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PROBLEM ANIMAL CONTROL HANDBOOK

(2nd Edition)

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MASSACHUSETTS DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE
100 CAMBRIDGE STREET, BOSTON, MASS.

1990

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PROBLEM ANIMAL CONTROL HANDBOOK

This handbook is intended as a guide for persons licensed as problem animal
control agents in accordance with the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321
CMR 2.14. This is the second edition of the handbook. Other sources, including,
but not restricted to, those suggested below, may provide useful additional
information.

Problem Animal Control Agents are licensed (issued permits) by the
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife in accordance with provisions of
G.L c. 131, s. 4 and 321 CMR 2.14. The purposes of such licensing is to provide a
lawful procedure for the control of vertebrate animals which are causing
damage to property or interfering with the reasonable use of such property.
Under some circumstances, landowners, members of their immediate families,
or persons permanently employed by them rnay control or destroy problem
animals without a permit (G.L. c. 131, s. 37). However, this may not be
satisfactory due to the need for special training or equipment or the lack of
time or ability on the part of the complainant. Problem Animal Control Agents,
including municipal Animal Control Officers, can therefore provide such services,
when properly licensed. No person, unless otherwise allowed by law, may
control problem animals without such licensing from the Division of Fisheries
and Wildlife.

Regulations:

The complete text of the Problem Animal Control regulations is found in the
Code of Massachusetts Regulations (321 CMR 2.14), initially published in the
Massachusetts Register in May 1989. Prior to 1989, licensing was also required
but was governed by administrative policy. The current regulations set forth
the purpose for the regulations, the scope of the permit requirement, the
Information and requirements necessary for application, procedures for
administering abandoned and denied applications, criteria for issuance of the
permit and for provisional permits, exemptions, examination and recertification
requirements, procedures for revocation and non-renewal of permits,
restrictions, record-keeping and reporting requirements, and other information.
A copy of these regulations is contained in this handbook. Permittees must be
familiar with all aspects of the regulations and must comply with them in
conducting their animal control program.

Examination and Recertification Requirements:

In the past. Problem Animal Control Agents could obtain and renew their
permits by applying and by being recommended by a District Wildlife Manager
or an Environmental Police Officer. Under the formal regulations now in place,
a new applicant must also complete a written examination on biology,
handling, capture techniques, animal welfare, diseases and parasites, statutes
and regulations, and other appropriate subject matter before being granted a
permit. In order to phase in existing permittees, persons who have held a
problem animal control permit for three or more years are allowed to renew
without completing the examination. Persons who had held such a permit for
more than one but less than three years were allowed to renew, but then

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required to take the examination within six months in order to retain the
permit. Almost all of these 1-year provisional permittees have been phased into
the program. In any case, all permittees must retake an examination (recertify)
every third year. In past years, there has been no fee either for taking the
examination or for issuance of the permit. Such fees may be instituted in the
future. Questions on the examination will be based on, but not be limited to,
materials in this handbook. Municipal Animal Control Officers may be exempted
from the examination and recertification requirements and the fees (if any)
when the Director is satisfied that their training and experience warrants such
exemption. The AGO certification program being conducted through the
Criminal Justice Training Council can provide such training and experience.

Control Philosophy:

The Problem Animal Control Agent has a divided responsibility. He or she has a
responsibility to the client to solve the animal problem which the client has
complained about. The agent also has a responsibility to the state arid to
society to act lawfully and ethically. They also have a responsibility to the
animals to act humanely. It is a challenging task to meet ail these
responsibilities all of the time. In many, if not most, instances, it is not the
animal which is the problem, but rather the human. Humans have intruded
their habitat into that of the animals, who have taken advantage of human
artifacts for food and shelter. This exploitation of human resources by animals
is often considered to be a "problem" or a "nuisance" by those who encounter
it. These problems are often real, and need to be resolved, but the actual
problem is not the animal -which is acting in accordance with Its biological
needs - but the interaction between the animal and human. By eliminating the
situations which elict those interactions, problems can often be reduced or
eliminated. In other words, prevent the problem from occurring; by physical
barriers, sanitary disposal of garbage, or by tolerating a low level of damage.
Secondarily, problem animals may sometimes be harassed or chased away.
Problem Animal Control Agents should, whenever possible, recommend and
utilize exclusionary measures or non-lethal controls over lethal measures for
controlling problem animals. On the other hand, when human health and
safety, or that of domestic animals. Is immediately threatened, or when a high
level of severe damage is occurring, immediate and humane destruction of the
animal may be warranted. Agents should advise their clients of those measures
which can be utilized to prevent damage in the future. Persons should be
attentive to problems which might occur elsewhere nearby. It does little good
-to either the animals or to humans - to merely shift damage from place to
place.

Capture of Problem Animals:

Those means which are allowed for the taking of problem animals are specified
in the regulations. In some instances, these include lethal means such as
shooting or kill-type traps. In other instances, capture may be accomplished by
holding devices such as live traps or nets. The animal's welfare should be
considered and needless pain and suffering should be avoided. All capture
devices have inherent conditions or contradictions which may limit their use and

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effectiveness and Problem Animal Control Agents must be familiar with those
devices which they use. For example, cage or "box" traps may capture the
animal harmlessly, but the animals may become dehydrated if the trap Is left in
the sun for long periods, or the trap may be vandalized. Captured animals may
also damage their teeth by gnawing at the mesh of wire traps. Be sure that you
know your equipment and its limitations. The trapping regulations, 321 CMR
3.02(5), are detailed and are subject to change. Although these regulations
primarily address fur trapping, they also apply to most other situations In which
traps are used. In some instances, persons are now required to take a trapper
training course in order to obtain a trap registration number or to use certain
types of traps. At present, a restricted-use trap registration number may be
obtained by Problem Animal Control Agents for use with cage or "box" traps
only. This may change in the future and all new trap users may have to take a
trapper training course or an equivalent course.

Disposal of Problem Animals:

In some instances, it will be necessary to kill problem animals, either because of
the nature of the damage, or because the problem is caused by a sick or injured
animal. It can be distressing to the agent or the client to have to kill animals
and exclusionary or non-lethal means are preferred when possible and practical.
When it is necessary to destroy animals, the method used should be as quick and
painless as possible, depending on the urgency of the matter and the kind and
size of animal involved. Keeping this in mind, suggested means of euthanasia
include: shooting in the brain with a firearm or captive bolt pistol; chemical
euthanasia by lethal injection; cervical dislocation (pigeons and smaller birds
and chipmunk or smaller-sized mammals); and drowning. Shooting should be
done by trained personnel and with due regard for the safe discharge of
firearms and state laws governing the same. Chemical Injection should be done
only by trained and properly licensed persons using pharmacological agents
designed for humane euthanasia. Pertinent references include:

AVM A Panel on Euthanasia. 1986. Report of the AVMA panel on euthanasia.
J. Amer. Vet. Med. Assoc. 188(3):252-268.

Institute for the Study of Animal Problems. 1978. Euthanasia of dogs and cats.
An analysis of experience and current knowledge with recommendations for
research. Humane Soc. of the U.S., 47pp.

Sick, injured, and orphaned animals may be transferred to a licensed Wildlife
Rehabilitator. Names and addresses of persons currently licensed as
rehabilitators may be obtained from the Division's Boston office (address and
telephone number below).

Specialized Damage Situations:

Sometimes damage may be caused by animals which cannot be lawfully
controlled by a Problem Animal Control Agent, or which require the agent to
obtain a special permit. Examples of these kinds of damage include that caused
by migratory birds (such as Canada geese), white-tailed deer, black bear, beaver,
or coyote. Migratory birds complaints should be referred to the U.S. Department

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of Agriculture (see below). The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife should be
advised of damage caused by deer, bear, and other larger mammals. In some
instances, the Division will investigate these complaints in the field. In other
situations, literature or advice may be provided so that the citizen can solve the
problem himself.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER READING:

Some of these are written in a popular style, while others are highly technical.
Some are in-print and readily available, while others may only be obtained on
the out-of-print market or on interlibrary loan. Field guides and similar sources
may have useful information; those references below are recommended but are
not the only sources.

Animal Damage and Control and Capture Techniques:

Canadian Trappers' Federation. 1986. Canadian trappers' manual (4th ed.)
Canad. Trappers' Fed., St. Catherine's, Ontario, 326pp.

De Almeida, M.H. 1987. Nuisance furbearer damage control in urban and
suburban areas. Pages 996-1006 jn M Novak et al. (eds.) Wild furbearer
management and conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources, Toronto, 1150pp.

Harding, J. 1979. An animal damage identification guide for Massachusetts.
Mass. Coop. Extension Service, Univ. Mass., Amherst, Publ. SP-113, 118pp.

Hawthorne, D.W. 1980. Wildlife damage and control techniques. Pages 41 1-
439 in S.D. Schemnitz (ed.) Wildlife management techniques manual (4th ed.).
The Wildlife Society, Inc., Wash., D.C., 686pp.

Timm, R.M., ed. 1983. Prevention and control of wildlife damage. Great Plains
Agricultural Council Wildlife Resources Committee and Nebraska Cooperative
Extension Service, Univ. Nebraska, Lincoln, variously paged.

Also useful are the "Proceedings" of the Eastern Wildlife Damage Control
Conference (1st, 1983; 2nd, 1985; 3rd, 1987; 4th, 1989). The 1st Conference is
available from the Cornell Cooperative Extension Service, Cornell Univ., Ithaca,
N.Y. The 2nd and 3rd are available from Alabama Coop. Ext. Service, Auburn
Univ., Auburn, Ala.

Life Histories:

Bull, J. 1974. Birds of New York state. Doubleday/Natural History Press, New
York, 655pp.

Chapman, J.A. and G.A. Feldhamer, eds. 1982. Wild mammals of North
America. Biology, management, economics. John Hopkins Press, Baltimore,
1147pp.

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DeGraaf, R.M. and D.D. Rudis. 1983. Amphibians and reptiles of New England.
Habits and natural history. Univ. Mass. Press, Amherst, 83pp.

Godin, A.J. 1977. Wild mammals of New England. Johns Hopkins Press,
Baltimore, Md., 304pp.

Novak, M., J.A. Baker, M.E. Obbard and B. Malloch. 1987. Wild furbearer
management and conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources, Toronto, 1 1 50pp.

Terres, J.K., ed. 1982. The Audubon Society encyclopedia of North American
birds. A.A. Knopf, New York, 1 1 09pp.

Animal Diseases:

Davidson, W.R. and V.F. Nettles. 1988. Field manual of wildlife diseases in the
southeastern United States. Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study,
Athens, Ga., 309pp.

Davis, J.W. and R.C. Anderson, eds. 1971. Parasitic diseases of wild mammals.
Iowa State Univ. Press, Ames, 364pp

Davis, J.W., R.C. Anderson, L Karstad, and D.O. Trainer, eds. 1972. Infectious
and parasitic diseases of wild birds. Iowa State Univ. Press, Ames, 344pp.

Davis, J.W., LH. Karstad and D.O. Trainer, eds. 1981. Infectious diseases of wild
mammals (2nd ed.) Iowa State Univ. Press, Ames, 446pp.

Friend, M., ed. 1987. Field guide to wildlife diseases. General field procedures
and diseases of migratory birds. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Service, Wash., D.C.,
Resource Publ. 167, 225pp

Remarics:

This handbook only contains a brief summary of information necessary and
useful to the Problem Animal Control Agent. If you have questions or
comments, please direct them to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Issuance
of permits is handled through the Permit Section, Division of Fisheries and
Wildlife, 100 Cambridge Street, Leverett Saltonstall Building, Boston, MA 02202
(617-727-3151). Technical questions should be directed to the Division of
Fisheries and Wildlife, Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA
01581 (508-366-4479, 508-792-7270). The addresses and telephone numbers of
the Division's five District offices can be found in the pamphlet "Abstracts of the
Fish and Wildlife Laws", published annually and available from the Division or
from city and town clerks.

Other AgenciesiEnforcement of the Fisheries and Wildlife laws and other
Massachusetts environmental laws is handled by the Division of Law
Enforcement (Environmental Police). Their main office is at 100 Nashua Street,
Boston 02114, with the Inland regional office in Lancaster (508-792-7436) and

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the Coastal regional office in Hingham (617-727-0882). Federal environmental
laws are enforced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Law Enforcement
Division), Federal Office BIdg., 10 Causeway Street, Boston 02222 (617-565-
6580). Migratory birds are subject to Federal law and international treaty and
state law regarding them is secondary. Migratory bird permits are issued by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1 Gateway Center, Suite 700, Newton Corner
02158 (617-965-5100). Damage caused by migratory birds is investigated by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, APHIS/Animal Damage Control, 463 West
Street, Amherst 01002 (413-253-2403).

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Statutes and Regulations:

1. Prevention of defilement of domestic water supply by gulls or terns (M.G.L

c. 111, s. 174A).

2. Destruction or control of foxes and rodents (M.G.L c. 128, s. 8A).

3. Killing of game by owner or tenant of land (M.G.L. c. 131, s. 37).

4. Farmers; permit to trap and kill birds (M.G.L c. 131, s. 38).

5. Poisons; exceptions; permits; regulations (M.G.L c. 131, s. 43).

6. Registration and identification of traps (M.G.L c. 131, s. 80).

7. Certain traps or other devices prohibited (M.G.L c. 131, s. 80A).

8. Sparrows and starlings (M.G.L c. 131, s. 83).

9. Placing poison for rodents where it may cause injury (M.G.L c. 270, s. 3A).

10. Trapping of birds by farmers (321 CMR 2.09).

11. issuance of permits to expose poisons for the control of mammal and bird
species not protected by Federal or state statutes (321 CMR 2.10).

12. Artificial propagation and maintenance of birds, mammals, reptiles, and
amphibians (extract only abandoned applications) 321 CMR 2.12(8).

13. Problem animal control (321 CMR 2.14).

14. Hunting and trapping of certain mammals [321 CMR 3.02(5)].

15. State list of endangered wildlife and wild plants (321 CMR 8.01. (extract
vertebrate wildlife only).

Leaflets and Brochures:

1. Control of English Sparrows

2. Control of Starlings

3. Vagrant Pigeon Control

4. Control of Opossums

5. Control of Moles

6. Control of Cottontail Rabbits

7. Control of Tree Squirrels

8. Control of Rats and House Mice

9. Control of Porcupines

1 0. Control of Foxes

1 1 . Control of Weasels

12. Control of Animal Odors with Neutroleum Alpha

13. Wildlife in Massachusetts; Chipmunk

14. Controlling Wildlife Damage; Woodchuck

15. Wildlife in Massachusetts; Gray Squirrel

16. Wildlife in Massachusetts; Muskrat

17. Wildlife in Massachusetts; Raccoon

18. Controlling Wildlife Damage; Raccoon

19. Wildlife in Massachusetts; Striped Skunk

20. Controlling Wildlife Damage; Skunk

21. If You Care Leave Them There

22. A Homeowner's Guide to Massachusetts Bats and Bat Problems.

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MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS
CHAPTER 111, SECTION 174A.

111:174A. Prevention of defilement of domestic water supply by gulls
or terns.

Section 174A. In order to preserve the purity and prevent the pollution of the
waters of any reservoir, pond, and stream used for domestic water supply^ by
the watershed system of the division of watershed management of the
metropolitan district commission, or by a town, water supply or fire and water
district, public institution or water company, said division, the public board or
commission, or the governing board in case of a water company, having control
of such waters may authorize one or more of its employees, so far as permissible
under federal law, to take such reasonable means and use such appliances and
weapons as, in the judgment of such public board or commission, or governing
board, as the case may be, will prevent the defilement of said waters by gulls or
terns, any provision of chapter one hundred and thirty-one to the contrary
notwithstanding. Every such division, public board or commission and
governing board shall keep an accurate account of all birds killed by its
employees under authority of this section and submit such account to the
director of the division of fisheries and wildlife of the department of fisheries,
wildlife and recreational vehicles at such times and covering such periods as he
may prescribe.

Source: 1988 GLM, volume 6, page 735.

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MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS
CHAPTER 128, SECTION 8A

128:8A. Destruction or control of foxes and rodents; investigations;
cooperative arrangements with United States.

Section 8A. In order to protect the food supplies, agricultural produce, growing
crops, live stock, manufactured goods and buildings, and to safeguard the
public health, the commissioner may investigate the life and habits of, and may
take necessary measures to destroy or to control, foxes, and rats, mice,
woodchucks, and such other rodents not protected by law, as may from time to
time be determined by him to be detrimental to one or more of such purposes.
In performing such duties he may, by himself or by his authorized agent, with
the consent of the owner or tenant, enter upon private premises for any of such
purposes at any reasonable time. In order to carry out this section, the
commissioner may enter into co-operative arrangements with the United States
or any agency thereof, with any department, board or commission of this
commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, or with any association,
corporation or individual owning, occupying or possessing any property within
the commonwealth. Section forty-three of chapter one hundred and thirty-one
shall not apply to the destruction of rodents under this section. Nothing herein
shall be construed to authorize the destruction or control of foxes by the use of
poison.

Source: 1988 GLM, volume 7, pages 762-763.

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MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS
CHAPTER 131, SECTION 37

131:37. Killing of game by owner or tenant of land; reports.

Section 37. An owner or tenant of land or, if authorized by such owner or
tenant, any member of his immediate family or person permanently employed
thereon, may, upon such land:

(1) kill or attempt to kill, by means other than poisoning or trapping, any wild
bird damaging his property, including domesticated animals, poultry and game
on game-rearing farms or preserves, provided that such killing is not contrary to
any federal law, rule or regulation.

(2) hunt or take by other means, except by poison or snare, any mammal which
he finds damaging his property except grass growing on uncultivated land. No
such owner or tenant shall authorize any person, other than a member of his
immediate family or a person permanently employed by him, to place traps for
the protection of said property other than during the open season, unless such
owner or tenant has first obtained from the director a permit authorizing him
to do so, which permit the director is hereby authorized to issue in his
discretion, unless such authorized person holds a trapping license. All d^er so
killed shall be turned over to any environmental police officer and shall be
disposed of by the director of law enforcement.

The following written reports shall be sent to the director by such owner or
tenant acting under authority of this section:

(a) upon the taking of pheasant, ruffed grouse, hares or rabbits, or the
wounding or killing of a deer, a report stating the time and place, kind and
number of birds or mammals so taken, wounded or killed, within twenty-four
hours of such taking, wounding, or killing; (b) upon the taking of any other
birds or mammals, a report on or before January thirty-first of each year, stating
the number and kinds of birds or mammals taken under authority of this section
during the previous year. This section shall not be construed to limit any other
provisions of this chapter.

Source: 1988 GLM, volume 8, pages 41-42.

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MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS
CHAPTER 131, SECTION 38

131:38. Farmers: permit to trap and kill birds.

Section 38. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the director may, upon
application of a farmer, as defined in section one A of chapter one hundred and
twenty-eight, grant a permit to trap live, and thereafter destroy, birds that are
destroying agricultural crops or endangering the health of livestock, poultry or
fur bearing animals. Each applicant shall state the type of trap to be used, the
location of each such trap and the period within which he intends to use such
trap, and such other information as the director may deem necessary. Each
application shall be accompanied by a fee, the amount of which shall be
determined annually by the commissioner of administration under the provision
of section three B of chapter seven for the filing thereof. The farmer shall mark
each trap with his name and address and the number of the permit issued to
him by the director, and the farmer or his agent shall check each such trap twice
dally. The director shall issue rules and regulations relative to the type of traps
and kinds of birds which may be trapped, and such other rules and regulations
as he may deem necessary for the protection of song and game birds. The
director and his agents may, for the purpose of inspecting such traps, enter
upon and pass through or over private lands and property whether or not
covered by water.

Source: 1988 GLM, volume 8, page 42.

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MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS
CHAPTER 131, SECTION 43

131:43. Poisons.

Section 43. A person shall not place poison in any form whatsoever for the
purpose of killing any mammal or bird except pursuant to a permit issued under
the provisions of this section; provided, that this section shall not prohibit any
person from placing in his orchard or in or near his dwelling house, barn or
other buildings poison for the purpose of destroying rats, woodchucks or other
pests of like nature, or from placing with like intent under the surface of his
lands carbon disulphide in any of its forms or any other poison applied in a
manner similar to that in which carbon disulphide is applied. The director is
hereby authorized to make rules and regulations and, pursuant to the terms
thereof, to issue permits to the owners or agents of forest plantations or
orchards to place poison for the extermination of rats, mice and other pests of
like nature therein and to employees of municipeil, state and federal
governments and to others found by the director to be qualified persons to
place poison elsewhere, for the control of animals and birds, in connection with
public health, wood tick suppression and control, propagation and protection of
wild birds and mammals, and purposes of a similar nature, or to place poison
within an area specified in such permit for the purpose of killing birds which
may lawfully be killed under federal and state law and which are present in
such area in such numbers as in the opinion of the director to constitute a public
nuisance or endanger health or safety. Possession of the raw fur of any
mammal or the dead body of any bird killed by poison, except rats, mice,
woodchucks or other pests of like nature, shall be prima facie evidence that the
person having such possession has violated this section unless he is an employee
of the federal government or an employee of the commonwealth or a political
subdivision thereof to whom a permit has been issued under the provisions of
this section.

Source: 1988 GLM, volume 8, pages 60-61.

See Also: M.G.L c. 132B, "Massachusetts Pesticide Control Act".

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MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS
CHAPTER 131, SECTION 80

131:80. Registration and identification of traps.

