, but shall not shoot any birds from such craft except that wounded or crippled waterfowl or American coot may be shot from a powered craft in coastal waters or waters of rivers and stream seaward of the 1st upstream bridge.

13. IMPORTATION AND SHIPMENT: No person shall import migratory game birds killed in any foreign country except Canada unless such birds are dressed, drawn, and the head and feet removed. One fully feathered wing must remain on each bird transported between the port of entry and the hunter's home or preservation facility. No person shall import migratory game birds belonging to another. Any package containing migratory game birds must be marked on the outside with the name and address of the sender and recipient, and the number of birds, by species, contained inside.

14. TAGGING REQUIREMENT: Any migratory game birds not in the custody of the hunter must be tagged with the hunter's signature, address, total number of birds by species, and the dates such birds were killed. No person shall remove or have in custody another's migratory game birds unless such birds are tagged as herein provided.

15. MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HARVEST INFORMATION PROGRAM: Effective January 1, 1998, a person shall not hunt migratory game birds unless that person has obtained a H.I.P. number and written that number on his or her hunting license. The telephone number to call to obtain the H.I.P. number is printed on the annual "Abstracts" or available from MassWildlife. This procedure differs when electronic licensing is used; a person should follow the on-line instructions. A person needs a different H.I.P. number for each state in which he or she hunts migratory game birds.

16. DEFINITIONS: There are technical definitions of certain terms, including "migratory game birds", "non-toxic shot", "primitive firearm loaded with shot", "sea ducks", and "waterfowl". These terms are formally defined in 321 CMR 3.02(2)(a).

This is not the entire law, and is subject to change. Refer to the Migratory Game Bird Hunting regulations in the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321 CMR 3.02(2) as well as to the Code of Federal Regulations, 50 CFR 20 et seq. Several other provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 131, also apply.

Last Revised: 11-03-06.

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Hunting of Pheasant, Bobwhite Quail, and Ruffed Grouse

1. SEASON DATES:

(a) ring-necked pheasant may be hunted from the first Saturday after Columbus Day to the Saturday after Thanksgiving;

(b) ruffed grouse may be hunted from the first Saturday after Columbus Day to the Saturday after Thanksgiving;

(c) bobwhite quail may be hunted from the first Saturday after Columbus Day to the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

2. ZONES:

(a) the cock pheasant and ruffed grouse seasons are open statewide;

(b) the hen pheasant season is open statewide except that the season is closed in Dukes and Nantucket counties and in the Town of Hull in Plymouth County, and in that area eastward of a line running from the New Hampshire border southerly on Rte. I-95 to the junction with Rte. I-495, southerly on I-495 to the junction with I-95, northerly on Rte. 95 to the junction with I-93/Rte. 128, easterly on Rtes. I-93/128 to the junction with Rte. 3, southerly on Rte. 3 to the junction with Rte. 228, and northerly on Rte. 228 to the Hull town line. However, on any wildlife management area within the above zone which is stocked with pheasant, the taking of hen pheasants is lawful;

(c) the bobwhite quail season is open only in Wildlife Management Zones 11 through 14.

3. YOUTH HUNTER TRAINING PROGRAM: For the purpose of a youth hunter training programs for minors aged 12-17 who qualify and are properly enrolled with the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, there may be held a youth hunter program for the hunting of pheasant and quail only, on the first six Saturdays preceding Columbus Day. Contact MassWildlife's District supervisors for details.

4. FALCONRY: Licensed falconers holding a hunting or sporting license may hunt pheasant, quail, and ruffed grouse by means of a falcon or other raptor from the first Saturday after Columbus Day to the following March 15.

5. HUNTING HOURS: Hunting hours for pheasant, quail, and ruffed grouse begin at ½ hour before sunrise and end at ½ hour after sunset, except on wildlife management areas stocked with pheasant or quail where the hunting hours are from sunrise to sunset.

6. BAG LIMITS:

(a) pheasant: the bag limit is 2 daily, 4 in possession, and 6 per season, except as provided below;

(b) ruffed grouse: the bag limit is 3 daily, 6 in possession, and 15 per season;

(c) bobwhite quail: the bag limit is 4 daily, 8 in possession, and 20 per season, except as provided below;

(d) Youth Hunter Training Program: the daily bag limit is 1 pheasant and/or 2 quail.

7. LICENSES: Resident Massachusetts hunters require either a resident hunting or sporting license. Non-resident hunters require either a non-resident small game license or a non-resident big game license (a big game license includes small game also). No special permit is required. Hunters who hunt exclusively on a licensed commercial shooting preserve require either a resident or non-resident license, or a special 1-day license valid exclusively on commercial shooting preserves.

This is not the entire law, and is subject to change. Refer to the Pheasant, Quail, and Ruffed Grouse Hunting regulations in the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321 CMR 3.02(6) and to several provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 131.

