321 CMR, § 3.02(6) - Hunting of Pheasants, Quail, and Ruffed Grouse

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.

1. Pheasants may be hunted throughout Massachusetts from the first Saturday after Columbus Day to December 31;

2. Ruffed grouse may be hunted throughout Massachusetts from the first Saturday after Columbus Day to November 30;

3. Bobwhite quail may be hunted in Zones 11 through 14 from the first Saturday after Columbus Day to December 31.

(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 1/2 hour before sunrise and end 1/2 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:

1. two pheasants in one day, nor possess at any time more than four;

2. three ruffed grouse in one day, nor possess at any time more than six nor take more than 15 in one season;

3. four bobwhite quail in one day, nor possess at any time more than eight; provided

4. that for properly enrolled minors participating in the upland game bird training program as specified in 321 CMR 3.02(6)(d), the daily bag limit shall be two pheasants or two bobwhite quail.

(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.

Notes

321 CMR, § 3.02(6)

Amended by Mass Register Issue 1268, eff. 8/29/2014. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1288, eff. 6/5/2015. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1292, eff. 7/31/2015. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1294, eff. 8/28/2015. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1312, eff. 5/6/2016. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1320, eff. 8/26/2016. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1338, eff. 5/5/2017. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1345, eff. 8/11/2017. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1356, eff. 1/12/2018. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1364, eff. 5/4/2018. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1369, eff. 7/13/2018. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1382, eff. 1/11/2019. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1389, eff. 7/13/2018. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1390, eff. 5/3/2019. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1404, eff. 11/15/2019. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1418, eff. 5/29/2020. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1421, eff. 7/10/2020. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1445, eff. 6/11/2021. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1457, eff. 11/26/2021. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1470, eff. 5/27/2022. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1473, eff. 5/27/2022. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1486, eff. 1/6/2023. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1489, eff. 1/6/2023. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1499, eff. 7/7/2023. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1502, eff. 7/7/2023. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1510, eff. 12/8/2023. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1522, eff. 5/24/2024. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1525, eff. 5/24/2024.

Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 5. Last Revised: 1/6/23.