Section 80. A person shall not place, set, maintain, possess, or tend on the land
of another, any trap, unless the same Is registered In accordance with the
provisions of this section. For the purpose of providing for the registration and
identification of traps, the director shall provide application forms, renewal
forms, registration certificates and other forms necessary for the registration of
traps as hereinafter provided. The director shall require the applicant for
registration or renewal to supply necessary information and shall charge a fee
for the original certificate, which shall be valid for two years unless suspended
or revoked, and a fee for a renewal for a similar period of time, the amounts of
which shall be determined annually by the commissioner of administration
under the provision of section three B of chapter seven, which shall cover and
apply to all traps then and thereafter owned by the applicant. The director
shall provide by regulation, approved by the fisheries and wildlife board, that
the registration number of any certificate issued by him and the name of the
owner of a trap be affixed to each trap. Upon the sale of any registered trap,
the owner and purchaser shall send a joint notice of such transfer to the
director, and thereupon the seller's registered number, as appearing upon each
trap so transferred, shall have the letter "T" added to it to indicate that said
transfer has been so registered with the director, and in addition the buyer's
registration number shall forthwith be stamped upon each trap. Upon the
request of two or more persons, stating that they have entered into a
partnership and are willing that all members of the partnership shall trap with
the registered traps of any partner, each member of the partnership shall be
furnished by the director with a special certification, written upon his
registration certificate, that he is authorized to use traps belonging to the other
members thereof, and it shall be unnecessary for any trap used by such
partnership to bear any registration number other than that of its owner. The
director shall from time to time furnish to the director of law enforcement a list
of all holders of registration certificates issued hereunder, including the
registration number assigned to each such holder.

Source: 1988 GLM, volume 8, pages 73-74.

See Also: Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321 CMR 3.02(5), "Hunting and

Trapping of Certain Mammals".

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MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS
CHAPTER 131, SECTION 80A

131 :80 A. Certain traps or other devices prohibited; exception: special
permits: rules and regulations; penalties.

Section 80A. No person shall use, set, place or maintain any steel jaw leghold
trap on land for the capture of fur-bearing mammals except in or under
buildings owned, leased or rented by him. The steel jaw leghold trap may be
used for the capture of fur-bearing mammals in water only If set in such a
manner that all reasonable care is taken to insure that the mammal dies by
drowning in a minimum length of time. No other device which is set in such a
manner that it will knowingly cause continued suffering to such a mammal
caught therein, or which is not designed to kill such a mammal at once or take it
alive unhurt shall be used, set, placed or maintained for the capture of fur-
bearing mammals; provided, however, that a person or his duly authorized
agent may apply to the director for a special permit to use such traps, other
than the steel jaw leghold trap, on property owned by such person. Issuance of
such special permits shall be governed by rules and regulations adopted by the
director pursuant to chapter thirty A. Such rules and regulations shall include,
but not be limited to provisions relative to the following:

(1) The applicant or his agent shall apply to the director in writing and shall
state that there exists on his property an animal problem which cannot
reasonably be abated by the use of traps other than those prohibited by this
section, not including the steel jaw leghold trap. If the director determines that
such an animal problem exists which cannot reasonably be abated by the us6 of
traps other than those prohibited by this section, not including the steel jaw
leghold trap, he may authorize for a period not exceeding ninety days the use,
setting, placing or maintenance of such traps during which time the procedures
for obtaining a special permit, as set forth in the rules and regulations adopted
pursuant to this section, shall be complied with. Whoever violates any provision
of this section, or of any rule or regulation made under the authority thereof,
shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty nor more than one hundred
dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or by both such fine
and imprisonment.

Source: 1988 GLM, volume 8, pages 74-75.

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MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS
CHAPTER 131, SECTION 83

131:83. Sparrows and starlings.

Section 83. Officers in charge of public buildings in cities and such officers as
the selectmen designate and appoint in towns may take such reasonable means
and use such appliances, except poison, as in their judgment will effectively
exterminate English sparrows and starlings in such cities and towns, but nothing
herein shall authorize an officer to enter on private property without the
consent of the owner or occupant thereof. A person shall not willfully resist
such officers while engaged in such duties or knowingly interfere with the
means used by them for such purpose.

Source: 1988 GLM, volume 8, page 76.

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MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS
CHAPTER 270, SECTION 3A

270:3A. Placing poison for rodents where it may cause injury;
enforcement officers.

Section 3A. Whoever negligently or maliciously places any poison or poisoned
food for the control of rats, mice or other rodents in any place where it may
cause injury to any human being or domestic animal shall be punished by a fine
of twenty-five dollars. The officers charged with the enforcement of the laws
relating to fish, birds and mammals under chapter one hundred and thirty-one
shall take cognizance of violations of this section and enforce the provisions
thereof, and they shall have all powers necessary therefor.

Source: 1988 GLM, volume 12, page 627.

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321 CMR:
DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE.

321 CMR 2.00: MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO

FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE.

2.09. Trapping of Birds by Farmers.

(1) Permits may be issued to farmers to trap alive and subsequently destroy the
following birds if they are destroying agricultural crops or endangering the
health of livestock, poultry, or fur-bearing animals. Yellow-headed blackbirds,
red-winged blackbirds, bi-colored red-winged blackbirds, tri-colored red-winged
blackbirds. Brewer's blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, crows, rusty blackbirds,
English sparrows, pigeons, and starlings.

(2) In addition to the birds listed above, a permit may be issued to trap and
subsequently destroy federally protected migratory birds, provided that a
federal permit has been obtained by the applicant and countersigned by the
director.

(3) If any bird protected by state or federal law, other than birds specified in
the permit, be trapped, permittee shall immediately release it unharmed.

(4) Applications for permits shall be in writing, and shall state: the damage
being done, the extent of such damage, the species of birds to be trapped, the
type of trap to be used, the location of each such trap, and the period within
which he intends to use such trap(s). Each application shall be accompanied by
a fee of five dollars.

(5) No trap other than a New York Starling Trap or trap of similar design shall
be used in conjunction with this permit.

(6) Each trap shall be marked with the permittee's name and address and his
permit number. The permittee or his agent shall check each such trap twice
daily.

(7) Permittees must comply with any special terms, conditions, or restrictions
prescribed in the permit.

(8) Unprotected birds trapped under this permit shall be destroyed as soon as
possible after trapping, and shall not be kept for food or other purpose.

(9) At the end of the period specified in the permit, permittee shall send the
director a written report, signed by him, stating the number and species of birds
trapped and destroyed.

(10) This permit may be suspended or revoked by the director for cause after
due notice and hearing.

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Source: Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321 CMR, page 8.2, dated 9-29-89.
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L c. 131, s. 38.

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321 CMR:
DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE.

321 CMR 2.00: MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS RELATING TO FISHERIES

AND WILDLIFE.

2.10: Issuance of Permits to Expose Poisons for the Control of Mammal
and Bird Species Not Protected by Federal or State Statutes.

m Definitions:

(a) Director. The Director of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and
Wildlife.

(b) Board. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Board.

(2) Exposing of Poisons. No poisons shall be exposed for the purpose set forth
above except as provided for in these rules and regulations.

(3) Permits: To whom issued.

(a) Permits may be issued to the owner or agents of forest plantations or
orchards to place poison for the extirmination of rats, mice, and other pests of
like nature, upon written request stating the specific area involved, toxicant,
bait, and period of time during which such work will be conducted.

(b) For the purposes stated in this Act, permits may be issued to agents
of the Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Departr jent of the Interior, and to agents
of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S.Department of
Agriculture.

(c) For the purposes of this Act, permits may also be issued to commercial
pest control operators, employees of state agencies, or employees of political
subdivisions of the Commonwealth.

(d) All persons must be certified by the Massachusetts Pesticide Board
either as a private applicator in case of persons described in 321 CMR 2.10(3)(a),
or a commercial applicator in 321 CMR 2.10(7), subcategory vertebrate In the
case of persons described in 321 CMR 2.10(3)(c).

(e) A person holding a permit issued under these rules and regulations
must be in direct and constant charge of any applications made under such a
permit and must adhere to all rules and regulations of the Massachusetts
Pesticide Board.

(4) Permits: Duration and Time Limits of Permits. Permits shall allow exposure
of poison for the control of birds only for the period specified therein: which
period or any part thereof may not be prior to November 1 5, nor subsequent to
the following March 15; except that, the Director may authorize the placement
of certain poisons on specific bait materials in specific situations provided that in
his judgement sufficient scientific evidence has been presented to show that
such placement will not be hazardous to migratory birds or other wildlife. All
permits may be revoked for cause at any time by the Director.

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(5) Materials Which May be Used Under Permits.

(a) All materials used under these permits must be registered with the
Division of Food and Drugs, Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

(b) Only such materials as may be approved by the Director may be used
under these permits.

(c) The use of all materials approved under 321 CMR 2.10(5)(b) above
must be in conformance with any instructions therefor issued by the
manufacturer thereof and with any added restrictions, conditions, or standards
which may be placed on such use by the Director in order to protect migratory
birds or other components of the environment.

(6) Notification and Reporting of Operations.

(a) All persons holding permits shall notify the Director of each
application in writing prior to the application, indicating date and place of
application.

(b) Within one month following each operation, the person holding the
permit under which the work is done shall report in summary form to the
Director:

1 . Location of operation

2. Dates of operation

3. Material exposed

4. Amount of material exposed

5. Evaluation of the results of the operation

6. Safety measures and precautions Instituted

(c) In the case of municipal operations, permit holders shall notify all
proper authorities including Selectmen or Mayors, local public health officials,
and local police.

(7) Policing of Operation.

(a) Permittee shall make every effort to collect and dispose of all dead
mammals or birds killed under the permit.

(b) Permittee shall remove all bait and toxicants from the area
immediately upon completion of the operation.

(8) Proof of Financial Responsibility.

(a) Private operators holding permits must produce evidence of
comprehensive insurance in the amount of or in excess of $25,000- $50,000 for
public liability and $5000 for property damage.

(b) In the issuance of a permit under the above Chapter and Section, the
Commonwealth, Director, or the Board assume no liability of any name or
nature.

Source: Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321 CMR, pages 8.1-9, as most
recently compiled on 12-31-86, and as most recently amended in the
Massachusetts Register, Issue #579 (3-18-88).
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L c. 131, s. 43.

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321 CMR:
DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE.

321 CMR 2.12: Rules and Regulations relative to the Artificial
Propagation of Birds, Mammals, Reptiles, and Amphibians

(8) Abandoned Applications. Upon receipt of an incomplete application, an
improperly executed application, or an insufficient fee, the applicant shall be
notified of the deficiency. If the applicant fails to supply the requested
information, pay the required fee or otherwise fails to correct the deficiency
within sixty (60) days following the date of notification, the application shall be
considered abandoned and shall be returned to the applicant.

Extracted from: Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321 CMR, pages 9-16, as
most recently compiled on 12-31-86, and as amended in the Massachusetts
Register, issue #562, dated 8-7-87.
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L c. 131, s. 23.

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321 CMR:
DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE.

321 CMR 2.00: MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS RELATING TO FISHERIES

AND WILDLIFE.

2.14 Problem Animal Control.

(1) Purpose. The purpose of 321 CMR 2.14 is to control problem animals. In
accordance with M.G.L c. 131, s. 4, problem animal control agents may harass,
take, and destroy, or may release or liberate as stipulated in 321 CMR 2.14(23),
such problem animals as are set forth in 321 CMR 2.14(23). Problem animal
control agents may also disturb, remove, or destroy dens, lodges, burrows, or
nests of such problem animals on property of such persons as who have
engaged the services of the problem animal control agent. Nothing in 321 CMR
2.14 shall allow or be construed to allow the propagation of wildlife contrary to
321 CMR 2.12 orthe rehabilitation of wildlife contrary to 321 CMR 2.13.

(2) Definitions. For the purposes of 321 CMR 2.14 and unless the context
requires otherwise, the following words or phrases shall have the following
meanings:

Control: to harass, take, or destroy, or attempt to harass, take, or
destroy; placing, setting, and tending of traps and similar capture devices;
disturbing, removing, or destroying, or attempting to disturb, remove, or
destroy dens, lodges, burrows, or nests; and to possess, transport, or liberate or
attempt to possess, transport, or liberate problem animals.

Director: the Director of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and
Wildlife or his agent, with principal offices at 100 Cambridge Street, Leverett
Saltonstall Building, Room 1902, Boston, Massachusetts 02202.

Division: the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, 100
Cambridge Street, Leverett Saltonstall Building, Boston, Mass. 02202
(telephone 617-727-3151).

Employees of a Municipal Entity: shall include permanent or
provisional full-time or part-time paid employees whose principal duty is that of
animal control, but shall not include consultant or contract employees or
volunteers or employees whose principal duty is not that of animal control.

Environmental Police Officer: the Director of the Division of Law
Enforcement, deputy directors of enforcement, chiefs of enforcement, deputy
chiefs of enforcement, environmental police officers, and such other
enforcement officers of the Division of Law Enforcement as may be appointed
pursuant to M.G.L. c. 21, s. 6.

Municipal Entity: towns and cities incorporated as political subdivisions
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Person: any individual, partnership, profit or non-profit corporation,
firm, business or other commercial or non-commercial entity, club, organization
or association.

Problem Animals: non-domesticated reptiles, birds, and mammals the
actions of which have or are endangering the life and health of humans or

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domestic animals; damaging the property of a person except grass or other
natural vegetation growing without cultivation and which is not harvested or
otherwise put to material use by the owner or tenant thereof; obstructing the
reasonable and comfortable use of property by the owner or tenant thereof
and which cannot be abated in another fashion; or otherwise producing such
material annoyance, inconvenience, and discomfort that can reasonably be
presumed to result in damage or hurt to persons or their property.

Problem Animal Control A^ent or Permittee: a person who has been
issued a permit in accordance with the provisions of 321 CMR 2.14 for the
control of problem animals including but not limited to those persons exempted
from the permit requirement pursuant to 321 CMR 2.14(18).

Problem Animal Control Permit: a permit which shall have been
issued by the Division pursuant to 321 CMR 2.14, including a provisional
problem animal control permit and such equivalent permit as may have been
issued by the Division prior to the publication of 321 CMR 2.14 in the
Massachusetts Register.

Site of Capture means the parcel of land on which the problem animal
was captured and which is owned or leased by the person who controlled the
problem animal or who engaged a problem animal control agent to effect such
control.

(3) Scope of Permit Requirement. No person, except as otherwise
authorized by state or federal law or as exempted in 3^1 CMR 2.14(18) shall
control problem animals without complying with provisions of 321 CMR 2.14.

(4) Application. A person seeking a problem animal control permit shall
complete a written application on forms supjslied by the Director. Completed
applications shall be addressed to the Permit Section of the Division.

(5) Information and Requirements for Application. All initial permit
applications shall contain the following information.

(a) the applicant's name, address, and telephone number where he or
she can be reached between the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.;

(b) the applicant's date of birth;

(c) in the event the applicant is a corporation, partnership, firm, business
or other commercial entity, club, organization, or association, either public or
private, the name, address, telephone number and date of birth of the
president, director, head, or principal officer;

(d) the name, address, and date of birth of subpermittees, if any;

(e) a description of the geographical location or locations wherein the
applicant desires to control problem animals;

(f) the license number and class of the applicant's trapping license, if
required;

(g) the license number and class of the applicant's hunting or sporting
license, if required;

(h) the applicant's trap registration number, if required;
(i) the license number and class of the subpermittee's hunting, sporting,
and trapping licenses, if any;

(j) the signature of the Division District Wildlife Manager(s) in whose

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District(s) the applicant desires to control problem animals, provided that such
signature shall not be required for applications submitted by employees of a
municipal entity;

(k) in instances where the permittee charges a fee or otherwise receives
consideration for his services, a signed affidavit that the applicant has to the
best of his knowledge paid ail state taxes as required by the Massachusetts
Department of Revenue;

(I) the date the application was executed;

(m) the applicant's signature, executed under the pains and penalties of
perjury;

(n) the signature(s) of any subpermittee(s), executed under the pains and
penalties of perjury; and

(o) any letters of recommendation for the Intended activity.

(6) Renewal Applications. Information for renewal applications shall include
that Information set forth in 321 CMR 2.14(5) (a), (c), (d), (f), (g), (I), (k), (I), (m),
and (n).

(7) Agreement. All permits issued pursuant to 321 CMR 2.14 shall be signed by
the permittee. Such signature shall constitute:

(a) an agreement by the permittee to fully comply with all relevant
provisions of law including but not limited to M.G.L c. 131, 321 CMR, and al|
applicable conditions and restrictions of the license; and

(b) liability agreement.

(8) Qualifications. In order to qualify for a problem animal control permit, a
person shall:

(a) be at least 18 years of age domiciled in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts;

(b) pass a written examination as stipulated in 321 CMR 2.14(19)
administered by the Director or his authorized agent, except as provided for in
321 CMR 2.14(18) and 2.14(21);

(c) possess a current and valid Massachusetts trapping license as
provided in M.G.L. c. 131, s. 11;

(d) register, tag, and identify all traps used on land of another in
accordance with provisions of M.G.L. c. 131, s. 80, and 321 CMR 3.02(5);

(e) when taking animals by means of a firearm, possess a current and
valid Massachusetts hunting or sporting license as provided in M.G.L. c. 131, s.

11;

(f) be able to provide problem animal control services in the
geographical area for which the applicant seeks a permit to the satisfaction of
the Director.

(9) Exception. The provisions of 321 CMR 2.14(8)(b) through (f) shall not apply
to employees of a municipal entity acting as an agent for such municipal entity,
provided that all traps used by such employees shall be tagged with a metal tag
bearing the name and principal address of the municipal entity whose agent is
using the trap.

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(10) Fees. A fee shall be charged for the issuance of a problem animal control
permit and a written problem animal control permit examination. The amount
of the fees shall be determined by the commissioner of administration under
the provisions of M.G.L c. 7, s. 3B, unless otherwise determined by the
Legislature. No fee shall be charged for the issuance of a problem animal
control permit to an employee of a municipal entity, when such employee is
acting as agent for such municipal entity. No fee shall be charged for a
subpermittee of a problem animal control agent.

(1 1) Abandoned Applications. Incomplete or improperly executed
applications shall be treated as provided in 321 CMR 2.12(8).

(12) Denial. Applications for a problem animal control permit shall, unless
otherwise provided, be denied when:

(a) the applicant has within five years preceding the date of application
been assessed a civil or administrative penalty for, or has been convicted of a
violation of any provision of M.G.L c. 131, or of any provision of M.G.L c. 266 or
c. 272 involving cruelty to animals, or of any provision of 321 CMR, or of any
federal statute or regulation which is related to the activity for which the
permit is sought;

(b) the applicant has failed to disclose material information or has made
false statements as to any fact in connection with the application;

(c) the applicant has failed to submit the required fee with the
application, unless the applicant is exempt from such fee as provided in 321
CMR 2.14(10), or unless no fee has been established;

(d) the applicant fails to fulfill the examination requirement established
by 321 CMR 2.14(19);

(e) the applicant fdils to fulfill the recertif ication requirement established
by 321 CMR 2.14(20);

(13) Subpermittees. The provisions of 321 CMR 2.14(12)(a) through (e) shall
apply to subpermittees. The denial of a subpermittee shall not necessarily result
in denial of the remainder of the application, in the absence of false statements
by the applicant.

(14) Permit. A problem animal control permit may be issued to a person based
on his or her demonstrated experience, letters of recommendation, successful
completion of a written examination, the recommendation of the Division
District Wildlife Manager(s) in the area where the permittee intends to exercise
the permit, and other provisions of 321 CMR 2.14. In making his
recommendation, the District Wildlife Manager shall consult with an
Environmental Police Officer in whose region the permittee intends to control
problem animals.

(15) Provisional Permit. A provisional problem animal control permit may, at
the discretion of the Director, be issued to an applicant before the successful
completion of the written examination, pursuant to 321 CMR 2.14(17).

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(16) Expiration Pate. The expiration date for a problem animal control
permit shall be midnight of December 31 in the calendar year. The expiration
date for a provisional problem animal control permit shall not exceed 180 days
from the date of issuance.

(17) Provisional Status. Upon receipt of a properly executed application, a
person who has held a problem animal control permit for at least one (1) full
calendar year, but for less than three (3) full calendar years, immediately prior
to the publication date of 321 CMR 2.14 in the Massachusetts Register may be
granted a provisional problem animal control permit. A provisional problem
animal control permit shall authorize the permittee to carry out all activities of
a problem animal control agent until such time as the applicant takes the
written examination. Such examination shall be taken within 180 days
following the issuance of a provisional problem animal control permit. A
person may hold a provisional problem animal control permit for a period not
to exceed 180 days. A person who, having passed the written examination and
been issued a problem animal control permit, shall not subsequently be issued a
provisional problem animal control permit. A provisional problem animal
control permit held by any person who falls the written examination shall
automatically be void. A person who has not held a problem animal control
permit for at least one (1) full calendar year immediately prior to the
publication of 321 CMR 2.14 in the Massachusetts Register shall not be
grandfathered or granted provisional status.