Last Revised: 10-21-05.

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Hunting of Wild Turkey

1. SPRING SEASON DATES:
(a) the spring turkey season begins on the last Monday in April. It continues for 4 weeks (i.e., ending on the 4th Saturday) in the zones in #3(a) below, and for 2 weeks (i.e., ending on the 2nd Saturday) in the zones listed in #3(b) below.

2. FALL SEASON DATES:
The 6-day fall turkey season begins on the last Monday in October and continues until the following Saturday.

3. SPRING ZONE:
(a) Four-week zone: Wildlife Management Zones 01 through 13 (see Zone map in the annual Hunting and Fishing Abstracts);
(b) Two-week zone: Wildlife Management Zones 11 and 12.

4. FALL ZONE: The fall turkey hunting zone consists of Wildlife Management Zones 01 through 09 and 13.

5. HUNTING HOURS:
(a) the spring hunting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 12:00 noon;
(b) the fall hunting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset, except on wildlife management areas stocked with pheasant or quail, during the pheasant or quail season, where the hunting hours are from sunrise to sunset.

6. BAG LIMITS:
(a) the season bag and possession limit is 2 turkeys. A hunter may choose either of the following options:
(b) two birds in the spring (bearded birds only); only 1 bird per day; with no fall turkey allowed; or
(c) one bearded bird in the spring and one bird of either sex in the fall.

7. LICENSES AND PERMITS:
Resident Massachusetts hunters require either a resident hunting or sporting license. Non-resident hunters require a non-resident big game license. In addition, all turkey hunters require a special turkey hunting permit, for which there is an additional fee. One permit is valid for both spring and fall seasons in the calendar year. The permit must be carried on the person at all times while hunting turkey and must be shown on demand to a law enforcement officer or check station official.

8. TURKEY TAG:
There are 2 "turkey tags" attached to the turkey permit. Upon killing a turkey, the hunter must immediately fill out the appropriate tag, and must detach it from the turkey permit and attach it to the turkey in a conspicuous manner. The tag must remain attached to the turkey until the turkey is presented to an official check station, at which time the official in charge of the station will remove the tag. Tags which are detached except as provided herein are void and may be confiscated by a law enforcement officer.

9. CHECK STATIONS:
Within 48 hours after killing a wild turkey, the entire carcass (the animal may be field-dressed) must be presented to an official check station, by the person who killed the turkey. At this time, the turkey will be recorded and examined for research purposes, and the check station official may remove feather samples. If lawfully taken, the official will remove the paper tag and affix a locking metal seal. The seal must remain on the turkey until it is skinned, cut up, or otherwise prepared for food purposes or for mounting by a taxidermist. Seals are non-transferable.

10. HUNTING IMPLEMENTS:
Wild turkeys may be hunted only by means of a shotgun (including smoothbore muzzle-loaders) not larger than 10 gauge (allowable shot sizes #4 to #6) or by archery. Bows must have a minimum pull of 40 lbs. at 28 in. draw (or peak draw for compound bows) and must be used with well-sharpened steel broadhead arrows not less than 7/8 in width. Rifles and handguns are not allowed.

11. PROHIBITED:
Wild turkeys may not be hunted or taken by means or with the aid of: dogs, live decoys, bait, electronic calls, or traps. Driving wild turkeys is also prohibited.

12. OTHER HUNTING METHODS:
It is lawful to hunt turkeys with or by means of an artificial decoy. Hunter orange is not required, except that on a wildlife management area stocked with pheasant or quail, during the pheasant or quail season, a person must wear a hunter orange hat or cap.

13. SAFETY STICKER:
A person shall not hunt wild turkey by means of a shotgun, or have a shotgun in his possession while hunting wild turkey, unless that person has obtained a "safety sticker" as provided or approved by the Director of Fisheries and Wildlife and affixed the sticker to his shotgun in such a manner that the sticker is visible to the shooter while sighting down the barrel of the shotgun. Safety stickers are not required of persons hunting turkey by archery.

14. CALLING TURKEYS FOR OTHERS:
A person is allowed to call turkeys for another person, during the open hunting season, provided that the person doing the calling has both a hunting or sporting license and a current valid turkey permit. However, if the person doing the calling has killed his or her season limit of turkeys, that person may not carry a firearm or archery equipment, or engage in turkey hunting in any way other than calling. The caller still must have his or her hunting or sporting license and turkey permit in possession, whether or not the permit still has turkey tags attached.

This is not the entire law, and is subject to change. Refer to the Wild Turkey Hunting regulations in the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321 CMR 3.02(9) and to several provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 131.

Summary Last Revised: 12-31-04.

