Does Mass not allow rifle hunting?

Smiley · April 9, 2002, 11:44 PM

Is Mass shotgun and blackpowder hunting only?
I have been trying to make heads or tails of Mass hunting laws and I only see seasons for shotgun, blackpowder, and bow hunting. Is there any handgun or rifle hunting?

I know that this probably belongs in The Hunt forum but i wasn't getting any replys in there.

Scarborough · April 10, 2002, 06:55 AM

Last time I hunted there was in 1981. At that time deer guns had to be shotgun only and muzzle loaders all had to be smooth bore. In fact my step dad has a Thompson- Center Renegade smooth bore made for that type of market. Bear season at that time required a rifle. I used a Savage 111 in .270 Win. Hope this helps.

M1911 · April 10, 2002, 12:55 PM

Depends upon the quarry. For deer, yes, you must use either bow, shotgun, or muzzleloader. The law was recently changed so that you can use a rifled shotgun. Rifled muzzleloaders are allowed as well (don't have to be smoothbore). But you cannot use a rifle to hunt deer in MA. That hasn't been a drawback to me, since where I've been hunting I've never had a shot longer than 50 yards.

M1911

April 9, 2002, 11:44 PM	#1
Smiley Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2000 Location: CT, U.S.A. Posts: 217	Does Mass not allow rifle hunting? Is Mass shotgun and blackpowder hunting only? I have been trying to make heads or tails of Mass hunting laws and I only see seasons for shotgun, blackpowder, and bow hunting. Is there any handgun or rifle hunting? I know that this probably belongs in The Hunt forum but i wasn't getting any replys in there. __________________ "Let's Roll......." Todd Beamer American hero "Ne Conjuge Nobiscum" God and soldiers, we adore In times of danger, not before With the danger safely righted God is forgotten, and soldiers slighted

April 10, 2002, 06:55 AM	#2
Scarborough Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Fargo North Dakota Posts: 543	Last time I hunted there was in 1981. At that time deer guns had to be shotgun only and muzzle loaders all had to be smooth bore. In fact my step dad has a Thompson- Center Renegade smooth bore made for that type of market. Bear season at that time required a rifle. I used a Savage 111 in .270 Win. Hope this helps.

April 10, 2002, 12:55 PM	#3
M1911 Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2000 Posts: 4,055	Depends upon the quarry. For deer, yes, you must use either bow, shotgun, or muzzleloader. The law was recently changed so that you can use a rifled shotgun. Rifled muzzleloaders are allowed as well (don't have to be smoothbore). But you cannot use a rifle to hunt deer in MA. That hasn't been a drawback to me, since where I've been hunting I've never had a shot longer than 50 yards. M1911