(18) Exemptions Employees of a municipal entity when appointed or
otherwise authorized by the Board of Selectmen or the Mayor to act as problem
animal control agents for the municipal entity in which they are employed, shall
be exempt from the examination and recertif ication requirements stipulated in
321 CMR 2.14(19) and 2.14(20), when, in his judgement, the Director shall have
determined that the training and experience of such employees, including
completion of any requirements mandated by the Department of Personnel
Administration, shall be sufficient to warrant such exemption. In addition, such
employees shall further be exempt from the permit requirements stipulated in
321 CMR 2.14(14) in the following circumstances:

(a) when acting as an agent for the municipal entity, on land owned or
leased by such municipal entity, in accordance with M.G.L c. 131, s. 37;

(b) for the control of English (house) sparrows, starlings, and pigeons
(rock doves) in accordance with M.G.L c. 131, s. 83;

(c) for the destruction and control of rats, mice, and woodchucks, and
such other vertebrates as may be unprotected by law, when authorized by the
Department of Food and Agriculture in order to protect food supplies,
agricultural produce, growing crops, livestock, manufactured goods and
buildings, and to safeguard the public health, in accordance with M.G.L c. 128,
s. 8A;

(d) for the destruction of gulls and terns In order to preserve the purity
and prevent the pollution of the waters of a reservoir, pond, and stream used
for domestic water supply, provided that all necessary permits, authorizations,
or requirements pursuant to M.G.L c. Ill, s. 174A and applicable federal law

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shall be complied with;

(e) for the immediate protection of human life and limb, and to take,
possess, transport, and destroy problem animals, notwithstanding the
restrictions in 321 CMR 2.14(23), which, having bitten or injured a human or a
domestic animal shall, in the opinion of a licensed physician of the Board of
Health of a municipal entity or the Massachusetts Department of Public Health,
be examined, tested, or analyzed for a communicable or infectious disease,
parasite, infection, or intoxication.

(19) Examination Requirements.

(a) Except as provided for in 321 CMR 2.14(18) and 2.14(21), applicants for
a problem animal control permit shall successfully complete a written
examination relating to biology, handling, capture techniques, animal welfare,
diseases and parasites, statutes and regulations, and such other appropriate
subject matter as shall be determined by the Director. A grade of 80 percent or
higher shall constitute successful passage of the examination. An applicant who
fails may not be eligible to retake the examination until two (2) months or more
from the date of the failed examination.

b) The maximum duration of a provisional problem animal control
permit shall be 180 days. If the written examination is not passed within the
above stated time, the applicant shall no longer be authorized to control
problem animals until such time as the written examination is successfully
completed.

(20) Periodic Recertif ication. Except as provided for in 321 CMR 2.14(18), a
permittee shall be required to retake a written examination at least once within
the three (3) consecutive twelve-month periods immediately following the
successful completion of the Initial examination, or the most recent re-
examination, as the case may be. Successful completion of a training course in
problem animal control including training in the control of wild vertebrates by
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service, or by such other organizations as shall be approved by the Director, may
be substituted for the required re-examination.

(21) Grandfather Clause. All persons who have held a valid problem animal
control permit for three (3) or more consecutive calendar years immediately
prior to the publication of 321 CMR 2.14 in the Massachusetts Register shall be
exempted from the written examination requirement set forth in 321 CMR
2-14(19). However, such persons shall not be exempt from the recertif ication
requirements stipulated by 321 CMR 2.14(20).

(22) Revocation and Non-renewal. A problem animal control permit may be
revoked by the Director at any time upon evidence of failure to comply with the
conditions of the permit or of 321 CMR 2.14. Such evidence regarding the
activities of the permittee shall form the basis of an adjudicatory proceeding
pursuant to M.G.L c. 30A, s. 13, M.G.L c. 131, s. 32, and 801 CMR 1.00 prior to
permit revocation.

(23) Restrictions.

(a) A problem animal control permit shall authorize the permittee to
control problem animals of the following species or groups of species: snapping
turtle, starling, pigeon (rock dove), house (English) sparrow, opossum, moles,
bats except those species listed in 321 CMR 8.01, cottontail rabbits, European
rabbit, chipmunk, gray squirrel, red squirrel, flying squirrels, woodchuck,
muskrat, rats, mice, and voles except those species listed in 321 CMR 8.01,
porcupine, raccoon, weasels (Mustela erminea and M. frenata). red and gray
fox, and striped skunk. The Director may authorize individual permittees to
control problem animals of other species or groups of species at such times and
In such locations as he shall determine. Notwithstanding the provisions of 321
CMR 2.14(23)(a), employees of a municipal entity holding a valid problem
animal control permit may control all problem animals except white-tailed deer,
moose, black bear, migratory birds, and species listed in 321 CMR 8.01.

(b) Problem animals which are captured alive shall be disposed of by
destruction in a humane manner, immediate liberation at the site of capture, or,
in the case of a sick or injured animal, by transferral to a wildlife rehabilitator
authorized under 321 CMR 2.13.

(c) Problem animals, or their carcasses or parts thereof, shall not be
retained by the permittee, sold, bartered, or exchanged for consideration,
provided that in the event the trapping or hunting season for the particular
species is open and the permittee has a valid hunting, sporting, or trapping
license, as the case may be, and takes the animal in such a location where
hunting or trapping is otherwise lawful, then the permittee may retain the
carcass or parts thereof, provided that any tagging requirements or other
conditions of 321 CMR shall be complied with.

(d) Permittees shall fully describe to the client the nature of the animal
problem, the control methods to be used to alleviate the problem, and shall
further advise clients as to those means and practices which the client may
employ In the future to avoid a recurrence of problem animal complaints.
Where possible and practical, permittees shall employ or recommend
exclusionary means in preference to lethal means for the control of problem
animals.

(e) Permittees may control or attempt to control problem animals by
means of cage or box traps; steel-jaw leghold traps or padded-jaw traps when
set in accordance with provisions of M.G.L c. 131, s. 80A, and 321 CMR 3.02(5);
Conibear-type and other body-gripping traps when set in accordance with 321
CMR 3.02(5), provided that such traps may also be set inside a dwelling or other
building in use with the permission of the owner or occupant thereof; common
mouse or rat snap traps; body-gripping or piercing mole traps; shooting with a
firearm when done in accordance with provisions of M.G.L c. 131, c. 140, and c.
269; hand nets or noose poles; fumigant cartridges for the control of
woodchucks; and anticoagulant rodenticides for the control of rats, mice, and
voles when not in conflict with M.G.L c. 131, s. 43 and M.G.L c. 270, s. 3A. The
Director may authorize the chemical immobilization of problem animals by
employees of a municipal entity, provided that such persons satisfy the Director
as to their training and experience in such chemical immobilization and

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provided further that such persons are otherwise authorized in accordance with
M.G.L c. 94C and applicable federal law.

(f) Permittees may employ subpermittees to assist in problem animal
control, provided that subpermittees are listed on the permit application and
that subpermittees have a trapping, hunting, or sporting license if harassing,
taking, or destroying problem animals. Subpermittees shall be required to take
the written examination and shall comply with the recertiflcation requirements.
Traps used in common by two or more permittees or subpermittees shall be
registered as property of a partnership in accordance with M.G.L. c. 131, s. 80.
Permittees shall be responsible for the actions of subpermittees and the actions
of subpermittees shall be construed as those of the permittee for purposes of
321 CMR 2.14(22).

(24) Costs. Any costs, charges, or fees, or other expenses involved with
problem animal control exercised by the permittee shall be the responsibility of
the permittee. The permittee shall not charge the Division or the
Commonwealth for any such costs.

(25) Record Keeping Requirements. All permittees must keep records on all
problem animal complaints investigated or handled by them. Records shall
include, but not be limited to, date(s) the complaint was investigated or
handled, name and address of the complainant, species of animal(s) Involved in
the complaint, and disposition of the complaint. Records shall be available for
inspection by an Environmental Police Officer or officials of the Division at any
reasonable time.

(26) Reporting Requirements. An annual report shall be filed with the
Permit Section of the Division at the address given in 321 CMR 2.14(2) at the end
of each calendar year. Such report shall be filed no later than January 31 for
the preceding calendar year. The report shall be on forms provided by the
Director and shall report full details on the number of problem animal
complaints acted on Including, but not limited to: total number of complaints
responded to; species of animal involved; number of individual animals taken,
destroyed, or surrendered; disposition of animals taken; and such other
information as the Director may require. Failure to submit such annual report
or failure to provide required information or the making of false statements
shall be cause for suspension, revocation, or non-renewal of the permit.

(27) Compliance with Other Laws. Issuance of a problem animal control
permit under 321 CMR 2.14 shall not exempt the permittee from compliance
with the provisions of any other local, state, or federal law.

Source: Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321 CMR, pages 16.5 to 16.11, as
published In the Massachusetts Register, issue #609, dated 6-9-89.
Regulatory Authority: 321 CMR 2.14, M.G.L. c. 131, s. 4.

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321 CMR:
DIVISION OP FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE.

321 CMR 3.02: HUNTING- PARTICULAR GAME.

(5) Hunting and Trapping of Certain Mammals. In accordance with the
authority found in G.L c. 131, s. 5, and subject to the regulations hereinafter
prescribed, the annual open seasons for the hunting and trapping of certain
mammals are hereby adopted.

(a) Definitions. For the purposes of 321 CMR 3.02(5), the following words or
phrases shall have the following meanings.

Bobcat means the bobcat or wildcat ( Felis fLynxl rufus) but not the lynx
or Canada lynx (Felis fLynxl canadensis).

Conibeartrap means "Conibear" model traps and similar body-gripping
traps and devices, whether or not enclosed in or comprising part of a box, tube,
or other enclosing device.

Director means the Director of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries
and Wildlife or his authorized agent.

Division means the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, 100
Cambridge Street, Leverett Saltonstall Building, Boston, Mass. 02202 (telephone
617-727-3151).

Environmental Police Officer means the Director of the Division of Law
Enforcement, deputy directors of enforcement, chiefs of enforcement, deputy
chiefs of enforcement, environmental police officers, and such other
enforcement officers of the Division of Law Enforcement as may be appointed
pursuant to G.L. c. 21, s. 6.

Fox means the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the gray fox (Urocyon
cinereoargenteus).

Gender means, unless the context requires otherwise, that words
importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter.

Hunt, for the purposes of 321 CMR 3.02(5)(b)1. through 3., "kill or take by
hunting" means a process excluding the use of traps.

Padded jaw trap means only those padded jaw traps patented and
marketed as the Woodstream "Soft-Catch" model Numbers 1, 1-1/2 ("Fox") and
3 ("Coyote"), or padded jaw traps of a similar type, design, and construction
which conform to the following specifications. Such padded jaw traps shall be a
trap of the spring-loaded type with offset jaws designed to capture a fur-
bearing mammal by closing upon one of its legs and which is so constructed
that the edges designed to touch the mammal are composed of a non-metallic
substance which eliminates or substantially mitigates injury to the trapped
mammal and which in its overall design and manufacture is designed and
Intended to capture fur-bearing mammals alive and unhurt when set in the
manner and used for the purpose for which it is intended. Padded jaw traps
shall have, In addition: (1) spring strengths which shall not exceed, with jaws in
the closed position, thirty Inch-pounds for size #1 traps, thirty-five inch-pounds
for size #1-1/2 traps, and fifty-five Inch-pounds for size #3 traps, and,
additionally, with jaws in the open position, forty-seven inch-pounds for size #1

traps, fifty-eight inch-pounds for size #1-1/2 traps, and eighty-eight inch-pounds
for size #3 traps; (2) a gap between the jaws of the trap such that in the closed
position the gap shall be no less than one-quarter inch in width and no less than
four inches in length; (3) replaceable, non-weather-hardening, non-age-
hardening padding material manufactured to a tolerance of not less than three
thirty-seconds inch thickness covering the closing surfaces of, and securely
affixed to, the jaws of the trap; (4) a chain no longer than six inches in length;
(5) swivels located at each end of the chain, with one swivel center-mounted
below the trap; and (6) a shock-absorbing spring incorporated into the
anchoring chain.

State means the several states, territories, and possessions of the United
States of America, and any foreign nation and any political subdivision,
possession, or occupied area thereof.

Weasel means the ermine or short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea) and
the long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata).

(b) Management Measures. Notwithstanding any municipal bylaw or
ordinance to the contrary, the following management measures are hereby
adopted and effective.

1 . Opossum and raccoon may be hunted, with or without the use of
dogs, except as provided in G.L c. 131, s. 70, from October 1 to the following
January 31, both dates inclusive, except that raccoon and opossum may be
taken only by trapping during the shotgun deer season as specified in 321 CMR
3.02(4)(b)3.a.

2. During the period from sunset of one day to sunset of the following
day, a person shall not kill or take by hunting more than three (3) raccoons, nor
shall two or more persons hunting in one party kill or take by hunting more
than six (6) raccoons.

3. A person shall not remove or attempt to remove a beaver, bobcat,
coyote, fisher, fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, raccoon, or river otter from any
hole in the ground, stone wall, from within any ledge, or from under any stone,
or from any hole in any log or tree.

4. Coyote, fox, opossum, skunk, and weasel may be taken by trapping
throughout the Commonwealth from November 1 to the following November
30, all dates inclusive, in only such traps authorized by 321 CMR 3.02(5)(b)14.
through 17.

5. Bobcat may be taken by trapping in all counties and all portions of
counties of the Commonwealth west of State Route 31 from November 1 to the
following November 30, all dates inclusive, in only such traps authorized by 321
CMR 3.02(5)(b)14. through 17, subject to the harvest quota specified in 321 CMR
3.02(3).

6. Fisher may be taken by trapping throughout the Commonwealth from
November 1 to the following November 22, all dates inclusive, in only such traps
authorized by 321 CMR 3.02(5)(b)14. through 17.

7. Mink, river otter, and raccoon may be taken by trapping throughout
the Commonwealth from November 1 to the following December 15, all dates
inclusive, in only such traps authorized by 321 CMR 3.02(5)(b)14. through 17.

8. Muskrat may be taken by trapping throughout the Commonwealth
from November 1 to the following last day of February, ail dates inclusive, in

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only such traps authorized by 321 CMR 3.02(5)(b)14. through 17.

9. Beaver may be taken by trapping throughout the Commonwealth
from November 15 to the following last day of February, all dates inclusive, in
only such traps authorized by 321 CMR 3.02(5)(b)14. through 17.

10. In addition to the provisions of 321 CMR 3.02(5)(b)4. through 9., the
pelts of all beaver, bobcat, coyote, fisher, fox, and river otter taken shall not be
sold, exchanged, bartered, retained by the trapper, or otherwise disposed of
until the pelts have first been brought to a designated representative of the
Division and sealed with an official seal by said representative. Seals shall be
non-transferable and shall be valid only for the pelt or animal to which applied
by the designated Division representative. Seals shall remain attached to th6
pelt until the pelt is dressed or tanned, or prepared for mounting by a
taxidermist. The pelts of all beaver, coyote, fisher, fox, and river otter shall be
sealed no later than four (4) working days after the closing day of the open
season for that species. The pelts of bobcat shall be sealed no later than four (4)
working days after the date the bobcat was taken. Working days are defined as
the days Monday through Friday inclusive, except legal state holidays as defined
inG.L c. 4, s. 7(18).

1 1. In addition to the provisions of 321 CMR 3.02(5)(b)4. through 10., the
entire carcass (exclusive of the pelt) of all river otter and bobcat taken shall be
surrendered to the Division at or before the time the pelt is sealed as a
condition of sealing. The Director may allow the optional surrender of otter
carcasses from otters trapped in Dukes County. The head of all fisher and
coyote taken shall be surrendered to the Division at or before the time the pelt
is sealed as a condition of sealing.

12. No raw beaver, bobcat, coyote, fisher, fox, gray wolf, lynx, marten, or
river otter pelt, regardless of state of origin, shall be sold, exchanged, bartered,
or offered for sale, exchange, or barter within the Commonwealth unless said
pelt bears an official tag, seal, or stamp issued or applied by the state within
which said beaver, bobcat, coyote, fisher, fox, gray wolf, lynx, marten, or river
otter was taken, or by another governmental jurisdiction empowered to tag,
seal, or stamp such pelts. Such tag, seal, or stamp shall be identifiable as to the
issuing jurisdiction.

13. AH mammals not herein mentioned except other mammals as
specifically provided for in G.L c. 131 and 321 CMR may be trapped from
November 1 to the following November 30, all dates inclusive, in only such traps
authorized by 321 CMR 3.02(5)(b)14. through 17. and, subject to provisions of
G.L. c. 131, may be hunted from January 1 to the following December 31, all
dates inclusive.

14. Padded jaw traps may be used for the taking of fur-bearing mammals
when set in water or on land, provided that:

a. such traps itiay not be set in trees, on poles or posts, or in any
other manner or fashion in which the trap is placed or set above the surface of
the ground;

b. during the period from December 1 to December 15, all dates
inclusive, padded jaw traps may be used only when used in conjunction with a
drowning wire and when completely submerged in water and set in such a
manner that all reasonable care is taken to insure that a mammal trapped

II

therein dies by drowning in a minimum length of time;

c. padded jaw traps shall not be used on land unless the person
using, placing, setting, tending, or maintaining such trap has completed a
training session in the proper use of such trap and has been issued a certificate
of completion of such training. The Director is hereby authorized to coordinate
with the Director of Law Enforcement in establishing such training course and
to provide for the issuance of certificates to such persons as shall have
satisfactorily completed the training; and

d. padded jaw traps shall not be modified, redesigned, or changed
in any manner, exclusive of conventional dyeing or waxing, provided that a
chain extension not to exceed two (2) inches may be added beyond the chain
swivel for the purpose of fastening the trap to a stake.

1 5. Except during the period from November 1 to the following
November 30, all dates inclusive, steel jaw leghold traps, padded jaw traps,
Conibear traps, cage or box traps, deadfalls, or any other trap or gin shall not be
used for the taking of fur-bearing mammals, except as provided in 321 CMR
3.02(5)(b)14., 16. and 17.

16. Steel jaw leghold traps may be used only when set in water In such a
manner that all reasonable care is taken to insure than a mammal trapped
therein dies by drowning in a minimum length of time. No steel jaw leghold
trap which has a maximum jaw spread when set of more than six (6) inches may
be used, provided that during the period from November 15 to the following
last day of February, ail dates inclusive, steel jaw leghold traps with a maximum
jaw spread when set not exceeding seven and one-half (7-1/2) inches may be
used.

17. Conibear traps may be used only when such trap is completely
submerged in water. No Conibear trap may be used which has a maximum jaw
spread when set exceeding four and one-half (4-1/2) inches, provided that
during the period from November 1 to the following November 14, all dates
inclusive, a Conibear trap with a maximum jaw spread when set not exceeding
seven (7) inches may be used and during the period from November 1 5 to the
following January 15, all dates inclusive, a Conibear trap with a maximum jaw
spread when set not exceeding ten (10) inches may be used.

18. For the purposes of 321 CMR 3.02(5)(b)16. and 17., the jaw spread of
a trap shall be determined by measuring midway across the open jaws at right
angles to the hinges between the extreme outside edges.

(c) Prohibitions. Except as otherwise provided for in G.L c. 131 and 321 CMR,
it shall be unlawful for any person:

1. to have in his possession the green pelt of any fur-bearing mammal or
any part of such pelt except during the open season for such mammal and for
ten (10) days thereafter;

2. to possess or have under his control a trap on land of another in any
place where fur-bearing mammals might be found between March 1 of any year
and six o'clock ante-meridian on the following November 1, both dates
inclusive;

3. to possess or have under his control an unregistered trap on land of
another in any place where fur-bearing mammals may be found;

4. to possess or have under his control unless duly authorized as provided

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for in G.L c. 131, s. 80, and 321 CMR 3.02(5)(c)15. the registered trap of another;

5. to trap on land of another posted as provided for in G.L. c. 131, s. 36
without the written permission of the owner or tenant of such land;

6. to trap in a public way, cart road, path or other way commonly used as
a passageway for human beings or domestic animals;

7. to trap within ten (10) feet of the waterline of a muskrat house or
beaver house;

8. to tear open, disturb, or destroy a muskrat house, beaver house or
beaver dam;

9. to trap with a steel jaw leghold trap, padded jaw trap, deadfall trap,
or "stop-thief" trap with a maximum jaw spread or opening of more than six (6)
inches, except as provided for in 321 CMR 3.02(5)(b)16.; or with a trap with two
or more sets of jaws either of which has a maximum spread of more than six (6)
inches; or with a Conibear trap with a maximum jaw spread of more than four
and one-half (4-1/2) inches, except as provided for in 321 CMR 3.02(5)(b)17.; or
with a choke trap; or with a trap with teeth on one or more jaws; or with a trap
designed to take more than one mammal at a time. Nothing in 321 CMR
3.02(5)(c)9. shall be deemed to prohibit the use of a "stop-loss" trap, so-called,
having a moveable arm attached, the purpose of which is to prevent an animal
caught therein from gnawing his foot or leg.

10. to trap on land with any trap, except as provided for in 321 CMR
3.02(5)(b)15.;

1 1 . to trap on land with a padded jaw trap without having completed a
training session and having been issued a certificate of completion as provided
for in 321 CMR 3.02(5)(b)14.;

12. to fail to visit at least once in each calendar day between the hours of
four o'clock ante-meridian and ten o'clock post-meridian, all traps by him
staked out, set, used, tended, placed, or maintained except that under-the-ice
sets for beaver shall be visited at least once in each forty-eight (48) hour period;

13. to destroy, mutilate, spring, or remove the trap of another;

14. to take any fur-bearing mammal from the trap of another unless he
has on his person a specific written authorization to do so, signed by the owner
of such trap. The owner of traps may give such authorization to any person
licensed to trap under G.L. c. 131 for a period not to exceed one week from the
day the traps were last tended, provided that notice of the giving of such
authorization including the name and trapping license number of the person so
authorized shall be given to the regional Environmental Police Officer and to
the Director within twenty-four (24) hours of the giving of such authorization;
and

15. to set, use, place, locate, tend, or maintain a trap not bearing on a
metal tag the name, town of residence and trap registration number of the
person or persons using the same in a manner as to be legible at all times. Said
registration number shall be permanently embedded in or marked on the traps
with letters and figures not less than one-eighth (1/8) inches high in such a
manner as to be legible at all times.