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Hunting and Trapping of Certain Mammals

1. HUNTING SEASON DATES:

(a) Opossum: the season opens on October 1 and continues until the following January 31, except that the season is CLOSED during the 2-week "shotgun" deer season;

(b) Raccoon: the season opens on October 1 and continues until the following January 31, except that the season is CLOSED during the 2-week "shotgun" deer season;

(c) Chipmunk, flying squirrel, porcupine, red squirrel, skunk, weasel, and woodchuck: the season opens on January 1 and continues until the following December 31, except that the season is CLOSED during the 2-week "shotgun" deer season.

(d) NOTE: hunting of bobcat, fox, and coyote are addressed in the "Rules and Regulations for the Hunting of Bobcat, Coyote, and Fox", 321 CMR 3.02(3).

(e) there is NO open hunting (i.e., shooting) season for the taking of beaver, fisher, mink, muskrat, and river otter. These species may be taken ONLY by trapping.

2. TRAPPING SEASON DATES:

(a) Beaver: the season opens on November 1 and continues until April 15;

(b) Bobcat, Coyote, Fox, Weasel: the season opens on November 1 and continues until November 30;

(c) Fisher: the season opens on November 1 and continues until November 22;

(d) Mink, River Otter: the season opens on November 1 and continues until the following December 15;

(e) Muskrat, Opossum, Raccoon, Skunk: the season opens on November 1 and continues until the following last day of February.

3. ZONES:

(a) Beaver, Coyote, Fisher, Fox, Mink, Muskrat, Opossum, Raccoon, River Otter, Skunk, and Weasel may be taken statewide;

(b) Bobcat may be taken only in Wildlife Management Zones 01 through 08.

4. HUNTING HOURS:

(a) raccoon and opossum may be hunted 24 hours per day, except as below;

(b) on wildlife management areas stocked with pheasant or quail, from the first Friday after Columbus Day to the Saturday following Thanksgiving, the hunting hours for raccoon and opossum are from 9:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M.

(c) hunting hours for skunk and weasel are generally from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset, except on stocked WMA's.

5. BAG LIMIT: There are no bag or possession limits for any furbearer except raccoon. For raccoon taken by hunting, during the period from sunset of one day to sunset the following day, the bag limit is 3 raccoons. During the same time period, the bag limit for two or more persons hunting in the same party is 6 raccoons. There is no bag or possession limit for raccoon taken by trapping.

6. PELT TAGGING AND SALE OF PELTS:

(a) the pelts of all beaver, bobcat, coyote, fisher, fox (red and gray), wild mink, and river otter taken must be brought to an official check station and tagged with a locking metal seal before the pelts can be sold, exchanged, retained by the trapper or hunter, or otherwise disposed of. Seals must remain attached to the pelt until the pelt is dressed or tanned or prepared for mounting by a taxidermist. Seals are not transferable.

(b) no pelts of beaver, bobcat, coyote, fisher, fox, gray wolf, lynx, marten, wild mink, or river otter, regardless of state of origin, may be sold in Massachusetts unless tagged or sealed by the state of origin, or another state which has been authorized to do so.

(c) the pelts of all beaver, coyote, fisher, fox, mink, and river otter must be presented at the check station no later than 4 working days (Monday-Friday, except legal holidays) after the close of the season for the species being checked. The pelts of bobcat must be presented no later than 4 days of the date the animal was taken.

7. HARVEST QUOTA: When the season total reaches 50 bobcat, whether by hunting, trapping, or a combination of both, the MassWildlife Director shall close the season. There are no harvest quotas for any other species.

8. HUNTING IMPLEMENTS: Opossum, raccoon, skunk, and weasel may be hunted with rifle, shotgun (shot not larger than #1), handgun, or archery, except:

(a) on wildlife management areas stocked with pheasant or quail, during the pheasant or quail season, only shotgun or archery may be used;

(b) during the hours from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise, handguns are restricted to those chambered not larger than .38 caliber, and rifles to those chambered not larger than .22 long rifle; and

(c) in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth counties, from November 1 to March 31, rifles are restricted to those chambered not larger than .22 long rifle.

9. ALLOWABLE TRAPS: the only traps allowed for the taking of fur-bearing mammals are cage or box traps. Common type rat traps may also be used for the taking of weasels. A person must take a special training course in order to use suitcase-type Bailey or Hancock beaver traps. Persons taking fur-bearing mammals in Conibear-type traps under authority of a permit issued under 321 CMR 2.08 may retain and sell the pelts, provided that the season for the animal is open, and that they have a trapping license and seal the pelts, if required.

10. OTHER HUNTING METHODS:

(a) raccoon and opossum may be taken with or by means of artificial light;

(b) raccoon, opossum, skunk, and weasel may be hunted with or by means of electronic calls. See also the regulations for "Hunting of Fox, Coyote, and Bobcat";

(c) hunters or trappers may pick up road killed furbearers, provided that they have a hunting or trapping license, as the case may be, and, the hunting or trapping season for the particular animal is open, and, they comply with tagging requirements, if any.

