Hunting

In January 2005, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completed comprehensive conservation plans (CCP) for three national wildlife refuges within the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex: Great Meadows NWR, Assabet River NWR, and Oxbow NWR. As part of these plans, we determined that new and expanded public hunting programs, conducted in accordance with applicable refuge, State and Federal regulations, were compatible uses on these refuges.

Providing additional hunting opportunities at these three refuges addresses the mandates of Executive Order 12996 and the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 by providing the public with an opportunity to engage in wildlife-dependent recreation. Hunting is recognized by the Service as a traditional form of wildlife dependent outdoor recreation and one of six priority public uses identified by Congress for emphasis on refuges.

The 2005-2006 Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing final rule was published in the Federal Register on September 13, 2005.

This final rule enables us to open Assabet River and Great Meadows NWR to hunting and fishing and change the existing hunting opportunities at Oxbow NWR.

New hunt programs are being implemented at Great Meadows NWR and Assabet River NWR. Expanded hunting opportunities are being implemented at Oxbow NWR.

It is not only our desire, but a requirement, that we provide safe and quality hunting experiences for those choosing to hunt on refuges. To ensure that hunters have this opportunity, refuge hunt programs are planned and conducted in such a manner as to promote safety, positive hunting values and hunter ethics, reasonable harvest opportunities, and uncrowded conditions. Additionally, we want to ensure the safety of all visitors and adjacent residents. We have incorporated measures into our hunt program to address these interests. In some areas on the refuges, hunting will not be allowed; in others, only archery hunting will be permitted. We are also requiring all hunters to obtain a refuge permit to scout and hunt, and we are limiting the number of permits being issued for the most popular hunting seasons.

General Administration

1. All persons hunting on the refuge will be required to obtain the necessary state licenses, permits, and stamps.
2. All hunters on the refuge will need to possess a signed general refuge hunting permit and, where appropriate, specific season permit. Permit applications and associated due date information will be available soon.
3. A new general refuge hunting permit will be required every year.
4. Hunters are strongly encouraged to complete a comprehensive hunter education course offered by the State prior to engaging in this time honored tradition.
5. Hunters are encouraged to scout potential hunting areas in advance of their hunt in order to become familiar with refuge lands, boundaries, and hunting areas. Hunters must have a refuge permit to scout, and scouting can occur no earlier than a month before the hunt season begins.
6. Refuge hunting regulations, maps, and other pertinent information will be provided with each permit to assist hunters.

Permits

There will be a two-tiered permit system in place for the first hunt season. General refuge hunting permits are required for anyone hunting on the refuge. The submission of an application for a general refuge permit will not guarantee the ability to hunt all seasons on all refuges. In addition to the general hunt permit, specific season permits will be required for white-tailed deer.

Permits will be issued to individuals. Hunters who wish to hunt with other specific individuals will need to provide the name of those individuals on their permit application. Hunters will be allowed to have one non-hunting companion for the purposes of education and/or assistance (dragging a deer, carrying decoys, etc). This person will not be allowed to carry a weapon or actively engage in the hunt. Companions will not need permits, but must stay by the side of the hunter at all times.

How to Apply

Hunters need to complete a permit application and return it by August 4th by 4pm to the Refuge Headquarters located at 73 Weir Hill Road, Sudbury, MA 01776. Checks and money orders accepted, NO CASH.

Hunter Selection

We will issue 280 archery permits, 110 muzzleloader permits and 110 shotgun permits (Archery only at Great Meadows NWR) total for Assabet River, Oxbow and Great Meadows NWR's. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of permits we plan to issue for each season, then permits will be issued by lottery.

To ensure all refuge criteria are met and a quality program is maintained, the hunt program will be evaluated annually for any necessary changes. Changes to the following year's program will reflect results of the evaluation and function to improve and maintain the hunt program.

Hunting Area Maps

Hunt brochure (924 kb pdf)

Download free Adobe Acrobat Reader

Deer and Waterfowl Hunting

Refuge-Specific Hunting Regulations

We will allow hunting in compliance with State regulations, Federal regulations listed in 50 CFR, and the following refuge specific requirements:

● Hunters must possess a current signed, Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex permit when scouting or hunting on the refuge.

● Hunters must have all applicable hunting licenses, permits, and stamps in their possession while hunting on the refuge. Hunters must also have photographic identification in their possession while hunting on the refuge.

● All hunters are required to wear a solid blaze orange hat when in motion or moving to and from their selected hunting location. All hunters, except waterfowl hunters when hunting within a blind or from a boat, must wear a minimum of 500 square inches of solid orange clothing or material in a conspicuous manner on their head, chest and back during the shotgun and muzzleloader season.

● Hunters may not construct or use permanent structures while hunting. Driving a nail, spike, screw or other metal object into any tree or hunting from any tree in which a nail, spike, screw or other object has been driven is prohibited on the refuge.

● Temporary tree stands may be used only while engaged in hunting deer during the applicable archery, shotgun or muzzle loader deer seasons. All stands or any blinds must be removed at the end of each day. All tree stands must have the name and address of the owner clearly printed on the stand.

● Driving deer by any means is not permitted on the refuge.

● Use of electronic calls is prohibited on the refuge during any hunting season.

● Hunters may not trim or cut branches larger than the diameter of a quarter. Excessive shot lane clearance is prohibited.

● Marking any tree or other refuge feature with flagging, paint, reflective material or other substance is prohibited.

● Scouting can occur once the hunter has obtained a refuge permit. Scouting can begin no earlier than one month from the opening day of the hunting season.

● All vehicles, including off-road vehicles, and snowmobiles are prohibited on the refuge except in designated parking areas.

● Hunters may enter the refuge 1.5 hours before legal hunting time and must leave the refuge within 1.5 hours after sunset.

● For seasons where use of dogs is allowed under state regulations, no more than two dogs will be permitted for each hunting party. Per State regulations, during the shotgun deer season, dogs used for waterfowl hunting are restricted to coastal areas only and are therefore prohibited from use on the refuge during this time. The training of dogs on the refuge is prohibited.

● Hunters may only use decoys for waterfowl and turkey hunting.

● Only non-toxic shot may be used or possessed while hunting during waterfowl season.

● Buckshot may not be used or possessed while hunting during any season on the refuge.

● Hunters will be required to tag and report harvested game according to State regulations. The refuge will not provide check stations.

*Note, species hunt categories may differ from those used by state agencies.

Hunting is a time honored tradition which is enjoyed by millions of Americans who cherish this traditional connection with wildlife, as did their ancestors. Since the 19 th century, hunters concerned about the future of wildlife have made countless contributions to conserving the nation's wildlife resources. Hunters have helped buy land for the National Wildlife Refuge System for nearly 70 years through their purchase of Duck Stamps. In addition, hunting serves as an important wildlife management tool in many locations.

Today, with more than 545 wildlife refuges nationwide, hunters have many opportunities to enjoy hunting including those offered at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. These special places offer hunters the best of the American outdoors. For a comprehensive list of refuges that welcome hunters, visit http://refuges.fws.gov/hunting/ or call1-800-344-WILD.