| Date: | 01/06/2023 |
|---|---|
| Organization: | Division of Fisheries and Wildlife |
| Regulatory Authority: | Massachusetts General Law Chapter 131 |
| Official Version: | Published by the Massachusetts Register |
This is an unofficial version of Commonwealth regulations and is posted here for the convenience of the public. It is not an official statement of the regulations.
(a) Purpose: 321 CMR 3.01 governs the administration of wildlife management areas and set forth permissible and prohibited activities on such areas. The provisions of 321 CMR 3.00 incorporate the philosophy of the Division that conservation shall encompass the wise use of wildlife resources, including, where appropriate, protection, utilization, and management. Therefore, except as provided in 321 CMR 3.03, hunting, fishing, and trapping shall be permitted on wildlife management areas in accordance with the provisions of 321 CMR 3.00 and other provisions of 321 CMR and of M.G.L. c. 131.
(b) Definitions:
Alcoholic beverage shall be defined as in M.G.L. Ch 138, s. 1.
Camping means the utilization of any piece of equipment for sleeping in or upon, including, but not limited to, a sleeping bag, hammock, tent, tarp, motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, trailer, or watercraft, for the purpose of occupying a piece of land or water for transient and temporary outdoor living.
Controlled substance and counterfeit substance shall be defined as in M.G.L. c. 94C, s.1.
Director means the Director of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Installation means fish hatcheries, game farms, wildlife district offices, and the Westborough field headquarters.
Nature Preserve means those lands, waters, shores and interests therein as defined and established pursuant to 321 CMR 11.00 and administered under provisions of M.G.L. c. 131, sections 10A through 10D.
Wildlife Management Area means any real property, except installations, nature preserves and wildlife sanctuaries, owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and subject to the control and charge of said Division, or owned by or subject to the control and charge of another agency of the Commonwealth or political subdivision thereof or of the United States and operated or managed by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife under lease, easement, or cooperative agreement as a wildlife management area. Additionally, the Director, with the approval of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, may, by lease, easement, or cooperative agreement establish a wildlife management area with a partnership, corporation, whether profit or non-profit, firm, business, or other commercial or non-commercial entity, club, organization, or association and such area shall be subject to provisions of 321 CMR 3.01(1). For the purposes of 321 CMR 3.01(1), "wildlife management area" shall be construed as inclusive of "public shooting ground".
Wildlife Sanctuary means those lands, waters, shores, and interests therein as defined in 321 CMR 7.01(2)(e) and administered under provisions of M.G.L. c. 131, sections 7 through 10, or any other lands designated by the Director as subject to 321 CMR 7.01.
(c) No person shall illegally consume, use, cultivate, or possess any controlled substance of any schedule or class or any counterfeit substance within the bounds of any wildlife management area.
(d) No person, except with the written permission of the Director or his authorized agent, shall consume, use, or possess any alcoholic beverage within the bounds of any wildlife management area.
(e) No person shall dump or discard, or cause to be dumped or discarded, any container, papers, garbage, brush, stumps, leaves, solid or liquid wastes, tires, or other material within the bounds of any wildlife management area.
(f) No person shall remove, damage, or disturb vegetation, soil, or stones within any wildlife management area except under permit from the Director or his authorized agent, provided that nothing in 321 CMR 3.01(1)(f) shall be construed to prohibit the harvesting for personal consumption of edible wild fruits, berries, fungi, or nuts.
(g) No person shall use excessive speed in driving a vehicle on roads within any wildlife management area.
(h) No person, except under permit from the Director or his authorized agent, and except governmental employees in the performance of their duties, shall drive, operate, or possess within the bounds of any wildlife management area any motor vehicle, snow vehicle, or recreational vehicle, except on roads or trails maintained by a governmental agency and designated for the express purpose of permitting public vehicular traffic.
(i) No person shall deface, damage, remove, or molest any sign, fence, gate, building, monument or equipment within or on any wildlife management area.
(j) No person shall build or maintain, or cause to be built or maintained, a fire within any wildlife management area without written permission from the Director or his designated agent and the city or town fire chief or the District Fire Warden.
(k) No person shall camp within any wildlife management area without written permission from the Director or his designated agent.
(l) No person shall engage in target practicing or target shooting within any wildlife management area without written permission from the Director or his designated agent. "Target practicing" shall be construed to include the "sighting in" or testing of firearms and bows-and-arrows.
(m) The night hunting of raccoon and opossum by means of a pistol or revolver not larger than .38 caliber, or by means of a rifle chambered to take ammunition not larger than .22 caliber long rifle shall be permitted on the following wildlife management areas between 1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise in accordance with the prescribed seasons, bag limits, and other provisions of 321 CMR 3.02(5). During this night hunting period, the wearing of a "hunter orange" cap or hat is not mandatory.
1. Central Wildlife District:
Breakneck Brook Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
Fish Brook WMA
Lawrence Brook WMA
Leadmine WMA
McKinstry Brook WMA
Merrill Pond WMA
Moose Brook WMA
Muddy Brook WMA
Poutwater WMA
Prince River WMA
Quisset WMA
Raccoon Hill WMA
Savage Hill WMA
Wolf Swamp WMAConnecticut Valley Wildlife District:
Catamount WMA
Coy Hill WMA
East Mountain WMA
Facing Rock WMA
Lake Warner WMA
Leadmine WMA
Millers River WMA (Wendell)
Montague WMA
Mt. Toby WMA
Orange WMA
Palmer WMA
Satan's Kingdom WMA
Tully Mountain WMA
Wales WMA
Warwick WMA
Wendell WMA
Westfield WMA
Whately WMA
Williamsburg WMANortheast Wildlife District:
Boxborough Station WMA
Dunstable Brook WMA
Hunting Hills WMA
Mulpus Brook WMA
Nissitissit River WMA
Pantry Brook WMA
Salisbury Marsh WMA
William Forward WMASoutheast Wildlife District:
Black Brook WMA
Burrage Pond WMA
Canoe River WMA
Church Homestead WMA
Copicut WMA
Dartmoor Farms WMA
English Salt Marsh WMA
Freetown Swamp WMA
Haskell Swamp WMA
Hockomock Swamp WMA
(exclusive of Erwin S. Wilder Section)
Hyannis Ponds WMA
Mashpee Pine Barrens WMA
Meetinghouse Swamp WMA
Peterson Swamp WMA
Purchade Brook WMA
Quashnet River WMA
Red Brook WMA
Rochester WMA
Rocky Gutter WMA
Sly Pond WMA
Taunton River WMA
West Meadows WMAWestern Wildlife District:
Becket WMA
Chalet WMA
Cummington WMA
Day Mountain WMA
Dolomite Ledges WMA
Fairfield Brook WMA
Farmington River WMA
Fisk Meadows WMA
Fox Den WMA
Green River WMA
Hancock WMA
Hiram H. Fox WMA
John J. Kelly Memorial Forest and WMA
Jug End State Reservation and WMA
Lily Pond WMA
Maple Hill WMA
Mount Tekoa WMA
Otis WMA
Peru WMA
Powell Brook WMA
Savoy WMA
Taconic Ridge WMA
Three Mile Pond WMA
Walnut Hill WMA2. Night hunting of raccoon and opossum under special conditions shall also be permitted on all other wildlife management areas, except on Delaney (Harvard, Bolton, and Stow) and Flint Pond (Tyngsborough) Wildlife Management Areas. During the period from the first Friday after Columbus Day through the Saturday following Thanksgiving, night hunting of raccoon and opossum shall be permitted on these areas only between the hours of 9:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M., subject to the limitations pertaining to firearms in 321 CMR 3.01(1)(o). During this night hunting period, the wearing of a "hunter orange" color cap or hat is not mandatory.
(n) No person shall hunt during the pheasant or quail seasons on any wildlife management area where pheasant or quail are stocked without wearing a "hunter orange" color cap or hat, except for the hunting of raccoon or opossum in accordance with 321 CMR 3.01(1)(m) and except for persons hunting waterfowl from within a blind or a boat. For the purposes of 321 CMR 3.01(1)(n), "hunter orange" color shall be that color defined in 321 CMR 3.01(2).
(o) No person, except with the written permission of the Director or his authorized agent, shall, within any wildlife management area, dig, excavate, remove or disturb, or cause to be dug, excavated, removed or disturbed, any archaeological or paleontological artifacts, remains, ruins, sites, fossils, or other objects of unusual historical or prehistorical antiquity.
(p) Rules of Conduct on Wildlife Management Areas for Dogs, Horses and Other Domesticated Animals
(i) No person may cause or permit any dog, horse, or other domesticated animal listed in 321 CMR 9.02(3) to be unattended or to roam or be at large on any wildlife management area. No person may cause or permit any dog, horse, or other domesticated animal listed in 321 CMR 9.02(3) owned by him or her or in his or her custody or under his or her control to be on any wildlife management area unless such animal is restrained within a cage, or is bridled, or is restrained on a physical tether or leash by the animal’s owner or handler.
(ii) In addition to the requirements in 321 CMR 3.01(1)(p)(i), any dog feces shall be collected immediately by the person who has custody or control of the dog(s) and disposed of properly by that person outside of the boundaries of the wildlife management area.
(iii) The provisions of 321 CMR 3.01(1)(p)(i) and (ii) shall not apply to persons using dogs on any wildlife management area while in the act of hunting in accordance with the Division’s regulations, or training dogs for hunting, including hunt tests and field trials by persons holding a valid Massachusetts hunting or sporting license or by persons participating in a Retriever or Bird Dog Trial event permitted by the Division pursuant to 321 CMR 2.01. For the purposes of 321 CMR 3.01(1)(p)(iii), the training of dogs for the above purposes shall include, but not be limited to, obedience training, pointing, retrieving, water handling, quartering, casting, marking and trailing. Those persons using dogs pursuant to 321 CMR 3.01(1)(p)(3) shall immediately collect feces deposited by their dog within a designated parking area, or within 100 feet of a designated parking area, and dispose of it properly outside the boundaries of the wildlife management area.
(iv) Division personnel, an environmental police officer or other law enforcement officer may direct that any dog, horse, or other domesticated animal listed in 321 CMR 9.02(3) be removed from a wildlife management area by the animal’s owner or handler for failure to comply with 321 CMR 3.01(1)(p).
(v) If the Director deems it necessary to fulfill the purpose of a wildlife management area as described in 321 CMR 3.01(1), he or she may, by posting notice on the wildlife management area or on the Division’s website, prohibit from or restrict the access of any dog, horse, or other domesticated animal listed in 321 CMR 9.02(3) to any portion of a wildlife management area or for a particular time period.
(q) The Director is authorized to declare special regulations as deemed necessary by him for the purpose of dealing with situations or conditions peculiar to specific wildlife management areas. Those special regulations appearing in 321 CMR 3.03 shall be construed to be part of 321 CMR 3.01(1)(q).
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 6.
Last Revised: 1-6-23
Hunter orange color is a daylight fluorescent orange color with a dominant wave length between 595 and 605 nanometers, excitation purity not less than 85 percent and luminance factor of not less than 40 percent.
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 71.
Last Revised: 11-1-69
(a) No person shall use or have in his possession or under his control while hunting any poisoned arrow or arrow with explosive tips.
(b) No person shall use or have in his possession or under his control while hunting any arrow gun or any firearm or other device which projects or propels an arrow, dart or bolt by gunpowder, compressed air, or by any other means except by the flexing and release of a bow string.
(c) No person shall use or have in his possession or under his control while hunting any bow drawn or held by mechanical means, except as provided in 321 CMR 3.01(3). Hand-held, hand-operated bow string releases are permitted.
