The following refuge units are open for hunting and/or fishing as governed by applicable Federal and State regulations, and are listed in alphabetical order with additional refuge-specific regulations.
(a) Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge -
(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of waterfowl and woodcock on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow hunters to enter the refuge 11⁄2 hours before legal shooting hours, and they must exit the refuge by 11⁄2 hours after legal shooting hours.
(ii) Hunters must obtain and possess a refuge-specific hunting permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application - National Wildlife Refuge System) to hunt on the refuge.
(iii) You may begin scouting hunting areas 4 weeks prior to the opening day of your permitted season. We require possession of a valid refuge hunting permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application - National Wildlife Refuge System) while scouting.
(iv) We allow the use of dogs consistent with State regulations.
(v) One nonhunting companion may accompany each permitted hunter. We prohibit nonhunting companions from hunting, but they may assist in other means. All companions must carry identification and stay with the hunter.
(vi) Hunters may use temporary tree stands and ground blinds while engaged in hunting during the applicable seasons. Hunters must mark stands and blinds with their permit number. Hunters must remove all stands and blinds within 30 days after the end of the permitted season.
(vii) Migratory waterfowl hunting hours are 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise to legal sunset.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of ruffed grouse, fox, coyote, gray squirrel, and cottontail rabbit on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (vi) of this section apply.
(ii) Upland and big game hunting hours are 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal sunset.
(iii) North Unit B, Unit C, and South Unit are archery only.
(iv) We prohibit the use of handguns or rifles for hunting.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer, turkey, and bear on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (iii), (v), and (vi), and (2)(ii) through (iv) of this section apply.
(ii) We prohibit organized deer drives. We define a “deer drive” as an organized or planned effort to pursue, drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or cause deer to move in the direction of any person(s) who is part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the deer.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow catch-and-release fishing only.
(ii) We allow the use of live bait with the exception of any amphibians or reptiles (frogs, salamanders, etc.).
(b) Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge -
(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of waterfowl on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow hunters to enter the refuge 11⁄2 hours before legal shooting hours, and they must exit the refuge by 11⁄2 hours after legal shooting hours.
(ii) Hunters must obtain and possess a refuge-specific hunting permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application - National Wildlife Refuge System) to hunt on the refuge.
(iii) Hunters may begin scouting hunting areas 4 weeks prior to the opening day of your permitted season. We require possession of a valid hunting permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application - National Wildlife Refuge System) while scouting.
(iv) One nonhunting companion may accompany each permitted hunter. We prohibit nonhunting companions from hunting, but they may assist in other means. All companions must carry identification and stay with the hunter.
(v) Hunters may use temporary tree stands and ground blinds while engaged in hunting during the applicable seasons. Hunters must mark stands and blinds with their permit number. Hunters must remove all stands and blinds within 30 days after the end of the permitted season.
(vi) We allow the use of dogs consistent with State regulations.
(vii) Migratory waterfowl hunting hours are 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise to legal sunset.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of coyote on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (iii), (iv), and (vi) of this section apply.
(ii) Upland and big game hunting hours are 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal sunset.
(iii) We allow archery hunting only for upland game.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow archery hunting of whitetail deer, turkey, and bear on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (v) and (b)(2)(ii) of this section apply.
(ii) We prohibit organized deer drives. We define a “deer drive” as an organized or planned effort to pursue, drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or cause deer to move in the direction of any person(s) who is part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the deer.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge.
(c) Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge -
(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow migratory game bird hunting on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow hunters to access the refuge 11⁄2 hours before legal shooting hours until 11⁄2 hours after legal shooting hours.
(ii) Hunters may begin scouting hunting areas 4 weeks prior to the opening day of your permitted season. We require possession of a valid refuge hunting permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application - National Wildlife Refuge System) while scouting.
(iii) We allow the use of dogs consistent with State regulations.
(iv) One nonhunting companion may accompany each permitted hunter. We prohibit nonhunting companions from hunting, but they may assist in other means. All companions must carry identification and stay with the hunter.
(v) Hunters must clearly label tree stands and ground blinds with their State hunting license number.
(vi) Migratory waterfowl hunting hours are 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise to legal sunset.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of coyote, fox, raccoon, opossum, gray squirrel, quail, pheasant, crow, and ruffed grouse on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (iv) of this section apply.
(ii) Upland and big game hunting hours are 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal sunset.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and wild turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii), (iv), and (v), and (c)(2)(ii) of this section apply.
(ii) We prohibit organized deer drives. We define a “deer drive” as an organized or planned effort to pursue, drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or cause deer to move in the direction of any person(s) who is part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the deer.
(4) [Reserved]
(d) Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge -
(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of migratory waterfowl on designated areas of the refuge by boat subject to the following condition: We allow the use of dogs consistent with State regulations.
(2)-(3) [Reserved]
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset on designated portions of the Monomoy Islands unless otherwise posted.
