Does anyone hunt in Mass? I’m trying to start going out for coyote it’s the biggest thing we can hunt here. Would love to know if anyone knows where I can go or how the laws work. It’s hard to find anything about it.
Air gun hunting in Massachusetts
- Thread starter Tricci1009
- Start date
You need an FFL to airgun hunt in Mass, because that's the only way you're going to get a hunting license.
If that's no issue, https://airgunlaws.com/massachusetts-airgun-laws/
If that's no issue, https://airgunlaws.com/massachusetts-airgun-laws/
Upvote 0
What’s an FFL? I’ve done a safety course when I was younger and I’ve had a hunting license.
Upvote 0
Sorry but that is not correct information. I have a hunting license in MA without a FFL. There are guidelines on what can be taken with an air rifle but you do not need an FFL for a hunting license.
Upvote 0
And here are the regulations for hunting coyotes in MA from the Mass.gov website.
www.mass.gov
NEW – The use of air/pellet guns are prohibited for the purposes of taking/ harvesting deer, bear, turkey, crow, and migratory game birds. Air/pellet guns are also prohibited for the purposes of taking/harvesting ANY species on WMAs stocked with pheasant or quail DURING the pheasant/quail season. (For a list of pheasant and quail stocked WMAs, please see 321 CMR 3.01(1)
). Air/pellet guns may be used for all other species during their respective legal open seasons.
Page 22 third bullet down on the left.
Coyote hunting regulations
Before you go hunting for coyote, be sure you know the rules. This page contains regulations for hunting coyote in Massachusetts.
NEW – The use of air/pellet guns are prohibited for the purposes of taking/ harvesting deer, bear, turkey, crow, and migratory game birds. Air/pellet guns are also prohibited for the purposes of taking/harvesting ANY species on WMAs stocked with pheasant or quail DURING the pheasant/quail season. (For a list of pheasant and quail stocked WMAs, please see 321 CMR 3.01(1)
). Air/pellet guns may be used for all other species during their respective legal open seasons.Page 22 third bullet down on the left.
Last edited:
Upvote 0
Huh, I just looked it up again. I thought the "Field Day" (which is hands on instruction at certain ranges/clubs) requirement would mean you need an FFL to complete it. I suppose not, as I just checked the registration requirements at one of these clubs.
Important distinction, you will not need an FFL to complete the field day, *however*, if you are for some reason prohibited from handling firearms, it would technically be illegal to complete the hunter course even if you only intended to hunt with airguns, bows, etc. Unless I'm wrong and the Field Day doesn't require actually handling firearms.
So it may be that you have to be *eligible* for an FFL in Mass, which sadly can result in shutting people out of alternative types of hunting.
Upvote 0
You are incorrect as I have a friend which did complete the hunter safety course without the need of an FFL or being eligible as he is only a bow hunter. If there is doubt the OP can contact his local office and find out for sure.
MA is just a tough state to hunt in and as you can see they just included air rifles, this year, as not being able to hunt deer, bear and of the sorts…
MA is just a tough state to hunt in and as you can see they just included air rifles, this year, as not being able to hunt deer, bear and of the sorts…
Upvote 0
I'm happy to stand corrected in that case!
From what I hear in Eastern Mass they have so many deer they've expanded the hunting season? They really ought to allow big bore airguns for white tail. Although I'm sure in Mass just the words "big bore" scare a lot of people.
From what I hear in Eastern Mass they have so many deer they've expanded the hunting season? They really ought to allow big bore airguns for white tail. Although I'm sure in Mass just the words "big bore" scare a lot of people.
Upvote 0
I just bought my hunting license online. All it did was ask if I have completed a safety course. So I’m good. Now just to figure out the when and where for coyote
Upvote 0
@Tricci1009, if you read the regulations it specifies what can’t be taken with an air rifle. Good luck to you on your hunting adventures…
Upvote 0
I am looking to hunt rats pigeons if I can find someone who will allow me too shoot on there land.
Upvote 0
I'm also looking for places to shoot and/or hunt. I'm located in the north shore area but I'm willing to travel! Sucks not being able to at least sight in the gauntlet sl30.
Upvote 0
One more thing if you can find a landowner or someone with a barn who has an infestation of rats or pigeons there's no laws you're allowed to hunt them I did call game and fish or fish and game or however you want to say it.
Upvote 0
I’m interested in the same. I’ve been shooting pcp air rifles for 5 years or so now. I’ve had contact with a few people in the state that were trying to get a competition going. A few stores have popped up selling some pcp stuff but this isn’t Utah. Massachusetts is hard to hunt in and in general there’s not as many people interested in shooting sports. So I’m on the same page. Anyone looking to shoot or hunt in Massachusetts let me know. I’m on the cape.
Upvote 0