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(d) Trapper Training Course. No person shall, after September 1, 1989, be
issued a trap registration certificate or a certificate of partnership pursuant to
G.L c. 131, s. 80, or trap on land of another unless such person has completed a
trapper training course and been issued a certificate of completion of such
training, or unless such person has been issued a resident or non-resident
Massachusetts trapping license or trap registration certificate or certificate of
partnership in a previous year and shall prove the same to the satisfaction of the
Director. The Director is hereby authorized to coordinate with the Director of
Law Enforcement in establishing such training course and the curriculum
thereof and to provide for the issuance of certificates to such persons as shall
have satisfactorily completed the training. Nothing in 321 CMR 3.02(5)(d) shall
be construed to limit the issuance of free resident sporting licenses to persons
aged 70 and over.

(e) Presumption. Registered traps set, used, maintained or tended in
violation of 321 CMR 3.02(5)(b) and (c) shall be prima facie evidence that such
traps were set, used, maintained, or tended by the registered owner thereof,
unless such owner has notified the Division of Law Enforcement in writing
within 48 hours of the loss or theft of such registered traps, the number and
type of traps, and the date, time, place, and circumstances of such loss or theft.
Such notification shall be signed under the pains and penalties of perjury.

(f) Forfeitures. Any trap or trapping device set, used, maintained, or tended
in violation of law and any fur-bearing mammals or other nondomesticated
animals caught therein shall be seized by any officer empowered to enforce G.L.
c. 131 and shall, in accordance with G.L. c. 131 and c. 257, be forfeited to the
Commonwealth and disposed of by the Director of Law Enforcement to the best
interests of the Commonwealth.

(g) Limitations. Nothing in 321 CMR 3.02(5) shall be deemed to limit any
other provision of G.L. c. 131 or any rule or regulation issued under authority
thereof.

(h) Savings Clause. If any part, section, subsection, division, or subdivision of
321 CMR 3.02(5) or the application thereof is held invalid, unconstitutional, or
inoperative as to any particular person, persons, or conditions, the remainder
thereof or the application of any such part, section, subsection, division, or
subdivision to other persons and conditions shall not be affected thereby.

Source: Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321 CMR, pages 28.1 to 29, as most
recently compiled on 12-31-86, and as most recently amended in the
Massachusetts Register, issue #562 (8-7-89) and issue #616 (9-1-89).
Regulatory authority: G.L. c. 131, s. 5.

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STATE LIST OF ENDANGERED WILDLIFE AND WILD PLANTS.

8.01: State List of Endangered Wildlife and Wild Plants.

In accordance with the authority contained in M.G.L c. 131, s. 4, clause 13A, as
recently amended by Chapter 572 of the Acts of 1980, the following rules and
regulations relative to the establishment of the Commonwealth's list of
threatened and endangered species are established.

(1) The following definitions shall apply:

Endangered Species: any species of wildlife or wild plant which is in danger of
extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range including, but not
limited to, species listed from time to time as "endangered" under the
provisions of the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Any
reproductively viable native species of wildlife or wild plant which has been
documented by biological research and inventory to be in danger of extirpation
from the Commonwealth shall be included.

Threatened Species: any species of wildlife or wild plant which is likely to
become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or
a significant portion of its range including, but not limited to, species listed
from time to time as "threatened" under the provisions of the Federal
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Any reproductively viable native
species of wildlife or wild plant which has been documented by biological
research and inventory to be rare or declining within the Commonwealth which
is likely to become endangered in the Commonwealth In the forseeable future
shall be included.

Special Concern Species : any native wildlife or wild plant species which has
been documented by biological research and inventory to be suffering a decline
that could threaten the species in the Commonwealth if allowed to continue
unchecked, or that occurs In such small numbers or with such a restricted
distribution or specialized habitat requirements that it could easily become
threatened within the Commonwealth.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of 321 CMR 8.01(1), (3), (4) and (5), the
Commonwealth's list of endangered and threatened species shall additionally
include all species or other taxa so listed on the United States List of
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wild Plants as most recently amended
and published in the Federal Register by the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service.

(3) The official Massachusetts List of endangered, threatened, and special
concern vertebrate species follows:

(a). ENDANGERED.

*Shortnose Sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum

Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrhynchus

Lake Chub Couesius plumbeus

Northern Redbelly Dace Phoxinus eos

Bog Turtle Clemmys muhlenbergil

*Plymouth Redbelly Turtle Pseudemys rubriventris bangsi

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*Hawksbill
*Atlantic Ridley
* Leather back

Copperhead

Timber Rattlesnake

Leach's Storm-petrel
*Bald Eagle

Northern Harrier
*Peregrine Falcon
* Roseate Tern

Upland Sandpiper
*Eskimo Curlew

Short-eared Owl

Sedge Wren

Loggerhead Shrike

Golden-winged Warbler

Henslow's Sparrow
♦Indiana Myotis
*Sperm Whale
*Fin Whale
*Sei Whale
*Blue Whale
*Humpback Whale
*Black Right Whale

Eretmochelys imbricata
Lepidochelys kempi
Dermochelys coriacea
Agkistrodon contortrix
Crotalus horridus
Oceanodroma leucorhoa
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Circus cyaneus
Faico peregrinus
Sterna dougallii
Bartramia longicauda
Numenius borealis
Asio f lammeus
Cistothorus platensis
Lanius ludovicianus
Vermivora chrysoptera
Ammodramus henslowii
Myotis sodalis
Physeter catodon
Balaenoptera physalus
Balaenoptera borealis
Balaenoptera musculus
Megaptera novaeangliae
Balaena glacialis

* Indicates species or subspecies that are currently listed as "endangered" by
the U.S. Department of the Interior.

(b).THREATENEP.

American Brook Lamprey
Threespine Stickleback
(trimorphic freshwater popu
Marbled Salamander
Eastern Spadefoot
Blanding's Turtle
Diamondback Terrapin

**Green Turtle

**Loggerhead
Pied-billed Grebe
Least Bittern
King Rail

**Piping Plover
Northern Parula

Lampetra appendix
Gasterosteus aculeatus
lation)

Ambystoma opacum
Scaphiopus holbrookii
Emydoidea blandingii
Malaclemmys terrapin
Chelonia mydas
Caretta caretta
Podilymbus podiceps
Ixobrychus exilis
Rallus elegans
Charadrius melodus
Parula americana

**

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Indicates species that are currently listed as "threatened" by the U.S.
Department of the Interior.

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(c). SPECIAL CONCERN.

Burbot Lota lota

Longnose Sucker Catostomus catostomus

Eastern Silvery Minnow Hybognathus regius

Jefferson Salamander Ambystoma jeffersonianum

(including triploid and other polyploid forms within the Ambystoma
jeffersonianum/Ambystoma laterale complex)
Blue-spotted Salamander Ambystoma laterale

(including triploid and other polyploid forms within the Ambystoma
jeffersonianum/Ambystoma laterale complex)

Four-toed Salamander
Spring Salamander
Spotted Turtle
Wood Turtle
Eastern Box Turtle
Common Loon
American Bittern
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Common Moorhen
Common Tern
Arctic Tern
Least Tern
Common Barn-owl
Long-eared Owl
Blackpoll Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Grasshopper Sparrow
Rock Shrew
Water Shrew
Small-footed Myotis
Southern Bog Lemming
Gray Seal

Hemidactylium scutatum
Gyrinophilus porphyriticus
Clemmys gMtt9t9
Clemmys insculpta
Terrapene Carolina
Gavia immer
Botaurus lentiginosus
Accipiter striatus
Accipiter cooperii
Gallinula chloropus
Sterna hirundo
Sterna paradisaea
Sterna antillarum
Tyto alba
Asio otus
Dendroica striata
Oporornis Philadelphia
Ammodramus savannarum
Sorexdispar
Sorex palustris
Myotis leibii
Synaptomys cooper i
Halichoerus grypus

Source: Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 321 CMR, pages 59-61, as amended
in the Massachusetts Register on 3-4-88 and 3-2-90.

Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, s. 4, clause 13A.

I

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

CONTROL OF ENGLISH SPARROWS

The English or house sparrow, an exotic bird Introduced from Europe in the
1800's, has adapted itself to life throughout the United States and Canada.
They actually belong to the weaver finch family, although they are commonly
called "sparrows". Although their activities are mainly beneficial, they have
several habits that are objectionable to humans and they need occasional
control to protect human health and property. They also compete for nesting
space with several native birds. To selectively control English sparrows, it is
necessary to understand their behavior and to distinguish them from native
sparrows, which are protected by law.

Life History and Habits English sparrows prefer openings or hollows for
nesting and will use any sort of a nesting box, cavity or opening in buildings.
Normally, nest building and egg laying begins in early spring - March and April
in the northern United States and somewhat earlier In the south. A clutch
normally consists of four to eight evenly speckled eggs that hatch in 13-14 days.
They produce several broods each season and use the same nesting hole over
and over again. Generally, these sparrows are gregarious. They nest, roost, and
feed together in large flocks.

The English sparrow, like our own sparrows and finches, is primarily a seed eater
and supplements its diet with insects. It is one of a few birds which will eat the
Japanese beetle.

Eliminating Nests and Roosts English sparrow populations can be greatly
reduced by destroying nests and eggs at two week intervals during the spring
and summer. A long pole with a hook fastened to one end can be used to tear
down nests under eaves, rafters, and similar places. The elimination of nesting
and roosting sites may be the best permanent solution to the problem. To
prevent a recurring infestation, it may be necessary to remove all or part of the
vines from certain buildings. Copings and ledges of some buildings may be
blocked with wood or sheet metal strips placed at an angle to eliminate the
roosting space.

Screening Steeples, towers, poultry houses, barn lofts, and similar places should
be bird-proofed with 3/4-inch or smaller mesh wire or poultry netting.

Shooting Although it should be used with caution and with due regard for
state laws regarding the discharge of firearms, shooting with low powered guns
is selective and will eliminate infestations, if persistently used. Where
permissible, shooting with .22 caliber bird shot (#12) is effective.

Scaring Devices Most of the devices commonly used for frightening birds-
such as scarecrows, plastic owls, and the like- are only temporarily useful

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against English sparrows, except where they are roosting in trees.

Trapping Local control of English sparrows can be accomplished by trapping
and presents no danger to protected species. To lure birds to a trap, use
poultry scratch feed, fine cracked corn, grain sorghum, wheat, bread crumbs or
combinations of these. Bait several locations even though only one trap is
used. Since some untrapped birds associate unpleasantness with a particular
area, move the trap to another baited area when results at the first site
diminish. The best trap sites are generally near low shrubs or hedges. The trap
should be covered with 3/4-inch mesh wire, since some birds can escape through
a larger mesh. Leave one or two birds in the trap as decoys. Larger numbers
tend to flutter wildly and scare other birds away. Various ready-made live traps
are on the market. Others can be easily fabricated.

Sieve -Type Trap This simple trap requires close attention for good results. A
sieve-like box with short sides is balanced on an upright stick with a string
attached. A pull on the string lets the box fall over the birds attracted to bait
underneath. While the dimensions can vary, the box should be narrow enough
so that a person can reach inside to take out the captured sparrows. The trap
should not be raised more than six inches above ground. If it is higher, sparrows
can escape as the box is falling.

Funnel Trap This trap is more difficult to build. It is constructed of wire mesh
and consists of a large rectangle with two funnels, one at the entrance and
another inside the box. The birds enter the first funnel at its apex and go inside
the box. Stiff wires at the tip of the funnel's cone discourage sparrows from
backing out. They then enter the second funnel and pass into a second
compartment, from which escape is unlikely. A door is necessary for trappers to
remove the birds.

Nest Box Trap This trap resembles a bird nest box. Upon entering the trap,
the weight of the bird operates a mechanism which, in turn, drops the bird into
a bag and resets the trap for another. Collecting bags should be tightly woven.
The front wall of the box should be the last put into place. Screw it down so
that it can be easily removed for repair and renovation. Glue pieces of hair and
feathers to the rear of the tipping chamber. Fasten the trap to a post or side of
a building so that the collecting sack hangs free and is easily accessible.

Center Drop Trap This is one of the simplest and best traps to use. Birds drop
through openings in the center and cannot fly out. Build the trap 6 feet wide
by 6 feet high by 9 feet long. Use 2x2-inch material with 1x2-inch or 1x4-inch
for cross braces and the door. Cover the trap with 3/4-inch mesh wire. Make
the entrance frame 1-1/2 feet wide with 2-inch mesh wire openings.

Adapted from a leaflet originally prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

(1974).

Rough designs of the live traps described above can be obtained from the Mass.

Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

CONTROL OF STARLINGS

Large-scale trapping of nuisance starlings is generally impractical. However, the
trapping method offers considerable promise in dealing with orchards,
backyards, small feedlots, and newly-invaded areas.

The best livetrap devised so far is a modification of the Australian crow trap
(similar to the New York starling trap). This trap has an opening in the bottom
of a "V" formed on the top of the trap. Birds drop in through this opening to
take the bait. On attempting to fly out, they go up into the ends of the "V"
rather than back out through the throat of the trap, where they entered. Refer
to the attached diagram and "bill of materials ".Traps should be made as large
as practical, at least five or six feet high, six feet wide, and eight feet long. If
the sections are bolted together it will be easier to take them apart when
necessary to move them.

Do not place traps under trees. Place them in the open where the bait and
decoy birds can be easily seen by other starlings. Almost any food which the
starlings are used to can be used as bait. Culled apples, dried fruit, raisins, stale
French-fried potatoes, canned or cracked corn, pelleted animal feed, silage, beet
pulp meal, linseed oil meal, and even meat scraps have all been effective when
the birds have had prior experience feeding on them.

Keep the traps well supplied with bait and water. An inexpensive watering
trough can be made by splitting an old automobile tire down the middle.
Best results are obtained when ten to twelve starlings are left in the trap to
serve as decoys. It may be necessary to "salt" the trap by catching the original
decoys through other means before the starlings will enter the large trap. The
trap should be tended at regular intervals and all of the birds, except the
decoys, removed. If a large number of birds is caught it is best to remove ten or
twelve decoy birds first and hold them in a small cage. These birds will be
heeded when the trap is once again in operation. Then, remove the majority of
the birds for disposal.

Trap location is important - if the trap is not attracting starlings, move it to
another location (or try another bait). All birds caught except starlings, English
sparrows, and vagrant pigeons must be released unharmed.

Farmers should refer to M.G.L c. 131, s. 38, and 321 CMR 2.09 for permits to
trap other blackbirds damaging agricultural crops. Under specialized
circumstances, persons properly licensed by the Massachusetts Pesticide Board
may obtain a permit for chemical control of starlings. Refer to M.G.L. c. 131, s.
43, 321 CMR 2.10, and the Massachusetts Pesticide Control Act (M.G.L c. 132B).
Unlicensed and improperly trained persons may not use chemicals for
controlling starlings or other birds or mammals.

Adapted from a leaflet originally prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(1977).

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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

VAGRANT PIGEON CONTROL

Pigeons Today: Pigeons similar to tinose now living in a semi-wild state In
towns and cities have been closely associated with man since the beginning of
recorded history. The form, coloration, and habits of these feral birds suggest
that they were originally derived from the blue rock, or common, pigeon
(Columba livia) of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Most flocks of pigeons in urban or
rural areas are composed of free-ranging "wild" birds. However, banded birds
(homing pigeons) are privately owned and should not be killed or molested.
While the presence of pigeons affords pleasure to many, excessive
concentrations present a health hazard and may offend people's senses.

Control Techniques

Roost Elimination: Measures to control roosting sites appear costly, but
permanent methods of control are usually worthwhile in the long run.
Openings in lofts, church towers, behind signs, and under eaves can be screened
with rust-proof 3/4-inch mesh wire, which will also keep out starlings and
English sparrows. Roosting on ledges can be eliminated by screening them with
wire netting or by installing wood or metal sheathing at a steep incline.
Products such as glue, wires, or electrical devices can also be used, but these
methods are usually expensive and not always effective. Somewhat more
permanent products are those which utilize metal wires in the form of a
bristling fence which acts as a barrier to prevent roosting.

Trapping: General Recommendations: Set traps in inconspicuous places
where pigeons commonly roost or feed and where they are not apt to be
vandalized. Roof tops which have water dripping from air-conditioning units
are excellent summertime trapping sites.

Small traps can be used effectively, but larger walk-in types are better. They
should be easy to dismantle. It is important to bait the trap with the kind of
food the birds are eating. Whole corn and grain sorghum are generally good
baits. Scatter a small amount outside the trap door to attract the birds. Keep a
generous quantity of bait on the floor inside and near the trap door at all times.
Water should also be available in the traps. One or two decoy birds will tend to
draw in others. Light-colored birds make better decoys than dark, blue-gray
ones. Trapped birds should be removed frequently. Too many fluttering birds
will tend to scare others away.

Loft Traps: Birds often use attics, unused upper stories in industrial buildings,
deserted factories, or partially-used buildings as nesting and roosting sites.
These indoor roosts can be made into productive traps by closing them up with
screening or plastic. Leave one or two entrances open until the birds become
accustomed to using them. Then, fit the entrances with trap doors that can be

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closed from the outside at night after the birds have settled down. The trapped
birds can then be caught by hand or with nets.

Funnel Traps: A simple trap can easily be made from 1x2-inch welded wire with
a 1-1/2-inch "V" opening. This is kept from springing shut by large nails.
Pigeons are attracted to a small amount of bait scattered at the entrance. They
see more bait inside the trap and force their way through the small opening.
A variation of the above can be made by having the funnel on a inclined board.
Pigeons pick up bait, squeeze their way through the opening, then hop down 4
to 6 inches to the floor of the trap. This use of an inclined board tends to keep
trapped birds away from the entrance. Various shapes can be utilized in making
funnel traps. The lily-pad and clover-shape traps are easy to set up and peg to
the ground.

Bob Type Trap: This trap is capable of large daily catches and enables a person
to enter and remove the birds through a small door constructed in the end of
the trap. Although large traps are preferred, good catches have been made
using poultry crates and other small enclosures.

The construction of a trap with 1x2-inch material is desirable so as to reduce the
weight, which is a factor if the trap is to be moved. The use of bolts and the
construction of the trap in five sections will facilitate dismantling.

The door or entrance through which pigeons are lured is the principal feature
of the trap. Individual, free-swinging "bobs" are most practical and successful.
These bobs can be made of heavy aluminum wire of light-weight metal rods. It
is important that they swing upward and inward easily and drop back smoothly
into slots at the base of the door.

Shooting: Shooting is not normally the most effective nor aesthetically pleasing
way to control pigeons. Sometimes, individual birds roosting in barns or similar
structures may be controlled in this fashion. Be sure to comply with state lavvs
regarding the discharge of firearms. At ranges less than 50 feet, .22 caliber bird
shot is effective and will do little or no damage to structures.

Poisoning: Poisoning should not normally be used for pigeon control. Where
permitted, users must comply with provisions of M.G.L c. 131, s. 43, 321 CMR
2.10, and the Massachusetts Pesticide Control Act (M.G.L. c. 132B).

Adapated from leaflets prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1968,
1976).

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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

CONTROL OF OPOSSUMS

Range and Description. The opossum ("possum") is the only native mammal ih
the United States that possesses an abdominal pounch for carrying its young. It
can be found in wooded areas from the Gulf of Mexico to New England and
westward to Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Missouri.

The 'possum is usually light gray in color and the average adult measures about
33 inches in length, including a 12-inch tail. They produce one to three litters
per year, depending on the region of the country. The young (5-13, usually) are
tiny (bumblebee-sized) and poorly developed at birth. After birth, they crawl
into the mother's pouch and attach to the mammary glands where they remain
for four-six weeks. After leaving the pouch, the young remain with the mother
for about one month before setting out on their own.

Opossums seek shelter in a hollow log, rock crevice, tree cavity, or an old
squirrel leaf nest. They prefer habitats adjacent to swamps, along streams, and
In wooded country. Where food is plentiful, travel may be limited to a few
hundred yards from den site to feeding areas. The animals are omnivorous,
eating almost anything available, including fish, crustaceans, insects,
mushrooms, berries and other fruits, cultivated vegetables, eggs, carrion, and
human garbage. They are sometimes detrimental to farm poultry and corn
fields.

Opossums are hunted and trapped in many states for food and fur. The furs are
used mostly for trimming in inexpensive garments.

Control. " Nuisance" opossums can usually be excluded from chicken coops,
pens, and similar structures by keeping openings blocked up, loose wire
fastened down, and similar exclusionary measures. The animals can be kept
from climbing over wire mesh fences by stretching electric fence wire near the
top of the fence and three inches out from the mesh.

Opossums can also be readily caught in cage or box traps set near its denning
area or near the damage site. Smelly baits such as cat or dog food, fish, or over-
ripe fruit are often effective baits.