11. PROHIBITED:

(a) to trap fur-bearing mammals with any trap other than a cage or box trap, or a common type rat trap;

(b) to have in possession the green pelt of any furbearer or any part of such pelt except during the open season for such mammal and for 10 days thereafter;

(c) to possess or have under control a trap on land of another, in any place where fur-bearing mammals may be found, between April 16 of any year and 6:00 A.M. on the following November 1;

(d) to possess or have under control an unregistered trap on land of another in any place where fur-bearing mammals may be found;

(e) to possess or have under control, except with written permission, the registered trap of another;

(f) to trap on posted land, without written permission of the landowner or tenant;

(g) to trap in a public way, cart road, path, or other way commonly used as a passage by humans or domestic animals;

(h) to tear open, disturb, or destroy a muskrat house, beaver house, or beaver dam, except under permit as provided in 321 CMR 2.08;

(i) to fail to visit and to remove all animals trapped in, at least once in each calendar day between the hours of 4:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M., all traps staked out, set, or placed;

(j) to destroy, mutilate, spring, or remove the trap of another;

(k) to take any fur-bearing mammal from the trap of another, without written authorization from the owner of the trap;

(l) to use, set, tend or place on land of another a trap not bearing a metal tag with the name, town of residence, and trap registration number of the owner thereof, in a manner as to be legible at all times, and, in addition, the trap registration number shall be embedded or marked on the trap in numbers and figures at least 1/8 in. high in a manner as to be legible at all times.

12. OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

(a) After September 1, 1989, no person shall receive a trap registration number or certificate of partnership, or trap on land of another, unless that person has completed a trapper training course and been issued a certificate of completion, or has been issued a Massachusetts trapping license or trap registration number or certificate or partnership in a previous year.

(b) Registered traps set, maintained, used, or tended illegally shall be presumed to have been set by the registered owner thereof, unless the owner has, within 48 hours of loss of theft of such traps, notified the Office of Law Enforcement of the loss or theft, the number and type of traps, and the date, time, and circumstances of loss or theft.

(c) No person shall use, set, or place a suitcase-type Bailey or Hancock beaver trap unless that person has successfully completed a training course in the use of those traps.

13. LICENSES: A resident of Massachusetts needs a resident hunting or sporting license to hunt raccoon, opossum, skunk, or weasel. A non-resident hunter needs either a non-resident small game or a non-resident big game license (small game included in a big game license). A Massachusetts resident needs a resident trapping license to trap beaver, bobcat, coyote, fisher, fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, raccoon, river otter, skunk, or weasel. A non-resident requires a non-resident trapping permit to trap these same species. See "Rules and Regulations for Hunting Fox, Coyote, and Bobcat" for laws relating to these species.

14. DEFINITIONS: There are formal definitions of certain terms, including "beaver dam", "beaver lodge", "bobcat", "box or cage trap", "Conibear type trap", "fox", "fur-bearing mammals", "green pelt", "hunt", "raw pelt", "state", and "weasel". These terms are formally defined in 321 CMR 3.02(5)(a).

15. SPECIAL PERMITS TO USE CONIBEAR-TYPE TRAPS, BREACH BEAVER DAMS OR USE FLOW DEVICES: See 321 CMR 2.08.

This is not the complete law, and is subject to change. Refer to the Hunting and Trapping of Certain Mammals regulations in the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321 CMR 3.02(5), as well as to several provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 131.

Last Revised: 12-31-04.

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Hunting, Fishing, Trapping, and Taking of Reptiles and Amphibians

1. Closed Season: There is a closed season on the hunting, fishing, taking and possession of the following reptiles and amphibians: Blanding's Turtle, Blue-spotted Salamander, Bog Turtle, Copperhead, Diamondback Terrapin, Eastern Box Turtle, Eastern Hognosed Snake, Eastern Ratsnake, Eastern Spadefoot, Eastern Wormsnake, Four-toed Salamander, Green Seaturtle, Hawksbill Seaturtle, Jefferson Salamander, Kemps' Ridley Seaturtle, Leatherback Seaturtle, Loggerhead Seaturtle, Marbled Salamander, Northern Leopard Frog, Northern Red-bellied Cooter, Spotted Salamander, Spotted Turtle, Spring Salamander, Timber Rattlesnake, and Wood Turtle.

2. Season Dates:
(a) the following species may be taken from January 1 to December 31, in accordance with the bag and possession limits below: American Toad, Dekay's Brownsnake, Eastern Gartersnake, Eastern Musk Turtle, Eastern Newt, Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Eastern Racer, Eastern Ribbonsnake, Fowler's Toad, Gray Treefrog, Milksnake, Mudpuppy, Northern Dusky Salamander, Northern Two-lined Salamander, Northern Watersnake, Painted Turtle, Pickerel Frog, Red-bellied Snake, Ring-necked Snake, Smooth Greensnake, Snapping Turtle, Spring Peeper, and Wood Frog.
(b) the following species may be hunted, fished, or taken from July 16 to September 30, in accordance with the bag and possession limits below: American Bullfrog, Green Frog.

