U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge Hunting Regulations 2020–2021

Welcome Safety Established in 1974, Oxbow National In addition to State regulations, safety zones, closed areas, and archery-only areas are Wildlife Refuge (NWR) lies along nearly designated on the refuge to maintain safety on and around the refuge. eight miles of the Nashua River and Firearms contains a diverse array of habitats Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on National Wildlife Refuge System beneficial to resident and migratory lands must comply with all provisions of State and Federal laws. Persons may only use wildlife. The 1,697 acre refuge is (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific refuge one of eight refuges in the Eastern regulations in 50 CFR Part 32). Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Vehicles and Parking Complex. A popular destination for outdoor Licensed motor vehicles are permitted only on public use roads as shown on the map. ATVs recreation, Oxbow allows big game, and UTVs are prohibited. You will receive a parking pass with your refuge hunting permit. upland game, and migratory bird hunting The pass must be visible on your dashboard at all times when parked in a designated hunter in accordance with State laws and refuge parking lot. specific regulations. Boats Hunters may access the refuge via boat on the Nashua River. All state boating laws and hunting regulations must be followed on public waterways. Oxbow NWR 73 Weir Hill Road Accessibility Information Sudbury, MA 01776 Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs and activities of the U.S. Fish (978) 443-4661 https://www.fws.gov/refuge/oxbow/ and Wildlife Service is available to all individuals regardless of physical or mental ability. For more information please contact the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Equal Opportunity, https://www.doi.gov/pmb/eeo/public-civil-rights. For State relay service TTY/ Voice: 711 Hunting Regulations Hunting regulations are designed to provide safe recreational opportunities through wise use U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1-800-344-WILD of renewable wildlife resources. Hunting is permitted in accordance with Federal regulations August 2020 governing public use on National Wildlife Refuges as set forth in Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations.” Hunting will be conducted in accordance with applicable State of Massachusetts regulations subject to the conditions stated below. Access Hunters may only access the Refuge 1.5 hours before legal sunrise until 1.5 hours after legal sunset. Hunters must park in designated parking areas, as identified on the map below, to Our wildlife is a valuable resource. Laws and access the Refuge for hunting. regulations are intended to protect them. Hunters are encouraged to report any violations by calling Tree Stands the refuge during business hours. After hours Refuge hunters are allowed to place one tree stand per refuge for any and all hunting contact Massachusetts Environmental Police at 1 800/632 8075. They will contact a Federal Wildlife seasons permitted. Hunters must mark tree stands/blinds with their refuge permit number Officer. The future of hunting on the refuges requires in such a way that it is visible from the ground. Tree stands may be put up the first eligible responsible hunter behavior and compliance with scouting day of the permitted season and must be removed by January 30th or 30 days after regulations. You can help us by complying with these regulations, reporting unethical hunter the end of permitted season. behavior and providing us with feedback. Harvest Reporting Thank you. Have a safe and enjoyable hunting experience. Hunters are required to report harvests according to MA State regulations. Scouting Scouting can occur once the hunter has obtained a refuge permit. Hunters are required to This is a unit of the National Wildlife have their refuge permits and state license with them at all times when scouting. Scouting Refuge System, a network of lands and waters managed for the benefit of can begin no earlier than 4 weeks prior to the opening day of the hunt season from half hour wildlife and people. before sunrise to half hour after sunset. Prohibited Activities Hunt Type Season Dates Harvest/ Bag Limit Hunt Areas Other Regulations • Possession of alcoholic beverages Big Game (White-tailed White-tailed deer, turkey, State regulations apply All areas of the refuge Big game hunting is • Camping and Fires deer, wild turkey, black and black bear hunting with exceptions listed open to hunting are open archery only at Hospital • Night hunting bear) are conducted during in Prohibited Activities for big game Road North and Still River all State seasons. The and/or noted under Other Depot. • Baiting Hospital Road North and Regulations. • Trimming or cutting vegetation Still River Depot units are • Searching for or removal of any natural archery only. items such as antlers, skulls, plants, Upland Game (Coyote, Coyote and Fox hunting State regulations apply Coyote and fox are open Rifle and handgun is not historic and archaeological artifacts Fox, Grouse, Rabbit, will open concurrent with exceptions listed on all units of the refuge. permitted. • Driving of deer by any means Squirrel) with the deer season and in Prohibited Activities Rabbit, squirrel, and corresponding method of and/or noted under Other grouse are open on all • Baiting or hunting over bait take, except archery only Regulations. units of the refuge except Coyote and Fox may only • Use of a spotlight or other artificial light at Hospital Road North for Hospital Road North be hunted with Archery to locate wildlife and Still River Depot. and the Still River Depot equipment on Hospital • Use of electronic calls Area. Road North and Still River Depot. • Marking of any tree, trail, or other refuge feature with flagging or paint Eastern Massachusetts • Permanent tree stands, nails, screw-in NWRC only permits steps, or other items that penetrate the non-toxic ammunition for outer bark of a tree upland game hunting. • Firearms capable of firing center fire rifle and pistol cartridge ammunition Night hunting and baiting • Possession of loaded firearm, discharge are NOT permitted on the of firearm, or hunting is prohibited refuge. within 500 feet of any dwelling Migratory Bird Migratory bird hunting is State regulations apply Waterfowl hunting is Eastern Massachusetts • Discharge of any firearm or release of (Waterfowl, Woodcock, conducted in alignment with exceptions listed permitted on the North NWRC only permits any arrow across roads or within 150 Snipe) with State seasons and in Prohibited Activities Unit, Hospital Road non-toxic ammunition for feet of roads method of take. and/or noted under Other South, and Route 2 migratory bird hunting. Regulations. South. Snipe hunting is permitted on Route 2 South. Woodcock hunting is permitted on the North Unit, Sheridan Road, and Route 2 South. Oxbow River 2A

National Wildlife Refuge North Unit Hunt Map MacPherson Road

Walker Road

Closed

Hospital oad Rd. North ey R North rl Shi

Jackson Road Lake George Street Parking Refuge Boundary Hospital Trails Rd. South Closed Hospital Rd: North. Bear, deer, turkey, 2 coyote, fox. Route 2 North Hospital Rd: South. Waterfowl, bear, deer, turkey coyote fox grouse,rabbit, squirrel. North Unit: Waterfowl, bear, deer, turkey, coyote, fox, grouse, rabbit, squirrel, woodcock Route 2 South: Waterfowl, bear, deer, turkey coyote fox grouse,rabbit, squirrel, snipe, woodcock. Route 2 South Route 2 North: Bear, deer, turkey, coyote, fox, grouse, rabbit, squirrel, woodcock. Still River Road Still River Depot Area: Bear, deer, turkey, coyote, fox.

0 2 Kilometers Still River Depot Area

0 1 Miles