Adapted from a leaflet originally prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(1977).

p

^

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

CONTROL OF MOLES

There are three species of moles inhabiting New England, including the eastern,
star-nosed, and hairy-tailed moles. Moles are not rodents, but are members of
the scientific order Insectivora, which also includes shrews. The principal
characteristics which identify moles are: short, powerful front legs with
outwardly-turned feet; short black or gray fur with a distinct silky luster; tiny,
hidden eyes and ear openings; and a long, often slender, snout.

Moles produce one litter of about four young each year. The nests are usually
deep in the ground, under the protective cover of a large stone, tree, sidewalk,
or roadway. These active small mammals have keen senses of smell, touch, and
hearing, but are nearly blind. They are most active on damp cloudy days in the
spring and fall. Their principal food consists of earthworms, grubs, beetles, and
insect larvae. Vegetation makes up only a small portion of their diet. They
destroy few bulbs and plants by direct feeding. Most damage is done when
plant roots are dislodged as the animals burrow through the soil in search of
invertebrates.

CONTROL MEASURES.

Trapping. Time, patience, and some knowledge of mole habits are the only
prerequisites of successful trapping. A few properly-set traps, kept in good
working condition, are adequate to take care of light mole infestations. The
"harpoon" or "prong" type traps are the most common types used for catching
eastern moles. These traps are carried by hardware and garden supply stores
and by some mail order houses. Directions for setting the different kinds is
usually supplied with the trap.

The best time to trap moles is early in the spring, as soon as the first ridges are
noted, or after the fall rains. The selection of a main or frequently-used runway
is of prime importance. The conspicuous ridges made by most moles are the
primary feeding tunnels. Some, however, may be used only once by the moles.
To determine which runways are active, stamp down a short section of each
runway. Observe daily for several days and restamp any raised sections. If a
tunnel is burrowed out and raised up dally, it is an active runway and a trap
should be set at this location. Move any trap that fails to catch a mole within
one or two days.

The star-nosed mole does not leave surface ridges, but its presence can be
detected by mounds of dirt pushed up from the underground runways. It is
necessary to set traps In a run connecting the mounds; therefore, some digging
may be required to locate the underground tunnels.

^.

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Live-Trapping. To live trap moles, you should use a container into which moles
will fall and be unable to escape. First, determine the active runway by the
method described above. Then, dig a small hole in the most active runway and
place a #10 tin can (about 7 inches in diameter and 10-12 inches deep) in the
hole. Be sure the top of the can is level with the bottom of the runway. Fill and
pack soil tightly around the can (not on top of it). Lightly stamp down the
runway for one foot on each side of the can. Cover the hole above the can with
a board or a piece of sod. The moles will attempt to open the runway and will
frequently fall into the can and be unable to climb out.

Barriers. Sometimes limited areas such as seedbeds or small gardens sustain
persistent mole damage. In these situations, where damage is liable to recur,
the installation of a barrier of sheet metal or hardware cloth may be justified.
Such a barrier should begin at the ground surface and go to a depth of at least
12 inches and then bend outward at a 90-degree angle for an additional 10
inches. All connections in the barrier must be secure if it is to be effective.

Adapted from a leaflet originally prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(1977).

^

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

CONTROL OF COTTONTAIL RABBITS

Cottontail rabbits are an important prey for many species of avian and
mammalian predators and are also game animals which furnish a great deal of
hunting recreation. As such, they are protected by state law and can only be
taken during restricted hunting seasons or as otherwise provided by law.
However, in some localized areas, cottontails may cause damage to farm and
garden crops during the summer. In winter, they may turn to tree nurseries,
orchards, and ornamental shrubs. It is at these times that rabbit control may be
necessary to reduce damage.

Habitat Control

Cottontail rabbits prefer dense thickets or heavily vegetated areas in which to
live. Cover of this type is necessary for food and protection from predators.
Overgrown ditch banks, brushy fence rows, or brush piles within or adjacent to
croplands, nurseries, or orchards may be major factors contributing to rabbit
damage. Cottontails leave this cover at night or in the early morning, feed in
crop areas, and return to the thicket for protection during the day.

Mowing, brush cutting, and general cleanup of overgrown areas may be all that
is needed for rabbit control. Without sufficient cover, rabbits do not stay in
exposed areas.

Trapping

Live trapping can be an effective means of removing individual animals causing
damage to gardens or other crops. Although rabbits are active at any time of
day or night, the height of their activity is just before sunrise and just after
sunset; thus, live traps should be set prior to these peak activity periods.
Cottontails usually do not have definite trails going from their cover to their
feeding grounds. There may be one or two fixed points where rabbits regularly
enter. These points of entrance and areas showing constant rabbit activity or
damage are the logical places for setting live traps.

Metal live traps ("cage" or "box" traps) may be purchased from hardware or
farm supply stores. Wooden live traps, such as those used by the Pennsylvania
Game Commission (see attached), can be easily made at home.

Fencing

Rabbit-proof fences will aid in protecting small home gardens or other areas of
valuable crops. Generally, a two to four-foot high fence of 1-1/2 inch
galvanized mesh wire or "chicken wire" is a sufficient barrier. This type of fence
must be thoroughly staked to the ground and the bottom edge buried to a
depth of 4-6 inches in order to prevent the rabbits from burrowing or crawling
beneath it.

f

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Tree Guards

Tree trunk guards are also effective in preventing rabbit damage to trees or
shrubs. These guards should be of a material heavy enough to prevent rabbits
from chewing through them. Poultry wire of 1-inch mesh, 20 gauge, in strips
12-18 inches wide can be formed into cylinders around trees. These should be
braced away from the tree to prevent the rabbits from bending the wire and
reaching the tree. Tree guards may also be available from a number of
commercial sources; check with your local farm supply store.

Repellents

Taste repellents have often been recommended as a method of reducing rabbit
damage. Many of these afford only temporary protection and must be applied
too often to warrant their regular use. Most are not registered for application
to plants which will be harvested for human use. Additional factors which
determine the effectiveness of a repellent include: thoroughness of application,
weather conditions, and proximity of existing rabbit food and cover. The
application must be heavy enough to withstand adverse weather conditions,
since rain and snow may dilute the repellent or wash it off. Commercial
repellents containing Thiram are effective and can be applied safely to trees
and shrubs. However, be sure that use of any repellent is done in accordance
with provisions of the Massachusetts Pesticide Act.

European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are not cottontails. They are native to
parts of southern Europe and northern Africa but have been widely introduced
elsewhere and have often become serious pests. Unlike other rabbits, they dig
their own holes and live in large colonies called "warrens". The European
rabbit is the progenitor of the various breeds of domestic reibbit. So-called "San
Juan" rabbits or "Belgian hares" are varieties of the European rabbit. They
were released at various places in Massachusetts in the 1930's but did not
establish themselves. They are now found in the state only on a few small
coastal islands.

Adapted from a leaflet originally prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(1976).

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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

CONTROL OF TREE SQUIRRELS

Tree squirrels are found in most of the forested areas of the United States. In
the Northeast (Including Massachusetts), there are three kinds of tree squirrels;
the gray squirrel, the red squirrel, and the flying squirrel. There are two species
of flying squirrel, but they may be hard to tell apart.

The red squirrel Is usually found among cone-bearing trees, whereas the gray
squirrel is usually found In hardwoods. Flying squirrels are active at night, while
the red and gray squirrels are usually active during the early morning and late
afternoon. Around human dwellings, gray squirrels may sometimes be active all
day. Tree squirrels do not hibernate, although during severe cold or wet
weather they remain in their nests for several days. A litter of two to seven
young Is born in the early spring, with a second litter sometimes arriving in late
August. The young remain in the nest at least six weeks before going out on
their own.

Tree squirrels are usually beneficial. Gray squirrels are protected by law and
may be hunted only during a limited fall hunting season. At the present time,
red and flying squirrels are unprotected and may be hunted by licensed hunters
year-round. In some Instances, tree squirrels may cause damage and It becomes
necessary to control them. They may invade attics, destroy growing plants and
fruit, dig up newly planted bulbs, and strip bark and leaves from shade trees
and shrubs. Utility companies report that squirrels often cause them
considerable work and expense when the animals gnaw through cables^
Squirrels have also invaded orchards during the late summer and have been
known to destroy from 500-600 bushels of fruit in one orchard in a few days. In
a few instances, gray squirrels have attacked and bitten pedestrians In publjc
parks, perhaps because they are accustomed to hand-feeding.

Blocking Squirrels from Buildings

Tree squirrels usually enter through openings near the eaves of a building.
Check for unscreened attic ventilators, loose louvers, and spaces under eaves
where the sheathing does not fit the overhanging roof. Knots that may have
fallen out from boards leave holes which may be enlarged by squirrels. These
holes should be patched. Openings where telephone and electric cables enter a
building may also be used by squirrels, or the squirrels may gnaw the cables
themselves. Metal flashing around chimneys may also work loose, leaving an
opening for the squirrels. They may also crawl down fireplace chimneys and can
enter the house when the damper is not closed securely. Close large openings
around water and waste pipes, too. Check the doors and the windows; if left
open and not screened, squirrels may enter that way.

At times, squirrels jump on roof tops from nearby trees. Metal bands about two
feet wide, fastened around the trunks at a height of six to eight feet, will

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usually keep squirrels from climbing isolated trees, but are valueless if squirrels
can jump from tree to tree. If possible, prune branches near the house so
squirrels cannot jump from the tree to the roof. Colorless paint or wood
preservative containing zinc naphthenate may sometimes be used to protect
trim or shingles which squirrels are gnawing. However, be sure that the paint is
suitable for the surface you apply it to so that it will not stain or damage the
original surface.

Protecting Trees

Use of metal bands on trees and removing low-hanging branches so squirrels
cannot jump up to the limbs will prevent squirrels from damaging fruit and
shade trees, if the trees are far enough apart so that squirrels cannot cross from
tree to tree.

Catching Squirrels

Squirrels usually follow regular routes of travel and box or cage traps placed in
such areas can prove quite effective. Be sure the trap works easily and closes
tightly enough to hold the trapped animal. It should be large enough so that
the doors do not close on the squirrels' tail, thus blocking the door from
latching. It should be small enough, though, so that you do not catch other
animals, such as skunks and cats. Good baits include nut meats, pumpkin or
sunflower seeds, peanut butter, rolled oats, and similar items. Place the trap
toward the trail or near the base of a den tree or a place where the squirrels are
feeding. Check the trap regularly, particularly if the trap is in a sunny area and
the squirrels can become overheated.

Conibear Traps:

Conibear traps, size #110, or others of similar design, may be used inside
buildings in attics or crawl spaces to kill squirrels which are chewing wires or
causing damage which cannot be controlled otherwise. Be sure you know how
to set these traps and set them only inside where other animals or persons
cannot be caught or spring them.

Shooting:

If discharge of firearms is permissible in your area, squirrels may be shot with a
.22 rifle or a small gauge shotgun. Be sure to comply with state and local laws
regarding shooting and the discharge of firearms. Shooting is usually most
effective in the early morning and late afternoon.

Adapted from a leaflet originally prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(1976).

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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

CONTROL OF RATS AND HOUSE MICE

Two species of rats have been introduced to New England from Europe. These
include the black rat (Rattus rattus). which was brought over by the first settlers
in the 1620's, and the brown or Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) which was
introduced around 1775. The Norway rat has proved more aggressive and has
displaced the black rat, which is not now found in Massachusetts. The common
house mouse (Mus musculus) is also an introduced animal, having also been
brought in inadvertently by the colonists. It is most common in urban areas and
around farms. The Norway rat and house mouse are considered to be pest
species, rather than wildlife, and are not protected by state laws.

Description and Habits House mice are typically dark gray on the back and
ashy gray on the abdomen. Variations occur all the way from black to nearly
white. The ears are large and prominent. The tail is small and slender, being
about the length of head and body combined. They are quite small, weighing
about 3/4 ounce. They may sometimes be confused with immature white-
footed mice, which are also dark above and light below. Rats may vary in color
from almost pure gray to reddish brown or nearly black. Partial albinos may
also occur. The average length of the adult Norway rat is 16-18 inches,
including the tail, which is 7 to 7-1/2 inches in length. Norway rats weigh from
10-17 ounces, although a one-pound rat is unusually large. The average life
span of a rat in the wild is only 8 months, however, they can live beyond three
years in captivity.

Female house mice may give birth to young during any month of the year,
especially in warm and secluded locations. The gestation period Is
approximately 21 days and from 5-8 litters averaging 5 young each are born
during a single year. Juveniles are dependent upon the mother for about 3
weeks and may reach maturity In 2-3 months. Although caged mice may survive
for two years or more, it is probable that few wild mice live for more than one
year.

Rats breed at three to four months of age and probably continue to breed until
death. The gestation period is 21 to 25 days. The young are weaned when
three weeks old, often just prior to the birth of another litter. The female
comes into heat about every five days and can breed within one day after giving
birth. A female averages between 5-7 litters annually consisting of 8-10 young
each. However, litters may contain as many as 20 young and as many as 14
litters annually have been recorded. Natural mortality can be high; however,
under normal conditions, each pair annually produces 60-70 young which
survive to breeding age. While breeding is usually greatest during spring and
fall, 20-30 percent of the females in a colony are usually pregnant at any given
time.

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House mice and rats eat the same foods as man, but, under natural conditions,
are primarily seed eaters. Foods high in protein or sugar content, such as
peanut butter, bacon, ground meat, cheese, cookies, and candy are readily
consumed. The diet varies in different environments and some animals can live
on live insects, starchy clothing, and glue in book bindings. However, when
necessary, they will eat and thrive on virtually any edible item.

Rats and mice are color blind. Their depth of vision is limited to about a few
feet in rats and 6 inches or so in mice. They can distinguish movement farther
away, however. They have a well-developed sense of smell and taste which aids
them in avoiding poorly prepared toxic materials. Their hearing is exceptionally
good and they seem to recognize higher frequency sounds than do humans.
Their facial "whiskers" and body hairs are very sensitive to touch and aid them
as they move about in confined spaces. Regular travel routes are marked by
dark smudges on the sides of tunnels and runways, due to the animals' rubbing
on them. They are often cautious of anything new and the displacement of a
familiar object may disturb them for a time.

Rats and mice are good swimmers. They will sometimes swim through sewer
lines and enter homes through floor drains. It is not uncommon for them to
climb pipes as high as the second story and emerge. A large rat can reach
vertically 18 inches and jump three feet with a running start. They have been
known to fall four stories without apparent harm. It is possible for young rats
to go through a 1/2-inch hole and house mice can pass a 3/8-inch hole. The front
incisor teeth of rats grow continually. They must gnaw in order to wear back
the teeth. They can chew through lead pipes, three inches of poorly formed
concrete, oak planks, and sun-dried brick.

While rats and mice are primarily burrowing animals, they can climb when
necessary. Rats prefer to live in burrows or tunnels in rubble 8-18 inches
underground. A long-established colony might have tunnels extending the
length of a city block. In light sandy soil, they have been known to burrow
down to six feet. Rats usually start their search for food and water after sunset
each day. They apparently feed twice during the night; once shortly after dark
and again in the early evening. The average rat needs 3/4 to 1 ounce of dry
food and 1-1/2 ounces of water every 24 hours. Without food, they will start to
weaken in 3-4 days, but, without water, they weaken in 1-2 days. Mice are not
as reliant on water and have been kept in captivity on dehydrated food
containing less than 5 percent moisture for periods of up to one year. This
difference is a factor in baiting for the two species.

If food and shelter are present, house mice may spend their entire life span
within a 25-foot range. Rats generally travel over a wider distance, but their
movements are also correlated with the availability of water, food, and shelter.
When disturbed by construction or other large-scale displacement, rats have
moved as much as four miles in one week.

Economics Rats and mice transmit over 35 known diseases to man and
domestic animals. They also carry several kinds of lice, fleas, and ticks. Disease is

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spread by their excrement, their parasites, and their bites. Among the human
diseases carried by rats are plague, typhus, infectious jaundice, rat-bite fever,
salmonellosis, and trichinosis.The vast economic losses are also significant.
During the period April 1959 to March 1960, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration made 370 seizures due to rat and mouse contamination. The
total poundage of contaminated food was 7,092,700. Samples of grain taken
directly from combines indicate that 5-9 percent of the wheat in some areas
contained rodent droppings. The degree of contamination varied from zero to
4500 per kilogram (2.2 lbs.). One pair of rats living in a granary eats
approximately 27 pounds of food in 6 months, but contaminates 10 times as
much. During this time, the two rats produce 2-4 pounds of droppings and 1-
1/2 gallons of urine, and shed one million hairs. Rats and mice can also start
fires by damaging insulation on electric wiring. A survey of 39 cities in the
1960's showed that 530 fires were started by rodents.

Control The best control of rats and mice is to take away the food and shelter
that permits them to survive. Traps, poisons, and other methods are only stop-
gaps which can temporarily halt a growing population or which can be used
against individual animals which find their way into an otherwise secure
dwelling.

Light infestations of rats and mice can be removed through the use of ordinary
snap traps. These should be placed at right angles along walls between objects,
or by holes and damaged materials, so that the trigger mechanism intersects the
animal's route of travel.

An attractive bait is chunky peanut butter smeared over the trigger surface.
Other good baits are cake, doughnuts, bacon, nut meats, cheese, and soft
candies. A sprinkle of rolled oats or dry cereal over and around baited traps is
sometimes helpful. Trap-shy individuals may be caught by hiding the whole
trap under a layer of flour, rolled oats, or similar dry light-weight bait. At times,
a wad of cotton attached to the trigger may attract mice searching for nesting
materials.

Poisoning Toxic rodenticides are sometimes helpful in controlling large
infestations where trapping is impractical. No one bait or poison is universally
effective, and many rats and mice are now resistant to the more common
chemicals. For this reason, it is desirable to use poisons as little as possible and
to rotate their use. Only those poisons approved under state law should be
used and they should be used only by trained personnel having the appropriate
permits.

The selection of poisons should be consistent with human safety and that of
domestic and wild animals. Anticoagulants (diphacin, fumarin, pival, warfarin,
PMP) cause death by internal bleeding. They are the least hazardous of the
rodenticides and are highly effective on an unexposed population, but are slow
acting. Small amounts of them must be consumed daily for 5 or more days in
order to produce death and several weeks may elapse before complete control

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is attained. They may be purchased ready-mixed or as a concentrate. For large-
scale use, the concentrate is most economical. The basic bait mix consists of 12
parts ground yellow corn meal, 5 parts rolled oats, 1 part vegetable oil, and 1
part granulated sugar, mixed with the anticoagulant according to the
manufacturer's instructions. Precautions should be taken to prevent
contamination of food and to protect humans and pets from accidental
poisoning (see M.G.L c. 270, s. 3A). Place baits carefully in protected bait
stations and promply pick up and dispose of dead rats and mice.

Adapted from leaflets prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1977).

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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

CONTROL OF PORCUPINES

The distinctive characteristic of the porcupine is its quills (up to 30,000 on an
adult animal). These quills and the long black hairs make the "porky" appear
quite large, although, actually, the heaviest ones weigh only about 25 pounds.
The porcupine does not "throw" its quills, but when attacked slaps its
adversary with a quick flick of the tail, which imbeds the loosely attached quills
in the attacker.

The porcupine is most active at night, usually spending the day asleep in a rock
crevice or perched in a tree. It does not hibernate and is active even in sub-
zero temperatures and deep snows. Porcupines are usually solitary, but several
may group together in a single den during periods of extremely cold weather.
During the summer, porcupines may be found in open meadows, fields, and
along the banks of streams and lakes. They eat plants, including garden and
truck crops such as corn. In the fall, they may seek fruit in orchards. In the
winter, they seek out forested areas and feed largely on foliage of certain
evergreens such as white pine, hemlock, and larch (tamarack). The inner bark
of a wide variety of forest trees is also a major food item. Porcupines are usually
sparsely distributed and they rarely become overabundant. Their feeding
habits are such, however, that they can sometimes cause localized damage. In
addition to damaging crops and timber, the porcupine can do considerable
damage to structures such as camps and summer homes, which are unoccupied
during the winter. The porcupines will chew or gnaw on railings, woodwork,
tool handles, and even rubber tires. For these reasons, control is sometimes
necessary.

Control Methods

Fencing.

In areas where a forest adjoins an agricultural development, there are often
continuing problems with porcupines. A wire mesh drift fence sometimes
separates forest and field, but this will not stop the porcupine which climbs
very well. Electric fencing, such as is commonly used to control domestic
livestock, can be effective. Mount the hot wire on porcelain insulators some 18
inches or more above the ground on the outer side of the fence so that it is 2
inches out from the fence proper. Maintain this 2-inch distance by frequent use
of plastic spacing links between the hot wire and the fence netting. The
negative pole of the controller unit is connected with both the fence netting
and a steel grounding stake driven into the soil. The top of the fence proper
must extend at least 6 inches above the level of the hot wire. Thus, the total
height of the fence can be as low as 24 inches, but the height of nearby
vegetation which can touch and short out the hot wire will govern th«» -f^nce
construction.

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Shooting.

Where permissible, individual porcupines can be controlled by shooting.
Shooting is less effective in the summer, due to the animal's solitary behavior,
however, they can sometimes be found at the site of damage, such as in corn
fields. A sunny warm day Is best for shooting. Avoid shooting on windy days
as the animals hold close to shelter and are difficult to locate.

Live Trapping.

Porcupines can be easy to live trap, particularly during the winter. Use a cage
or box trap with a 10x12 inch opening. It should be placed near the place
where the damage is being caused, or at breaks In a fence, in farm furrows, or
runways. Traps which are set at the base of an apple or other fruit tree will
usually quickly catch a marauding porcupine, but the trap should be checked
regularly since the animal will damage the tree if not caught right away. Two
or three apples placed at the rear of the trap will serve as bait.