(d) A crossbow may be used for hunting by a person who is permanently disabled such that the person cannot operate a conventional bow and arrow, as certified by a licensed physician. Any costs associated with obtaining the medical documentation, re-evaluation of the information or a second medical opinion are the responsibility of the applicant. A person who wishes to use a crossbow for hunting in accordance with 321 CMR 3.01(3)(d) shall obtain a permit to do so from the director of the division of fisheries and wildlife, and such permit shall be valid for life. Nothing in 321 CMR 3.01(3) shall be construed to permit the use of a crossbow by any other person, except on a skeet, trap, or target range.
(e) Arrows used for hunting deer, bear or wild turkey shall have well-sharpened steel broadhead blades not less than 7/8 of an inch in width.
(f) No person shall hunt deer, bear or wild turkey with a bow having a pull of less than 40 lbs. at 28" draw provided that compound bows and recurved bows shall have a minimum pull of 40 lbs. at peak draw.
(g) No person while hunting shall release an arrow from a bow upon or within 150 feet of any State or hard surfaced highway or within 500 feet of any dwelling in use, except as authorized by the owner or occupant thereof.
(h) Any person found guilty of any violation of the above rules and regulations shall be punished as provided in M.G.L. c. 131, § 90.
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 69.
Last Revised: 8-15-03
In accordance with the authority vested in M.G.L. c. 131, § 5, an annual open season for the hunting of black bear in Massachusetts is established, subject to the following rules and regulations:
(a) Definitions: For the purposes of 321 CMR 3.02(1) and unless the context requires otherwise, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
Bait means any natural or artificial substance, including but not restricted to, shucked or unshucked corn or other grains, apples or other fruits or vegetables, honey, molasses, anise or other spices, pastries or other breadstuffs, meat or fish products, or any other substances or products which may be fed upon, ingested by, or which otherwise constitute a nutritive attraction or enticement to bear.
Baited Area means any area where baiting has taken place and such area shall remain a baited area for the period from ten days prior to the opening of the September portion of the bear season as provided in 321 CMR 3.02(1)(b) to 12:00 P.M. on the day following the close of the November portion of the bear season as provided in 321 CMR 3.02(1)(b), all days inclusive.
Baiting means the placement, exposing, depositing, distributing, or scattering of any bait or other substance so as to constitute for bears a lure or attraction to areas where hunters are attempting to take them.
Bow and Arrow means a bow and arrows of the type and design specified for the hunting of deer, bear, and wild turkey pursuant to 321 CMR 3.01(3).
Director means the director of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, as specified in M.G.L. c. 21, § 7F through 7G, or his agent.
Online means a Division of Fisheries and Wildlife licensing and game harvest reporting system accessible at the MassWildlife website that allows for automated licensing and game harvest reporting, including issuance of an official seal via the internet.
Zone or Zones means the Massachusetts wildlife management zones as described in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(o).
(b) Open Season: The open season shall be in three periods as follows:
1. Beginning the first Tuesday after Labor Day and ending on the third Saturday thereafter; and
2. Beginning the first Monday in November and ending the third Saturday thereafter.
3. During the shotgun deer season as prescribed in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(b)(3).
(c) Hunting Hours: A person shall not hunt black bear on any day during the open season except during the period between ½ hour before sunrise and ½ hour after sunset.
(d) Zone: Black bears may be hunted in all zones.
(e) Bag Limit: A person shall not kill more than one black bear in any calendar year.
(f) Permit: A person shall not hunt, kill, or possess a black bear unless he possesses on his person a permit from the Director to do so. A person killing a black bear shall immediately, before transporting or removing the carcass in any manner from where it was killed, complete and attach to the carcass in a conspicuous manner that portion of the permit, hunting license, or equivalent document, designated “bear tag”. Said bear tag shall remain attached to the bear until the bear is presented to a duly authorized person or checking station. At this time, the bear tag shall be surrendered upon request to the official agent in charge thereof or shall remain on the bear after being reported online. No person shall possess a detached bear tag except as affixed to a bear as described in 321 CMR 3.02(1)(f). Tags detached except as provided herein shall be void and shall be surrendered to any officer empowered to enforce M.G.L. c. 131 and 321 CMR.
(g) Transportation: A person shall not have in his or her possession or under his or her control in any motor vehicle or otherwise transport the carcass of a bear unless such carcass is open to view, provided that after the bear is tagged with an official seal or a confirmation number having been issued after being reported online is written or printed on the attached tag in accordance with 321 CMR 3.02(1)(h), the bear may be concealed.
(h) Harvest Reporting: Within 48 hours after killing a black bear, its harvest shall be reported to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife by one of the following means:
1. Check Station: The entire carcass shall be presented by the person who killed the black bear to a duly authorized person or bear checking station designated by the Director for the purpose of being recorded and examined for research purposes and to have affixed thereto an official seal in such manner as prescribed by the Director; or
2. Online Reporting: The person who killed the black bear shall access the Online system to report the harvest of the black bear. The person shall receive an Online system confirmation number, which shall be the official seal issued by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and record the confirmation number on the tag affixed to the bear as prescribed in 321 CMR 3.02(1)(f).
3. The official seal shall remain affixed to the black bear until the animal is skinned, cut up, or otherwise prepared for food purposes or for mounting by a taxidermist. The official seal is non-transferable and shall be valid only for the bear or carcass to which it is applied.
4. Any violation of the requirements of 321 CMR 3.02(1)(h) shall be heard in the District Court for the location where the violation occurred.
(i) Hunting Implements.
1. During that period of the open season beginning the first Tuesday in September and ending on the third Saturday thereafter, a person may hunt black bear only by means of: a bow and arrow; or a rifle .23 caliber or larger; or a muzzle-loading firearm, fired from the shoulder and not less than .44 caliber nor greater than .775 caliber; or a revolver chambered to take .357 Magnum cartridges, using only .357 Magnum cartridges, or a revolver chambered .40 caliber or larger.
2. During that period of the open season beginning the first Monday in November and ending the third Saturday thereafter, a person may hunt black bear only by means of a bow and arrow; or a rifle .23 caliber or larger; or a muzzle-loading firearm, fired from the shoulder and not less than .44 caliber nor greater than .775 caliber.
3. During the shotgun deer season, as prescribed in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(b)(3), bear may be hunted by means of a:
a) shotgun not larger than ten gauge, including shotguns with a rifled bore, using a shotgun shell loaded with a rifled slug or single ball
b) muzzle-loading firearm, fired from the shoulder, .44 to .775 caliber, or
c) bow and arrow.
(j) Prohibited:
1. to make, set or use any trap or other device for the purpose of ensnaring, trapping, taking, injuring, or killing a black bear;
2. to hunt or attempt to hunt black bear by baiting;
3. to hunt or pursue or attempt to hunt or pursue black bear with dogs, except as provided in 321 CMR 2.02;
4. to use or possess while black bear hunting or while accompanying a black bear hunter during any period of the open season as described in 321 CMR 3.02(1)(b), any radio-telemetry transmitter or receiver, including directional antennas, or any other electronic device designed or intended or adapted for the emitting of an electronic signal. Transmitters, receivers, or antennas carried by or under the control of a person hunting black bear shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of 321 CMR 3.02(1)(j). No person shall, except under permit from the Director pursuant to M.G.L. c. 131, §§ 4 or 23, at any time possess alive any bear, or use at any time any radio-telemetry transmitter, receiver, or similar device with the intent to locate any bear. Nothing in 321 CMR 3.02(1)(j) shall be construed to prohibit the use of possession of citizen’s band radios or cellular telephones used for verbal communication with other persons.
(k) Hunter Orange:
1. During the shotgun deer season, as prescribed in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(b)(3), any person hunting bear shall wear in a conspicuous manner on his or her chest, back and head, a minimum of 500 square inches of clothing or material of a hunter orange color as defined by the Director pursuant to 321 CMR 3.01(2).
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 5.
Last Revised: 1-6-23
In accordance with the authority found in M.G.L. c. 131, §§ 5 and 63, and subject to 321 CMR 3.02(2), the annual open seasons for the hunting and possession of certain migratory game birds are hereby adopted.
(a) Definitions: For the purposes of 321 CMR 3.02(2), the following words or phrases shall have the following meanings:
American coot or coot means the American coot (Fulica americana).
Berkshire Zone means that portion of Massachusetts west of a boundary line running south from the Vermont border along Route I-91 to Route 9, west on Rte. 9 to Rte. 10, south on Rte. 10 to Rte. 202, and south on Rte. 202 to the Connecticut border.
Central Zone means that portion of Massachusetts lying between the Berkshire Zone and the Coastal Zone.
Coastal Zone means that portion of Massachusetts east and south of a boundary line running south from the New Hampshire border along Route I-95 south to Rte. 1, to Rte. I-93, south along I-93 to Rte. 3, south on Rte. 3 to Rte. 6, west on Rte. 6 to Rte. 28, west on Rte. 28 to Rte. I-195, and west on Rte. I-195 to the Rhode Island border, provided that the waters and lands 150 yards above the high water mark of the Assonet River from the mouth of said Assonet River to the Route 24 bridge and 150 yards above the high water mark of the Taunton River from the mouth of said Taunton River to the Center Street-Elm Street bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone.
Director means the Director of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife or his authorized agent.
Gender means, unless the context requires otherwise, that words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter.
Migratory Game Birds means those migratory birds included in the terms of conventions between the United States and any foreign country for the protection of migratory birds, for which open seasons are prescribed in 321 CMR 3.02(2) and belong to the following families:
- Anatidae (ducks, mergansers, geese, and brant)
- Rallidae (rails and American coot);
- Scolopacidae (snipe and woodcock).
Non-Toxic Shot means steel shot or such other non-toxic shot as shall be approved by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as an acceptable non-toxic alternative to lead shot.
Primitive firearm loaded with shot means loose shot carried in a shot pouch or similar container, or which is carried on the person and could readily be so loaded, as well as shot which has been loaded in the barrel of a primitive firearm.
Sea Ducks means scoter, eider, and long-tailed (oldsquaw) ducks.
Waterfowl means migratory game birds of the family Anatidae (ducks, mergansers, geese and brant).
(b) Open Seasons. The dates of the open seasons for the various species herein mentioned, the daily bag limits, possession limits, footnotes, and related matters are shown in table 1.
[For footnotes A through D, see table 1.]
E. On September 25, 2021 and October 9, 2021, there shall be a veterans and active military personnel waterfowl hunt in all counties of the state for Veterans (as defined in 38 USC, § 101) and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training), may participate. All hunters shall possess a Massachusetts Hunting or Sporting License, a Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp, and Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (also known as Federal Duck Stamp). On September 25, 2021 and October 9, 2021, there shall be a youth waterfowl hunt in all counties of the state for minors 12 through 17 years of age only. During the veterans and active military personnel and youth waterfowl hunts, such participants may hunt ducks, geese, mergansers, and coot during the period from ½ hour before sunrise to sunset, with a bag limit of six, possession 18, singly or in the aggregate, subject to the species restrictions in 321 CMR 3.02(2): Table 1A and 1B. During the youth waterfowl hunt all such minors must be accompanied by an adult licensed to hunt in Massachusetts and who possesses a Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp. No adult may be accompanied by more than one minor, and no more than one firearm may be carried. The licensed adult may not hunt but may carry the minor's firearm when unloaded and cased. During this youth waterfowl hunt, minors 12 through 14 years of age shall not be required to possess a hunting or sporting license and a Massachusetts and Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation stamp. Minors 15 years of age shall possess a Massachusetts hunting or sporting license and a Massachusetts waterfowl stamp but need not possess a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation stamp. Minors 16 and 17 years old shall possess a Massachusetts hunting or sporting license, a Massachusetts waterfowl stamp, and a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation stamp. All minors shall otherwise conform to all provisions of M.G.L. c. 131 and 321 CMR 3.02(2) not excepted or specified in 321 CMR 3.02(2)(b): Table 1E.
