Rabbits & Squirrels
Cottontail Rabbit
Cottontail rabbit hunters can help MassWildlife study the distribution of cottontail rabbits across the state by participating in the head collection survey. For over 50 years, MassWildlife has conducted a periodic assessment of the distribution of cottontails through a review of hunter collected specimens. Successful hunters can bring harvested cottontail heads to the local district office (see MassWildlife office locations) or to the Field Headquarters in Westborough. Information that will be collected includes date of harvest, method of hunting, and location of harvest.
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Open Season
(All Dates Inclusive)
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Daily Bag Limit
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Possession Limit
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Season Limit
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Cottontail
Rabbit
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Zones 1-12
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Jan. 1 – Feb. 28
Oct. 15 – Feb. 29, 2012
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5
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10
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—
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Zones 13 and 14
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Jan. 1 – Feb. 28
Nov. 15 – Feb. 29, 2012
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5
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10
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—
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Snowshoe Hare
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Zones 1–4
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Jan. 1 – Feb. 28
Oct. 15 – Feb. 29, 2012
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2
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4
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—
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Zones 5–12
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Jan. 1 – Feb. 5
Oct. 15 – Feb. 4, 2012
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2
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4
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—
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Zones 13 and 14
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Jan. 1 – Feb. 5
Nov. 15 – Feb. 4, 2012
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2
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4
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—
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Jackrabbit
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Zone 14
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Nov. 15 – Dec. 31
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1
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2
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—
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Gray Squirrel
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Zones 1–9
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Sept. 12 – Jan. 2, 2012
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5
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10
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—
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Zones 10–14
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Oct. 15 – Jan. 2, 2012
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5
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10
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—
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Rabbit, jackrabbit, hare and squirrel hunting are closed during shotgun deer season.
Gray Squirrel
Rifles and handguns are permitted in Zones 1–9; prohibited in Zones 10–14. No person shall hunt by any means other than shotgun or bow and arrow during the pheasant and quail seasons, on areas stocked with pheasant or quail (see WMA regulation #9).
Hunting hours for gray squirrel are from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset except that no person shall hunt on Wildlife Management Areas where pheasant and quail are stocked during the open season on pheasant and quail (Oct. 15 – Nov. 26) except for the hunting of raccoons and opossums between 9pm and 3am.