Adapted from a leaflet originally prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(1976).

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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

CONTROL OF FOXES

Life History:Two species of fox are found in Massachusetts, including the red
fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). Foxes of one
species or another are found throughout Massachusetts, except on Martha's
Vineyard and Nantucket, and probably in the urban Boston area (Suffolk
County). Both foxes are the size of a small dog, though the gray fox (7-13
pounds, 32-45 inches in total length) is often slightly smaller than the red (10-15
pounds, 36-41 inches). Red foxes are generally yellow-red or rust-red above
with whitish underparts, a white-tipped tail, and black legs and feet. Color
variants, including the dark "cross fox" and grizzled "silver fox" occur
uncommonly. The gray fox is generally grayish "salt-and-pepper" with rusty red
areas on the neck, legs, and underside of the tail. The top of the tail is black,
with no white tip. Both foxes have large bushy tails.

Red foxes inhabit a diversity of broken or mixed habitats, including open
hardwoods, farmlands, woodlots, pastures, brushy areas, and suburban areas
broken up with small parks and undeveloped areas. Gray foxes, on the other
hand, are more of a forest animal, preferring dense hardwood or mixed
hardwood-coniferous forests and rough or rocky terrain. Gray foxes are skilled
tree climbers. Red foxes sometimes dig their own den but may often take over
a woodchuck burrow or an old fox den. Most denning areas are in similar sites
year-after-year. Gray foxes rarely use burrow dens but rather use sites under
logs or stumps, in hollow trees and logs, or in rock crevices and fissures.
Both red and gray foxes breed in mid-January to late February, with the pups
born in late March or early April. There is only one litter per year, with 4-5 pups
in the average litter. Communal denning may occur in red foxes with several
families denning in close proximity. Red foxes are believed to mate for life. In
both species, the pups are feeble at birth and remain in the den for 4-5 weeks.
The adults sometimes move the young from den to den. At about 8-10 weeks in
gray foxes and 12 weeks in reds, the pups are weaned and they soon leave the
den. They remain part of the family group until late autumn, when they
disperse and begin to fend for themselves.

Both red and gray foxes are opportunistic feeders, eating a wide range of small
mammals, birds and eggs, reptiles, amphibians, insects, fruits and berries, nuts,
grains, and carrion. Red foxes may cache their extra food by burying it or
covering it with debris.

Both red and gray foxes are highly susceptible to rabies, although that disease is
currently virtually absent in Massachusetts except in bats. Historically, there
were outbreaks of fox rabies in Massachusetts, the last occurring in the 1930's.
Both foxes are also susceptible to canine distemper. Sarcoptic mange caused by
a small mite which infests the hair follicles- is very common in red foxes and is

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lethal to them. It is not a problem in gray foxes.

Damage :Red foxes may prey upon domestic poultry, or small livestock such as
lambs and piglets. They will also sometimes kill house cats. Depredations may
be particularly important during the denning and pup-rearing period when the
adults have to feed both themselves and their young. Gray foxes are less likely
to cause damage than red foxes.

Sickly foxes may cause alarm when they appear in suburban back years and act
tame or fearless of humans. Young children may approach these animals and
try to pet or feed them and may be bitten. Similarly, healthy foxes which are
seeking food may learn to feed on pet food, table scraps, or garbage.

Control :Wire net fences with openings of three inches or less will exclude most
red foxes if the bottom of the wire is buried or secured with an apron so that
foxes cannot burrow under it. Pens or coops should also be roofed, since red
foxes will often readily climb a fence. Well-maintained electric fences with
three wires spaced at 6, 12, and 18 inches above ground have also been used to
successfully repel red foxes.

Sanitary practices should be maintained around livestock enclosures and dead
poultry or livestock should be buried deeply or incinerated rather than thrown
in the bush. Pet food should not be left outdoors and scraps from barbecues
and cook-outs should be cleaned up. Garbage should be kept in secure
containers.

Where lethal controls are lawful and necessary, foxes may be trapped in
approved types of traps. The current trapping laws should be checked to
ascertain the types of traps that may be used and the circumstances under
which they are allowed. Foxes are intelligent and can be difficult to trap if traps
are not de-scented and carefully concealed. Adult foxes are difficult to trap in
cage traps. Foxes may also be hunted or shot during the lawful hunting season
or when otherwise authorized. State laws regarding the safe discharge of
firearms must be followed. Foxes may sometimes be called in by the skillful use
of a "predator call" which simulates the distress calls of prey.

Prepared by Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, May 1990.

e

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

CONTROL OF WEASELS

Life History:

Two species of weasel are found in Massachusetts, Including the ermine or
short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea) and the long-tailed weasel (Mustela
frenata). The long-tailed weasel is the larger of the two, averaging about 16
inches in length whereas the ermine averages about 13 inches. Male weasels
are distinctly larger than females. Both species of weasel may have a white coat
in winter; however, this is most common in the ermine. Both species have a
black tip on the tail. The ermine has a white line down the hind leg (summer
coat), while the long-tailed weasel lacks the line. The underparts of the ermine
are white, while those of the long-tailed are yellowish in color.

Long-tailed weasels prefer open woodlands, brushy areas, and agricultural areas
with hedges and fencerows. Ermines generally inhabit low brushy thickets
bordering streams in forested areas. There may be some habitat overlap,
though, and both species appear to require open water for drinking. They den
in old chipmunk burrows or other holes, in stone walls or rock piles, in fallen
hollow trees, or similar sites.

Both species of weasel breed in summer and the young are born the following
April or May. There are usually about 6-8 young per litter. They are blind and
feeble when born but are active at about 45 days and leave the parents by
about November.

Weasels feed on a variety of small prey including mice, rats, chipmunks, rabbits,
small birds and eggs, frogs, small snakes, insects, and earthworms. They may
eat carrion if other foods are unavailable. If one type of prey is particularly
common, the weasels will usually continue to select that prey as long as it is
available. Weasels are commonly thought to be "bloodthirsty" because, in
some instances, they may kill more prey than they can eat. Actually, this
behavior (called "surplus killing") is common in many carnivores and is not a
conscious "choice" on the part of the animal. Normally, the weasel is
stimulated to kill by the frightened behavior of the prey. Then, when the prey
is dead, the weasel's feeding behaviors come into play. However, When
confronted with a large number of prey animals, the weasel's killing instinct is
repeatedly stimulated and there is no chance for the feeding instincts to take
over.

Damage:

Weasels may occasionally kill domestic animals, such as poultry, ducks, pigeons,
rabbits, and similar-sized birds and mammals. Often, they are beneficial due to
their predation on rats and mice.

Control:

Preventive measures designed to exclude weasels from poultry houses are an
essential step in eliminating damage. All openings larger than 1 inch should be
blocked with 1/4 or 1/2-inch mesh hail screening or similar wire mesh. Window
screening is not strong enough. Be sure that the weasels cannot push under the
wire where it contacts the ground. Pens must also have a secure top, since
weasels are good climbers.

When necessary, weasels may be trapped in small cage traps or wooden box
traps (about 4x4x24 inches) baited with sardines or fresh meat. Traps may be
set in hen coops, under brush piles, or along fence rows or stone walls.

Prepared by Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife,May 1990.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DIVISION OF FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

CONTROL OF ANIMAL ODORS WITH NEUTROLEUM ALPHA

Noxious animal odors may be masked effectively using the deodorant
" Neutroleum Alpha". Odors arising from penned animals, as in a laboratory or
kennel, skunk spray contamination, or a rotting carcass are examples of odor
problems controlled by Neutroleum Alpha.

Neutroleum Alpha is available in concentrated or water soluble form. The
water soluble form is cheaper and more flexible in use than the concentrate.
The water soluble form can be diluted for use as an area spray or used as is by
saturating materials such as cotton or lamp wick. For an area spray, add two
ounces of Neutroleum Alpha to one gallon of warm water.

Space or area sprays should be used in a room or small building where the odor-
causing substances are widespread or bulky. An area contaminated with skunk
spray or where highly odoriferous material has been spilled would be likely
places for spray application. The entire area or odor-causing mass should be
covered throughly with the spray. Generally, one application Is sufficient.
Sometimes, due to the depth of the odor-causing material, a second application
Is needed. The interval between applications is usually fourteen days.
Saturated cotton balls or lamp wick may be employed where the source of the
odor Is localized. The saturated materials should be suspended in or near the
contaminated area so that air circulation can move the volatile deodorant
throughout the area. The saturated materials can be suspended by string
behind doors, from door knobs, behind curtains, from curtain rods, from pipes,
or from strategically placed thumb tacks. The saturated materials are effective
for about three weeks.

The source of odors is sometimes difficult to locate, especially when small
animals die in walls and other out-of-the-way places. Lack of knowledge of air
circulation in the area contributes to the difficulty. The smoke of a burning
cigarette or punk will show the air circulation in the affected areas. The vicinity
of electrical wall outlets and radiator pipes should be checked carefully as these
areas usually have a continuous air current. Gases from decomposing animal
carcasses are heavier than air and settle into the lower levels in a structure. It Is
in these areas that the greatest number of saturated materials should be placed.
The normal number of placements of saturated materials in an average room In
a house is four. The number should be doubled in the basement beneath the
same-sized room.

Neutroleum Alpha may be obtained from Fritzsche Brothers, Inc., Port
Authority Building, 76 Ninth Avenue, New York, N.Y. Inquiries concerning
current prices should be directed to the company. This deodorant may also be
purchased from hospital supply houses or pest control operators.

Obnoxious odors may also be masked using NI-712, a commercieil citrus odor
eliminator available as an aerosol spray. This substance is available from
Neutron Industries, Inc., 7107 N. Black Canyon Hwy., Phoenix, AZ 85021.

The above is for the information of correspondents. The inclusion of company
or trade names does not imply endorsement by the Commonwealth or the
Federal government.

Adapted from a leaflet originally prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(1969).

I

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Cooperative Extension Service

L-335

University of Massachusetts,
^United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating

Wildlife in Massachttsetts

Chipmunk

Chipmunks are small ground-dwelling squirrels
common in forested areas of Massachusetts. They
have characteristic markings that make them easy
to distinguish from other members of the squirrel
family. Their coat is rusty-red to chestnut-brown,
and has five dark-brown stripes lining the back.
Their tail, which is about one-third of the chip-
munk's total length, is flat, hairy, and fringed in
white or gray. Both males and females are alike in
color, size (8-1/2 to 9-1/2 inches), and weight
(2-1/2 to 4 ounces). Their short front feet are
specially designed for holding and eating food
while sitting up. Like all members of the rodent
family (squirrels, beavers, mice), chipmunks have
chisel-shaped, ever-growing front teeth which must
be controlled by gnawing.

Habitat and Behavior

Chipmunks prefer hardwood forests having a
thick ground vegetation interspersed with old logs
or stone walls. In open areas with little or no
ground cover, they are most often found living in
the cracks and crevices of stone walls or ground
burrows. These energetic and resourceful animals
are often seen in parks, lawns, and around gardens.

Chipmunks may seem to be more common than
other members of the order Rodentia because they
are active during the daytime. Them seem however,
to be most active in the cooler hours of morning
and afternoon. When temperatures are too high or
low, or the weather is stormy, they will not ven-
ture from cover.

When not busy with food gathering or territorial
defense, chipmunks sleep in their underground bur-
rows. Burrow entrances are neat, round holes, usu-
ally less than two inches in diameter. During the

winter, the entrance Is plugged. From the entrance,
the burrow drops straight down for a few inches
and then declines more gradually until it levels out
at about three feet below the surface. When exca-
vating, the chipmunk will carry soil away from the
entrance in its cheek pouches. Because of this,
there is little or no evidence of excavated soil at
the entrance. Within four to five years an average
chipmunk burrow may be 30 feet long, have sever-
al openings, and may have up to six chambers.

Chipmunks are not true hibernators, though
some may sleep for long periods of time during the
cold winter months. They store food rather than
fat, and must wake up to eat. Mild winter weather
may bring them out of their dens for short periods
of time.

In late February and early March, chipmunks
leave their burrows to breed. There are two breed-
ing seasons every year; spring and summer. During
the spring season, the older females and one-year-
old females will breed. During late July and Au-

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gust, females which do not mate in spring and a
few of the three-month-old females will breed.
Older females may even have two litters per year.
After a 31 -day gestation, four or five young are
born (blind and naked). The young develop and
grow very quickly, spending only a month in the
burrow.

Chipmunks are omnivorous, feeding on both
plants and animals. Some of the plant foods eaten
are acorns, beechnuts, seeds of woody plants, ber-
ries of the American yew, ragweed, wintergreen,
Canada Mayflower, clover, and wild buckwheat.
Occasionally they sample mushrooms, sunflower
seeds, watermelon, apples, and squash. They eat
many invertebrate animals such as insects and

worms, but sometimes catch vertebrate animals
(moles, young mice, small songbirds, and frogs).
Chipmunks have special internal cheek pouches
which can be filled with food. The pouches are
used to carry food to storage sites for future use
y\ during the winter and are emptied by squeezing
them with their front feet. But, more often they
eat their food on the spot, usually at a favorite
stump or rock. Such a feeding area rapidly be-
comes littered with broken nut shells and seeds.
During the late summer and early fall, chipmunks
start gathering and storing nuts and other seeds for
the winter.

Chipmunks usually do not travel very far — 75
yards from their burrow or nest would be consid-

ered a great distance. The outer areas of an individ-
ual's home range often overlap with that of other
chipmunks, except during the breeding season.
Chipmunks are solitary and except for females
with young, live alone in separate dens. Predators
of chipmunks include: man, hawks, mink, rac-
coons, weasels, martens, foxes, bobcats, coyotes,
cats, and large snakes.

Economic Importance

in their natural habitat, chipmunks are part of
the natural community of plants and animals. They
compete with gray and red squirrels, grouse, deer,
turkeys, mice, and other nut-eating animals for
food. Some food is eaten on the spot; some is bur-
ried. When a large amount of food is stored and
left in the ground, there may be less for other wild-
life but some stored seeds can sprout and new
trees will grow from them.

Chipmunks are enjoyable to watch, but when
they move into urban settings, they may conflict
with man's interests. They dig up garden seeds and
have been accused of eating flower bulbs. Burrow
entrances in lawns, rock gardens, stone walls, and
near building foundations may be objectionable. If
such disturbances can be tolerated, it may be just
as well to learn to enjoy these alert animals. Maybe
the benefits of watching outweigh the disadvan-
tages. If control is necessary, such as when they get
into houses, snap-type rat traps can be used effec-
tively.

Written and compiled by Nan Chadwick.
Illustrations by Nancy Haver.

Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, E. Bruce MacDougall,
Dean, in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914; Unit-
ed States Department of Agriculture and County Extension S^f vices
cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers equal oppor-
tunity in programs and employment. J2394: 1 1/84-3M

Cooperative Extension Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts 01003

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300

POSTAGE AND FEES PAID

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF

AGRICULTURE

AGR 101

Cooperative Extension Service

L-331

University of Massachusetts,

United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating

Controlling Wildlife Damage

Woodchuck

The woodchuck is a member of the rodent fami-
ly and is one of the most common mammals in
Massachusetts. It prefers to inhabit pastures and
meadows or the edges of brush woodlands. Com-
plex burrows are dug and are used for denning
and winter hibernation.

Woodchucks are most active during daylight
hours and prefer to feed in the early morning or
evening. They are vegetarians, and eat alfalfa, clo-
ver, grasses, leaves, dandelion buds, common chick
weed, and other wild plants as well as agricultural
plants such as beans, peas, carrots, and apples.

Control

Abandoned woodchuck burrows offer consider-
able benefits to many wildlife species. They pro-
vide escape cover and dens for cottontail rabbits,
foxes, and other wildlife. However, in areas where
they are overabundant, woodchuck activities may
conflict with man's interests, especially on farms,
in gardens, orchards, or nurseries. They can do
heavy damage to pea, bean, corn, and hay crops.
Mounds of earth from the burrow or entrance
holes may be a hazard to farm equipment as well
as to horses and their riders. In spring, fruit trees
and ornamental shrubs may be damaged by the
woodchuck gnawing on the stems. For these rea-
sons, control measures may be necessary.

Fencing

Home gardens may be fenced to keep many ani-
mals from damaging or destroying produce. Since
woodchucks are good climbers, they can easily
scale wire fences. If fencing is already in place,
an electric hot wire placed 5 to 6 inches off the
ground and about 3 to 4 inches outside the fence
will prevent woodchucks from climbing or burrow-
ing under the wire mesh. Also, 4 to 6 inches of a
fence should be buried to inhibit burrowing.

Shooting

In Massachusetts, the woodchuck Is considered
a nuisance animal. A valid state hunting license is
required. There is no closed season, nor is there
any limit on the number of woodchucks that can

be taken by an individual hunter. Landowners and
their hunting friends can help reduce the number
of woodchucks where necessary and desirable.

Gassing

If safety requirements do not permit shooting,
commercial woodchuck gas cartridges may be used.
These are specially designed cardboard cylinders

''-'"''^m.

filled with slow-burning chemicals which, when ig-
nited and put in the burrow, burn to produce car-
bon monoxide gas. When confined to the burrow
system (by blocking the entrances), lethal amounts
of gas accumulate. Since a burning material is in-
volved, care should be taken to avoid setting fire to
dry grass or brush. Because of the potential hazard
from fire and toxic gasses, gas cartridges should not
be used in dens found under sheds or buildings.
Woodchuck cartridges are available from local farm
supply stores. Directions for their use are on the
label and should be carefully followed.

Trapping

Trapping may also be used to reduce woodchuck
populations in problem situations. A regular box
trap made of wood lined with metal to prevent
chewing can be used. They should be baited with
apples or other fresh fruit and should be checked
twice a day (morning and night), so that trapped
animals may be dealt with in a humane manner.
Steel leg-hold traps are not allowed in Massachu-
setts unless trapping in or under buildings or
underwater.

i

Written and compiled by Nan Chadwicl<.
Illustrations by Nancy Haver.

Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, E. Bruce MacDougall,
Dean, in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914; Unit-
ed States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services
cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers equal oppor-
tunity in programs and employment. J2394: 1 1/84-3M

Cooperative Extension Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts 01003

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300

POSTAGE AND FEES PAID

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF

AGRICULTURE

AGR 101

f

Cooperative Extension Service

L-33B

Jniversity of Massachusetts,

inited States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating

Wildlife in Bffassachttsetts

Gray Squirrel

The gray squirrel, named for its silvery-gray
coat, is a slender, long-tailed arboreal (tree dwell-
ing) rodent. Its bushy, flattened tail is usually held
in an S-shaped curve over its body when sitting. Its
hind legs are larger and stronger than the front
ones and are used for leaping from tree to tree. The
front feet are specifically adapted for holding nuts.
An adult gray squirrel usually weighs between 3/4 and
1-3/4 pounds.

Gray squirrels display one of two color phases
depending on the season of year. During the winter
the underparts are white and the back and sides are
made up of hairs banded in black, brown, and
black with a white tip. Summer coats may be more
yellowish-brown, with gray on the sides of the
neck, shoulders, and thighs. Overall, the tail is gray
in appearance, but individual tail hairs are brown at
the base, banded with black and tan, and tipped
with white. Both males and females are similar in
color. In certain parts of Massachusetts a totally
black color phase is known to occur. Gray as well
as black color phases may be found within the
same litter.

Gray squirrels can be found throughout Massa-
chusetts, especially where there are hardwood trees
such as oak, hickory, and beech. They are common
in cities and parks where nut- and fruit- bearing
trees are abundant and discarded food is available.

Habitat and Behavior

Gray squirrels are very quick and nimble ani-
mals. They can easily run, climb, and jump among
branches of the tallest trees. Their long, flattened
tail helps them to maintain their balance during
these acrobatics. When startled on the ground,
squirrels will usually scramble up the nearest trunk,
traveling swiftly from tree to tree, seldom losing
their grasp. When they jump too far, they can drop
from the tree top to the ground without being in-
jured. Squirrels can travel along electrical and
telephone wires with ease for long distances with-
out setting foot on the ground.

The gray squirrel uses leaf nests and tree dens.
Good tree dens are permanent quarters, while leaf

i

nests are only temporary homes during summer-
time. The animals seem to prefer cavities in ma-
ture, living trees for winter dens. A den or cavtty
begins to form in a tree where a branch has fallen
off or where a woodpecker has drilled a hole into
the trunk. With the protective bark gone, weather
and insects begin the decay process in the wood,
and eventually, a cavity is formed. Cavities are cre-
ated in live trees as well as in dead and dying ones.
Squirrels need a den that has an opening measuring
approximately three inches. They must often gnaw
back new bark tissues that grow over openings to
keep the den entrance from sealing. Old hollow
trees with broken tips, cracks and many openings
do not make good tree dens, but do provide hiding
places for squirrels. On occasion, a squirrel may
chose to den in a barn, garage, or attic.

During summer, adults build leaf nests which
are usually placed in the top fork of a tree or in
the crotch of a high limb near the trunk. A single
entrance usually faces the main tree trunk or near-
est limb. A leaf nest is made up of 3 or 4 parts:
the base and supports are constructed of twigs,
the floor on the inside is made of a layer of com-
pact soil and organic debris mixed with twigs, and
the outer shell is made of leaves and twigs. Often,
an inner layer of woven bark, grass, and leaves is
constructed to provide warmth and added protec-
tion. Leaf nests range in size from 14 to 16 inches
in diameter and weigh from 6 to 7 pounds. Such
nests are cooler than cavity nests and are free of
parasites. They may also serve as temporary quar-
ters near winter food supplies.

