Trapping seasons

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

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.

Contact for Trapping seasons

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