3. Zone: all reptiles and amphibians listed in #2 above may be taken statewide.

4. Hunting Hours: there are no limitations on hunting or taking hours for reptiles and amphibians.

5. Bag Limits:

(a) for those species listed in #2(a) above (except Snapping Turtle), the daily and possession limit is two per species;

(b) there is no bag or possession limit for Snapping Turtles.

(c) for American Bullfrogs and Green Frogs, the daily limit is 12, the possession limit 24, singly or in the aggregate. No frogs shall be killed or taken which measure less than 3 inches from snout to vent;

6. Licenses and Permits: No hunting or fishing license or permit is required for the taking of reptiles and amphibians (except for the commercial taking of snapping turtles; see below).

7. Methods of Taking: Reptiles and amphibians may be taken with firearm, archery, hook-and-line, hand net, cage or box trap, or by hand.

8. Prohibited:

(a) taking of reptiles and amphibians with a firearm or by archery on a Sunday;

(b) taking of reptiles and amphibians by poison, explosives, seines, gill nets, or fyke nets;

(c) sale of reptiles or amphibians, or parts thereof, except Snapping Turtles under permit from the MassWildlife Director.

9. Bait Frogs: American Bullfrogs, Green Frogs, Pickerel Frogs, and Wood Frogs may be taken for bait by licensed anglers, or by persons lawfully fishing on their own property without a license. Such bait frogs must measure less than 2½ inches from snout to vent and not more than 10 per day may be taken. Bait frogs may not be sold.

10. Commercial Taking of Snapping Turtles: Snapping turtles may be taken from the wild in Massachusetts in accordance with a permit issued by MassWildlife. There is a fee for such a permit, and special conditions may be imposed. No Snapping Turtles taken under such a permit shall be less than 6 inches in carapace length.

This is not the complete law, and is subject to change. Refer to several provisions of M.G.L. c. 131, and to the Hunting, Fishing, and Taking of Reptiles and Amphibians regulations, 321 CMR 3.05.

Last Revised: 10-25-02.

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Hunting with Archery

It is lawful to hunt birds and mammals in Massachusetts with archery tackle of any kind, including longbows, recurved bows, and compound bows EXCEPT:

1. It is PROHIBITED to hunt or have in possession while hunting any poisoned arrow, arrow with explosive tips, or any bow drawn or held by mechanical means, including crossbows, except as provided in #3 below.

2. Hand-held, hand-operated bow string releases are ALLOWED. No permit is required.

3. Crossbows may be used only by persons who are permanently disabled when such afflictions prevent the person from using conventional archery equipment. The person must submit to MassWildlife a statement to this effect from a licensed physician. They will then be issued a free lifetime crossbow permit. Crossbows may also be used by any person for target practice on a skeet, trap, or target range.

4. Bows used for hunting purposes shall have a minimum pull of 40 lbs. at 28 in. draw, provided that compound bows and recurved bows shall have a minimum pull of 40 lbs. at peak draw.

5. Arrows used for hunting deer, bear, and wild turkey shall have well-sharpened steel broadhead blades not less than ? inch in width. So-called "expanding" broadheads are lawful, providing they otherwise meet these standards.

6. No person shall use or have under his control while hunting any "arrow gun" or any firearm or other device which propels or projects an arrow, dart, or bolt by gunpowder, compressed air, or by any means other than the flexing and release of a bow string.

7. The sale of arrows with broadhead or razorhead arrowpoints to a person under the age of 15 years is PROHIBITED. Refer to M.G.L. c. 269, § 16.

8. Fishing in inland waters by means of bow-and-arrow is PROHIBITED except for the taking of carp, suckers, and eels.

This is not the complete law and is subject to change. Refer to provisions of M.G.L. c. 131, §§ 50, 64 and 69, and to the "Hunting with Bows and Arrows" regulations, 321 CMR 3.01(3), and to other provisions of 321 CMR.

Regulations as of 8-15-03.

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Hunting with Handguns

It is lawful to hunt birds and mammals in Massachusetts with a pistol or revolver of any caliber (including muzzle-loading pistols) and with a magazine capacity of any size, EXCEPT:

1. The hunting of deer with a pistol or revolver is PROHIBITED. Refer to M.G.L. c. 131, § 70 and 321 CMR 3.02(4)(b).

2. The hunting of wild turkey with a pistol or revolver is PROHIBITED. Refer to 321 CMR 3.02(9)(h).

3. The hunting of migratory game birds with a pistol or revolver is PROHIBITED. Refer to 321 CMR 3.02(e)2. and 50 CFR 20.21.

4. The hunting of gray squirrel with a pistol or revolver in wildlife management zones 10 through 14 is PROHIBITED. Refer to 321 CMR 3.02(7)(f).