(c) Hunting Hours. The hunting hours for migratory game birds shall be from ½ hour before sunrise to sunset, except that hunting hours for the Early Canada Goose seasons shall be from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.
(d) Falconry. Notwithstanding the dates of the open seasons and the bag and possession limits as prescribed in 321 CMR 3.02(2)(b) and Table 1 thereof, ducks and coots may be hunted or taken with falcons by licensed falconers from October 2, 2021 through February 3, 2022 . The bag limits for such falconry hunting shall be three birds daily or nine in possession, singly or in the aggregate, subject to the limitations prescribed in 321 CMR 3.02(2)(b), Table 1, footnotes A through E. Hunting with falconry on Sundays is prohibited.
(e) Restrictions.
(f) Loaded shotguns in motor boats. A person may have in his possession or under his control in a motor boat a loaded shotgun while such boat is beached, resting at anchor or fastened within or tied immediately alongside of any type of fixed hunting blind.
(g) Retrieval of dead or crippled birds. A hunter may pick up or retrieve dead or crippled migratory game birds from a craft under power, but shall not shoot any birds from such craft except that wounded or crippled waterfowl or coot may be shot from a powered craft in coastal waters and in waters of rivers and streams seaward of the first upstream bridge.
(h) Harvest information program. No person shall hunt migratory game birds unless such person has completed a Migratory Game Bird Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.) survey as provided for by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations and has proof of completion inscribed on his hunting or sporting license in such a manner as provided for by the Director.
(i) Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), a federally recognized tribe, may set migratory game bird seasons on Settlement Lands, after consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pursuant to 50 CFR 20.110.
Regulatory authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 5.
Last Revised: 1-6-2023
.
In accordance with the authority vested in me by M.G.L. c. 131, § 5, as amended by St. 1967, c. 802, the annual open seasons for the hunting of fox, coyote, and bobcat are hereby adopted, subject to the following:
(a) Definitions. For the purposes of 321 CMR 3.02(3), the following words or phrases shall have the following meanings:
Bobcat means the bobcat or wildcat (Felis [Lynx] rufus) but not the lynx or Canada lynx (Felis [Lynx] canadensis).
Division means the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Fox means the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus).
Green pelt means a pelt which has not been dried, cured, or tanned.Online means a Division of Fisheries and Wildlife licensing and game harvest reporting system accessible at the MassWildlife website that allows for automated licensing and game harvest reporting, including issuance of an official seal via the internet.
Raw pelt or raw fur means a green pelt which has been dried, fleshed, or cured.
State means the several states, territories, and possessions of the United States of America, and any foreign nation and any political subdivision, possession, or occupied area thereof.Zone or Zones means the Massachusetts wildlife management zones as described in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(o).
(b) Open Seasons and Zone.
(c) Hunting Hours. The hunting hours during each calendar day of the open season shall begin at ½ hour before sunrise and,
(d) Restrictions.
In addition to the provisions of 321 CMR 3.02(3)(b) and (c), all fox, coyote, and bobcat taken or salvaged shall be brought to a designated representative of the Division and sealed with an official seal by said representative, or the person who took or salvaged the fox, coyote or bobcat shall access the Online system to report the take or salvage. The person shall receive an Online system confirmation number, which shall be the official seal issued by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and affix it to the fox, coyote or bobcat taken or salvaged. The official seal shall be non-transferable and shall be valid only for the animal or carcass to which it is applied.
The official seal shall remain attached to the pelt or animal until the pelt is dressed or tanned, or prepared for mounting by a taxidermist, or the animal is otherwise disposed of. Coyote and fox shall be sealed no later than 48 hours after the animal is killed. Bobcat shall be sealed no later than four working days after the closing day of the open season for that species. Working days are defined as the days Monday through Friday inclusive, except legal state holidays as defined in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(18).
(e) Limitations. Nothing in 321 CMR 3.02(3) shall be deemed to limit any other provision of M.G.L. c. 131 or any rule or regulation issued under authority thereof.
(f) Savings Clause. If any part, section, subsection, division, or subdivision of 321 CMR 3.02(3) or the application thereof is held invalid, unconstitutional, or inoperative as to any particular person, persons, or conditions, the remainder thereof or the application of any such part, section, subsection, division, or subdivision shall not be affected thereby.
Regulatory authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 5.
Last Revised: 9-14-12
In accordance with the authority vested in me by M.G.L. c. 131, §§ 5 and 72, I hereby declare an open season for the hunting of deer in Massachusetts, subject to the following rules and regulations:
(a) Definitions: For the purposes of 321 CMR 3.02(4) and unless the context requires otherwise, the following words or phrases shall have the following meanings:
Antlerless Deer means a deer without antlers, or with antlers the longer of which is less than three inches in length measured on a straight line from the center of the anterior base of the antler burr to the antler tip.
Bait means any natural or artificial substance, including but not restricted to, shucked or unshucked corn, wheat or other grains, hay, silage, apples or other fruits or vegetables, and salt or other chemical compounds of a like nature which may be fed upon, ingested by or which otherwise constitute a nutritive attraction or enticement to deer.
Baited Area means any area where baiting has taken place and such area shall remain a baited area for the period from ten days prior to the opening of the exclusive archery season as provided in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(b)2. to 12:00 P.M. on the day following the close of the exclusive primitive firearms season as provided in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(b)4.
Baiting means the deliberate placing, depositing, distributing, or scattering of bait so as to constitute for deer a lure, attraction, or enticement to or on any area where hunters are attempting to take them.
Barrel Length means that portion of a firearm through which shot is driven, guided, or stabilized.
Bow and Arrow means a bow and arrows of the type and design specified for the hunting of deer, bear, and wild turkey pursuant to 321 CMR 3.01(3).
Caplock means only a type of gunlock that ignites the charge by means of a spark produced by a spring-actuated external cock or hammer directly striking a percussion cap which is placed over a nipple which transmits the flame of the percussion cap to the powder.
Decoy means an artificial or natural replica or silhouette of a deer, including taxidermy mounts and preparations of a like nature as well as live deer held under restraint.
Director means the Director of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife or his or her agent, with primary offices at 251 Causeway Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114.
Flintlock means only a type of gunlock that ignites the charge by means of a spark produced by a spring-actuated cock or hammer striking a piece of flint against a vertical, pivoted striking plate.
Grunt Tube means a breath-powered, mouth-operated, non-electronic calling device which mimics deer vocalizations, the purpose of which is to attract deer pursuant to the lawful hunting thereof.
Lead Projectile means a round ball, Minie or Maxi bullet, or other spherical or conical projectile composed of lead, lead-antimony, or similar alloys.;Notwithstanding the foregoing, saboted projectiles are lawful, regardless of the composition of the sabots
Loaded from the Muzzle or Muzzle-loading means, with respect to a primitive firearm, that all the powder, any wadding, and the projectile are placed in the muzzle and forced to the other end of the barrel with the aid of a ramrod.
Loaded Primitive Firearm means a primitive firearm which contains a ball or shot in the muzzle and which, in the case of a flintlock, contains powder in the flash pan, and, in the case of a caplock, has a percussion cap on the nipple.
Online means a Division of Fisheries and Wildlife licensing and game harvest reporting system accessible at the MassWildlife website that allows for automated licensing and game harvest reporting, including issuance of an official seal via the internet.
Permanent Tree Stand means that type of hunting platform or structure (emplaced for any period of time) which is fastened to a tree by nails, bolts, wire, or other fasteners which intrude through the bark into the wood of the tree, or, which is fastened or erected in any manner and is emplaced for a period exceeding 30 days.
Primitive Firearm means a flintlock or caplock firearm, either rifled or smoothbore, fired from the shoulder and loaded from the muzzle, and which has limited range and firepower.
Quabbin Reservoir Area means those parcels of land defined as the Quabbin Reservoir Area pursuant to St. 1972, c. 737, § 1.
Scent means an odoriferous substance, natural or artificial, which replicates or mimics the natural odor or bodily secretions of deer or other wild animals, the purpose of which is to attract deer pursuant to the hunting thereof or to mask the body odor or scent of humans hunting deer.
Shotgun Deer Season means that portion of the open season prescribed in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(b)3.
Unloaded Primitive Firearm means a primitive firearm which lacks one or more of the components of a loaded primitive firearm.
Youth Deer Hunt means the season, which is to occur on the fourth Saturday following Labor Day, when minors 12 to 17 years of age may hunt deer as provided in M.G.L. 131 Section 14 and CMR 3.02(4) (b)5.
Youth Deer Hunt Permit means a special permit issued by the Director exclusively to minors 12 to 17 years of age which allows them to hunt for deer during the Youth Deer Hunt.
Zone or Zones means the Massachusetts wildlife management zones as described in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(o).
(b) Open Season. The open season shall be in four periods as follows:
1. Beginning the last Monday in October and ending the following Saturday, any three days of which may be selected by the Director, there shall be a special season for paraplegics exclusively, who may hunt deer by means of a shotgun not larger than ten gauge, including shotguns with a rifled bore, by means of a muzzle-loading firearm, fired from the shoulder, .44 to .775 caliber, or by means of a bow and arrow. Such hunting shall be limited to those specified areas designated by the Director. During this special season, nothing shall prevent the otherwise lawful hunting of birds and mammals in accordance with established statutes and regulations.
2.a. In all zones, beginning on the eighth Monday prior to Thanksgiving and ending on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, all days inclusive, except on the tribal lands of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head in the Town of Aquinnah in Dukes County, there shall be a special season for archers exclusively and during this period deer may be hunted only by means of a bow and arrow.
b. Beginning on the third Monday prior to the first Monday in November and ending on the last day of the primitive firearms season as specified in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(b)4., all days inclusive, and only on the tribal lands of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head in the town of Aquinnah in Dukes County, there shall be a special season for archers. During this period, deer may be hunted only by means of a bow and arrow, provided that during the shotgun deer season for Zone 13 as provided for in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(b)3., and during the primitive firearms season as provided for in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(b)4., deer may also be hunted with such firearms as are specified for those seasons.
3. Beginning the first Monday after Thanksgiving and ending the second Saturday thereafter, all days inclusive except Sunday, deer may be hunted throughout Massachusetts by means of a shotgun not larger than ten gauge, including shotguns with a rifled bore, by means of a muzzle-loading firearm, fired from the shoulder, .44 to .775 caliber, or by means of a bow and arrow.
4. The primitive firearms period of the open season is intended to provide an opportunity to hunt deer in a manner similar to the way our forefathers hunted in the mid-1800's. The primary consideration is to limit the weapons to a type similar to those in common use during that period of history. Basically, that means a single shot, muzzle-loading firearm with limited range and firepower. Secondarily, the hunter participating in this season should have a relative degree of solitude significantly different from the hunting pressure which is characteristic of the shotgun deer season.
Beginning the third Monday after Thanksgiving and ending on December 31, all days inclusive, deer may be hunted only by means of a primitive firearm using a single lead projectile, or by means of a bow and arrow. Black powder (or synthetic substances such as "pyrodex" which are approved for competitive muzzle-loading meets by the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association) is the only powder to be used during this season. Primitive firearms may have smooth or rifled bores and shall not contain more than one usable barrel. In the case of primitive firearms with double bore barrels, one barrel shall be made inoperative by removal of the nipple and hammer. The caliber of a primitive firearm shall be not less than .44 nor more than .775 and only those primitive firearms having a barrel length of 18 inches or longer shall be permitted. A person shall not, except during the paraplegic, Youth Deer Hunt and shotgun deer seasons, have in his or her possession a shotgun shell loaded with a rifled slug, single ball, buckshot of any size, BB shot or air rifle shot in any place where birds or mammals might be found, except on a skeet, trap or target range between sunrise and sunset, and except for the hunting of waterfowl, or coyote as provided in 321 CMR 2.03. During the primitive firearm season, nothing in 321 CMR 3.02(4) shall prevent the otherwise lawful hunting of birds and mammals in accordance with established statutes and regulations.
