Crossbow for yotes?

[squatch413]

Anyone have a clue on whether or not it's legal to use a crossbow on yotes in Mass? Asking for a friend who owns one but no guns.

 

[Catdaddy]

AFAIK crossbow hunting is only legal in Ma with a doctors note saying you have some physical limitation that doesn't allow you to draw a regular bow.

 

[Glockster30]

IANAL, but it appears that it's not legal unless one is permanently disabled from using a conventional bow.

3. Crossbows may be used only by persons who are permanently disabled in such a manner that the affliction prevents the person from using conventional archery equipment. The person must submit to MassWildlife a statement to this effect from a licensed physician. They will then be issued a free lifetime crossbow permit. Paraplegics and persons with cerebral palsy who were issued a permit under a previous law may continue to use their existing permit. Crossbows may also be used by any person for target practice on a skeet, trap, or target range.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...rtrh2Rq6S61T0aTbQ&sig2=uHxhyqQwBIb7Cc7ZokS4aQ

 

[jefftk]

Here are the two relevant laws:
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIX/Chapter131/Section64

Section 64. A person shall not use for hunting purposes any type of full automatic firearm, machine gun or submachine gun, or any crossbow, except as provided in section 69, nor use any tracer or incendiary ammunition for hunting or outdoor target shooting purposes except on a skeet, trap, or target range.

https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIX/Chapter131/Section69

Section 69.
....
Nothing in this paragraph shall permit the use of crossbows by any person other than 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 claiming a permanent disability. The issuance of a crossbow permit under this section shall be subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the director.

It doesn't matter if you could legally use a .50BMG during the season instead - you still can't use a crossbow unless you have a doctor's note.

 

[PaulR]

as above, got to be handicapped.


(is it ok to say "handicapped" anymore?)

 

[MachineHead]

Example Doctor's Note: Crossbow use is okay due to shoulder impingement.

 

[squatch413]

Thanks that's what I figured.

 

[mpkeelee]

Straight off of the Ma eRegulations page

COYOTE & FOXHunting hours begin ½ hour before sunrise and end at midnight, except 1) on WMAs stocked with pheasant or quail during the pheasant and quail season when hunting hours begin at sunrise and end at sunset and, 2) when hunting coyote during the shotgun deer season (see below). Coyote and fox may be hunted with shotguns, muzzleloaders, and archery, as well as rifles and handguns with special nighttime restrictions (see Hunting Prohibitions). Coyotes may be hunted with shotguns using numbered or lettered birdshot (≤ 0.230 inch pellet diameter; up to FF), except during the shotgun deer season (see below). Fox may be hunted with numbered birdshot only (≤ 0.160 inch pellet diameter). It is legal to hunt coyote and fox using bait, decoys, electronic or manual calls, and dogs. Artificial lights are prohibited. Coyote and fox pelts/carcasses must be checked/reported within 4 working days of the end of the season by either 1) checking them at an official check station (see below), or 2) reporting them online and writing the harvest confirmation number on a tag of your own making, then attaching the tag to the carcass or pelt (see below for details). Confirmation numbers must remain attached to all pelts/carcasses, with the specific confirmation number issued for each particular pelt or carcass, until the carcass is prepared for mounting by a taxidermist, or the pelt is sold or tanned.
During the shotgun deer season it is legal to hunt coyotes, but not fox; however the following additional regulations apply:

• Hunting hours begin ½ hour before sunrise and end ½ hour after sunset.
• Use of manual or electronic calls and dogs are prohibited.
• Rifles and handguns are prohibited.
• Shotguns and muzzleloaders loaded with slugs, single balls, or buckshot are permitted.
• Hunters must wear a minimum of 500 square inches of hunter orange on their head, chest, and back.

 

[ThePreBanMan]

Straight off of the Ma eRegulations page

that's for deer not Coyote - which is what the OP asked about. Rifles ARE permitted for yotes. Shotguns with slugs and 00 buck are prohibited for yotes. If you hunt after dark you can't use a rifle larger than .22 LR. So shotgun would be the system of choice. T shot is the largest shot you can use. You can hunt up to midnight for yotes and bait and electronic calls are PERMITTED. The exception is during the shotgun deer season where they clamp down on the hours and firearms allowed. Theoretically to make sure no one is hunting deer at night or with a rifle.

 

[mpkeelee]

Nope, not deer. Came from the coyote section. If u read the whole thing it's says almost everything u posted. And it has a link for the nighttime restrictions.