Retriever or Bird Dog Trials in Massachusetts

In accordance with the authority vested in me by M.G.L. c. 131, § 21, and in addition to the provisions of M.G.L. c. 131, §§ 20 and 21, I hereby declare 321 CMR 2.01 relative to retriever or bird dog trials in Massachusetts. 1) Upon application to the Director by a club or organization, and upon payment of a fee by the applicant, the Director may issue a license under M.G.L. c. 131, § 20, to such club or organization to hold a special retriever or bird dog trial at the time and place stated in the license. 2) Clubs or organizations desiring to hold a retriever or bird dog trial on properties owned or administered by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, or on other properties where the services of an employee or employees of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife are deemed necessary, may apply to the Director for a permit to hold said trial under M.G.L. c. 131, § 21. Such a permit may be issued upon payment of a reasonable fee. Said permit shall not authorize the killing or taking of game birds and mammals. No fee will be charged for M.G.L. c. 131, § 21 field trial permits issued for trials held on private grounds not involving the services of Division of Fisheries and Wildlife employees. 3) Organizations desiring to apply for field trials or to purchase birds for use in field trials shall apply to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, District Office for the area in which the trial is to be held at least four weeks prior to the anticipated date of the licensed trial. Applicants shall provide the Division with the name of the club sponsoring the trial, the date(s) and location of the trial site, and the name and contact information of a club officer who will act as representative at the trial. Date and location of the trial shall be approved by the Director or their  agent prior to the approval of bird liberations. 4) No club or organization shall liberate any pheasant, quail, chukar partridge, mallard duck, or other game bird unless said club or organization possesses a permit from the Director so to do . Any game birds so liberated and/or imported must originate from a Salmonella pullorum clean and Avian Influenza negative flock and be accompanied by all documentation required by the  Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. No individual, club or organization shall import any game bird unless said individual, club or organization possesses a permit from the Director so to do. 5) No club or organization licensed or permitted to hold a retriever or bird dog field trial on wildlife management areas, nor any individual or officer belonging to or associated with said club or organization, shall dump or discard any trash, bottles, signs, posters, or other debris within or upon any wildlife management area or on the grounds of adjacent installations, or inside of any buildings or facilities which may be provided for use by field trial licensees or permittees, nor shall any club, organization, or individual associated therewith discard or deposit hay, straw, manure, or other debris from or within any horse trailer or animal transporter onto or upon any lawn or parking lot of any wildlife management area or other Division installation. Licensees, permittees, or their representative shall inspect the premises utilized by them for said field trial and shall remove or cause to be removed, no later than the last day of the trial, any such debris, trash, manure, or material of like nature. 6) The issuance of a field trial license or permit to an organization for a trial on a wildlife management area grants exclusive use of that area actually being used by the licensed organization and does not extend to other portions of the wildlife management area. Licensees, permittees, and participants engaged in field trials on wildlife management areas shall abide by the provisions of 321 CMR 3.01(1) and unless herein excepted or excepted in the license or permit granted for said field trial, and shall further adhere to and abide by any special requirements issued or required by the Director or their agent as conditional for a particular retriever or bird dog trial. 7) Field trials may be conducted on any wildlife management areas at such times  as may be authorized in writing by the Director or their agent. 8) Horses may be used within the permitted area by handlers, judges, recorders, or scouts. All horses must travel in marked lanes or vehicle roads only unless involved in the handling of a dog as authorized by the field trial judge or unless otherwise authorized by the Director or their agent. 9) Overnight camping in self-contained units may be conducted in conjunction with field trials when so stated on the field trial permit. All campers, trailers and other vehicles not authorized by the permittee for overnight camping or in trials not allowing overnight camping, must leave the trial grounds no later than four hours after the last brace of the day has been completed. Parking and overnight camping for handlers, judges, committee members, participants and observers shall be in accordance with those areas designated by the Director or their agent. 10) Electrical, water, or sewage hookups shall not be made to Division outlets or buildings without the express permission of the Director or their agent. 11) For trials on any wildlife management area, licensees, permittees, or their authorized representative in charge of the trial must contact the Wildlife District Manager in charge thereof    prior to said trial to receive any special instructions pertinent to the trial. 12) The Director may deny or revoke a permit for just cause at any time. Statutory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, §§ 4, 20, and 21. Last Revised: 01-06-23