First off I don't work for Masswildlife I am not a EPO or a attorney This is for informational purposes only! Always check the local and state laws! The laws are constantly changing
The majority of the info here is available in the mass wildlife abstracts available here http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/ this Info will also be current and up to date as things may have changed since I posted this..
Massachusetts is over populated buy moonbats and has amazingly bad gun laws.. Surprisingly it has a very strong wildlife management system and frankly some of the best hunting in new england bar none!
Step one to hunt you need a hunting licence! Period!
To get one you need to take a hunters safety course. They are free held all over the state and done on nights and weekends to try to accommodate everyone's schedule. A list of the current classes you can find here http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/education-events/hed/basic-hunter-education-courses.html
You will see these classes fill up quickly.. They are free so why not.. At the same time because they are free half the people don't bother showing up. So if there is a class local to you just show up the first day of the class there is a good chance they will be able to take you do to no shows. Once you complete the class and take the test (don't worry its geared so that a 12 year old kid can pass it) You will get your certificate quickly in the mail so you can get your licence (not like your LTC)
Buying a licence
The Massachusetts licence system is entirely online here http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/licensing/
The basic hunting Licence will allow you to hunt, antlered deer, small game,and upland birds. With a firearm. There is also a sporting licence that will combine a freshwater fishing license and a hunting licence and save you a few bucks if you do both!
There are also endorsements and stamps/tags that you may require these are available when you buy your licence.
These are
If you wish to hunt with a bow or a Primitive Firearm (black powder rifle) Each of these require a separate stamp costing around 5 bucks
Stamps
If you wish to hunt these animals a stamp will be required
Antlerless deer (AKA a doe permit).. There is a drawing held for these more info on that in the deer section
Bear 1 tag
Wild turkey 2 tags
Ducks/Migratory birds (you will also need a federal duck stamp more on that below)
Now that you are legal where to hunt?
First to Hunt in Massachusetts you need to be 500 feet away from a dwelling in use and 150 feet from a PAVED/Hard surfaced road. There appears to be some argument on what Hard surfaced Road is..And possibly within 150 feet of any public road.. I hunt WMA With a fairly hard Dirt Road through it that the Local EPO Has no problem with folks hunting along (it is a public road, if you have a serious 4X4).. However It appears from posts that this is not always the case. Use caution in may be best to stay 150 feet away from anything you can get a car down or has a street sign.. (in 2013 there is legislation to increase this in the works check the LAW)
Also there are a few towns whose laws don't allow hunting with guns or hunting at all! Do some research if need be. Here is a link to them http://macouncil.tripod.com/id28.htm However this is not a complete list as I do know that the town of Sharon allows no hunting or trapping of any kind! There is also info on a sticky here in the hunting section of NES
Massachusetts is set up into 14 wildlife management zones these are used for doe permits and regulations on different animals and what type of gun may be used here is a map http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dfg/dfw/recreation/licensing-hunting/wmz-map.pdf
The WMA
The easiest place to hunt is a state owned Wildlife management area. There are a ton of these throughout the state and is basicly land set aside buy the state to hunt (this land is often donated by residents) Here is a link showing where they are http://maps.massgis.state.ma.us/dfg/wma_maps.htm This will take a long time to load but it will show up eventually.. There are also a few laws regarding usage of these found here http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/wildlife-management-area-regulations/
State Forests or State owned property the great majority of state forests and other state properties are huntable however make sure you take a few minutes and double check the location some are not.
Conservation Land
Most of the conservation Land in this state is huntable again check to make sure
(some of this stuff is illegally posted as well but thats a whole different ball of wax)
Private Land
Unposted private property.. In Mass you do not technically permission to hunt unposted property However it would still be a very good Idea to get it!!!! Here is a link showing what towns require it and some require written and for it to even be on file http://macouncil.tripod.com/id28.htm
Your own Land or your buddies land Go for it 500 feet from a inhabited building and 150 feet from a road in a town where hunting is legal go for it…
Note: There are a lot of morons out there who seem to think you dont need to have a licence to hunt your own property these people are MORONS!!!! You do!!!
Now That you have a place to hunt and a licence lets talk about what you will be hunting
The mass wildlife website does a good job with this info! I have provided links and a few notes..