5. Black bear may be hunted with handguns only during the September portion of the open season. The only handguns lawful for the hunting of black bear are the .357 Magnum revolver using .357 Magnum ammunition, and other revolvers chambered .40 caliber and larger. Refer to 321 CMR 3.02(1)(h).

6. On Wildlife Management Areas stocked with pheasant or quail, during the pheasant and quail seasons, pistols and revolvers of any caliber are PROHIBITED, except for the use of pistols or revolvers chambered not large than .38 caliber for the hunting of raccoon and opossum between the hours of 9:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M. Refer to 321 CMR 3.01(1)(m) and (o).

7. During the period from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise, the use or possession of any pistol or revolver chambered to take larger than .38 caliber ammunition is PROHIBITED. Refer to M.G.L. c. 131, § 67.

8. The carrying or possession in the field of any pistol or revolver, while hunting any species which may not be hunted with pistol or revolver, is generally PROHIBITED.

9. Check the firearms statutes pursuant to M.G.L. c. 140 and c. 269 for laws affecting "large capacity" firearms (pistols and revolvers) and feeding devices.

Regulations as of 12-31-04.

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Hunting with Rifles

It is lawful to hunt birds and mammals in Massachusetts with a rifle of any caliber and with a magazine capacity of any size, EXCEPT:

1. The hunting of deer with a rifle is PROHIBITED except for the use of shotguns and primitive firearms with a rifled bore. Refer to M.G.L. c. 131, § 70 and 321 CMR 3.02(4)(b).

2. The hunting of wild turkey with a rifle is PROHIBITED. Refer to 321 CMR 3.02(9)(h).

3. The hunting of migratory game birds with a rifle is PROHIBITED. Refer to 321 CMR 3.02(2)(e)2. and 50 CFR 20.21.

4. The hunting of gray squirrel with a rifle is PROHIBITED in wildlife management zones 10 through 14. Refer to 321 CMR 3.02(7)(f).

5. The only rifles lawful for hunting black bear are those .23 caliber and larger; or muzzle-loading rifles .44 to .775 caliber, fired from the shoulder, using a single projectile. Refer to 321 CMR 3.02(1)(h).

6. On Wildlife Management Areas stocked with pheasant or quail, during the pheasant and quail seasons, rifles of any caliber are PROHIBITED, except for the use of rifles chambered not larger than .22 long rifle ammunition for the hunting of raccoon and opossum between the hours of 9:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M. Refer to 321 CMR 3.01(1)(m) and (o).

7. During the period from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise, the use or possession of any rifle chambered to take larger than .22 long rifle ammunition is PROHIBITED. Refer to M.G.L. c. 131, § 67.

8. In Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth Counties, during the period from November 1 to March 31, the possession or use of any rifle chambered to take larger than .22 long rifle ammunition is PROHIBITED except on a target range during daylight hours, and except for the possession or use of modern shotguns or primitive firearms with rifled bores during the shotgun and primitive firearms deer seasons. Refer to M.G.L. c. 131, § 4(15).

9. Refer to the summary of the regulations relative to muzzle-loading firearms for matters relative to hunting with those implements.

10. Some cities or towns may have ordinances or bylaws prohibiting the discharge of rifles (while allowing the discharge of shotguns).

11. Check the firearms statutes pursuant to M.G.L. c. 140 and c. 269 for laws affecting the possession, carrying, and use of "large capacity" rifles and feeding devices.

Regulations as of 12-31-04.

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Hunting with Shotguns and Shotshell Cartridges

It is lawful to hunt birds and mammals in Massachusetts with a shotgun of 10 gauge and smaller, and with any magazine capacity, EXCEPT:

1. The hunting of migratory game birds with a shotgun, the magazine of which has not been cut off or plugged with a 1-piece filler incapable of removal without disassembling the gun so as to reduce the capacity of the shotgun to not more than three cartridges at one time in the chamber and magazine combined, is PROHIBITED. Refer to 321 CMR 3.02(2)(e)2. and 50 CFR 20.21.

2. The use or possession of shotgun cartridges loaded with a rifled slug, single ball, buckshot of any size, BB shot or air rifle shot is PROHIBITED except (a) on a target range during daylight hours, (b) for the hunting of deer during the period when it is lawful to hunt deer, and (c) for the hunting of waterfowl or American coot using B, BB, or BBB shot during the period when it is lawful to hunt waterfowl. Refer to M.G.L. c. 131, § 66, and 321 CMR 2.03. NOTE: Shot sizes "T" and "F" are considered to be buckshot sizes.

3. The use or possession of shotgun cartridges loaded with shot other than non-toxic shot is PROHIBITED for the hunting of waterfowl and American coot. Check the annual “Migratory Game Bird Abstracts” for the non-toxic shot types currently approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

4. Check the firearms statutes pursuant to M.G.L. c. 140 and c. 269 for laws regarding the possession, carrying, and use of semiautomatic or other "large capacity" shotguns and feeding devices.

