This is a Preview of Massachusetts Hunting Regulations.
For The complete Massachusetts Hunting Regulations Summary Guidebook Click Here
This is a preview of Massachusetts hunting Information and Regulations. For the Massachusetts state rules and regulations guidebook Click link above.
You can also access each individual state regulation guidebook by clicking the links below to the main state Regulations page. There you will find the official State regulation Guidebooks for Massachusetts and the other 50 states and lower canadian providences.
These are just the overviews of the official state regulations.
The Actual state Massachusetts hunting regulation guidebooks are accessible by clicking on the state you would like to see from the home page map then clicking on the Massachusetts state hunting regulations books. There you will find the Hunting rules and Hunting laws overviews for Massachusetts
They are also accessible by clicking on the Massachusetts Hunting reg. books below and accessing the Massachusetts Hunting regs link in the Massachusetts Guidebooks listed below.
The complete Massachusetts Hunting Laws and Massachusetts Hunting rules are available at the pertinent government agencies and at most state libraries. Enjoy be safe and have a great time exploring the site and remember to check back often to keep updated on all the new laws, rules, and Massachusetts regulations pertaining to the hunting, Hunting, trapping, and wildlife sports. Also remember Massachusetts hunting Licenses, hunters education Information, hunting maps and much more are available at the Massachusetts Home Page.
Massachusetts Hunting Regulations Preview
GENERAL HUNTING REGULATIONS
ACCIDENTS: All hunting-related injuries or deaths MUST be reported to state or local police and to the environmental police.
ANTLERLESS DEER PERMIT: Required to take antlerless deer in any zone during any deer season, in addition to a hunting or sporting license.
ARCHERY: Poisoned arrows, or explosive tips, or bows drawn by mechanical means, are prohibited except for crossbows as permitted. Mechanical releases permitted. Arrows used on deer, bear or turkey must have well-sharpened steel broadhead blades not less than ⅞ inches in width. Expanding broadheads are legal. Recurve or long bows for deer, bear or turkey hunting must have at least 40 lbs. pull at 28 inches or at peak draw weight for compound bows. No arrows may be released within 150 feet of, or across, any state or hard-surfaced highway and hunting is prohibited within 500 feet of any dwelling or building in use, unless authorized by owner or occupant thereof.
An FID or LTC card is not required for bow hunting. Archers, while hunting deer, shall not possess firearms on their person or use dogs. Archers may hunt with a bow and arrow during the shotgun season and muzzleloader season but must comply with the shotgun or muzzleloader season regulations. Crossbows may be used by certain permanently handicapped persons by permit only. For regulations and an application, visit www.mass.gov/masswildlifeor contact DFW at (508) 389-6300.
HUNTER ORANGE: No person shall hunt during the pheasant or quail season on public shooting grounds or WMAs where pheasant or quail are stocked without wearing a “hunter orange” cap or hat except while night-hunting for raccoons or opossums, or while hunting waterfowl from a blind or boat. During the period when it is legal to hunt deer with a shotgun, all hunters, except waterfowl hunters hunting within a blind or from a boat, must wear, in a conspicuous manner on chest, back, and head, a minimum of 500 square inches of “hunter orange” clothing or material. During the muzzleloader season-only deer hunters must comply with the 500 sq. inch hunter orange requirement.
HUNTING DOGS: May be trained at any time (except during the shotgun season on deer) provided that only pistol or revolver and blank cartridges are used or possessed. No sporting or hunting license necessary. During the shotgun season on deer, dogs may be used for waterfowl hunting on coastal waters only. Hunting bear or bobcat with dogs, or training dogs on those species, is prohibited.
TREESTANDS: Must have written permission of landowner to construct or use any treestand held in place with nails, bolts, etc., or in place for more than 30 days.
NON-RESIDENT HUNTERS:
• Must have a valid Massachusetts non-resident hunting license in order to hunt. No other gun license is needed for long guns.
• Must show a Basic Hunter Education course certificate or previous license from any state or Canadian province in order to purchase a Massachusetts hunting license. Non-resident minors (ages 15-17), see MINORS, page 7. Each license includes a $5.00 charge for a Wildlife Conservation Stamp.
• Must obtain the same stamps and permits as residents. Permit and stamp fees are the same for residents and non-residents. Non-resident hunters must also obtain a Massachusetts H.I.P. number for hunting migratory game birds.
• May not purchase ammunition in Massachusetts (including materials used in black powder firearms).
• While travelling into or through Massachusetts must have their firearms unloaded and enclosed in a case.
