Wildlife Laws and Regulations

State and federal laws and regulations protect wildlife in Massachusetts. Click below to learn more about how specific laws and regulations impact our wild neighbors. Additionally, find out more about the MSPCA’s advocacy efforts and how you can contribute to peaceful coexistence in Massachusetts and beyond.

General Wildlife Protection

State

• Massachusetts law about animals: A compilation of laws, regulations, cases and web sources on animal law
• Massachusetts trapping restriction law: The Wildlife Protection Act (M.G.L. c.131 s80A)
• Ban on wildlife killing contests
• Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) Regulations
• Massachusetts Endangered Species Act

Federal

• Facts About Federal Wildlife Laws
• Endangered Species Act
• Lacey Act
• Migratory Bird Treaty Act
• ALDF Overview of federal, state, and local animal protection laws

Trapping Information

• Beavers and the Law: A Citizen’s Guide to Addressing Beaver Conflicts
• The Wildlife Protection Act, Massachusetts’s trapping restriction law
• Massachusetts trapping regulations, MassWildlife
• Massachusetts trapping information, MassWildlife
• Guidance for Conservation Commissions Implementing G.L. c.131, s.80A: Threats from Beaver and Muskrat-Related Activities [doc]
• Flowchart for Alleviating Beaver and Muskrat Conflicts
• Learn about Beavers
• Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Standard Operating Procedure for Determining Beaver or Muskrat Threats to Public Water Supply
• Trapping legislation

Hunting Information and Safety

• How to enjoy the outdoors during hunting season—MSPCA
• Massachusetts Hunting and Freshwater Fishing Laws—MassWildlife
• Massachusetts Wildlife Management Areas—MassWildlife
• Massachusetts Guide to Hunting, Trapping and Fishing—MassWildlife
• Deer Hunting and Lyme Disease—MSPCA
• Sunday hunting legislation—MSPCA
• Blue Hills deer hunt—MSPCA