Tags: hunting | Massachusettss | dogs | regulations

Hunting in Massachusetts: 11 Regulations for Hunting With Dogs

By Lisa Jacks    |   Tuesday, 26 May 2015 11:09 AM EDT

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There can be a magical camaraderie when taking a dog hunting, and many do in Massachusetts, but there are some regulations about how to use hunting dogs. Dogs are humans' earliest hunting companions, and their use spans all cultures throughout history from Africa to the Middle East to Europe and the New World. They have been used for small game and large – even bear and boar.
But their use in The Old Colony State is restricted.

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Here are 11 rules and facts about hunting with man’s best friend.

• While many may use dogs to flush deer, be careful of the season phase when unleashing Fido. If it is deer shotgun season, the possession of rifles, handguns, or dogs in any woodland or field, or use of same on any game, is illegal.

• You can, however, use your water dogs for hunting waterfowl on coastal waters, according to Eregulations.com.

• If you are caught violating the gun and dog restrictions there is a stiff penalty; loss of your hunting license for a year and fines up to $1000, restitution and/or a year in jail. Add careless use of firearms and the fines are $500 or six months in prison and loss of your license for five years.

• If you are bow hunting, you are not required to have a firearms license, but don’t carry a gun with you, as that is illegal. You also cannot use dogs for deer hunting during bow season.

• Training your hunting dog? That can be done at any time using only pistols or revolvers with blank cartridges, except during deer shotgun season.

• If it is deer shotgun season, dogs must be left at home – or only used when hunting waterfowl on coastal waters.

• You can’t train your dogs to hunt bear or bobcat, either. Hunting those species with a dog is strictly prohibited.

• On the look out for wild turkey? Leave the dog at home as the use of electronic calls, dogs, bait, and driving turkeys is also illegal, according to Eregulations.com.

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• Even though the dogs may enjoy chasing cats, hunting bobcat with a dog is illegal in Massachusetts.

• However, when going after coyote, do take the dogs, as it is legal to hunt both coyote and fox using bait, decoys, electronic or manual calls, and dogs. 

• The only time it is illegal to use dogs to hunt coyotes is during deer shotgun season when the use of manual or electronic calls and dogs are prohibited.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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There can be a magical camaraderie when taking a dog hunting, and many do in Massachusetts, but there are some regulations about how to use hunting dogs.

hunting, Massachusettss, dogs, regulations

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Tuesday, 26 May 2015 11:09 AM

2015-09-26

Tuesday, 26 May 2015 11:09 AM

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