• Must contact the Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB) Firearms Support Services, 200 Arlington St., Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150, tel. (617) 660-4780 for information on handgun permits.
MASSACHUSETTS GUN LAWS
POSSESSION: For hunting, resident citizens ages 15 and over must have a Firearms Identification Card (FID) to possess a low-capacity rifle or shotgun. A License To Carry (LTC) is needed to possess large capacity rifles and shotguns and all handguns. These permits are issued by local Police Departments. Non-residents with a valid Massachusetts non-resident hunting license do not need an LTC or FID to possess or carry a rifle or shotgun, but must carry their firearms unloaded and in a case while traveling in their vehicles. Non-residents may not purchase guns or ammunition in Massachusetts. To obtain a non-resident license to Carry or a nonresident permit to possess handguns, contact the CHSB, Firearms Support Services (see below). No FID or LTC is needed by bow hunters, nor by minors 12-14 years old hunting with a duly licensed adult, nor for the possession of primitive rifles or shotguns as defined in MGL Ch. 140, Section 121, or their ammunition. However, an LTC or FID is required to purchase all ammunition including black powder and Pyrodex.
CAUTION: Massachusetts public safety laws define primitive arms differently from the laws and regulations of the DFW.
TRAVEL: Rifles, shotguns and muzzleloaders may not be carried on public ways unless the person is lawfully engaged in hunting. When transported in a motor vehicle, rifles, shotguns and muzzleloaders must be unloaded and in an enclosed case. A large capacity firearm must be carried unloaded and contained within a locked trunk or in a locked case or other secure container.
STORAGE: State law requires that whenever a gun is not under your direct control, it must be kept in a locked container or equipped with a tamper-resistant mechanical lock. Muzzleloaders are exempt from this requirement.
PENALTIES: License revoked for one year in addition to other penalties; fines of up to $1,000; restitutions; and/or 1 year in jail. Careless and negligent use of firearms: fines of up to $500 and/or 6 months imprisonment and loss of license for 5 years.
OPEN SEASONS
The following species may be taken year-round (except during shotgun deer season) by licensed hunters with no daily or seasonal bag limit: English sparrow, flying squirrel, red squirrel, chipmunk, porcupine, skunk, starling, weasel, woodchuck.
CLOSED SEASONS
Closed season throughout the year on all birds and mammals not mentioned herein or in Massachusetts Migratory Bird Regulations published in September.
HUNTER HARASSMENT
Hunter harassment is against state law. Report violations to the Mass. Environmental Police (800) 632-8075 or to state or local police. Be prepared to provide a description of violators and/or a description and license plate number of the car.
HUNTING HOURS
Hunting hours are from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset on each day of open season except for:
• hunting for rabbit, hare, fox and coyote which closes at midnight. See Sunrise-Sunset table.
• spring turkey hunting
• raccoon and opossum hunting
• WMA Reg. #10 which states that no person shall hunt before sunrise or after sunset on any WMA where pheasant or quail are stocked during the pheasant or quail season (Oct. 16–Nov. 27) except for the hunting of raccoons and opossums between 9pm and 3am.
GAME CHECK STATIONS
Hunters who harvest a deer, bear or turkey are required to bring the animal in to an official game check station within 48 hours of killing the animal. At the check station information about the animal will be recorded and a seal or tag will be affixed to the animal. The hunter who took the animal must be present at the check station and have his or her license and any pertinent permits with him. For a complete list of check stations visit the DFW’s website www.mass.gov/masswildlife. For furbearer checking requirements see furbearer hunting and furbearer trapping.
Not all game species can be checked at all check stations (e.g., some but not all deer check stations will check coyotes during the deer hunting season). Be sure to check the list of check stations for the specific game you need to have checked.
MASSACHUSETTS GUN LAWS
For more information on Massachusetts gun laws, contact the CHSB, Firearms Support Services, 200 Arlington St., Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150, tel. (617) 660-4780.
All Hunting Seasons except waterfowl and coyote are closed during shotgun deer season from Nov. 29 to Dec. 11.
• Power or sailboats for hunting birds except when beached or tied to blind or for retrieving injured birds.
• Removal of any mammal from walls, or holes in trees, ground, or logs.
• Rifles chambered to take ammunition larger than .22 caliber long rifle rimfire,and pistols and revolvers chambered to take ammunition larger than .38 caliber, between the hours of ½ hour after sunset and ½ hour before sunrise. Firearms other than shotguns and bows and arrows are prohibited on WMAs stocked with pheasant or quail during the pheasant and quail season.
