Permitting Issues

In Massachusetts, no permit is necessary for a state licensed trapper to trap beaver during trapping season which starts November 1st and ends April 15th each year provided live catch traps are used.

If a beaver related threat to human property, health or safety exists, the local Board of Health can issue a permit to breach the dam, install a flow device, and/or trap the beaver. If this permit is issued by the Board of Health, in order to breach the beaver dam, or alter the wetland with beaver dam pipes the local Conservation Agent must review the plan to ensure that any negative impact to the wetland resource is minimized.

For additional information regarding these regulations see the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife website at http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/dfw_beaver_law.htm