hunt brochure

8/11/2019 Hunt Brochure

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Eastern MassachusettsNational Wildlife Refuge Complex73 Weir Hill RoadSudbury, MA 01776978/443 4661978/443 2898 Faxhttp://www.fws.gov/northeast/easternmanwrcomplex/

Federal Relay Servicefor the deaf and hard-of-hearing800/877 8339

US Fish & Wildlife Service1 800/344 WILDhttp://www.fws.gov

June 2011

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Eastern

MassachusettsNational WildlifeRefuge Complex

Hunt Regulations

and InformationAssabet River NationalWildlife Refuge

Great Meadows National

Wildlife RefugeOxbow National WildlifeRefuge


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Welcome Welcome to the Assabet River, GreatMeadows and Oxbow national wildliferefuges. These three refuges, alongwith five others, are part of theEastern Massachusetts NationalWildlife Refuge Complex. Thereare more than 550 national wildlife

refuges in the country. The U.S. Fishand Wildlife Service administersthese refuges and is responsible forconserving, protecting and enhancingthe nations fish and wildlifepopulations and their habitats for thecontinuing benefit of the people.

In response to hunter feedback and

to streamline the hunt program,some refuge regulations andprocedures have changed. Huntersare encouraged to read thisinformation carefully.

It is imperative that you conductyourself with the highest level ofconsideration for the safety and

enjoyment of others. Please respectand observe refuge regulations,boundaries and safety zones. A lack

of responsibility on your partcould result in a reduction or

closure of refuge huntingopportunities in thefuture.

Assabet River National WildlifeRefuge is open for the huntingof white-tailed deer (archery,muzzleloader, shotgun), springturkey, American woodcock, ruffedgrouse, Eastern cottontail rabbit,and gray squirrel. Great Meadows

NWR is open for white-tailed deer(archery only) and waterfowl (ducksand geese). Oxbow NWR is openfor white-tailed deer (archery,muzzleloader, shotgun), spring andfall turkey, waterfowl (ducks andgeese), snipe, American woodcock,ruffed grouse, Eastern cottontailrabbit, and gray squirrel. NOT

ALL PARTS OF EACH REFUGEARE OPEN FOR EACH HUNTSEASON. Be familiar with the huntmaps and regulations to ensure youare hunting in an open area.

Archery permits are valid duringshotgun and muzzleloader seasons.

Applicable refuge hunting datesand times correspond to stateregulations. See state abstracts fordetails.

All hunters are required to have arefuge-issued permit along with statelicenses in their possession to scoutor hunt on each refuge. Applications

are typically available July 1stthrough July 31st at http://www.easternmapermits.com.

The information provided belowoutlines refuge-specific huntregulations. Persons possessing,transporting, or carrying firearms onnational wildlife refuges must complywith all provisions of state and locallaw. Persons may only use (discharge)firearms in accordance with refugeregulations (50 CFR 27.42 andspecific refuge regulations in 50 CFRPart 32). Please contact us if you are

Hunt Seasons

Refuge Permits

RefugeRegulations andInformation

This goose, designed byJ.N. Ding Darling, has

become the symbol of theNational Wildlife RefugeSystem.

Gray

squirrel


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towed if your vehicle blocksgates, roads or buildings.Some hunt areas have limitedor no parking accessweencourage carpooling or

being dropped off andpicked up.

Some parkingareas are onnon-refugelands (Rt. 225boat launch inBedford andLake GeorgeStreet in

Devens) orare commonly

used by thegeneral publicto access the

Sudbury River. Pleasebe courteous of

others if parkingin these areas.

Also, ensureyou are on refugeproperty before you begin hunting.

At Great Meadows NWR, huntersMUST NOT access the refuge fromTown of Carlisle conservation lands.Parking is available off the drivewayat 342 Maple Street, Carlisle. Pleasebe courteous as this is a privateresidence.

ScoutingScouting may only be done on thefour Sundays prior to opening dayof the permitted season. Huntersengaged in scouting must carry stateand refuge licenses and permits.

HoursHunters may enter the refuge noearlier than one and one-half hoursbefore legal hunting hours and leave

no later than one and one-half hoursafter legal sunset.

Tree standsRefuge hunters will be allowed tokeep onetree stand on each refugeduring the white-tailed deer archery,

shotgun and muzzleloader seasons.Tree stands must be marked withthe hunters permit number in sucha fashion that it can be visible fromthe ground. Tree stands may beput up as early as the first eligiblescouting day of the permitted seasonand mustbe removed by January15 of the permitted season. Any

tree stand remaining on the refugeafter January 15 may be confiscated.Climbers or ladder type tree standsare recommended. Nails, spikes,screws or other objects may not bedriven into any tree to access orsecure the stand.

Having a tree stand in place does

not claim your right to a specificarea of the refuge. Hunters mustrely on good judgment and hunterethics to avoid conflict. Tree standsleft up are done so at the sole risk ofthe hunter. Stands left on the refugemay be secured with a lock. The

Turkey

Easterncottontail

rabbit


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U.S. Fish andWildlife Serviceis not responsiblefor lost, stolenor damagedproperty.

Youth hunting Any child

between the ages of12 and 17 can receive arefuge hunting permit

(not subject to lotteryprocess) and must be

accompanied by a licensedhunter 18 years of age or

older when hunting.