Squirrels have two breeding seasons per year:
one In late January or February, the other in late
May or June. Before mating, several males may
chase a female in a noisy, energetic race through
tree tops. After a 44-day gestation period, 3 to 5
young are born (blind and hairless). Young squir-
rels depend on the mother for about 12 weeks.
Young from the first litter venture out in early
May and those from the second litter become
active in early August. Springtime litters are gener-
ally born in tree dens, but summer litters are usu-
ally born in leaf nests.

Squirrels rely heavily on mast (nut) crops such
as acorns, hickory nuts, and beech nuts for food
and can consume up to two pounds of nuts each
week. When mast is scarce, squirrels may be hard
pressed to find enough food to subsist. Food short-
ages and severe winter weather may reduce popula-
tions drastically. When mast is abundant, the ani-
mals store (cache) nuts, then throughout the win-
ter they dig them up to eat. Experiments have
shown that squirrels find these stored nuts with
their highly developed sense of smell. They com-
pete for mast with ruffed grouse, deer, black bear,
chipmunks, white-footed mice, blue jays, flying

squirrels, and wild turkeys. During spring thaw,
squirrels will eat buds and flowers of red and sugar
maple. Later in spring, they may eat the maple and
elm fruits. In summer, they feed on berries, mush-
rooms, apples, corn, and other grains. Gray squir-
rels will occasionally eat bird eggs and chew on
bones or deer antlers for calcium, phosphorous,
and other necessary minerals.

Although they may stay in the den for several
days at a time during stormy weather, gray squir-
rels are active all year long. Daily, they are most ac-
tive at dawn and in late afternoon. If wind is not
strong, they will feed during rain or snow storms.
Most squirrels live in an area of 2 to 7 acres. Their
natural predators are hawks, owls, foxes, bobcats,
and raccoons. Also, hunters take some during open
season. House cats prey on squirrels, especially
young ones. Many are killed on roads in the fall
when they tend to migrate longer distances in
search of food. The average life span.of gray squir-
rels is about 1-1/2 years, but they have been
known to live seven or eight years.

Written and compiled by Nan Chadwick.
Illustrations by Nancy Haver.

Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, E. Bruce MacDougall,
Dean, in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914; Unit-
ed States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services
cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers equal oppor-
tunity in programs and employment. J2394: 1 1/84-3M

I

Cooperative Extension Service

L-336

University of Massachusetts,
^United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating

Wildlife in Massachusetts

J

Muskrat

The muskrat is one of the larger wild rodents
found in Massachusetts; adults weigh from 1-1/2
pounds to 4 pounds. Like its relative the beaver, it
is a water-loving mammal. Its fur varies in color
from rich dark brown to reddish brown. Its under-
fur is thick, silky and grayish. Muskrats have large,
broad hind feet that are partially webbed and are
well adapted for swimming. Unlike the beaver, the
muskrat's scaly tail is flattened vertically so it can
serve as a rudder while the large hind feet propel
the animal through water. Its small, long-clawed
front feet are specially adapted for holding food
and digging. Muskrats have two scent glands lo-
cated near the anus, which give off a musky odor
that is strongest during the breeding season.

Habitat and Behavior

Muskrats are seldom found far from water. They
prefer shallow ponds and marshes, but may oc-
casionally be found along slow-moving streams, ca-
nals, and rivers. Muskrats may dig a den in a bank
or build a house with aquatic plants. In general,
burrow entrances are below water level. A bank
den is ventilated by small holes hidden under a pile

of roots or other thick vegetation. When banks are
too low for a den, muskrats build a lodge of cat-
tails and other aquatic plants. The lodge may be
constructed over a submerged stump or log, or
built directly on the bottom of the wetland. The
cone-shaped den is made of mounded cattail stalks,
or bulrushes, roots, and mud dragged up from the
bottom. Entrance to a lodge is always under water
but the living chambers are above water. Interior
rooms are protected by walls of vegetation and
mud that are more than a foot thick and are lined
with fine grasses. Muskrats will continue to build
throughout the year. New houses appearing in late
summer are usually the work of young muskrats.
The tops of muskrat lodges are favorite nesting
platforms for Canada geese and other water fowl.
Even though they are chiefly nocturnal, musk-
rats occasionally venture out during the day. Since
they are mostly vegetarian, they feed on stems,
roots, bulbs and leaves of aquatic plants; however,
they may also feed on corn, clover, alfalfa, apples
or other fruits. They also eat snails, mussels, crus-
taceans, insects, and fish. When feeding, a musk-
rat prefers to take its food out into the wetland

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to an emerged floating log. There uneaten food
soon piles up and forms a feeding platform. These
"feeders" are places where they can eat without
interference from predators. Because they are
roofed, the feeders can safely shelter a muskrat
during bad weather. In ponds or marshes which
are likely to freeze over in the winter, muskrats
often keep open under-the-lce access tunnels
leading from the lodge to favorite feeding places.
Muskrats in Massahcusetts breed from early
spring until fall. In the south they may breed al-
most year-round. Usually three to five litters of
5 kits are born to a breeding female each season.
Young muskrats are born hairless and helpless, but
they grow very rapidly and are independent from
the mother in only one month. Some young may
even breed within the same year in which they
were born.

Economic Importance

Originally found only in North America, the
muskrat has been transplanted to Europe and
other parts of the world. Muskrats are one of
the most important furbearing animals in Massa-
chusetts, as in most other states. Muskrats are reg-
ulated as furbearers and the harvest is strictly
controlled under Massachusetts laws. Natural
enemies include coyotes, skunks, weasels, bob-
cats, great horned owls, marsh hawks, red foxes,
mink, snapping turtles, and large snakes.

Muskrats often cause damage to earthen dams
and dikes by burrowing into the banks. Their feed-
ing habits sometimes result in damage to agricul-
tural or ornamental crops gowing near water.

V

Written and compiled by Nan Chadwick.
Illustrations by Nancy Haver.

Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, E. Bruce MacDougall,
Dean, in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914; Unit-
ed States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services
cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers equal oppor-
tunity in programs and employment. J2394: 1 1/84-3M

Cooperative Extension Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts 01003

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE. $300

POSTAGE AND FEES PAID
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE
AGR 101

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<c

Cooperative Extension Service

L-342

University of IVIassachusetts,
^ V'nited States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating

Wildlife in Massachusetts

4

Distribution and Identification

The raccoon is common throughout Massachu-
setts and most of North America. Raccoons are
recognized by their black face mask and black,
brown, and white ringed bushy tail. They have long
thick fur, a wide head, and a slender, pointed nose.
The coat is a grizzled gray or brown. Male and fe-
males are colored alike, and males are generally
larger than females. Adults average between 8 and
16 pounds, but may get up to 40 pounds in rare

instances. Their feet are well adapted to climbing.
Their forepaws are very sensitive to touch and they
often stop to feel around in water as they wander
along a stream in search of food.

Habitat and Behavior

Raccoons live In forested areas that are close to
fields or wetlands. They are often found near
streams, lakes, and swamps, but are very adaptable
and can exist in almost every sort of habitat where
food is available, including suburban areas. They
den in hollow trees or logs, rock crevices, deserted
buildings, culverts, abandoned beaver lodges, or
woodchuck burrows. More than one den may be
used each year and the same den is often used year
after year.

Raccoons are almost entirely nocturnal, but are
most often seem at dawn or dusk. Although they
spend winter months denned up, they are not true
hibernators and may leave the den during winter
warm spells. Raccoons do not store food like chip-
munks, but they build up layers of body fat which
are used to supply energy until spring.

Although classified as a carnivore, raccoons feed
on a wide variety of plants and animals including
frogs, fish, shellfish, insects, birds, nuts, fruits,
seeds, corn, and other vegetables. In spring they
feed mostly on animal matter, and in late summer,
fall, and winter, they feed mainly on plants and
seeds. Some favorite plant foods include apples,
acorns, corn, oats, berries, grapes, ragweed, and

r

( \

I'l

tender shoots and buds. Animals commonly eaten
include crayfish, frogs, snails, fish, snakes, insects,
small birds and their eggs, shrews, mice, and car-
rion. In urban areas they frequently raid garbage
and rubbish containers.

Most raccoons breed during January, February
or March. The young are born about 63 days later.
Litters of 3 to 7 cubs are born blind, but with fur.
The cubs grow rapidly and open their eyes when
they are about three weeks old. The mother and
young remain together throughout the summer and
may den together during the following winter.

Raccoons have few natural predators because of
their relatively large size and their fighting and
climbing abilities. While young raccoons are some-
times killed by owls, foxes, and weasels, man and
dogs are the major predators of adults. Many rac-
coons are killed on roads each year and many
young die from starvation, disease, and parasites
during the winter. Hunting and trapping are strictly
regulated to insure that only the surplus popula-
tion is harvested each year.

Economic Importance

Raccoons are important furbearers and game
animals. They are hunted and trapped for their fur,
for meat and for sport. They fill an ecological
niche as a predator, thereby helping to regulate ro-
dent and other pest populations.

Control

Raccoons cause damage in corn fields by feeding
on ears of corn and they occasionally kill poultry
and eat eggs. Often they damage fleshy fruit and
vegetables in gardens. They are also a nuisance
when they get into garbage at camp sites or else-
where, and may enter chimneys. Many of these
problems would be easily avoided if people would
keep their garbage in secure cans and block access
to potential den sites in buildings. Raccoons have
also caused problems for other wildlife. Initially,
the wood duck nesting box program was seriously
hampered because raccoons preyed upon eggs and
hens sitting in the boxes. Today, the nesting boxes
are fitted with a wooden extension or metal barrier
that prevents the raccoon from reaching into or
climbing up to the box.

Before initiating any control program, contact
the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wild-
life or a U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service representa-
tive. Control measures can be either "reductional"
or "preventive." Reductional methods include kill-
ing the offending individuals. Preventive measures
include installation of electric fences of C-foot high
wire that surround the area to be protected. Also,
garbage cans should be secured. Although the State
Division of Fisheries and Wildlife can not get rid of
the raccoons for you, it can supply trapping regula-

tions, directions for building inexpensive live traps,
and instructions for capturing the nuisance animals.
Since most raccoon problems are caused by a few
individuals, controlling these troublesome raccoons
will usually solve most of the problems.

I I

Written and compiled by Nan Chadwicl<.
Illustrations by Nancy Haver.

Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, E. Bruce MacDougall.
Dean, in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914; Unit-
ed States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services
cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers equal oppor-
tunity in programs and employment. J2394: 1 1/84-3M

"

i

L

I

Cooperative Extension Service

L-332

University of Massachusetts,

United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating

4)^ ■ '^i

-^t^

Controlling Wildlife Damage

Raccoons live throughout Massachusetts, except
in Nantucket. They are nnost common in forests
and wet areas such as streams, lakes or swamps.
They are recognized by their black face masks and
black, brown and white ringed bush tails. Adults
grow to about 28 to 36 inches long, including the
tail, and can weigh up to 40 pounds.

Raccoons are nocturnal, and while they do not
hibernate, they may be inactive for long periods

during the winter. They feed on many animals and
plants including frogs, fish, crayfish, insects, birds,
nuts, corn, and other vegetables. They also eat car-
rion and garbage.

They live in hollow trees or logs, rock crevices,
deserted or inhabited buildings or in deserted wood-
chuck burrows. Their breeding season is from Jan-
uary to mid-March. After a 63 day gestation, 3 to
7 cubs are born in the dens. The young begin for-
aging for food by 2 months old and stay with the
female through the following winter.

Raccoons are important furbearers and game an-
imals, and this classification provides them with le-
gal protection. They cannot be taken except during
the hunting or trapping seasons. Raccoons fill an
ecological niche as a predator. They may help regu-
late rodent and other pest populations.

Control

Raccoons can cause damage in corn fields, gar-
dens and orchards. They feed on ears of corn, gar-
den vegetables, fruits, and raid garbage cans. Many
of the most trying raccoon problems in Massachu-
setts are in suburban areas: raccoons in chimneys,
attics or garbage containers. Since individual ani-
mals do most of the damage, controlling these few
troublesome raccoons will usually solve most of
the problems. The Massachusetts Division of Fish-
eries and Wildlife should be contacted before any
control program is started.

L

iX-v

Hunting

Hunting may help keep animal numbers and
damage at a tolerable level. Before hunting, permis-
sion should be granted and ground rules set be-
tween the hunter and the landowner. When hunt-
ing raccoons, a valid state hunting license is re-
quired during legal hunting season. If it is necessary
to shoot out of season those animals doing damage
to private property, your local state conservation
officer should be consulted. It is permissible to
destroy raccoons on your own land if they are do-
ing damage, but no shooting may be done within
500 feet of an Inhabited dwelling or within 150
feet of a state wood. No license is needed if shoot-
ing is done by the landowner, a member of the
immediate family or a tenant.

Preventing Damage

Electric fencing can be used around gardens to
protect crops from raccoons. Two electric wires
placed 5 to 8 inches above the ground and powered
by a fence charger will stop animals from entering
vegetable plots. Care should be taken to examine
wires frequently and support stakes to make sure
vegetation doesn't grow up and short out the
fence. Support stakes can be made inexpensively
out of 1 " X 3" strapping material. These supports,
with insulators, can be driven into the ground at
10-foot intervals.

Keeping very tight-fitting covers on garbage cans
around camps and homes, and keeping the garbage
area clean and odor-free will usually prevent rac-
coons from becoming a nuisance. You can also
keep garbage cans inside a closed garage or keep
garbage in the freezer and only place it in trash
containers on the day of pickup.

Written and conripiled by Nan Chadwick.
Illustrations by Nancy Haver.

Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, E. Bruce MacDougall,
Dean, in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914; Unit-
ed States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services
cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers equal oppor-
tunity in programs and employment. J2394: 1 1/84-3M

I I

Cooperative Extension Service

University of Massachusetts,

United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating

L-334

Wildlife in Massachusetts

Striped Skunks

\

The striped sl<unk is probably best known for its
pungent odor. It is very common throughout Mas-
sachusetts where it is also known as the eastern
striped skunk, polecat, wood pussy, common
skunk and lined skunk.

Striped skunks are about the same size as house
cats, but with shorter legs. Their front feet have
long, curved claws that are used for digging in grass
and pulling apart rotten logs in search of insects.
Skunks can be easily recognized by their broad
white stripes running from the nape of the neck to
the base of the tail. There is also a single white
stripe between their eyes. While males and females
look alike, males are somewhat larger. An adult
male may weigh from 6 to 14 pounds and measure
about 20 to 28 inches long.

Habitat and Behavior

The skunk belongs to the weasel family (Mustel-
idae). Like other mustelids they have scent glands
located near the anal opening which are used for

protection. By lifting their tail over their arched
back and contracting the muscles near the gland, a
skunk can spray its yellowish, musky fluid accur-
ately as far as 12 feet. Warning signals such as rapid
stamping of the front feet and arched back or
lifted tail are signs that a skunk is ready to spray.
Skunks will usually not spray unless they are very
frightened or upset.

Skunks inhabit a variety of habitat types, espe-
cially mixed woodlands that are close to open
fields or agricultural lands. Though mostly noc-
turnal, they may be seen at dawn or dusk, and oc-
casionally even in late afternoon. They search for
food along woodland-field borders, fence rows,
marshes, and stream edges. Although they can
swim, they prefer to stay out of the water.

In spring, skunks feed on mice, snakes, and in-
sect larvae. Later in the summer, grasshoppers

^

crickets, earthworms, and beetles are eaten. As in-
sects become scarce in the fall, they eat a variety
of small mammals including mice, shrews, moles,
and chipmunks. Apples, raspberries, black berries
and other fruit are also important in their diets. In
more wooded areas, skunks will eat eggs and nest-
lings of ground-nesting birds. Where available, they
will also feed on frogs and crayfish. Because they
have such a varied diet, their chance of surviving
during times of food shortages is high.

During the day, skunks sleep in dens or burrows
located under stone walls or in abandoned wood-
chuck holes. They like denning on sunny slopes,
but in populated areas burrows are often hidden
under buildings, wood piles, or stone walls. Al-
though skunks are not true hibernators, they go
into a deep sleep in late fall or early winter. They
may, however, wake up during winter thaws. Dur-
ing most of the year, skunks keep to themselves,
but as many as ten or more may den together in
the winter.

By early March, skunks leave their dens to
breed. A single litter of about 4 to 7 young is born
in mid-May after a 62-66 day gestation period.
Young skunks are born blind and helpless, and are
weaned after 2 months. They may stay with their
mother through their first winter. The kits are able
to spray like an adult by the time they are 4 or 5
weeks old.

Skunks have few natural enemies. One encoun-
ter with the irritating, eye-burning musk is usually
enough to keep most predators away. However,
skunks are preyed upon by man, great-horned
owls, bobcats, foxes, fishers, lynxes, and coyotes.

Economic Importance

Skunks are generally beneficial to farmers, gar-
deners, and landowners because they prey on field
mice, other small mammals, and insects. Occasion-
ally, they feed on corn, poultry, and eggs, a habit
which conflicts with man's interests. They some-
times damage beehives when searching for insects.
Probably the most common complaint is of skunks
getting into basements, barns, garages, and under
porches. Skunks that are active during the day are

Written and compiled by Nan Chadwick.
Illustrations by Nancy Haver.

Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, E. Bruce MacDougall,
Dean, in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914; Unit-
ed States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services
cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers equal oppor-
tunity in programs and employment. J2394: 1 1/84-3M

often suspected of having rabies; therefore, pre-
cautions should be taken to avoid them. If an indi-
vidual is bitten, the wound should be cleaned im-
mediately with soap and water, and a doctor
should be contacted soon afterwards. If possible,
a skunk suspected of being rabid should be cap-
tured without damaging the head, so the brain tis-
sue can be examined for rabies. Carcasses of these
animals should be sent or taken to a state public
laboratory. While nuisance skunks may be captured
according to state wildlife regulations, it is illegal
to keep skunks as pets.

» *

■^

p

I

4l

Cooperative Extension Service

L-341

University of Massachusetts,

United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperatin'g

Controlling Wildlife Damage

Skunks

«%.

Skunks forage for food at night, seeking grubs,
insects, small rodents, carrion, soft fruit, berries,
corn, and mushrooms. Occasionally, they eat eggs
and nestlings of ground-nesting birds and poultry.
Skunks generally make their dens in abandoned
woodchuck holes or in rock piles or under build-
ings and wood piles. They are not true hibernators
but go into a state of dormancy during periods of
cold weather, waking when temperatures rise.
Their breeding season is in late February and early
March.

Skunks are basically beneficial to man because
they prey on many small rodents and objectionable
insects. However, they become a nuisance by oc-
casionally feeding on corn, poultry and eggs. They
will take one chicken at a time, but then usually
return for more. Since skunks do not climb well,
predation is limited to poultry and eggs in nests
near or on the ground. If many chickens are killed
and nests above the ground are destroyed, rats,
weasels or mink are more likely suspects. Beehives

may also be damaged by skunks in search of in-
sects. Skunks may dig up lawns, golf courses, and
meadows in search of beetle larvae and other grubs.
The diggings appear as patches of upturned earth
and turf, 3 to 4 inches across, funnel-like in appear-
ance, and usually 3 to 4 inches in depth. Since oth-
er animals such as moles, squirrels and dogs dig up
lawns, it should be determined precisely which spe-
cies is causing the problem before control measures
are attempted. Moles tunnel below the ground sur-
face and leave ridges or mounds of dirt in the grass
with no visible evidence of burrow openings. Squir-
ii€ls may make small shallow excavations while
burying or removing nuts. Dogs may bury or re-
move bones.

Skunks sometimes are carriers of diseases that
are harmful to humans and domesticated animals.
Such diseases include rabies, distemper and lepto-
spirosis. Diseased skunks may sometimes be identi-

V

fied by behavior that is unusual for the species
such as appearing during daylight hours, erratic
wandering or loss of coordination and unusually
aggressive behavior. If an animal is seen and sus-
pected to be diseased, it should be reported to a lo-
cal conservation officer or to the police. It is un-
wise for persons untrained in handling diseased ani-
mals to attempt capturing, killing or removing them.

Control

Skunks are generally beneficial; therefore, con-
trol should, where possible, be preventive rather
than destructive (killing the animal). Skunks that
den under buildings may become a nuisance. Al-
though they rarely spray in their dens, they do
emit a musky odor which may be objectionable.
When skunks are out, openings in foundations can
be sealed off using welded wire fencing, sheet met-
al, concrete, or other suitable materials. If skunk
activity is suspected, flour or ground limestone can
be sprinkled in front of the opening and checked
after dark for tracks. If there are signs of activity,
the direction of the tracks will indicate if the
skunk has left the den. The opening can then be
sealed. Caution should be used when closing en-
trances between early May and mid-August to
avoid trapping young inside. When skunks enter
garages, cellars or houses, doors should be left open
to allow the skunk to leave, if the skunk does not
leave on its own, a live trap baited with sardines or
canned cat food can be used. Cover the trap, ex-
cept for the entrance, with a burlap sack at the
time it is set, so the skunk can be easily moved to a
more desirable location without fear of spraying.
The animal can be released from the trap by care-
fully placing the trap on the grroun and slowly
opening it so the skunk can walk out. Note! Per-
mission must be obtained from the Massachusetts
Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to live trap
skunks.