5. On the fourth Saturday following Labor Day, which shall be the day of the Youth Deer Hunt, minors 12 to 17 years of age who have been issued a Youth Deer Hunt Permit by the Director may hunt for deer by means of a shotgun, not larger than ten gauge, including shotguns with a rifled bore, by means of a muzzle-loading firearm, fired from the shoulder, .44 to .775 caliber, or by means of a bow and arrow. A Youth Deer Hunt Permit must be obtained by the hunter allowing for the harvest of one deer, valid only on the day of the Youth Deer Hunt, for either, an antlered deer in any Wildlife Management Zone or an antlerless deer in the Wildlife Management Zone(s) as specified by the Director in the Permit. All minors 12 to 14 years of age taking part in the Youth Deer Hunt are not be required to possess a hunting license or sporting license, but shall possess a Youth Deer Hunt Permit, and be accompanied by a duly licensed adult as required by M. G.L. c. 131 § 14. All minors 15 to 17 years of age taking part in the Youth Deer Hunt shall possess both a Massachusetts hunting or sporting license, and a Youth Deer Hunt Permit. All minors, and the adults who accompany said minors during the Youth Deer Hunt, shall comply with all applicable law and regulations of the Division, including the provisions of M.G.L. c. 131 §§ 14, 71, 72 and 321 CMR 3.02(4). During the Youth Deer Hunt, it is prohibited to hunt deer in an area where baiting has occurred up to ten days prior to the Youth Deer Hunt season. Nothing in 321CMR 3.02(4) shall preclude the otherwise lawful hunting of birds and mammals in accordance with the applicable law and regulations of the Division during the Youth Deer Hunt season.
(c) A person shall not hunt a deer during any period of the season except between ½ hour before sunrise and ½ hour after sunset Eastern Standard Time.
(d) Bag Limit:
1. In all zones a person shall not kill nor possess more than two antlered deer, except that no minor 12-17 years of age shall take more than one antlered deer during the Youth Deer Hunt.
2. In all zones a person’s bag limit of antlerless deer shall be determined by the number of valid antlerless deer permits and attached deer tags that are possessed by such person. Such antlerless deer shall be in addition to the bag limit of antlered deer specified in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(d)1.
3. In the Quabbin Reservoir Area, a person shall not kill nor possess more than two deer during a calendar year. Both such deer may be antlerless deer, provided that such person has valid antlerless deer permit(s) for the Quabbin Reservoir Area. Such antlerless deer shall be in addition to the bag limit otherwise specified in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(d)2.
4. For the purposes of 321 CMR 3.02(4)(d), antlerless deer may be killed or possessed only in accordance with 321 CMR 3.02(4)(e).
(e) Antlerless Deer Permit. A person shall not hunt, kill, or possess an antlerless deer in any county, area, or zone unless he or she possesses on his or her person a valid permit from the Director to do so. However, nothing in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(e) shall prevent a person from killing an antlerless deer during the exclusive season for paraplegics, or Youth Deer Hunt, when so authorized by the Director. Except as provided in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(d), no person shall kill or possess more than one antlerless deer in a calendar year.
(f) A person shall not make, set, or use any bait, decoy, torchlight or spotlight, trap, or other like device for the purpose of attracting, ensnaring, taking, injuring, or killing a deer, nor hunt by baiting or within any baited area, nor hunt, drive, worry, or disturb any deer with or by the aid of any noise-making device, provided that nothing in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(f) shall be deemed to prohibit the use of scents or of deer antlers or replicas thereof or of grunt tubes as callers or attractants by persons otherwise lawfully hunting deer.
(g) No person, except on land owned or leased by him or her or except with the express written permission of the landowner or his or her authorized agent, shall construct, maintain, occupy, or use a permanent tree stand.
(h) A person killing a deer shall immediately, before transporting or removing the carcass in any manner from where it was killed, complete and attach to the carcass in a conspicuous manner a deer tag supplied with the person's hunting or sporting license or a legally authorized deer permit. The deer tag when affixed to the deer shall be detached from the license or permit. Said deer tag shall remain attached to the deer until the deer is presented to a duly authorized person or deer checking station, at which time said deer tag shall be surrendered upon request to the official agent in charge thereof, or shall remain attached to the deer after being reported online. A person shall not possess more than two deer tagged with a deer tag as provided in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(h), except in Wildlife Management Zones 13 and 14, where a person shall not possess more than four deer tagged with a deer tag as provided in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(h). The provisions of 321 CMR 3.02(4)(h) relative to tagging requirements shall not apply to a person lawfully hunting without a license.
(i) A person shall not have in his or her possession or under his or her control in any motor vehicle or transport the carcass of a deer unless said carcass or part thereof is open to view, provided that after the deer is tagged with an official seal or a confirmation number having been issued after being reported online is written or printed on the attached tag as provided in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(j), the deer may be concealed.
(j) Harvest Reporting: Within 48 hours after killing a deer its harvest shall be reported to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife by one of the following means:
1. Checking Station: The entire carcass shall be presented by the person who killed the deer to a duly authorized person, or at a deer checking station designated by the Director for the purpose of being recorded and examined for research purposes and to have affixed thereto an official seal in such manner as prescribed by the Director; or
2. Online Reporting: The person who killed the deer shall access the Online system to report the harvest of the deer. The person shall receive an Online system confirmation number, which shall be the official seal issued by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and record the confirmation number on the tag affixed to the deer as prescribed in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(h).
3. The official seal shall remain affixed to the deer until the animal is skinned, cut up, or otherwise prepared for food purposes or for mounting by a taxidermist. The official seal is non-transferable and shall be valid only for the deer or carcass to which it is applied.
4. Any violation of the requirements of 321 CMR 3.02(4)(j) shall be heard in the District Court for the location where the violation occurred.
The following additional requirements shall apply to Dukes and Nantucket counties:
a. any deer taken in Nantucket county shall be checked only on Nantucket island and only at such checking station or by such person as shall be designated by the Director or shall be reported online, but shall not be transported to or from Nantucket island without bearing an official Division seal;
b. any deer taken in Dukes county, except as provided for in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(j)4.c., shall be checked only on Martha's Vineyard island and only at such checking station or by such person as shall be designated by the Director or shall be reported online, but shall not be transported to or from Martha's Vineyard island without bearing an official Division seal;
c. any deer taken on Cuttyhunk island in the Town of Gosnold shall be checked only on Cuttyhunk island and only at such checking station or by such person as shall be designated by the Director or shall be reported online, but shall not be transported to or from Cuttyhunk island without bearing an official Division seal;
d. any deer taken in the Town of Gosnold (exclusive of the island of Cuttyhunk) shall be checked at such checking station or by such person as shall be designated by the Director or shall be reported online, but shall not be transported to or from the Town of Gosnold without bearing an official Division seal.
(k) A person killing an antlerless deer by authority of a valid permit issued by the Director shall surrender said antlerless deer tag upon request at the time the deer is checked by a duly authorized person or deer checking station designated by the Director or the antlerless deer tag shall remain on the deer after being reported online.
(l) During the shotgun deer season a person shall not hunt any bird or mammal or enter the fields or woodlands of the state with any firearm, ammunition, bow and arrow, or other device intended or adapted for the taking of birds and mammals, except for the hunting of deer or for the hunting of migratory game birds in accordance with 321 CMR 3.02(2), for the hunting of coyote in accordance with 321 CMR 3.02(3) or for the hunting of bear in accordance with 321 CMR3.02(1). After having killed the season limit of deer applicable to the county, zone or area where hunting, a person shall not, during the remainder or duration of the shotgun deer season, hunt any bird or mammal or enter the fields or woodlands of the state with any firearm, ammunition, bow and arrow, or other device intended or adapted for the taking of birds and mammals, except for the hunting of migratory game birds in accordance with 321 CMR 3.02(2), for the hunting of coyote in accordance with 321 CMR 3.02(3) or for the hunting of bear in accordance with 321 CMR3.02(1). Nothing in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(l) shall be construed to prohibit the otherwise lawful setting and tending of traps in accordance with the provisions of 321 CMR 3.02(5).
(m) During the shotgun deer season and Youth Deer Hunt, a person shall not hunt a bird or mammal with a rifle, revolver, or pistol or by the aid of a dog, or have in his or her possession or under his or her control in any wood or field a rifle, revolver or pistol or a dog adapted to the hunting or pursuing of birds or mammals, except that this shall not prohibit the use of dogs while hunting waterfowl on coastal waters. Notwithstanding the above, shotguns with a rifled bore may be used for hunting in accordance with 321 CMR 3.02(4)(b). During the exclusive archery period of the open season a person hunting or in pursuit of deer shall not use, have in his or her possession or under his or her control in any field or woodland a dog, a rifle, a shotgun, or a firearm of any kind, nor shall he or she have in his or her possession any shotgun shells loaded with a single ball or slug or buckshot in any place where birds or mammals might be found. During the exclusive primitive firearms season a person hunting deer shall not use, have in his or her possession or under his or her control in any field or woodland, a dog or firearm, except a primitive firearm.
(n) During the shotgun deer season and Youth Deer Hunt, a person hunting deer, migratory game birds or coyote or entering the fields, woodlands, or wetlands of the state for the purpose of hunting deer, migratory game birds or coyote shall wear in a conspicuous manner on his or her chest, back and head, a minimum of 500 square inches of clothing or material of a hunter orange color as defined by the Director pursuant to 321 CMR 3.01(2), except for persons hunting waterfowl from within a blind or a boat. During the special seasons for paraplegics and primitive firearms, a person hunting deer or entering the fields or woodlands of the state with the intent to hunt deer, including a person hunting deer by means of a bow and arrow, shall wear on his or her head, chest, and back a minimum of 500 square inches of clothing or material of a hunter orange color as defined in 321 CMR 3.01(2).
(o) The Massachusetts wildlife management zones are described as follows:
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, §§ 5, 70, and 72.
Last Revised: 1/12/18.
In accordance with the authority found in M.G.L. c. 131, § 5, and subject to 321 CMR 3.02(5), the annual open seasons for the hunting and trapping of certain mammals are hereby adopted.
(a) Definitions. For the purposes of 321 CMR 3.02(5), the following words or phrases shall have the following meanings.
Beaver dam means an obstruction comprised of an aggregate of sticks and mud, which may additionally include natural vegetation or stones, constructed by beaver and which impounds or has impounded the flowage of water along a stream or other water body or through or over a water control structure.
Beaver lodge means a den comprised of an aggregate of sticks and mud which is constructed or built by beaver and which is either free-standing in water or connected to an embankment, but excluding holes or burrows which lack a visible or external aggregate of sticks and mud.
Bobcat means the bobcat or wildcat (Felis [Lynx] rufus) but not the lynx or Canada lynx (Felis [Lynx] canadensis).
Box or cage type trap means a trap that confines the whole animal without grasping any part of the animal.
Conibear type trap means "Conibear"-model traps and similar body-gripping traps and devices, whether or not enclosed in or comprising part of a box, tube, or other enclosing device.
Director means the Director of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife or his authorized agent.
Division means the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Environmental Police Officer or EPO means the Office of the Division of Law Enforcement, deputy directors of enforcement, chiefs of enforcement, deputy chiefs of enforcement, environmental police officers, and such other enforcement officers of the Office of Law Enforcement as may be appointed pursuant to M.G.L. c. 21A, § 10A.
Fox means the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus).
Fur-bearing mammals means all mammals in the Class Mammalia, as defined in M.G.L. c. 131, § 1.
Gender means, unless the context requires otherwise, that words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter.
