321 CMR 3.05 - Hunting, Fishing, Trapping and Taking of Reptiles and Amphibians in All the Counties of the Commonwealth

(1) No person shall disturb or harass or, except as authorized in a special educational, scientific, or conservation and management permit from the Director, shall take by any means any species of amphibian or reptile listed as endangered, threatened, or special concern in 321 CMR 10.90: List of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species, or any of the following species or their eggs or young:

(a) Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)

(b) Four-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)

(c) Spring salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus)

(d) Northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens)

(e) Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata)

(f) Eastern hognosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos)

(2) Except as provided in 321 CMR 3.05(3) through (6), all species of amphibians and reptiles found in Massachusetts and not listed as endangered, threatened, or special concern in 321 CMR 10.90: List of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species, or not listed as protected in 321 CMR 3.05(1) may be taken by hand, or hand-held dip net, from January 1^st to the following December 31^st, both dates inclusive, up to a possession limit of two.

(3) American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeiana) and green frogs (Lithobates clamitans) may be hunted or taken from July 16^th to September 30^th. Not more than 12 frogs, singly or in the aggregate, of these two species may be taken daily or more than 24 in possession for personal use.

(4) American bullfrogs, green frogs, pickerel frogs (Lithobates palustris) and wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) that measure less than 2½ inches from the snout to the vent may be taken for bait by licensed fishermen. Not more than ten per day or in possession may be taken.

(5) Common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentine) that measure at least 12 inches in straight-line carapace length may be taken by hand, dip net or gaff, up to a limit of two per day, or in possession for personal use by licensed fishermen of two per day. Snapping turtles may not be taken from May 1^st to July 16^th.

(6) No reptile or amphibian may be taken from the wild in Massachusetts for purposes of sale. No reptile or amphibian may be taken with a firearm.

Notes

321 CMR 3.05

Amended, Mass Register Issue 1258, eff. 4/11/2014.