(ii) We allow surf fishing from the Morris Island shore 24 hours a day.
(e) Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge.
(1)-(3) [Reserved]
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge.
(f) Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge -
(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of waterfowl, woodcock, and Wilson's snipe on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow hunters to enter the refuge 11⁄2 hours before legal shooting hours, and they must exit the refuge by 11⁄2 hours after legal shooting hours.
(ii) Hunters must obtain and possess a refuge-specific hunting permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application - National Wildlife Refuge System) to hunt on the refuge.
(iii) Hunters may begin scouting hunting areas 4 weeks prior to the opening day of your permitted season. We require possession of a valid refuge hunting permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application - National Wildlife Refuge System) while scouting.
(iv) We allow the use of dogs consistent with State regulations.
(v) Hunters may use temporary tree stands and ground blinds while engaged in hunting during the applicable seasons. Hunters must mark stands and blinds with their permit number. Hunters must remove all stands and blinds within 30 days after the end of the permitted season.
(vi) One nonhunting companion may accompany each permitted hunter. We prohibit nonhunting companions from hunting, but they can assist in other means. All companions must carry identification and stay with the hunter.
(vii) Migratory waterfowl hunting hours are 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise to legal sunset.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of ruffed grouse, gray squirrel, coyote, fox, and eastern cottontail rabbit on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (vi) of this section apply.
(ii) Upland and big game hunting hours are 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal sunset.
(iii) Hospital Road North Unit and Still River Depot Area are archery only.
(iv) We prohibit the use of handguns or rifles for hunting.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer, turkey, and bear on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (iii), (v), and (vi) and (2)(ii) and (iv) of this section apply.
(ii) We prohibit organized deer drives. We define a “deer drive” as an organized or planned effort to pursue, drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or cause deer to move in the direction of any person(s) who is part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the deer.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing in designated areas of the refuge.
(g) Parker River National Wildlife Refuge -
(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, brant, coot, crow, merganser, rail, snipe, and woodcock on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) Hunters may enter the refuge 1⁄2 hour before legal shooting hours and must exit the refuge by 1⁄2 hour after legal shooting hours.
(ii) We prohibit the use of centerfire rifles and handguns to hunt any species.
(iii) We prohibit shooting across refuge roads and within or into administratively closed zones.
(iv) We prohibit launching motorized boats for scouting purposes prior to hunting.
(v) We allow the use of dogs consistent with State regulations.
(vi) We allow crow hunting only from September 1 through February 28.
(vii) Migratory waterfowl hunting hours are 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise to legal sunset.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of ruffed grouse, pheasant, cottontail rabbit, hare, gray squirrel, coyote, fox, raccoon, and opossum on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (iii), and (v) (with the exception that we prohibit dogs while hunting furbearers) of this section apply.
(ii) Upland and big game hunting hours are 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal sunset.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and wild turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (iii) and (g)(2)(ii) of this section apply.
(ii) We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on Plum Island subject to the following conditions:
(A) We allow archery, primitive firearms, shotgun, and crossbow (by MassWildlife permit only, for certain disabled persons) hunting during a designated 2-day hunt on the first Wednesday and Thursday of the State shotgun deer season.
(B) You must have a lottery-issued hunt permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application - National Wildlife Refuge System) to hunt during this 2-day time period.
(iii) We allow hunting of deer and wild turkey in Areas A, B, C, and D subject to the following condition: You may take deer using archery equipment only.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow saltwater fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow saltwater fishing on the ocean beach from legal sunrise to legal sunset without a refuge permit.
(ii) Stage Island is open to fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
(iii) Nelson Island is open to fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
(iv) We allow walk-on night fishing after legal sunset with a valid refuge permit (FWS Form 3-2358, National Wildlife Refuge System Fishing/Shrimping/Crabbing/Frogging Application; vehicle sticker issued by the refuge office).
(v) We allow anglers to use over-the-sand, surf-fishing vehicles, or off-road vehicles (ORVs) with a valid refuge permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application - National Wildlife Refuge System) and permit fee, as determined in an annual lottery.
(h) Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge -
(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds on designated areas subject to the following conditions:
(i) Hunters may access the refuge 11⁄2 hours before legal sunrise until 11⁄2 hours after legal sunset.
(ii) We prohibit access to Third Island between January 1 and June 30.
(iii) We allow the use of dogs consistent with State regulations.
(iv) Migratory waterfowl hunting hours are 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise to legal sunset.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of upland game on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section apply.
(ii) Upland and big game hunting hours are 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal sunset.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of big game on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: The conditions set forth at paragraphs (h)(1)(i) and (h)(2)(ii) of this section apply.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (h)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section apply.
(ii) We prohibit launching of motorboats from the refuge.
(iii) We prohibit the use of reptiles and amphibians as bait.
[84 FR 47675, Sept. 10, 2019, as amended at 85 FR 54117, Aug. 31, 2020]