• Sale of all species of mammals and birds or parts thereof, except heads, hides and hooves of deer.
• Shotgun ammunition: except as provided below, no species other than deer, coyote, or waterfowl may be hunted or taken with shot larger than #1 birdshot. Except during the prescribed open season when deer may be hunted lawfully with a shotgun, a person shall not have in his possession a shotgun shell loaded with a rifled slug, single ball, buckshot of any size, or any shot larger than or equal to air rifle shot in any place where birds or mammals may be found except on a skeet, trap, or target range between sunrise and sunset, or except for the hunting of coyotes (a) during the prescribed open season for coyotes with shot not larger than FF; or (b) during the shotgun deer season when coyotes may be hunted with archery or shotgun only—using slugs, buckshot, or shot of any size; or, except as specified in the annual Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations.
• Swivel or pivot guns for hunting any bird.
• Taking nests, destroying or disturbing eggs or nests of birds protected by law.
• Target shooting on Sunday except on one’s own property or on a recognized trap, skeet or rifle range.
• Traps for taking birds except under permit. All traps except cage or box traps and common mouse or rat traps are unlawful for the taking of fur-bearing mammals.
• Vandalism or damage to property or livestock.
• It is not legal to hunt moose.
• It is illegal to shoot HAWKS, EAGLES, OWLS or any other bird not specifically mentioned in this Guide or in the Massachusetts Migratory Game Bird Regulations.
PENALTIES: License revoked for one year in addition to other penalties; fines of up to $1,000, restitutions, and /or 1 year in jail. Careless and negligent use of firearms; fines of up to $500 and /or 6 months imprisonment and loss of license for 5 years.
HUNTING PROHIBITIONS
• Artificial lights for hunting any bird or mammal except raccoon and opossum.
• Baiting migratory game birds, wild turkey, bear or deer any time within 10 days prior to the hunting season. This does not apply to the hunting of crows.
• Careless or negligent use of firearms.
• Choke traps, leghold traps or nets for taking any bird or mammal.
• Decoys for hunting deer.
• Discharge of any firearm or release of any arrow upon or across any state or hard-surfaced highway, or within 150 feet of any such highway, or possession of a loaded firearm, discharge of a firearm, or hunting on the land of another within 500 feet of any dwelling or building in use, except as authorized by the owner or occupant thereof. See page 22 for additional firearms regulations.
• Electronic calls for hunting migratory game birds, wild turkey, or deer. Crows are not classified as migratory birds and electronic calls are allowed.
• Ferreting: it is unlawful to hunt with a ferret. Possession of non-vaccinated/unneutered ferrets/fitches without a permit is unlawful.
• Hunting on posted land without permission.
• Hunting on Sunday.
• Importation, transportation, liberation or possession of any live vertebrate protected under MGL Ch. 131 except under permit from the Director.
• It is illegal to import, process or possess whole carcasses or parts of any cervids (members of the deer family) from states or provinces where Chronic Wasting Disease has been detected. It is legal to import meat that is de-boned, cleaned skull caps, hides without the head, or a fixed taxidermy mount. No live deer, of any species, may be brought into Massachusetts for any purpose.
• Intoxication and drugs: no person under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs shall hunt, target shoot, carry a firearm, bow and arrow, or other weapon.
• Loaded shotgun or rifle in or on any motor vehicle, recreational vehicle (including snowmobiles), aircraft or motor boat, except as stated in the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations.
• Machine guns, fully-automatic firearms, any tracer or incendiary ammunition for hunting. Crossbows are allowed for certain handicapped persons only.
• Motor vehicles, recreational vehicles (including snowmobiles), aircraft for hunting any bird or mammal.
• Possession of any protected wildlife and/or wild plants, dead or alive, taken from the wild, except by permit.
• Possession of rifles, handguns, or dogs in any woodland or field, or use of same on any game, is prohibited during the shotgun deer season except that the use of dogs is lawful for hunting waterfowl on coastal waters.
NO HUNTING ON SUNDAY
This was a Preview of Massachusetts Hunting Regulations.
For The complete Massachusetts Hunting Regulations Summary Guidebook Click Here
Enjoy be safe and have a great time exploring the site and remember to check back often to keep updated on all the new laws, rules, and Massachusetts regulations pertaining to the hunting, Hunting, trapping, and wildlife sports. Also remember Massachusetts hunting Licenses, hunters education Information, hunting maps and much more are available at the Massachusetts Home Page.