321 CMR, § 3.02(7) - Hunting of Gray Squirrels

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.

1. Gray squirrel may be taken from the first Tuesday after Labor Day to the last day of February, in Zones 01 through 14, except during the shotgun deer season.

(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 1/2 hour before sunrise and end at 1/2 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.

Notes

321 CMR, § 3.02(7)

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.