Non-huntingcompanionWe no longer issue

companion huntpermits. However,we will allow eachpermitted hunter

to be accompaniedby one non-huntingcompanion. Non-hunting companionscannot engage in the act of huntingbut they can help retrieve and carrydowned game. All companions mustcarry personal identification withthem and be willing to show it to anylaw enforcement official. Non-huntingcompanions must be close enough tothe hunter to speak to them withoutraising their voice.

Hunter orangeDuring any season in which it islegal to hunt deer with a shotgunor muzzleloader, we require allhunters and companions to wear aminimum of 500square inches of

solid-orangeclothing or materialon their chest, back and head(except if hunting waterfowlfrom a blind or boat). During allother times, hunters engaged inwoodcock, ruffed grouse, squirrel, orcottontail rabbit hunting at Assabet

River or Oxbow NWRs, as well assnipe hunting at Oxbow NWR, arerequired to wear at the minimum asolid-orange hat. Camouflage orangealone is NOT permitted. This is asafety consideration for yourself aswell as for refuge visitors, staff or

contractors who may be in the area.During turkey season, hunters mustwear an orange cap when moving toand between their hunt location.

Refuge boundariesWe have tried to clearly mark refugeboundaries. However, not all refugeareas are completely signed. Please

refer to the refuge maps and call therefuge office if you need clarificationon a refuge boundary.

Approved shotHunters may possess only approvednon-toxic shot when huntingruffed grouse, rabbit, squirrel andmigratory birds.

DogsDogs are not allowed on any of therefuges during scouting. For seasons

where State regulations allow the useof dogs, we allow no more than twodogs per hunting party.

DecoysDecoys can only be used whilehunting waterfowl or turkey.

White-taileddeer

Canvasbackdecoys


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Trail markersWe do not permit the marking of anytree, trail, or other refuge featurewith flagging or paint. Hunters mayuse reflective tacks and other smallreflective markers, which need to beremoved at the end of the season. We

encourage the use of a GPS to avoidputting up markers.

Law enforcementIndividuals utilizing the refuge aresubject to inspections of permits,licenses, hunting equipment, baglimits, boats, vehicles, and theircontents by federal or state law

enforcement officers. Any member ofthe refuge staff may ask to see yourrefuge permit.

Driving of deer by any means Littering Use of a spotlight or other artificial

light to locate wildlife Baiting or hunting over bait or salt

Use of electronic calls Driving or screwing a nail, spikeor other metal object into a treeor hunting from any tree in whichsuch an object has been driven

Trimming or cutting vegetationgreater than the diameter of aquarter

Use or possession of alcoholicbeverages while hunting

Use of ATVs, dirt bikes and/orother motorized vehicles

Target practice Camping and campfires Overnight parking Searching for, or removing, any

object of antiquity includingarrowheads, pottery or otherartifacts

Blocking gates or roadways withvehicles

Dog training

Our wildlife is a valuable resource.Laws and regulations are intendedto protect them, while allowing forsome consumptive use. Hunters are

ProhibitedActivities

An ImportantMessage

encouraged to report any violationsthey may encounter to a State orfederal employee.

The future of hunting on the refugesrequires responsible hunter behaviorand compliance with regulations. You

can help us by complying with theseregulations, reporting unethicalhunter behavior and providing uswith feedback.

Thank you. Have a safe andenjoyable hunting experience.

For information on how to apply,

please contact us at:

Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex

73 Weir Hill Road Sudbury, MA 01776 978/443 4661 http: //www.fws.gov/northeast/ easternmanwrcomplex/

To apply online, visit http//www.easternmapermits.com

Ruffedgrouse


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HeardPond

126

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N O R T H

S U D B U R Y

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LincolnRd

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LEGEND

Rivers/Stream

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Primary Route

Road or Street

Refuge Boundary

Trails

Parking Lots

Boat Ramp

Archery deer hunting

Waterfowl hunting

Great

MeadowsNationalWildlifeRefugeSudbury Unit

N

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LEGEND

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Rivers/Stream

Road or Street

Refuge Boundary

Trails

Parking Lots

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Boat Ramp

Archery deer hunting

Waterfowl hunting

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Maple

St

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Great

MeadowsNational Wildlife

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Jac

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Bishop

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George

St

Lake

Walk

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LEGEND

Rivers/Stream

Lake or Pond

Marsh, Wetland, Swamp or Bog

Refuge Boundary

TrailsParking Lots

Boat Ramp

Shotgun, archery and primitivefirearms hunting for deer, turkey,ruffed grouse, gray squirrel, rabbit,woodcock, and snipe

Archery deer hunting, shotgunhunting for turkey, ruffed grouse, graysquirrel, rabbit, and woodcock

Archery hunting only for deer andturkey

Waterfowl hunting areas

Oxbow

NationalWildlifeRefuge

.75

N

Miles 1.50

2A

Nash

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River

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SUDBURY-

MARLBOROUGH

STATE FOREST

SUDBURY-

MARLBOROUGH

STATE FOREST

SUDBURY-

MARLBOROUGH

STATE

FOREST

Assabet RiverNational Wildlife Refuge

Whi

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FORES

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FORES

THudsonRd

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LEGEND

Rivers/Stream

Lake or Pond

Marsh, Wetland, Swamp or Bog

Refuge Boundary

Trails

Parking Lots

Archery, Shotgun and primitivefirearms hunting for turkey,deer, ruffed grouse graysquirrel, rabbit, andwoodcock

Archery hunting only for deerand turkey

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S T O W

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