Green pelt means a pelt which has not been dried, cured, or tanned.
Hunt, for the purposes of 321 CMR 3.02(5)(b)1. through 3., "hunted" or "kill or take by hunting" means a process excluding the use of traps.Online means a Division of Fisheries and Wildlife licensing and game harvest reporting system accessible at the MassWildlife website that allows for automated licensing and game harvest reporting, including issuance of an official seal via the internet.
Raw pelt means a green pelt which has been dried, fleshed, or cured.
State means the several states, territories, and possessions of the United States of America, and any foreign nation and any political subdivision, possession, or occupied area thereof.
Weasel means the ermine or short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea) and the long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata).Zone or Zones means the Massachusetts wildlife management zones as described in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(o).
(b) Management Measures. Notwithstanding any municipal bylaw or ordinance to the contrary, the following management measures are hereby adopted and effective.
(c) Authorized Means of Trapping-- Live Restraining Traps and Sets.
(d) Authorized Means of Trapping-- Kill Traps and Sets.
(e) Prohibitions. Except as otherwise provided for in M.G.L. c. 131 and 321 CMR, it shall be unlawful for any person:
(f) Trapper Training Course. No person shall, after September 1, 1989, be issued a trap registration certificate or a certificate of partnership pursuant to M.G.L. c. 131, § 80, or trap on land of another unless such person has completed a trapper training course and been issued a certificate of completion of such training, or unless such person has been issued a resident or non-resident Massachusetts trapping license or trap registration certificate or certificate of partnership in a previous year and shall prove the same to the satisfaction of the Director. The Director is hereby authorized to coordinate with the Director of Law Enforcement in establishing such training course and the curriculum thereof and to provide for the issuance of certificates to such persons as shall have satisfactorily completed the training. Nothing in 321 CMR 3.02(5)(f) shall be construed to limit the issuance of free resident sporting licenses to persons aged 70 and over.
(g) Presumption. Registered traps set, used, maintained or tended in violation of 321 CMR 3.02(5)(b), (c) and (d) shall be prima facie evidence that such traps were set, used, maintained, or tended by the registered owner thereof, unless such owner has notified the Office of Law Enforcement in writing within 48 hours of the loss or theft of such registered traps, the number and type of traps, and the date, time, place, and circumstances of such loss or theft. Such notification shall be signed under the pains and penalties of perjury.
(h) Forfeitures. Any trap or trapping device set, used, maintained, or tended in violation of law and any fur-bearing mammals or other nondomesticated animals caught therein shall be seized by any officer empowered to enforce M.G.L. c. 131 and shall, in accordance with M.G.L. c. 131 and c. 257, be forfeited to the Commonwealth and disposed of by the Director of Law Enforcement to the best interests of the Commonwealth.
(i) Licensed Furdealer Reports. Licensed fur dealer report books provided for by M.G.L. c. 131, § 28 shall be initialed by an Environmental Police Officer prior to submission to the Division and it shall be the responsibility of the licensee to contact the EPO for that purpose.
(j) Limitations. Nothing in 321 CMR 3.02(5) shall be deemed to limit any other provision of M.G.L. c. 131 or any rule or regulation issued under authority thereof.
(k) Savings Clause. If any part, section, subsection, division, or subdivision of 321 CMR 3.02(5) or the application thereof is held invalid, unconstitutional, or inoperative as to any particular person, persons, or conditions, the remainder thereof or the application of any such part, section, subsection, division, or subdivision to other persons and conditions shall not be affected thereby.
Regulatory authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 5.
Last Revised: 9-14-12
In accordance with the authority vested in me by M.G.L. c. 131, § 5, I hereby declare an annual open season for the hunting of pheasants, bobwhite quail, and ruffed grouse, subject to the following:
(a) Definitions. For the purposes of 321 CMR 3.02(6), the following words or phrases shall have the following meanings:
Shotgun Deer Season means that season when it is lawful to hunt deer with a shotgun as provided for in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(b)3.
Zone or Zones means the Massachusetts wildlife management zones as described in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(o).
(b) Open Seasons and Zones.
(c) Season Closure. Notwithstanding the provisions of 321 CMR 3.02(6), there shall be no open season for the hunting or possession of pheasant, ruffed grouse, or bobwhite quail during the shotgun deer season.
(d) Youth Hunter Training Program. Minors between the ages of 12 and 17, who qualify and are properly enrolled with the Director may participate in a training program in the hunting of upland game birds on the first six Saturdays preceding Columbus Day, as specified annually by the Director;
(e) Falconry. Licensed falconers holding a valid hunting or sporting license and hunting with or by means of a falcon or other raptor may take ruffed grouse, pheasants, and bobwhite quail from the first Saturday after Columbus Day to March 15, provided, that said falconers shall abide by all other applicable provisions of M.G.L. c. 131 and 321 CMR while pursuing game. Falconers who hunt pheasant or quail are required to possess a Pheasant and Quail Permit per 321 CMR 3.02(6)(h).
(f) Hunting Hours. The hunting hours for ruffed grouse on each calendar day of the open season shall begin at ½ hour before sunrise and end ½ hour after sunset. The hunting hours for pheasant and bobwhite quail on each calendar day of the open season shall begin at sunrise and end at sunset.
(g) Bag Limits. A person shall not kill or take more than the following bag limits:
(h) Permit Requirements. A person shall not hunt, take or possess pheasants or bobwhite quail harvested within Massachusetts unless they possess a current valid Pheasant and Quail Permit if aged 15 years or older. No permit shall be required for the hunting or possession of pheasants or quail harvested on licensed commercial shooting preserves in accordance with 321 CMR 2.05. The display of such Pheasant and Quail Permit shall be as provided in 321 CMR 2.11(6).
(i) Permissible Hunting Methods. A person may hunt pheasant or bobwhite quail only by means of a bow and arrow as specified in 321 CMR 3.01(3) or a shotgun or muzzleloading shotgun not larger than ten gauge.
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 5.
Last Revised: 1-6-23.
In accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 131, § 5, I hereby declare an annual open season on gray squirrels as follows:
(a) Definitions: For the purposes of 321 CMR 3.02(7), the following words or phrases shall have the following meanings:
Shotgun Deer Season means that season when it is lawful to hunt deer with a shotgun as provided for in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(b)3.
Zone or Zones means the Massachusetts wildlife management zones as described in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(o).
(b) Open Seasons and Zones.
(c) Falconry. Licensed falconers holding a valid hunting or sporting license and hunting with or by means of a falcon or other raptor may take gray squirrels from the first Tuesday after Labor Day to the following March 15th, provided that said falconers shall abide by all other applicable provisions of M.G.L. c. 131 and 321 CMR while pursuing game.
(d) Hunting Hours. The hunting hours during each calendar day of the open season shall begin at ½ hour before sunrise and end at ½ hour after sunset.
(e) Bag Limits. A person shall not kill or take more than the following bag limits: five gray squirrels in one day nor possess at any time more than ten.
(f) Prohibitions. A person shall not take or kill a gray squirrel at any time by means of a handgun or rifle of any caliber in Zones 10 through 14, nor shall any person trap or net, or construct or set a trap or net for the purpose of taking or killing a gray squirrel, except as provided in M.G.L. c. 131, §§ 4 and 37.
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 5.
Last Revised: 1-6-23.
There shall be an annual open season for the hunting of crows in all counties of Massachusetts subject to the following:
(a) Open Season. The open season shall be as follows: every Monday, Friday, and Saturday of each week except during the period of April 11 through June 30, and except during the season when deer may be legally taken by means of a shotgun.
(b) Hunting Hours. The hunting hours during each calendar day of the open season shall be from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.
(c) Permissible Hunting Methods. Crows may be hunted by means of firearms, bow and arrow, and falconry, but not with the aid of or from an aircraft.
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 5.
Last Revised: 1-6-23
In accordance with M.G.L. c. 131, § 5, the Director shall declare an annual open season on wild turkeys, subject to the following:
(a) Definitions: For the purposes of 321 CMR 3.02(9), the following words or phrases shall have the following meanings:
Online means a Division of Fisheries and Wildlife licensing and game harvest reporting system accessible at the MassWildlife website that allows for automated licensing and game harvest reporting, including issuance of an official seal via the internet.
Zone or Zones shall mean the Massachusetts wildlife management zones as described in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(o).
(b) Open Season. The open season shall be in three periods as follows:
(c) Zones. A person shall not hunt a turkey during the spring season, fall season, or during the mentored youth turkey hunt except in Zones 01 through 13
(d) Hunting Hours. A person shall not hunt a wild turkey on any day during the spring season except during the period from ½ hour before sunrise to 12:00 P.M. Any person participating in the mentored youth turkey hunt as defined in 321 CMR 3.02(9)(l) shall not hunt wild turkey except during the period from ½ hour before sunrise until 5:00 p.m. A person shall not hunt a wild turkey on any day during the fall season except during the period from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.
(e) Bag Limit.
(f) Bearded Turkey Requirement. A person shall not kill, take, or possess any wild turkey during the spring season or the mentored youth turkey hunt unless said turkey is bearded.
(g) Permit and Tagging Requirements. A person shall not hunt, kill, take, or possess a wild turkey unless he possesses on his person a permit so to do. Such permit shall be valid only for the date or dates stipulated thereon. A person killing a wild turkey shall immediately, before transporting or removing the carcass in any manner from where it was killed, complete and attach to the carcass in a conspicuous manner that portion of the permit designated "turkey tag". Said turkey tag shall remain attached to the turkey until the turkey is presented to a duly authorized person or checking station at which time the turkey tag shall be surrendered upon request to the official agent in charge thereof or shall remain attached to the turkey after being reported online. No person shall possess a detached turkey tag except as described in 321 CMR 3.02(9)(g). Tags detached except as provided in 321 CMR 3.02(9) (g) shall be void and shall be surrendered to any officer empowered to enforce 321 CMR.
(h) Permissible Hunting Methods.
(i) Prohibitions. A person shall not hunt or take wild turkeys by means of or set or use any bait, live decoys, electronic or electronically operated callers, nor any trap or other device intended or designed for the purpose of capturing or ensnaring wild turkeys, nor shall any person use or have control of, in any place where turkeys may be found, any dog or dogs while hunting wild turkey, nor shall any person or persons drive, herd or take or attempt to take by driving or herding any wild turkey or turkeys provided that nothing in 321 CMR 3.02(9)(i) shall be construed to prohibit the use of hand or mouth operated turkey calls by persons otherwise lawfully hunting wild turkey.
(j) Safety Sticker Requirement. A person shall not hunt wild turkey with or by means of a shotgun nor have a shotgun in his possession while hunting wild turkey, unless such person has obtained a safety sticker as provided by the Director and applied said sticker to his shotgun in such a manner as to be visible to the shooter when sighting down the barrel of the shotgun. The Director is hereby authorized to provide such safety stickers of a type and design as he may deem appropriate.
(k) Harvest Reporting: Except as provided in 321 CMR 3.02(9)(k), within 48 hours after killing a wild turkey, its harvest shall be reported to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife by one of the following means:
i. Checking Station: The entire carcass shall be presented by the person who killed the wild turkey to a duly authorized person, or at a wild turkey checking station designated by the Director for the purpose of being recorded and examined for research purposes and to have affixed thereto an official seal in such manner as prescribed by the Director; or
ii. Online Reporting: The person who killed the wild turkey shall access the Online system to report the harvest of the wild turkey. The person shall receive an Online system confirmation number, which shall be the official seal issued by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and record the confirmation number on the tag affixed to the wild turkey as prescribed in 321 CMR 3.02 (9) (g).
iii. The official seal shall remain affixed to the wild turkey until the animal is skinned, cut up, or otherwise prepared for food purposes or for mounting by a taxidermist. The official seal is non-transferable and shall be valid only for the bear or carcass to which it is applied.
iv. Any violation of the requirements of 321 CMR 3.02(9)(k), shall be heard in the District Court for the location where the violation occurred.