Regulations as of 11-03-06.

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Taking of Certain Fish

1. TROUT SEASON DATES, CREEL LIMITS and SIZE LIMITS:
The open seasons, daily creel limits, and size limits (minimum length in inches) for the taking of trout in Massachusetts are as listed in the following Table:

A Special Brown Trout Management Waters: South Pond (Quacumquasit), Brookfield.

B Major Trout Rivers: Childs River (Falmouth, Mashpee), Coonamesset River, Deerfield River, East Branch Swift River, East and West Branches Tully River, East Branch Ware River, Farmington River, Green River (Colrain), Green River (Great Barrington), Jones River (Kingston, Plympton), Ipswich River, Mashpee River, Millers River, Nissitissit River, North River (Colrain), Parker River, Quaboag River, Quinebaug River, Santuit River, Scorton Creek, Seven Mile River, Shawsheen River, Squannacook River, Stillwater River, Swift River (Winsor Dam to Ware River, except as posted), Ware River, West Branch North River, Westfield River (all branches).

2. LANDLOCKED AND ATLANTIC SALMON SEASON DATES, CREEL LIMITS and SIZE LIMITS: The open seasons, daily creel limits, and size limits (minimum length in inches) for the taking of landlocked salmon and Atlantic Salmon in Massachusetts are listed in the following Table.

A. Atlantic Salmon and Brood Salmon: The harvest of Atlantic salmon (including broodstock salmon) is lawful in all inland waters of Massachusetts, except in (a) the Connecticut River and all its tributaries, and (b) the Merrimack River downstream of the Essex Dam in the City of Lawrence, and all tributaries of the Merrimack River downstream of the Essex Dam in the City of Lawrence. No person shall possess an Atlantic salmon (including broodstock salmon) while fishing in the Connecticut River and all its tributaries, or in the Merrimack River downstream of the Essex Dam in the City of Lawrence, or in any tributary of the Merrimack River downstream of the Essex Dam in the City of Lawrence.

3. SMELT SEASON DATES, CREEL LIMITS and SIZE LIMITS: The open seasons, daily creel limits, and size limits (minimum length in inches) for the taking of smelt in Massachusetts are listed in the following Table:

A. Smelt may be taken in all inland waters by hook and line only from May 16 to the last day of February, except in Quabbin Reservoir where smelt may be taken only in the open water of the reservoir where fishing is permitted from May 16 to the close of the Quabbin fishing season. There is no daily or seasonal creel limit for smelt. The possession of smelt or their use as bait in inland waters other than during the established open season on smelt is prohibited.

4. STRIPED BASS SEASON DATES, CREEL LIMITS and SIZE LIMITS: Taking of striped bass in all waters of Massachusetts is governed by the rules and regulations (322 CMR) of the Division of Marine Fisheries. Sale of striped bass from inland waters is prohibited.

5. ALL OTHER FISH SEASON DATES, CREEL LIMITS and SIZE LIMITS: The open seasons, daily creel limits, and size limits (minimum length in inches) for the taking of all other freshwater fish in Massachusetts are listed in the following Table:

6. DUKES AND NANTUCKET COUNTIES: The provisions of these regulations shall not apply to the taking of white perch in Dukes and Nantucket Counties.

7. RESERVOIRS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION: Quabbin Reservoir and that portion of its tributary streams within the Quabbin Reservoir, Wachusett Reservoir, and Sudbury Reservoir are closed to all fishing except during the open season for access as established by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

8. LICENSES: Resident Massachusetts anglers require a resident fishing or sporting license. Non-residents require a non-resident fishing license. Three-day licenses may be obtained by both residents and non-residents. Minors aged 15-17 (both resident and non-resident) may obtain a minor fishing license. Minors aged 14 and under do not require a fishing license. There is a special 1-day license for the Quabbin Reservoir only, which may be obtained at the Quabbin access points.

9. FISHING IMPLEMENTS. Fish may not be taken in the inland waters of Massachusetts by any means other than angling, except that carp, suckers, and eels may be taken by archery or spear, and eels may be taken in pots by licensed commercial fishermen by permit. Bait fish may be taken in certain nets (see bait fish regulations).

