MA Black Bear Season 1 Zones 1 – 14

BLACK BEAR

Bag Limit: 1 Annually
Permit required. Limit one bear per year. Hunting only with rifle .23 caliber or larger; muzzleloader .44–.775
caliber, fired from the shoulder, using a single projectile; bows, draw weight 40 lbs. or greater; revolvers .357 Magnum or
.40 caliber or larger; or shotgun, no larger than 10 gauge, including shotguns with a rifled bore, slugs or single ball only. Hunting
implements are restricted by season, see table below. Revolvers permitted during first season only, shotguns permitted during shotgun  season only. Use of dogs

Use of dogs for training or hunting is prohibited (see Hunting Dogs on page 22 of e-regulations). Baiting of bears is prohibited. During the shotgun season
hunters must wear 500 square inches of blaze orange on their head, chest, and back; rifles and handguns are prohibited;
shotguns, muzzleloaders, and archery equipment allowed.

Hunting hours close ½ hour after sunset except as noted in WMA
Reg. #10 (page 23). Successful hunters must immediately fill out and detach bear tag from permit and attach tag to bear prior
to moving it, and then must check/report their harvest within 48 hours by EITHER 1) reporting online and writing the harvest report
confirmation number on tag attached to the bear (see page 27 for details), or 2) bringing the bear to an official check station.
Bear can only be field dressed, must not be concealed (bear or part of bear must remain open to view during transport), and
must remain intact or whole (do not skin, butcher, or take to a taxidermist for mounting) until bear has been checked/reported.

Allowed hunting Implements: Rifle, Revolver, Muzzleloader, Archery

ANIMALS TAGGED FOR RESEARCH
Some bear, deer, coyotes, and other animals may have ear tags or radio collars. It is legal to harvest them. If you find or take
one of these animals, contact DFW’s Field Headquarters (508) 389-6300 immediately. You will be asked for information that will
help biologists determine the source and status of these animals AND you will be asked to return the equipment to MassWildlife.
Thank you for your cooperation.

NOTE: Season Dates, bag limits and rules are subject to change! This calendar is intended to be used as a quick reference only. Please check the official website for any updates before hunting. We will not be held responsible for outdated information, it is the individual’s responsibility to do your due diligence before hunting. http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/