The Director may establish an alternate checking process for persons participating in the mentored youth turkey hunt. The Director may require, as a condition of checking, that the hunter surrender breast feathers, wing tips, or other biological samples from turkeys presented for checking.
(l) Youth Hunter Training Program.
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 5.
Last Revised: 1-6-23.
In accordance with the authority vested in me by M.G.L. c. 131, § 5, as most recently amended by St. 1967, c. 802, I hereby declare annual open seasons for the hunting of cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hares, and black-tailed jackrabbits, subject to the following:
(a) Definitions: For the purposes of 321 CMR 3.02(10), the following words or phrases shall have the following meanings:
Shotgun Deer Season means that season when it is lawful to hunt deer with a shotgun as provided for in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(b)3.
Zone or Zones means the Massachusetts wildlife management zones as described in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(o).
(b) Open Seasons and Zones:
(c) Season Closure. Notwithstanding the provisions of 321 CMR 3.02(10)(b), there shall be no open season for the hunting or possession of cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hare during the shotgun deer season..
(d) Falconry. Licensed falconers holding a valid hunting or sporting license and hunting with or by means of a falcon or other raptor may hunt cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hare in Zones 01 – 14 from the first Saturday after Columbus Day to the following March 15th, provided, that said falconers shall abide by all other applicable provisions of M.G.L. c. 131 and 321 CMR while pursuing cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hare.
(e) Hunting Hours. The hunting hours each calendar day of the open season shall begin at ½ hour before sunrise.
(f) Bag Limits. A person shall not kill or take more than the following bag limits:
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 5.
Last Revised: 1-6-23.
Special Regulations for Hunting on the Delaney Wildlife Management Area in the Towns of Stow, Harvard, and Bolton, Massachusetts.
By the authority vested in me, pursuant to 321 CMR 3.01(1)(m), as established in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 131, § 6, I herewith establish the following special regulations governing hunting on the Delaney Wildlife Management Area in the Towns of Stow, Harvard, and Bolton, during the prescribed hunting season for waterfowl as established in 321 CMR 3.02(2).
(a) A permit system of hunting is hereby initiated that shall require a person, duly licensed to hunt in Massachusetts, to obtain a written permit from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to hunt on certain designated days and time periods on the Delaney Wildlife Management Area during the established hunting seasons for waterfowl. Such designated days shall be: the first four days of the open waterfowl season. In the event that the first Saturday immediately following the opening day of the waterfowl season is not one of the first four days of the open waterfowl season, it shall also be a designated day. In the event of two opening days for the waterfowl season in one calendar year (split waterfowl season) designated days will apply only to the first part of the split season.
(b) All applications for a permit shall be in writing and shall include a stamped, self addressed envelope.
(c) Applications shall be received not later than October 4 and shall be addressed to: Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Northeast Wildlife District Headquarters, 85 Fitchburg Road, Ayer, MA 01432
(d) Applicants shall not submit more than one application for each designated day.
(e) Permits issued shall be valid only for the designated day and period as specified on the permit. For this purpose, "time period" shall mean either that period from ½ hour before sunrise to 12:00 P.M. or from 12:00 P.M. to sunset and shall apply only to those designated days when a permit is required. A person authorized by permit to hunt on a designated day shall be limited to only one of these time periods for that particular designated day. A person hunting from a specific blind site during the time period from ½ hour before sunrise to 12:00 P.M. shall be prepared to vacate the blind site by 12:00 P.M. in order to allow the next scheduled permittee access to the blind.
(f) All shooting shall be from the specific blind sites only. This shall apply to designated and non designated days alike. Shooting other than from a blind site is prohibited, except a hunter in pursuit of crippled waterfowl.
(g) On designated days, a person, except a hunter in pursuit of crippled waterfowl, shall not hunt other than from the blind site specified on the permit.
(h) A person hunting on designated days shall report to parking lot #1 located off Old Harvard Road for parking instructions.
(i) A person hunting at the Delaney Wildlife Management Area shall abide by and adhere to 321 CMR 3.03(1) as they apply and any other pertinent law or regulation including 321 CMR 3.01(1), except that such persons shall not be required to wear on their head a "hunter orange" cap or hat and, further, that the legal shooting hours shall be in compliance with 321 CMR 3.02(2) established for the hunting of migratory game birds.
(j) Permits are not required of persons hunting other than on those designated days as specified. On non designated days, blinds shall be occupied on a first-come, first-served basis. No more than three people shall hunt from or be within a specified blind site at any one time.
(k) Each permit issued on a designated day and time period shall entitle the permittee, and not more than two other persons, duly licensed or otherwise authorized to hunt in Massachusetts, to hunt from a blind site as specified on the permit.
(l) On designated days, unoccupied blind sites may be filled at the discretion of the attendant Division of Fisheries and Wildlife personnel.
(m) These special regulations shall become part of 321 CMR 3.01(1)(m).
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 6 and 321 CMR 3.01(1)(r).
Last Revised: 1-6-23
Special Regulations for Hunting on the Martin H. Burns Wildlife Management Area in the Town of Newbury, Massachusetts.
(Reserved)
Special Regulations for Hunting on the Ludlow Wildlife Management Area (also known as the Stony Brook Wetlands Area) in the Town of Ludlow, Massachusetts.
(a) A permit system of hunting is hereby initiated that shall require a person, duly licensed to hunt in Massachusetts, to obtain a written permit from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to hunt on certain designated days and time periods on the Ludlow Wildlife Management Area during the established hunting season for waterfowl. Such designated days shall be: Opening day of the waterfowl season, and Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays up to the second Saturday immediately following the opening day of the waterfowl season, all days inclusive. During this period (opening day through the second Saturday) there shall be no hunting on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, excepting when opening day of the waterfowl season occurs on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday that day shall also be a designated hunting day.
(b) In the event of two opening days for the waterfowl season in one calendar year (split waterfowl season), designated days will apply only to the first part of the split season.
(c) All applications for a permit shall be in writing and shall include a stamped, self addressed envelope.
(d) Applications shall be received not later than October 4 in the calendar year and shall be addressed to: Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Connecticut Valley Wildlife District Headquarters, 341 East Street, Belchertown, Massachusetts 01007.
(e) Applicants shall not submit more than one application for each designated day and time period.
(f) Permits issued shall be valid only for the designated day and time period as specified on the permit. For this purpose, "time period" shall mean either that period from ½ hour before sunrise to 12:00 P.M. or 12:00 P.M. to sunset and shall apply only to those designated days when a permit is required. A person authorized by permit to hunt on a designated day shall be limited to only one of these time periods for that particular designated day. A person hunting from a specified blind site during the time period ½ hour before sunrise to 12:00 P.M. shall be prepared to vacate said blind site by 12:00 P.M. in order to allow the next scheduled permittee access to the blind.
(g) All waterfowl hunting shall be from the specific blind sites only. This shall apply to designated and non designated days alike. Waterfowl hunting other than from a blind site is prohibited, except a hunter in pursuit of crippled waterfowl.
(h) On designated days, a person, except a hunter in pursuit of crippled waterfowl, shall not hunt other than from the blind site specified on the permit.
(i) Permits are not required of persons hunting other than on those designated days as specified. On non designated days, blinds shall be occupied on a first come basis. No more than three people shall hunt from or be within a specific blind site at any one time.
(j) Each permit issued on a designated day and time period shall entitle the permittee, and not more than two other persons, duly licensed or otherwise authorized to hunt in Massachusetts, to hunt from a blind site as specified in the permit. Permits are not transferable.
(k) Vehicles shall be parked only at the designated parking area located off Tilley Street, Ludlow, Massachusetts.
(l) Except as provided herein, a person hunting at the Ludlow Wildlife Management Area shall abide by and adhere to 321 CMR 3.03(3) as they apply and to any other pertinent law or regulation including 321 CMR 3.01(1), excepting that such person shall not be required to wear on his head a "hunter orange" cap or hat and, further, that the legal shooting hours shall be in compliance with the regulations established for the hunting of migratory game birds as set forth in 321 CMR 3.02(2).
(m) Notwithstanding the provisions of 321 CMR 3.01(1) and 3.02(9), hunting on the Ludlow Wildlife Management Area shall be restricted to the period between September 1 and the following last day of February.
(n) Notwithstanding any other provision of 321 CMR 3:00, hunting implements on the Ludlow Wildlife Management Area shall be restricted to bow-and-arrow, shotgun, and primitive firearms, fired from the shoulder.
(o) The provisions of 321 CMR 3.03(3) shall be in full force and effect only during such time as there is a current and active Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Ludlow and the Division. In the absence of such Memorandum, the provisions of 321 CMR 3.03(3) shall be null and void.
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 6 and 321 CMR 3.01(1)(r).
Last Revised: 9-28-01
Entrance to Bat Caves in Chester.
(a) No person, except under written permission of the Director or his authorized agent, shall enter into or within any mine, shaft, pit, cave, adit, drift, or tunnel within the bounds of the John J. Kelly Memorial Forest and Wildlife Management Area.
(b) This special regulation shall become part of 321 CMR 3.01(1)(r).
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 6 and 321 CMR 3.01(1)(m).
Last Revised: August 1977
Westborough Wildlife Management Area (Field Trial Grounds) in the Towns of Westborough and Northborough, Massachusetts.
(a) No person, except as associated with licensed field trials duly authorized on the area described below, shall ride, drive, lead or possess, or cause to be ridden, driven, led or possessed, any horse, mule, jackass, or other equine animal within the bounds or on any portion of the Westborough Wildlife Management Area or Field Trial Grounds, including that portion designated as the Beagle Training Area, in the Towns of Westborough and Northborough.
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 6 and 321 CMR 3.01(1)(r).
Last Revised: 4-4-85
Special Regulations for Hunting on the Flint Pond Wildlife Management Area in the Town of Tyngsborough.
Notwithstanding the provisions of M.G.L. c. 131 and 321 CMR 3.01(1), hunting or the discharge of firearms on the Flint Pond Wildlife Management Area is prohibited.
Statutory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 6 and c. 151, § 549, St. 1996.
Last Revised: 9-28-01
In accordance with the authority vested in me by the provisions of M.G.L. c. 131, § 4 and § 5, I hereby establish the following rules and regulations relating to falcons and other raptors and to falconry.
Definitions: For the purposes of 321 CMR 3.04, the following words or phrases shall have the following meanings:
(1) Application Requirement. The Director of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife may issue falconry permits for the capture, acquisition and/or possession of certain hawks and owls for falconry purposes, raptor propagation, or for salvage and/or rehabilitation purposes. Utilizing falconry birds for purposes other than falconry and conservation education programs by falconers is not permissible unless authorized by the Director. While the primary purpose of falconry permits is to authorize the use the raptors for hunting or pursuing wild game, falconers of General or Master status only may also use their birds for the secondary purpose of conducting conservation and education programs for the general public. Such programs may include providing information and demonstrations on the biology and ecology of raptors and other migratory birds. Raptors used in such programs shall at no time come into physical contact with members of the audience or the general public. The falconer shall not charge a fee that exceeds the falconer's costs of administering the program. All applicants must be a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Applications for the appropriate permit shall be made on a form prepared and furnished by the Division. The expiration date for each class of permit shall be December 31st of each calendar year. No person shall engage in falconry without a valid falconry permit and a valid sporting or hunting license. Permits shall be issued based on the experience of the applicant under one of five classes. Any permit holder who fails to renew a permit issued under 321 CMR 3.04 for five consecutive years or more shall be required to, along with all other requirements stated in 321 CMR 3.04 , retake and pass all exams associated with their previously held, highest level permit. Falconers moving to Massachusetts from another state who wish to obtain a Massachusetts falconry permit shall only apply for an equivalent class of permit as possessed in their former state of residence upon providing proof of said permit. The applicant shall meet all requirements stated in 321 CMR 3.04 including, but not limited to, taking and passing the Massachusetts falconry examination(s).