Deer
http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/deer/
Note As you can see Driving is legal in Mass.. This is a very productive way of hunting deer especially after and before the low light hours when deer are most active.. However I can not stress enough how before you make a attempt at a drive do it with some experienced hunters who drive deer! If you are going to get shot during deer season its going to be on a Drive.. Where a TON of orange Deer dont see orange the way we do! Actually what you want to avoid is blue and yellow ! Like your jeans that is bright to them! Heres a link on how deer see http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/hunting/2003/06/what-deer-see
Pheasants and Upland birds
Massachusetts has a awesome upland bird stocking program with over 40,000 pheasants stocked every year!! No one else in new england comes close to that!!! Maine and vermont don't even stock..
http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/upland-game-birds/
Here is a link that tells you what lands are stocked and a bit more genral info on pheasents http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/df...unting/pheasant-hunting-in-massachusetts.html
Do take note the smaller wildlife management areas can be very busy on a saturday morning at sunrise
It would not be strange to be waiting at a gate with 15 or more hunters waiting for sunrise to get at the birds often stocked the night before! This can lead to a lot of muzzling in the field.. I can not tell you how many times I have had shot fall on my head or have heard and felt it hit my body at low velocity.. Never has it hurt or broke the skin.. But it can be a bit like WW3 out there If you want to avoid this avoid the smaller areas that are stocked and don't hunt sunrise on saturday morning also avoid opening day and thanksgiving morning … However this is my favorite time I think its fun! With the exception of thanksgiving morning
THANKSGIVING MORNING WARNING For some reason everyone and there mother pheasant hunts thanksgiving morning Most of these guys are not avid upland hunters and can be downright dangerous! Last year I counted 27 cars at my favorite WMA we all went in the same gate.. most not knowing there ass from their elbow.. There are dogs fighting running into the road its a real poop show… (seriously watch your step) Dogs that dont even know what a pheasant is….. Who takes a German shepherd and a rottweiler pheasant hunting?? I saw it last year! Insanity every year I say I wont go but its the last day of the stocking program every year.. So its really your last chance so I go and say a prayer if you own body armor this may be a good day to use it!!!!! Eye Protection may also be a good plan.
Dogs.. do you need them… Nope you can definitely get some birds without one.. Especially on a busy morning like a saturday opening day
DONT SHOOT BIRDS ON THE GROUND!!!!! Its not a law but its way to easy to shoot a fellow hunter or more likely a dog! A good rule of thumb when a bird flushes wait until you see blue sky behind it before you take your shot!
Wild Turkey
http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/wild-turkey/
Green safety sticker: Just a green sticker you stick on your shotgun reminds you to hunt safely...You can order them through the mail or pick some up at some gun shops and at Masswildlife offices.. It may be stupid but its a big reason people get fined every year
A word on calling.. Its not that hard box calls are easiest to master then slate calls and finally the mouth diaphragms...
Bear
http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/black-bear/
A word on baiting.. Its highly illegal in Mass to bate bears during the season You may come across some Bear bait (giant pile of doughnuts fryer grease ect) I would suggest you stay away from it! As if you are caught there nobody is going to put there name on it or claim it as there own.. So the EPO will likely decide it yours even if its not!
Rabbits and squirrels
http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/rabbits-and-squirrels/
I am not a avid hunter of either..
Coyotes and furbearers..
http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/furbearers/
If you are looking to get rid of pelts Tom at Final Image taxidermy will take them off your hands.. He will pay for Bobcats and will take coyotes He likely wont pay for the yotes but its better then burying them in your backyard http://finalimagetaxidermy.com he is in fallriver MA Will often pick stuff up from you if you are ina reasonable distance He will also tan your hides quickly far better then sending them out! Prices are decent as well
Waterfowl
Aside from the Massachusetts Duck stamp you will need a federal Duck stamp as well These are 15 bucks and available at your local post office!
Regulations for waterfowl
http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dfg/dfw/regulations/2013-14-waterfowl-abs-final.pdf
When you hunt migratory Birds you will Need to fill out a hip survey online It is quite simple next year when you buy your licence they will ask you if you hunted migratory birds. Simply click yes they will ask you a few questions on you kills and you will be done.. It is basically how they figure out what the seasons bag limits will be like next year..
A word on duck and goose calls I am far from a great duck/goose caller actually I only make ducky and goosey noises from calls.. However this has not stopped me from being a successful hunter.. Dont be scared buy a couple and watch some youtube videos and If you have decoys
you will call a few down!
Decoys Here you really get what you pay for.. Almost all decoys will work ok when you first buy them! however some quickly loose there paint while others last almost forever.. There are a ton out there experiment get what you can afford The cheap one can just fill out your spread as you buy better.
The one thing to avoid is if the paint is shiny or becomes shiny This will scare off water fowl in a heartbeat. This also goes for yourself any glint of sun back at the birds sends them away in my experience..
Camo is a must!! Duck camo can be a bit hard to find in the area Bass pro often has a good selection you wont find any at Walmart or dicks unfortunately.. However the wrong camo is still much better then no camo!
