321 CMR, § 3.03(3) - Special Regulations for Ludlow Wildlife Management Area

Special Regulations for Hunting on the Ludlow Wildlife Management Area (also known as the Stony Brook Wetlands Area) in the Town of Ludlow, Massachusetts.

(a) A permit system of hunting is hereby initiated that shall require a person, duly licensed to hunt in Massachusetts, to obtain a written permit from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to hunt on certain designated days and time periods on the Ludlow Wildlife Management Area during the established hunting season for waterfowl. Such designated days shall be: Opening day of the waterfowl season, and Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays up to the second Saturday immediately following the opening day of the waterfowl season, all days inclusive. During this period (opening day through the second Saturday) there shall be no hunting on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, excepting when opening day of the waterfowl season occurs on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday that day shall also be a designated hunting day.

(b) In the event of two opening days for the waterfowl season in one calendar year (split waterfowl season), designated days will apply only to the first part of the split season.

(c) All applications for a permit shall be in writing and shall include a stamped, self addressed envelope.

(d) Applications shall be received not later than October 4 in the calendar year and shall be addressed to: Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Connecticut Valley Wildlife District Headquarters, 341 East Street, Belchertown, Massachusetts 01007.

(e) Applicants shall not submit more than one application for each designated day and time period.

(f) Permits issued shall be valid only for the designated day and time period as specified on the permit. For this purpose, "time period" shall mean either that period from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 12:00 P.M. or 12:00 P.M. to sunset and shall apply only to those designated days when a permit is required. A person authorized by permit to hunt on a designated day shall be limited to only one of these time periods for that particular designated day. A person hunting from a specified blind site during the time period 1/2 hour before sunrise to 12:00 P.M. shall be prepared to vacate said blind site by 12:00 P.M. in order to allow the next scheduled permittee access to the blind.

(g)All waterfowl hunting shall be from the specific blind sites only. This shall apply to designated and non designated days alike. Waterfowl hunting other than from a blind site is prohibited, except a hunter in pursuit of crippled waterfowl.

(h) On designated days, a person, except a hunter in pursuit of crippled waterfowl, shall not hunt other than from the blind site specified on the permit.

(i) Permits are not required of persons hunting other than on those designated days as specified. On non designated days, blinds shall be occupied on a first come basis. No more than three people shall hunt from or be within a specific blind site at any one time.

(j) Each permit issued on a designated day and time period shall entitle the permittee, and not more than two other persons, duly licensed or otherwise authorized to hunt in Massachusetts, to hunt from a blind site as specified in the permit. Permits are not transferable.

(k) Vehicles shall be parked only at the designated parking area located off Tilley Street, Ludlow, Massachusetts.

(l) Except as provided herein, a person hunting at the Ludlow Wildlife Management Area shall abide by and adhere to 321 CMR 3.03(3) as they apply and to any other pertinent law or regulation including 321 CMR 3.01(1), excepting that such person shall not be required to wear on his head a "hunter orange" cap or hat and, further, that the legal shooting hours shall be in compliance with the regulations established for the hunting of migratory game birds as set forth in 321 CMR 3.02(2).

(m) Notwithstanding the provisions of 321 CMR 3.01(1) and 3.02(9), hunting on the Ludlow Wildlife Management Area shall be restricted to the period between September 1 and the following last day of February.

(n) Notwithstanding any other provision of 321 CMR 3:00, hunting implements on the Ludlow Wildlife Management Area shall be restricted to bow-and-arrow, shotgun, and primitive firearms, fired from the shoulder.

(o) The provisions of 321 CMR 3.03(3) shall be in full force and effect only during such time as there is a current and active Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Ludlow and the Division. In the absence of such Memorandum, the provisions of 321 CMR 3.03(3) shall be null and void.

Notes

321 CMR, § 3.03(3)

Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 6 and 321 CMR 3.01(1)(r). Last Revised: 9/28/01.

Amended by Mass Register Issue 1320, eff. 8/26/2016. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1457, eff. 11/26/2021. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1486, eff. 1/6/2023. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1489, eff. 1/6/2023.