(a) Apprentice Falconer Permit. Requirements: the minimum age of a licensed falconer in Massachusetts shall be 15 years of age. Applicants under 18 years of age must have written approval of a parent or guardian. All applicants for an apprentice falconer permit must have contact with an experienced falconer (the holder of a General or Master falconer permit), who will consent in writing to act as a source of advice and information for the applicant. A sponsor may not have more than three apprentices at any one time. The Apprentice Falconer permit shall be granted to the applicant upon fulfillment of the falconry regulations (321 CMR 3.04(2) through (4)) including the successful completion of a falconry examination. The initial fee shall be $25; the renewal fee shall be $25 annually. No re-examination is required for permit renewal, but annual renewal shall be contingent upon the submission of an annual activity report which shall be on a form provided by the Division.
(b) General Falconer Permit. Requirements: The minimum age of the applicant is 18 years of age. Applicants shall have at least two years' experience in the practice of falconry at the apprentice level or its equivalent. Experience shall be defined as the active pursuit of wild quarry with the applicant's raptor or raptors for at least two seasons. This experience shall be verified in writing by the applicant's sponsor, or by the Falconry Examining Panel as defined in 321 CMR 3.04(2)(b), or by both. Successful completion of an oral-practical and a written examination as described in 321 CMR 3.04(2) are required for eligibility to obtain the General Falconer permit. The initial fee for this permit shall be $25; the renewal fee shall be $25 and shall be contingent on the submission of an annual activity report on a form provided by the Division.
(c) Master Falconer Permit. Requirements: An applicant shall have at least five years' experience in the practice of falconry at the General class level or its equivalent. Successful completion of an oral practical and a written examination as described in 321 CMR 3.04(2) are required for eligibility to obtain the Master Falconer permit. The initial fee for this permit shall be $25; the renewal fee shall be $25 and shall be contingent on the submission of an annual activity report on a form provided by the Division.
(d) Raptor Propagation Permit. Requirements: an applicant must have had at least three years' experience as a General Falconer in Massachusetts or show documented evidence of its equivalent in another state with similar falconry regulations, or applicants shall show experience in husbandry of raptors in connection with previous research work or under previous Massachusetts possessor's permits granting the possession of raptors. Proof of qualifications shall be in writing and shall be substantiated by references from at least two individuals capable of judging the applicant's qualifications. The initial fee for this permit shall be $25.00; annual renewal fee shall be $25.00. Renewal is contingent upon submission of an annual summary report on a form provided by the Division. Accurate breeding records shall be maintained and reported annually as outlined by the Director for all raptor breeding research projects or as otherwise required by the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Failure to maintain and submit appropriate records and/or reports as required by the Director shall be cause for revocation of this permit. Applicants must also possess a Federal Special Purpose permit.
(e) Raptor Salvage Permit. Requirements: An applicant must have had at least three years' experience as a General Falconer in Massachusetts or show documented evidence of its equivalent in another state with similar falconry regulations; or applicants shall show documented evidence of proficiency in the rehabilitation of raptors in connection with previous research work or under previous Massachusetts possessor's permits granting the possession of raptors. Proof of qualifications shall be in writing and shall be substantiated by references from at least two individuals capable of judging the applicant's qualifications. The initial fee for this permit shall be $1.00; annual renewal fee shall be $1.00. Renewal is contingent upon submission of an annual summary report on a form provided by the Division describing treatment, care and disposition of all birds maintained during the calendar year. Failure to maintain and submit appropriate records and/or reports as required by the Director shall be cause for revocation of this permit. The sport of falconry under the Raptor Salvage permit shall be limited to the proper conditioning and training of rehabilitated raptors prior to their release to the wild, transfer to a falconry permit, or other use as authorized by the Director. Applicant must also possess a Federal Salvage permit.
(2) Examination Requirements.
(a) Applicants for a falconry permit, whether Apprentice Falconer, General Falconer, or Master Falconer must successfully complete a written examination relating to basic biology, care, and handling of raptors, literature, laws, regulations or other appropriate subject matter. If failed, applicants may not retake the examination in less than two months. A grade of 80% or higher shall constitute successful completion of the examination.
(b) In addition, applicants for the General Falconer and Master Falconer permits must successfully complete an oral-practical falconry examination as established by the Director. A two or three man Falconry Examining Panel, appointed by the Director and consisting of one or two Master Falconer permit holders and a representative of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife or their respective alternates, also appointed by the Director, shall conduct the oral examination covering all aspects of raptor biology, falconry and conservation of raptors, and shall observe and judge the falconry skills of the applicant in the field. The Falconry Examining Panel, in conjunction with the Division, shall develop the standards of field performance required for eligibility for the General and Master Falconer permits.
(3) Pens and Shelters. The primary consideration for raptor housing facilities, whether indoor (mews) or outdoors (weathering areas), is protection from the environment, predators, or undue disturbance. The applicant shall have the following facilities:
(a) Indoor facilities (mews) shall be large enough to allow easy access for caring for the raptors housed in the facility. If more than one raptor is to be kept in the mews, the raptors shall be tethered or separated by partitions and the area for each bird shall be large enough to allow the bird to fully extend its wings. There shall be at least one window, protected on the inside by vertical bars, spaced narrower than the width of the bird's body, and a secure door that can be easily closed. The floor of the mews shall permit easy cleaning and shall be well drained. Adequate perches shall be provided.
(b) Outdoor facilities (weathering areas) shall be fenced and covered with netting or wire, or roofed to protect the birds from disturbance and attack by predators except that perches more than 6½ feet high need not be covered or roofed. The enclosed area shall be large enough to insure the birds cannot strike the fence when flying from the perch. Protection from excessive sun, wind, and inclement weather shall be provided for each bird. Adequate perches shall be provided.
(c) Significant changes of existing facilities must be reported to the Director as completed. Minimum facilities under the Raptor Propagation and/or Salvage permits shall be as established by the Director after due consideration of the individual breeding and/or rehabilitation program to be conducted by the applicant.
(4) Inspection. A designated agent of the Division of Law Enforcement shall make a visual inspection of the applicant's facilities and equipment before approval of a permit application may be granted. Subsequent inspections may be made at reasonable hours of the day by a designated agent of the Division of Law Enforcement as deemed necessary. Inspection of facilities shall be required upon application for a Raptor Propagation and/or Salvage permit even though the applicant's facilities were inspected under Falconry permit application to ensure adequate facilities for breeding and/or salvage purposes.
(5) Capture Limitations. Raptors may be captured by:
(a) Licensed falconers during the period August 21st through January 11th, by use of traps, bird nets, do ghazza nets, verbail traps, bow nets or snares which are humane in their operation and use. The falconer's name shall be clearly marked on all capture devices. The use of steel jawed traps, gins, pole traps or jump traps shall be illegal. Only raptors in juvenile plumage or less than a year of age may be removed from the wild, with the exception of American kestrels and great horned owls.
(b) Nestling birds may be taken during the last full week of March and from May 10th through June 14th, and from July 1st through July 14th and is restricted to permittees other than apprentices. No more than one nestling may be taken from a nest, and the nest must contain two or more birds. The taking of nestlings is prohibited to apprentice falconers. No more than one nestling may be taken a year. The permittee shall notify the Director of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and the Division of Law Enforcement at least 24 hours prior to the taking to provide the opportunity for accompaniment by a designated agent of the Office of Law Enforcement or the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife during the taking.
(c) The Director may close any area of the state to the taking of raptors. Upon acquisition of a raptor from any source, a falconer shall notify the Division within 5 days of such acquisition.
(d) Escaped hawks, formerly legally retained and wearing falconry equipment, may be retaken by trapping or any other legal means at any time by the licensed falconer who last possessed the escaped bird.
(e) The taking of eggs is prohibited.
(6) Species and Possession Limits.
(a) The holder of an Apprentice Falconer permit shall be limited to one American kestrel or red tailed hawk which must be taken from the wild.
1. General Falconer permittees may not possess more than three raptors.
2. Master Falconer permittees may not possess more than five raptors.(b) General and Master Falconer permit holders shall not take, transport or possess any golden eagle, bald eagle, osprey, northern harrier, or any species or subspecies listed pursuant to either the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act ("MESA") or Federal Endangered Species Act ("ESA") unless such activities are authorized by and conducted in accordance with a permit issued pursuant to MESA and ESA respectively. Gyrfalcon may not be taken from the wild in Massachusetts, but may be possessed so long as they come from a captive source or lawfully taken in another state.
(c) Holders of the Raptor Salvage permit may take, transport or possess all native and/or exotic raptors except that those species or subspecies listed by the U.S. Department of the Interior or the Director as threatened or endangered must be reported to the Division within 36 hours of acquisition. Disposition of the threatened or endangered species will be determined by the Director. Possession limits under this permit shall not exceed the capacity of the facilities as established by the Director for the permittee's individual rehabilitation program. For the purpose of 321 CMR 3.04 (6) (c), the verb "to take" refers only to the taking of sick, injured, or dead raptors.
(d) Holders of the Raptor Propagation permit may take, transport, propagate and possess all native and/or exotic raptors except those species or subspecies judged threatened or endangered and in need of total protection by the U.S. Department of the Interior or the Director, except where permission to possess and maintain said species is specifically authorized in writing by the Department of the Interior or the Division. The possession limit under this permit shall not exceed the capacity of the facilities as established by the Director for the permittee's individual breeding and rehabilitation program.
(e) An Apprentice, General, Master, or Raptor Propagator permittee may not trap more than one raptor in any one year under 321 CMR 3.04(5)(a) and a General, Master, or Raptor Propagator permittee may not take more than one nestling per permit in any one year under 321 CMR 3.04(5)(b). The only exception to the above is when the Director determines that a raptor, other than a rare, threatened or endangered species, is causing damage to domestic or wild animals. All raptors except threatened or endangered species, taken under depredation or special use permits, may be used for falconry by General or Master Falconers; however, the possession limits for each permit class shall apply to all raptors regardless of species or source.
(7) Equipment. The following items shall be in the possession of the applicant before he can obtain a permit.
(a) Jesses - at least one pair of Alymeri jesses or similar type, constructed of pliable, high quality leather, or suitable synthetic materials to be used when any raptor is flown free (traditional one piece jesses may be used on raptors when not to be flown).
(b) Leashes and swivels - at least one flexible, weather resistant leash and one strong swivel of acceptable falconry design.
(c) Bath container - at least one suitable container, two to six inches deep and wider than the length of the raptor, for drinking and bathing for each raptor.
(d) Outdoor perch - at least one weather area perch of an acceptable design shall be provided for each raptor.
(e) Indoor perch - at least one mews perch of an acceptable design shall be provided for each raptor.
(f) Weighing device - a reliable scale or balance suitable for weighing the raptor held and graduated to increments of not more than ½ ounce (15 grams) shall be provided.
(g) Leather gloves and bells - at least one suitable leather glove and bells shall be provided.
(h) Name tags for use when the bird is flown.
(i) Optional equipment includes a lure and a hood. In addition, the applicant shall show evidence of a reliable food source for his raptors.
(8) Lost Raptors. Any person possessing a raptor license who loses his raptor through death, escape, destruction or otherwise, shall immediately notify the Division in writing.
(9) Transportation.
(a) Raptors brought into Massachusetts may be imported only under the authority of a written permit from the Director to a licensed falconer. Importation permits will not be issued for the possession of species that are specifically prohibited by 321 CMR 3.04 and the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act at 16 USCA Ch. 7. Nonresidents may bring their raptors into Massachusetts, provided they have a valid permit or other adequate proof that such raptors are legally in their possession.