In most instances, food from uncovered garbage
containers or dog dishes attracts skunks to build-
ings. The use of secure lids on containers will usu-
ally solve this problem. It is wise to keep doors to
poultry coops closed at night. A 3-foot high fence
of 2-inch wire mesh with 2 feet above and 1 foot
below the ground surface will keep skunks out.

Written and compiled by Nan Chadwick.
Illustrations by Nancy Haver.

Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, E. Bruce MacDougall,
Dean, in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914; Unit-
ed States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services
cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers equal oppor-
tunity in programs and employment. J2394: 1 1/84-3M

Trapping

Wooden box traps or commercial wire-mesh
traps covered with burlap bags are very effective.
Trapped skunks should be released at least 5 to 10
miles from the trap site in sparsely populated areas.
Because skunks are classified as furbearers in Mas-
sachusetts, trapping them can only be done from
November to February. All traps used on someone
else's land must have a valid registration number
permanently embedded or cut into the trap. A cur-
rent valid trap registration certificate and a valid
trapping license is required of all who trap on
someone else's property. Steel jaw leg-hold traps
may be used only in or under buildings on land
owned, leased, or rented by the trapper.

Skunk musk is very irritating to mucous mem-
branes. Temporary intense pain and burning may
be caused by contact with lips, eyes, and nasal
passages. Diluted solutions of vinegar or tomato
juice helps in removing skunk odor from people,
pets and clothing. Neutroleum Alpha, an aromatic,
is effective when placed in basements or garages.
This material might be obtained from some hospi-
tal supply houses or pest control firms.

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A

Homeowner's

GuideTo

Massachusetts Bats

&
Bat Problems

' _ ^^ ■ r^^ . j'A:MCii}::y^//S':!''r?'f^S^

A

Homeowners

GuideTo

Massachusetts Bats

&
Bat Problems

by

Thomas W. French (1)
James E. Cardoza (2)
Gwilym S. Jones (3)

1986

(1) Nongame and Endangered Species Program, MDFW,
100 Cambridge Street, Boston 02202

(2) MDFW, Field Headquarters, Rt . 135, Westboro 01581

(3) Department of Biology, Northeastern University,
Boston 02115

Illustrations by Laszlo Meszoly

Publication of this Document Approved by State Purchasing Agent
5M-10/88-806201 Est. cost per copy $.30

^

Some people believe that bats are flying mice. In
fact, bats form a separate and distinguishable group —
one which is more closely related to shrews and moles and
even to monkeys than to rodents . Bats can easily be
identified by their wings. Each wing is composed of skin
stretched between four elongated fingers (Fig. 1).
A similar membrane, in many bats, called the interfemoral
membrane, is situat_d between the hind limbs and tail.

caicar
interfemoral membrane

The anatomy of a bat showing the four elongated
fingers in the wing, the interfemoral membrane and
the caicar.

Figure 1

Distribution & Diversity; Bats occur worldwide,
except in the Arctic and Antarctic, and are second only
to rodents in number of species. However, of the
approximately 850 species of bats in the world, only
39 occur in the United States and, of those, only nine
occur in Massachusetts.

Natural History; All species of bats in
Massachusetts are insect eating bats in the family ^^

Vespertilionidae. All are active at night and occasionally ^p
at dawn and dusk. They locate their insect prey by
means of a "sonar-like" echolocation system. This ability
permits them to capture tiny insects in the dark and to —■
avoid flying into objects. During the winter, bats V

either hibernate or migrate to warmer regions farther south. >

Beneficial Aspect; Bats are of immense benefit
to humankind in that they consume great quantities of
noxious insects such as mosquitoes. Dr. Merlin Tuttle
of Bat Conservation International reports that the gray
bat, which is closely related to several species in
Massachusetts, consumes as many as 3,000 small insects
in a night. In the Boston area. Dr. Thomas Kunz of
Boston University estimates that 14 to 15 tons of insects
are consumed each summer by the 50,000 big brown bats
that live within the bounds of Route 128.

House Bats; During the warmer months, almost
every bat found in buildings in the Commonwealth is
either a little brown bat or a big brown bat. Occasionally,
the northern long-eared bat and small-footed bat may
enter buildings, and only very rarely does the eastern
pipistrelle do so. During the winter, the big brown
bat is the only bat that normally inhabits buildings.

Keel

Examples of an unkeeled (left) and keeled (right)
calcar on the feet of two bats. Tuis character is
often used to identify a bat.

Figure 2

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CX3

Bats In the Home

The presence of any wild animal in the home should
be a warning that the house is not weather-tight. Finding
the source where bats enter the house may be as simple
as locating an open chimney flue or cellar hatch but
often it needs the attention of a carpenter.

How to Evict a Bat; The discovery of a bat
flying through the house can bring anything from excite-
ment to hysteria to a family. Fortunately, a single bat
usually can be dealt with quite easily. The best action
is to put away that broom or tennis racket and open a
window or door to let the bat fly out. If possible, close
off the room containing the bat and open a window in
that room. A flying bat will usually circle the room
several times, using its "sonar" until it locates the
open window and flies out. If possible, stay in the
room with the lights on and watch to be sure the bat
leaves. It will not become tangled in your hair or
attack, but it may flutter by you close enough for you
to feel the light breeze from its wingtips. For many
people, leaving the bat alone to find its way out may
be the preferred plan. In either case, it should be
a matter of a few minutes before the bat leaves the house.

A bat that flies into a room and then disappears
has probably landed behind the curtain or in some nook
or cranny. In this case, open the window, turn out the
lights, close the door and block the space under the
door with towels. If it is night ime, the bat will
probably find its way out through the window within an
hour after dark. As long as the weather outside is not
too cold, this method should do the trick.

A bat that has landed can be assisted out of a
house in several ways. If it has landed on a curtain,
place a jar or coffee can over the bat and carefully
work the bat into the container. Then quickly place
the lid on the container. A bat on the floor can be
covered with a towel and picked up in this manner. No
species of bat that occurs in Massachusetts can bite
through a thick towel! Another method is to use leather
gloves and simply pick up the bat. Do not use thin

cotton gloves and never pick up a bat with a bare hand.
Whatever method used, the bat will open its mouth and
squeak loudly when touched. Don't worry, you are
probably 5,000 times heavier than the bat! After you
have captured the bat, take it outdoors and release it.
Do not call the local police or fire departments; they
have more important duties to perform. Have a neighbor
assist if you need moral support.

A Colony in the House

The attic is the most common portion of a house in
which bats accumulate in colonies. In the summer,
little brown bats and big brown bats commonly use
buildings to raise their young. The heat of an attic
keeps the babies warm and allows them to grow and
develop more rapidly. In late summer, an attic may
become too hot for the bats, forcing them into the
living quarters as they search for cooler places to
roost. On hot summer days, they may be found near
the attic door trying to escape the heat. At such
times you might also see them flying around the yard
in the daylight. Late summer is also the time of year
when young bats are learning to fly. You might
find these inexperienced young when they fall down a
chimney, come down the attic stairway, fly through
an open window or land on the ground.

Little brown bats travel great distances to
caves and mines in which they spend the winter. One
Massachusetts mine contains about 3,500 bats each winter
and one in New York about 40,000. Bats come from
all over the Northeast to use these sites. The big
brown bat, however, often stays in houses to spend
the winter in small colonies.

How to Know When There is a Bat Colony in the House: The
most obvious sign that a bat colony resides in your
home is when you observe bats flying in and out of a
hole in the house. If they become a nuisance.

discovering the entranceway (s) to the colony Is the most
important step in solving the problem. (See Fig. 3)

Time of Year to Remove a Bat Colony; With few exceptions,
attempts to evict a colony of bats from a building should
be made only during the early spring, during the month of
May, or late summer, from the first of August to mid-October,
The only good long-term solution is to bat-proof the
building by blocking all possible entrances when all bats
are out. Poisons or repellents should not be used
because they increase the chances of bats coming in
contact with children and pets and do not solve the
basic problem; holes in the house. Even if the original
bats are killed, others will follow if the basic
problem is not resolved.

In spring and fall you can temporarily block roost
entrances after the dusk emergence, opening the ho!|es
for an hour at dusk for one or two subsequent evenings
to let any trapped bats out. The installation of one-
way doors over the entrances is the best method.

At times other then early spring and late summer,
it is unlikely that all of the bats will be away from
the colony at the same time. In the late fall and
winter (mid-October through April) , some or all of
the bats in the colony will be dormant because they
hibernate through the cold months. During the summer,
the colony may contain a large number of baby bats
that are too young to fly and are left alone in the
colony while their mothers are out feeding. If the
entrances to the colony are blocked while bats are
inside, they will eventually die and create an
offensive odor in the house. Otherwise, they will
search for ways out of the house and may end up in
the living quarters.

The following are potential entranceways for bats entering
a home :

(1
(2
(3

(4
(5
(6
(7
(8

an unscreened attic vent

a hole or crack under a rotted eave

a crack or separation where the chimney meets
the house

loose or warped siding

an open cellar hatch

chimney

openings where pipes or wiring meet the house

rotted window sills or a loose fitting screen

The most common avenues of bat entry into a house
are through an unscreened attic vent, a hole or
crack under a rotted eave, a crack or separation
where the chimney meets the house, loose or warped
siding, an open cellar hatch, a chimney, openings
where pipes or wiring meet the house, and rotted
window sills or a loose fitting screen.

Figure 3

8

Other Signs that Bats are Present Include;

I

(1) a single bat found in the living quarters on
more than just one occasion

(2) squeaking and rustling noises, particularly at
dusk or on hot summer days, in the ceiling or
walls. This may also come from mice or
flying squirrels.

(3) a hole in the eaves with a dirty stain below
it (Fig. 4). As bats enter and leave a colony,
they often urinate, causing a stain on the wall,
Their droppings may also be splattered on the
siding below the entrance hole.

A typical bat colony entrance can often be recognized
by a stain below it.

Figure 4

(4) a stain forming on the ceiling of older houses
accompanied by an offensive odor. This happens
only in the larger colonies and when there is no
insulation protecting the attic floor. The problem
is caused by a build-up of guano (dung) and urine
under the roosting bats.

(5) droppings (feces or guano) on the steps, sidewalk
or patio beneath the exit hole. Guano is often
pushed out of crevices and other openings where
bats exit each evening.

Only if the colony is known to be little brown bats
should you attempt to seal up the entrances during the
winter (November through March) .

Colonies in Massachusetts homes are usually either
big brown bats or the species of bat is unknown. Very
seldom does the homeowner know that the colony is a
little brown bat colony; it is important, therefore,
to follow the guidelines for removing bat colonies
only in the early spring and late summer.

How to Get Rid of a Bat Colony: The most important step
in removing a bat colony is to discover where the bats
are entering and exiting. There may be one or several
such holes in a house. Since most bats leave their roost
about 15 minutes after sunset, you should watch the out-
side of your house between 30 minutes before and 30
minutes after sunset. Silhouette flying bats against an
open view of the sky if possible. Bats may be difficult
to see if the area around the house is dense with foliage.
In addition, look for stains near holes, but be aware
that not all entrance holes are stained.

Once you have located all of the entrances, close
each one except the primary entrance, using a good sealing
material such as any of the following: caulking,
screening, polyurethane foam, fiberglass insulation,
polypropylene rope, and flashing. Next, you should
install a one-way door over the remaining hole so that
bats are permitted to exit the house only. Many
effective designs can be used but for a few good examples
refer to Figures 5 to 7. For the next three or four
nights, watch the bats as they leave. If the door is
functioning properly, there should be no bats coming out
by the third or fourth night. When you no longer see
bats exiting the house, seal up the last hole. If you
have sealed all of the holes, you will have no further
problems .

If you discover that the bats are using another
entrance of which you were not aware, move the one-way door
to that entrance and repeat the process described above.
Such entrances can be quite small - a little brown bat can
squeeze through a hole 5/8 inches x 7/8 inches and a big
brown bat can squeeze through a hole 1% inches x H. inches.
During the first few days, returning bats that cannot get

10

back Into the attic may roost in the open under the eaves
or on the side of the house, but they will soon abandon
the area.

Designs for One-Way Doors: Many designs for one-way bat
excluders have been designed and tested and many new designs
could certainly be devised with a little imagination.

The "EX-lOO Hanks Bat Excluder" (Fig. 5) consists of
a square wooden base plate that is large enough to cover the
bat colony entrance. A small round hole is cut through the
base plate through which the bats can exit the colony, and a
flexible piece of plastic or other material is stapled over
the hole. When bats pass out through the hole, they push

Design of the "Ex-lOO Hanks Bat Excluder."

Figure 5

past the plastic flap and then the flap closes shut behind
them. A wire mesh cone is attached to the base plate so
that bats can pass out of the narrow end of the cone but are
not easily able to re-enter this small hole when they
approach in flight.

11

Constantine's bat proofing device (Fig. 6) is made
from a tube of plastic, metal, rubber or some other smooth
material. One end is cut at a 45 degree angle and the
other is cut straight across so that a bat colony entrance
on any surface of the house can be covered. One end of

base tube

collapsible

UJ

Design of Constantine's bat-proofing device and
various ways it can be attached to a bat colony
entrance. This can easily be constructed by
attaching a piece of cloth to the end of a card-
board tube.

Figure 6

the tube is taped to the house so that it covers the colony
entrance; an open-ended plastic bag, or a similar material
is tied to the other end. This collapsible tube allows a
bat to escape easily but the exit hole collapses shut
behind the bat so that it cannot re-enter.

12

Another form of one-way door can be made by simply
:aging in the bat colony entrance with wire screen (Fig. 7).

The caging must be completely enclosed on the top and sides
but the bottom is open two feet below the colony entrance.
(See picture below) .

Several designs and applications of open-bottomed
wire mesh bat excluders.

Figure 7

13

As bats exit they can drop out the bottom but they cannot
fly through the screen. The open bottom of the cage is
too far below the entrance for most bats to try to re-enter
through the bottom and if they try, the cage is too narrow
and long for them to fly all the way to the entrance. They
could land on the side of the house and climb back to the
entrance but they seldom try this tactic. This type of
one-way door can be used for a small entrance hole or it
can be adapted to cover a long open crack under the eaves
or along a chimney.

Preventive Maintenance; Working to keep your house weather-
tight and energy-efficient is the best way to prevent bat
problems. Cracks, separations, rotted eaves, rusted
ventilation screens and other openings should be repaired
as soon as they are noticed.

Chimneys are another common avenue of entrance. Bats
and many other animals, including flying squirrels, gray
squirrels, starlings, screech owls, wood ducks and raccoons
frequently enter houses through the chimney. This can be
prevented by covering the chimney top with a spark arrester
consisting of a ^ inch mesh.

SUMMARY

(1) If you strive for an energy-efficient home
using insulation in the attic and caulking
all cracks and holes, your house will
probably be both energy-efficient and bat-
proof.

(2) If a bat colony causes a nuisance in your
home, discovering the entranceWay (s) is
the most important step in solving the
problem.

(3) Bat colonies should be removed from
buildings only in the spring (May) and
late summer (first of August to mid-
October) when all individuals can be
removed .

14

(4) The best method for removing a colony from a
building is to seal all but the main entrance

^ hole, place a one-way door over the main hole

W for several days so that bats can leave but

not re-enter, then seal the last hole.

(5) Poisons and repellents should not be used
because they do not provide a long-term
solution, they greatly increase the chances
of bats coming into contact with children
and pets, and they may be harmful to humans.

OTHER ALTERNATIVES

Repellents and Poisons; Although a number of methods for
repelling bats have been devised, this approach is only a
temporary solution at best and should not be done when bats
are dormant or have young.

An application of naphthalene crystals or flakes on the attic
floor or between the walls has been recommended. As long as
a strong odor remains, bats may not return but the effects
will not last for long. Inhalation of the fumes should be
avoided at all times. This technique is generally not
considered effective.

Thoroughly lighting the attic may reduce the size of a colony,
This method may also cause bats to move deeper into the
house as they avoid the light. They are then more likely
to enter the living quarters and come into contact with
people.

™The use of poisons never should be considered. Poisons
greatly increase risks to human health. They tend to cause
the bats to disperse widely and significantly increase the
chances of grounded bats being picked up by children and
pets. Thus, the risks of someone being bitten are greatly
increased, instead of decreased. It has also been suggested
that physiological stress could activate latent rabies virus
and sublethal doses of poisons may increase the local
incidence of rabid bats.

The trade name product "ROZOL" is the only pesticide
registered in Massachusetts for use in bat control. This

15

product is an antlcoagulent and is a "Restricted Use
Pesticide." Its sale is limited to persons licensed for
vertebrate pest control. It is also a "State Limited Use
Pesticide", which means that a permit from the State
Pesticide Bureau must be issued prior to each use. In
general, permits are issued only as a method of last resort
and will not be issued for use at sites treated in previous
years. ROZOL dust is generally ineffective as it settles
to the lowest places, while bats hang from the highest.
It is also extremely hazardous to humans who may contact it,
even years after it is used.

Disease and Public Safety: Two diseases are usually
associated with bats: rabies and histoplasmosis. In
Massachusetts, the first rabid bat was not documented until
1961. Between 1961 and April 1986, a total of 196 bats
have been found to be rabid by the Massachusetts Department
of Public Health. The frequency of rabies in wild bats has
been variously estimated from 0.1 to 0.5. This means that
from one bat in 1,000 to one in 500 might be expected to
have rabies. If we consider only bats that are found on
the ground, and thus more likely to be sick, the percentage
of diseased bats is slightly higher.

Throughout the United States and Canada, bats are known
to have transmitted rabies to humans on only ten occasions;
the last record was in 1984. None of these cases occurred
in New England. Rabid bats are far less dangerous than
generally assumed, since they rarely become aggressive.
Bites normally result from careless handling. If you simply
leave bats alone, there is little to fear.

Since the rabies virus is transmitted almost exclusively
by bites, no bat should be handled without gloves or other
protection, and one should always take care not to be bitten.
If you or someone else is ever bitten by a bat, make sure
that the bat is captured and submitted for examination to the
Massachusetts Public Health Department in Jamaica Plain,
Massachusetts .

Histoplasmosis is a fungus associated with the droppings of
bats and birds. If dust containing the fungal spores is
stirred up and inhaled, a lung infection may result.
Symptoms of histoplasmosis include fever, congestion, and
spots on the lungs that show up on x-rays. Mild cases of
the disease are common and often even go unnoticed. The

16

disease is rarely fatal. To guard against the disease,
^never sweep guano from an attic floor or stir up guano

iust by other activities unless an adequate protective
'mask is worn.

Bat Conservation

"Bat boxes" or roofed shelters can be useful in
providing secure roosting sites for bats that are displaced
from dwellings. Boxes can be constructed of rough pine,
about 5 X 7 X 12 inches, with a 3/4 inch entry slit.
Exact construction plans may be obtained from the
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife,
Field Headquarters, Westboro, MA 01581. Boxes should
be placed in areas where flying insects are abundant,
usually near wet areas. They should be 12-15 feet
above the ground to discourage vandalism, and should
be sheltered from the noonday sun and from direct
winds .

Bats are protected by law in Massachusetts and may not
be killed or captured except under permit or when
otherwise authorized by law.

For assistance in identifying a captured bat in
Massachusetts, you may wish to take or send the animal
to one of the authorities listed below:

Dr. David Klingener
Dept. of Zoology
Morrill Hall
Univ. of Mass.
Amherst, MA 01002

Dr. Thomas H. Kunz
Dept. of Biology
Boston Univ.
Two Cummington St.
Boston, MA 02215

17

Dr . Gwllym S . Jones
Dept. of Biology
Northeastern University
360 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115

Dr. Thomas W. French

Div. of Fisheries & Wildlife

100 Cambridge St.

Boston, MA 02202

Dr. Al Gustafson
Dept. of Anatomy & Cell Biology
Tufts University, School of Medicine
Boston, MA 02111

For information on submitting specimens to be tested
for rabies, contact:

Department of Public Health
Diagnostic Laboratory
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

For information on the use of ROZOL, contact;

Pesticide Bureau

Dept. of Food & Agriculture

Pesticide Board

100 Cambridge St.

Boston, MA 02202

18

If you wish to learn more about bats, you can begin with

■he following list. Your town, city or local college or
niversity library may have these or other useful
references. You also may wish to write to: Bat
Conservation International, c/o Brackenridge Field
Laboratory, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712.

Allen G.M. 1939. Bats. Dover Publ., N.Y., 368pp.

Barbour, R.W. and W.H. Davis 1969. Bats of
America. University Press of Kentucky, Lexington,
286pp.

Fenton, M.B. 1983. Just Bats. University of
Toronto Press, Toronto, 165pp.

Greenhall, A.M. 1982. House Bat Management.
Resource Publication No. 143, U. S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C., 33pp.

Kunz, T.H. (ed) 1982. Ecology of Bats.
Plenum Publ. Corp., N.Y., 425pp.

Mohr, C.E. 1976. The World of the Bat.
J.B. Lippincott, Philadelphia, 162pp.

Schober, W. 1984. The Lives of Bats. Arco
Publishing, Inc., N.Y., 200pp.

Tuttle, M.D. and S.J. Kern. 1981. Bats and
Public Health. Milwaukee Public Museum
Contributions in Biology and Geology. No.
48: 1-11.

Hill, J.E. and J.D. Smith. 1984. Bats: A
Natural History. University of Texas
Press, Dallas.

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