The majority of the info here is available in the mass wildlife abstracts available here http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/ this Info will also be current and up to date as things may have changed since I posted this..
Massachusetts is over populated buy moonbats and has amazingly bad gun laws.. Surprisingly it has a very strong wildlife management system and frankly some of the best hunting in new england bar none!
Step one to hunt you need a hunting licence! Period!
To get one you need to take a hunters safety course. They are free held all over the state and done on nights and weekends to try to accommodate everyone's schedule. A list of the current classes you can find here http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/education-events/hed/basic-hunter-education-courses.html
You will see these classes fill up quickly.. They are free so why not.. At the same time because they are free half the people don't bother showing up. So if there is a class local to you just show up the first day of the class there is a good chance they will be able to take you do to no shows. Once you complete the class and take the test (don't worry its geared so that a 12 year old kid can pass it) You will get your certificate quickly in the mail so you can get your licence (not like your LTC)
Buying a licence
The Massachusetts licence system is entirely online here http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/licensing/
The basic hunting Licence will allow you to hunt, antlered deer, small game,and upland birds. With a firearm. There is also a sporting licence that will combine a freshwater fishing license and a hunting licence and save you a few bucks if you do both!
There are also endorsements and stamps/tags that you may require these are available when you buy your licence.
These are
If you wish to hunt with a bow or a Primitive Firearm (black powder rifle) Each of these require a separate stamp costing around 5 bucks
Stamps
If you wish to hunt these animals a stamp will be required
Antlerless deer (AKA a doe permit).. There is a drawing held for these more info on that in the deer section
Bear 1 tag
Wild turkey 2 tags
Ducks/Migratory birds (you will also need a federal duck stamp more on that below)
Now that you are legal where to hunt?
First to Hunt in Massachusetts you need to be 500 feet away from a dwelling in use and 150 feet from a PAVED/Hard surfaced road. There appears to be some argument on what Hard surfaced Road is..And possibly within 150 feet of any public road.. I hunt WMA With a fairly hard Dirt Road through it that the Local EPO Has no problem with folks hunting along (it is a public road, if you have a serious 4X4).. However It appears from posts that this is not always the case. Use caution in may be best to stay 150 feet away from anything you can get a car down or has a street sign.. (in 2013 there is legislation to increase this in the works check the LAW)
Also there are a few towns whose laws don't allow hunting with guns or hunting at all! Do some research if need be. Here is a link to them http://macouncil.tripod.com/id28.htm However this is not a complete list as I do know that the town of Sharon allows no hunting or trapping of any kind! There is also info on a sticky here in the hunting section of NES
Massachusetts is set up into 14 wildlife management zones these are used for doe permits and regulations on different animals and what type of gun may be used here is a map http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dfg/dfw/recreation/licensing-hunting/wmz-map.pdf
The WMA
The easiest place to hunt is a state owned Wildlife management area. There are a ton of these throughout the state and is basicly land set aside buy the state to hunt (this land is often donated by residents) Here is a link showing where they are http://maps.massgis.state.ma.us/dfg/wma_maps.htm This will take a long time to load but it will show up eventually.. There are also a few laws regarding usage of these found here http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/wildlife-management-area-regulations/
State Forests or State owned property the great majority of state forests and other state properties are huntable however make sure you take a few minutes and double check the location some are not.
Conservation Land
Most of the conservation Land in this state is huntable again check to make sure
(some of this stuff is illegally posted as well but thats a whole different ball of wax)
Private Land
Unposted private property.. In Mass you do not technically permission to hunt unposted property However it would still be a very good Idea to get it!!!! Here is a link showing what towns require it and some require written and for it to even be on file http://macouncil.tripod.com/id28.htm
Your own Land or your buddies land Go for it 500 feet from a inhabited building and 150 feet from a road in a town where hunting is legal go for it…
Note: There are a lot of morons out there who seem to think you dont need to have a licence to hunt your own property these people are MORONS!!!! You do!!!
Now That you have a place to hunt and a licence lets talk about what you will be hunting
The mass wildlife website does a good job with this info! I have provided links and a few notes..