(b) No person, except non-residents possessing a current, valid falconry permit of General or Master level from the state in which they reside who also possess a non-resident Massachusetts hunting license, shall be permitted by the Director to take one raptor from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in accordance with 321 CMR 3.04 (5)(a) and (6)(b). A falconer transporting birds from this state temporarily shall have on his person his Massachusetts falconry permit which covers the bird when he returns the bird to this state.
(c) A raptor may be transported or held in temporary facilities which shall be provided with an adequate perch and protected from extreme temperatures and excessive disturbance. Another person may care for the birds of a permittee if written authorization from the permittee accompanies the birds when they are transferred: provided, that if the period of care will exceed 30 days, the Division shall be informed in writing by the permittee of this action within three days of the transfer and informed where the birds are being held, the reason for the transfer, who is caring for them and approximately how many days they will be in the care of the second person.
(10) Hunting Limitations. A falconer must purchase a hunting or sporting license. Migratory waterfowl stamps are required when hunting waterfowl with a raptor. Falconers shall abide by the state and Federal fish and game laws and all seasons, bag limits, hunting hours and other regulations of the Division and the Federal government when pursuing game using a trained raptor, with the exception that pheasant, bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, and gray squirrel may be taken through March 15th. Unprotected birds and mammals may be taken by falconry except in areas closed for the taking of such animals. Falconers shall not practice falconry on private property which is posted so as to prohibit hunting or trespass.
(11) Revocation of Permit. The Director is authorized to revoke a falconer's permit if the permittee:
(a) does not provide proper care of his raptors,
(b) allows the raptors to become a public nuisance,
(c) violates established state and Federal laws or regulations while acquiring or hunting his raptors, or,
(d) does not comply with the terms of his permit.
Confiscated raptors will be released to the wild, transferred to another permittee, or used in a manner authorized by the Director.
(12) Federal Falconry Regulations. The holder of a Massachusetts falconry permit or Propagation or Salvage permit shall abide by all existing Federal falconry regulations.
(13) Annual Activity Report. By January 31 of each year, a permittee shall submit a falconry report to the authority which issued the permit. A report shall contain the following:
(a) A list of all the raptors in his possession on December 31st of the year in which the report is filed, by species, marker number, sex (if known), age (if known), and date and where or from whom acquired or given to, whether escaped, or released, and when the event occurred.
(b) A list of all raptors possessed or acquired since the previous annual report, but no longer possessed, by species, marker number, sex (if known), age (if known), date and where or from whom acquired or given to, whether escaped, died, or released, and when the event occurred.
(c) Activity reports relative to the sale or disposition captive bred raptors, as defined in 321 CMR 3.04(17)(a), shall be as provided in 321 CMR 3.04(17)(i).
(14) Marking.
(a) An inventory and description of all raptors held within the Commonwealth, except those held for scientific or zoological purposes, shall be made and reported to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife within 90 days of the date when the Commonwealth is listed as meeting the Federal falconry standards. This inventory applies to all raptors whether or not the owner intends to submit an application for a falconry permit.
(b) All captive raptors, regardless of origin or species, shall be identified by a numbered, non reusable marking device approved or supplied by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A person acquiring an unmarked raptor shall obtain a marker from the Division and shall immediately attach it to the raptor, provided that, in the case of an Apprentice falconer, markers shall be obtained by and attached to the raptor by the Apprentice's sponsor. The sponsor shall assume full responsibility for the marking of his or her's Apprentice's raptors. All alterations, counterfeiting or defacing of a marker is prohibited except that permittees or sponsors may remove the rear tab (if any) on markers and may smooth any imperfect surface provided the integrity of the marker numbering is not affected thereby.
(15) Grandfather Clauses.
(a) A person who possesses a lawfully acquired raptor before the enactment of 321 CMR 3.04 and who fails to meet the permit requirements shall be allowed to retain the raptors. All such birds shall be identified with markers supplied by the Division and cannot be replaced if death, loss, release, or escape occurs.
(b) A person who possesses raptors before the enactment of 321 CMR 3.04, in excess of the number allowed under his class permit, shall be allowed to retain the extra raptors. All such birds shall be identified with markers supplied by the Division and no replacement can occur, nor may an additional raptor be obtained until the number in possession is at least one less than the total number authorized by the class of permit held by the permittee.
(c) A person holding an Apprentice or Master Falconry permit before December 31, 1975 shall be classified in the same category. A person holding a temporary falconry permit shall be classified as a General falconer with years of experience equivalent to the time he held the temporary permit and a possessor's permit which specified raptors. Temporary permit holders with seven years of experience before December 31, 1975 will be classified as Master falconers upon completion of the oral-practical and written examinations specified in the falconry regulations promulgated May 31, 1974.
(16) Other Restrictions.
(a) A falconry permit holder shall obtain written authorization from the Division before any species not indigenous to this state is intentionally released to the wild, at which time the marker from the released bird shall be removed and surrendered to the Division. A standard Federal band shall be attached to such birds by the Division or by a Service authorized Federal bird bander whenever possible.
(b) Feathers that are molted or those feathers from birds held in captivity that die may be retained and exchanged by permittees only for imping purposes.
(c) A permittee may trade or transfer a raptor to another permittee if the transaction occurs entirely within the state and no money or other consideration is involved. A permittee may trade or transfer a raptor to another permittee in an interstate transaction if the prior written approval of the Director is obtained and no money or other consideration is involved in the transaction. Transactions involving money or other considerations shall be conducted in accordance with 321 CMR 3.04 (17).
(d) Unless otherwise prohibited by the foregoing provisions of 321 CMR 3.04 or unless prohibited by provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations (50 CFR 13, 17, 21), persons holding a current Raptor Propagation permit may sell, exchange, barter, or offer for sale, exchange, or barter, or may purchase all native or exotic captive-bred raptors in accordance with the provisions of 321 CMR 3.04(17) below.
(e) In accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 131, § 57, nothing in 321 CMR 3.04 shall be construed to prohibit on Sunday the training of raptors on protected birds nor the exercising of such raptors as regulated by the director.
(f) The director may authorize a permittee to exceed the taking limitation in 321 CMR 3.04(6)(e) for raptor propagation purposes provided the permittee holds both a Federal special purpose permit (50 CFR 21.27) and a Massachusetts special purpose permit (M.G.L. c. 131, § 4(2)) authorizing the taking of additional birds.
(g) Nothing in 321 CMR 3.04 shall be construed to prohibit the conduct of a field trial with such raptors; provided, however, that a permit to do so is first obtained from the director. Such field trials shall be conducted in accordance with such rules as the director may prescribe. The director is hereby authorized to establish such rules.
(17) Sale, Exchange, and Barter of Captive-bred Raptors.
(a) A person holding a current General or Master Falconry Permit or Raptor Propagation permit may transfer, purchase, sell, barter, or exchange for a consideration any lawfully possessed raptor which is bred in captivity, subject to the following additional conditions:
(b) The person who receives any raptor by transfer, purchase, sale, barter, or exchange must be authorized to possess it under the aforestated provisions of 321 CMR 3.04 and under any other applicable provisions of M.G.L. c. 131, or, if domiciled or resident in a foreign country and the raptor is to be transferred thereto, must be authorized to receive it by the appropriate wildlife management authority of his or her country of domicile or residence after the competent wildlife management authority of that country has certified in writing that the recipient is an experienced falconer or raptor propagator who is required by the laws of that country to maintain any raptors in his or her possession under conditions that are comparable to the conditions under which a permittee must maintain raptors pursuant to provisions of 321 CMR 3.04.
(c) The permittee who transfers, purchases, sells, barters, or exchanges any raptor must have acquired the raptor from a person authorized to possess and sell, exchange, or barter it, and, if acquired from a person in the United States, such person must additionally be authorized to possess and sell, exchange, or barter it pursuant to provisions of 321 CMR 3.04 and to any other relevant provisions of M.G.L. c. 131 and to provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations (50 CFR 13, 17, and 21).
(d) In addition to a current Raptor Propagation permit, a permittee who transfers, purchases, sells, barters, or exchanges any raptor, except as provided in 321 CMR 3.04(16)(c), must additionally hold a current Class 4 propagator's license as provided by M.G.L. c. 131, § 23.
(e) No raptor may be traded, transferred, purchased, sold, exchanged, or bartered until such raptor is two weeks of age or older and only after such raptor is banded with a nonreuseable marker provided or authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, unless the raptor is traded, transferred, sold, exchanged, or bartered to a State or Federal wildlife management agency for conservation purposes. Markers shall be of the type and design stipulated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as appropriate for the species and origin of raptor being so marked. When a raptor is marked with more than one marker, all but one marker shall be removed before the raptor attains five weeks of age and the marker(s) so removed shall be returned to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Marking of captive bred-raptors shall be reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within five days of the marking, and the report thereof shall contain such information as may be required by the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
(f) Permittees may transfer, purchase, sell, barter, or exchange for a consideration the semen of captive bred raptors when in compliance with other provisions of 321 CMR 3.04(17) and of 321 CMR 3.04 generally.
(g) Permittees shall not transfer, purchase, sell, barter, or exchange any raptor eggs, any raptor semen collected from the wild, or any raptors hatched from eggs taken from the wild, or any raptors captured from the wild.(h) Permittees shall maintain complete and accurate records of all transactions conducted under 321 CMR 3.04(17), including the name, address, and permit number of the purchaser, barterer, or transferee; the day, month, and year of the transaction or disposition; the sale price or other consideration involved in the transaction or disposition; the species, sex, age, origin, and pedigree (lineage) of the raptor or raptors involved; the quantity and origin of raptor semen involved; the marker number or numbers of the raptor or raptors involved; and any other information which may be required of a Raptor Propagation permittee under provisions of 50 CFR 21.30. Records shall be kept on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service breeding record forms or on such other forms as shall be approved by the director.
(i) Permittees shall adhere to and abide by the species and possession limits established by 321 CMR 3.04(6), unless otherwise authorized pursuant to 321 CMR 3.04(16) (e).
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, §§ 4, 5, and 75A.
Last Revised: 7-20-2012
(1) No person shall disturb or harass or, except as authorized in a special educational, scientific, or conservation and management permit from the Director, shall take by any means any species of amphibian or reptile listed as endangered, threatened, or special concern in 321 CMR 10.90, or any of the following species or their eggs or young:
(a) Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
(b) Four-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)
(c) Spring salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus)
(d) Northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens)
(e) Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata)
(f) Eastern hognosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
(2) Except as provided in 321 CMR 3.05 (3) through (6), all species of amphibians and reptiles found in Massachusetts and not listed as endangered, threatened, or special concern in 321 CMR 10.90, or not listed as protected in 321 CMR 3.05 (1) may be taken by hand, or hand-held dip net, from January 1 to the following December 31, both dates inclusive, up to a possession limit of two.
(3) American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeiana) and green frogs (Lithobates clamitans) may be hunted or taken from July 16 to September 30. Not more than 12 frogs, singly or in the aggregate, of these two species may be taken daily or more than 24 in possession for personal use.
(4) American bullfrogs, green frogs, pickerel frogs (Lithobates palustris) and wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) that measure less than 2½ inches from the snout to the vent may be taken for bait by licensed fishermen. Not more than 10 per day or in possession may be taken.
(5) Common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentine) that measure at least 12 inches in straight-line carapace length may be taken by hand, dip net or gaff, up to a limit of 2 per day, or in possession for personal use by licensed fishermen. Snapping turtles may not be taken from May 1 to July 16.
(6) No reptile or amphibian may be taken from the wild in Massachusetts for purposes of sale. No reptile or amphibian may be taken with a firearm.
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Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 5.
Last Revised: 04-11-14