10. CATCH-AND-RELEASE FISHING AREAS: The following requirements apply to all catch-and-release fishing areas. All fish caught must be released. Fishing is allowed with artificial lures only. The use of natural or artificial baits, including, but not limited to, worms, shiners or other live bait, cheese, corn, or salmon or other fish eggs is prohibited. Fish in possession in any catch-and-release area is a prima facie violation of these regulations. Designated catch-and-release fishing areas are as follows:

(a) East Branch of the Westfield River: extending from the Chesterfield Gorge parking lot in the Town of Chesterfield downstream 6 miles to the gate north of the Corps of Engineers basin parking lot at Knightville in the Town of Huntington;

(b) Millers River: Bears Den Segment, extending from a railroad bridge in the Towns of Athol and Templeton downstream 6½ miles to the first dam in the Town of Athol. Wendell Segment, extending from the Wendell Road bridge in the Towns of Orange and Wendell downstream 1½ miles to a breached dam in the Towns of Erving and Wendell;

(c) Nissitissit River: in the Town of Pepperell, extending from the New Hampshire border downstream to the Prescott Street bridge. In addition to these provisions, fly fishing only is permitted on the Nissitissit River catch-and-release area. All anglers must use a conventional fly rod and fly line.

(d) Quashnet River: extending from Johns Pond in the Town of Mashpee downstream 4½ miles to the sign 0.1 miles south of Rte. 28 in the Town of Falmouth;

(e) Red Brook: from White Island Pond in the Town of Plymouth downstream 4½ miles to Buttermilk Bay in the Town of Wareham;

(f) Swift River: from the Winsor Dam to the Rte. 9 bridge crossing. In addition to these provisions, fly fishing only is permitted on the Swift River between Winsor Dam and the Rte. 9 crossing. All anglers must use a conventional fly rod and line.

(g) Swift River: from the Rte. 9 bridge crossing downstream to Cady Lane. Catch-and-release fishing is mandated only during the period from July 1 to December 31;

(h) Upper Deerfield River: Segment #1, extending from Fife Brook Dam downstream 1½ miles to the Hoosac Tunnel railroad trestle; and Segment #2, extending from the mouth of Pelham Brook downstream one mile to the Mohawk Campgrounds.

(i) Housatonic River: from the Rte. 20 bridge in Lee downstream to the Willow Mill Dam in Lee, and, from the Glendale Dam in Great Barrington downstream to the Boston and Maine railroad bridge in Great Barrington.

11. PROHIBITED:

(a) fishing in the Merrimack River in the area downstream from the Essex Dam to the Boston and Maine Railroad Bridge;

(b) fishing in the canal systems in the Cities of Lawrence and Lowell during the month of April;

(c) taking fish in the inland waters of Massachusetts by snagging;

(d) taking fish in the inland waters of Massachusetts by poison, explosive, float or toggle;

(e) taking fish in the inland waters of Massachusetts by any means other than by angling, except that eels, carp, and suckers may be taken by spears or archery, and that eels may be taken in pots by licensed commercial fishermen under permit;

(f) taking fish in the inland waters of Massachusetts by net, seine, trawl, or similar device, except for the taking of bait fish pursuant to the Massachusetts bait fish regulations;

(g) setting or using more than two hooks for fishing, or, in the case of ice fishing, five hooks;

(h) taking or attempting to take fish at a time other than as provided in these regulations or to possess at any time a greater number of fish or of fish of a length less than provided in these regulations or to possess fish at a period or in an area other than so provided. Such taking or possession shall be a prima facie violation of these regulations, however, the taking or having in possession of a fish less than as provided in the regulations shall not be a violation if taken by a person lawfully fishing and if that person immediately returns the fish alive to the waters from which it was taken.

(i) fishing with lead sinkers in the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs.

12. TAKING, SALE, and POSSESSION OF BAIT FISH: see the Bait Fish regulations as provided for in 321 CMR 4.01(8).

13. DEFINITIONS: There are technical definitions of certain terms, including "float", "hook", "lead sinker", "minimum legal length in inches", "snagging", "tiger muskellunge", and "tiger trout". These terms are formally defined in 321 CMR 4.01(1).

This is not the entire law, and is subject to change. Refer to the Taking of Certain Fish regulations in the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321 CMR 4.01 and to several provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 131.

Last Revised: 10-20-06.

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Taking, Sale and Importation of Bait Fish

1. BAIT FISH and COMMERCIAL BAIT FISH:

(a) "Bait Fish" are defined as only the following species: American eel, banded killifish, bluntnose minnow, creek chubsucker, emerald shiner, fallfish, fathead minnow, golden shiner, mummichog, pumpkinseed, rainbow smelt (subject to restrictions; see below), spottail shiner, white sucker, and yellow perch. A person shall not use as bait any fish, alive or dead, including parts thereof, except those 15 fish listed in this paragraph. Herring may be used as bait in the Connecticut River, Merrimack River, or other coastal rivers and streams, in accordance with the regulations of The Division of Marine Fisheries, but may not be possessed or used as bait in other rivers and streams, or in lakes, ponds, or reservoirs.

(b) "Commercial Bait Fish" are defined as only the following species: bluntnose minnow, emerald shiner, fallfish, fathead minnow, golden shiner, mummichog, spottail shiner, and white sucker.

2. SEASONS: There are no closed seasons for the taking of bait fish, except for rainbow smelt which may only be taken or used as bait du