Deer
http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/deer/
Note As you can see Driving is legal in Mass.. This is a very productive way of hunting deer especially after and before the low light hours when deer are most active.. However I can not stress enough how before you make a attempt at a drive do it with some experienced hunters who drive deer! If you are going to get shot during deer season its going to be on a Drive.. Where a TON of orange Deer dont see orange the way we do! Actually what you want to avoid is blue and yellow ! Like your jeans that is bright to them! Heres a link on how deer see http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/hunting/2003/06/what-deer-see
Pheasants and Upland birds
Massachusetts has a awesome upland bird stocking program with over 40,000 pheasants stocked every year!! No one else in new england comes close to that!!! Maine and vermont don't even stock..
http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/upland-game-birds/
Here is a link that tells you what lands are stocked and a bit more genral info on pheasents http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/df...unting/pheasant-hunting-in-massachusetts.html
Do take note the smaller wildlife management areas can be very busy on a saturday morning at sunrise
It would not be strange to be waiting at a gate with 15 or more hunters waiting for sunrise to get at the birds often stocked the night before! This can lead to a lot of muzzling in the field.. I can not tell you how many times I have had shot fall on my head or have heard and felt it hit my body at low velocity.. Never has it hurt or broke the skin.. But it can be a bit like WW3 out there If you want to avoid this avoid the smaller areas that are stocked and don't hunt sunrise on saturday morning also avoid opening day and thanksgiving morning … However this is my favorite time I think its fun! With the exception of thanksgiving morning
THANKSGIVING MORNING WARNING For some reason everyone and there mother pheasant hunts thanksgiving morning Most of these guys are not avid upland hunters and can be downright dangerous! Last year I counted 27 cars at my favorite WMA we all went in the same gate.. most not knowing there ass from their elbow.. There are dogs fighting running into the road its a real poop show… (seriously watch your step) Dogs that dont even know what a pheasant is….. Who takes a German shepherd and a rottweiler pheasant hunting?? I saw it last year! Insanity every year I say I wont go but its the last day of the stocking program every year.. So its really your last chance so I go and say a prayer if you own body armor this may be a good day to use it!!!!! Eye Protection may also be a good plan.
Dogs.. do you need them… Nope you can definitely get some birds without one.. Especially on a busy morning like a saturday opening day
DONT SHOOT BIRDS ON THE GROUND!!!!! Its not a law but its way to easy to shoot a fellow hunter or more likely a dog! A good rule of thumb when a bird flushes wait until you see blue sky behind it before you take your shot!
Wild Turkey
http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/wild-turkey/
Green safety sticker: Just a green sticker you stick on your shotgun reminds you to hunt safely...You can order them through the mail or pick some up at some gun shops and at Masswildlife offices.. It may be stupid but its a big reason people get fined every year
A word on calling.. Its not that hard box calls are easiest to master then slate calls and finally the mouth diaphragms...
Bear
http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/black-bear/
A word on baiting.. Its highly illegal in Mass to bate bears during the season You may come across some Bear bait (giant pile of doughnuts fryer grease ect) I would suggest you stay away from it! As if you are caught there nobody is going to put there name on it or claim it as there own.. So the EPO will likely decide it yours even if its not!
Rabbits and squirrels
http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/rabbits-and-squirrels/
I am not a avid hunter of either..
Coyotes and furbearers..
http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/furbearers/
If you are looking to get rid of pelts Tom at Final Image taxidermy will take them off your hands.. He will pay for Bobcats and will take coyotes He likely wont pay for the yotes but its better then burying them in your backyard http://finalimagetaxidermy.com he is in fallriver MA Will often pick stuff up from you if you are ina reasonable distance He will also tan your hides quickly far better then sending them out! Prices are decent as well
Waterfowl
Aside from the Massachusetts Duck stamp you will need a federal Duck stamp as well These are 15 bucks and available at your local post office!
Regulations for waterfowl
http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dfg/dfw/regulations/2013-14-waterfowl-abs-final.pdf
When you hunt migratory Birds you will Need to fill out a hip survey online It is quite simple next year when you buy your licence they will ask you if you hunted migratory birds. Simply click yes they will ask you a few questions on you kills and you will be done.. It is basically how they figure out what the seasons bag limits will be like next year..
A word on duck and goose calls I am far from a great duck/goose caller actually I only make ducky and goosey noises from calls.. However this has not stopped me from being a successful hunter.. Dont be scared buy a couple and watch some youtube videos and If you have decoys
you will call a few down!
Decoys Here you really get what you pay for.. Almost all decoys will work ok when you first buy them! however some quickly loose there paint while others last almost forever.. There are a ton out there experiment get what you can afford The cheap one can just fill out your spread as you buy better.
The one thing to avoid is if the paint is shiny or becomes shiny This will scare off water fowl in a heartbeat. This also goes for yourself any glint of sun back at the birds sends them away in my experience..
Camo is a must!! Duck camo can be a bit hard to find in the area Bass pro often has a good selection you wont find any at Walmart or dicks unfortunately.. However the wrong camo is still much better then no camo!
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![[grin]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/041.gif "Grin [grin]")
