Trapping seasons

Find trapping season for different furbearers, plus harvest reporting information.

Click here for more information about trapping regulations.

2023 Trapping season dates

Species	Open Season
Bobcat1,2, coyote1, fox1, weasel	Nov. 1 – Nov. 30
Fisher1	Nov. 1 – Nov. 22
Mink1, river otter1	Nov. 1 – Dec. 15
Beaver1	Jan. 1 – April 15, 2023 and Nov. 1, 2023 – April 15, 2024
Muskrat, opossum, raccoon, skunk	Jan. 1 – Feb. 28, 2023 and Nov. 1, 2023 – Feb. 29, 2024
1 – pelt sealing and reporting required 2 – bobcats may only be trapped or salvaged in zones 1-8

Harvest reporting (pelt checking)

Harvest reporting rules for bobcat and otter

Bobcat and otter must be checked within 4 working days of the end of the season at a physical check station. Bobcats and otters cannot be reported online. The seal you receive from the check station must remain attached to the pelt until the pelt/carcass is prepared for mounting or the pelt is sold or tanned.  Click here to find a check station.

Harvest reporting rules for beaver, coyote, fisher, fox, or mink.

You must report harvested  beaver, coyote, fisher, fox, mink within 4 working days of the end of their respective seasons.

2 ways to report:

• Use MassFishHunt to report a harvest online
  You will get a confirmation number after completion. You must write this number on a harvest tag of your own making, which should still be attached to your game. Confirmation numbers must remain attached until the pelt/carcass is prepared for mounting or the pelt is sold or tanned.
• Take your harvested game to an official check station. Click here to find a check station. The seal you receive from the check station must remain attached to the pelt until the pelt/carcass is prepared for mounting or the pelt is sold or tanned.