Backyard bird watching

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by justplugit

I have a good friend who was reported by some yuppie for shooting squirrels
with his 22 in his own neighborhood.
He had to go to county court, pay a $2500 fine and turn in all his guns due to local weapon discharge laws.

The ASPCA heard of it and wanted to prosecute him for cruelty
to animals too but that was dismissed.

ASPCA was successful though in another town for a guy shooting RATS
in his garden!!!! Forget what the fine was,but it was stiff.

I could see it if he were shooting at yuppies.

Interesting. Ah well. I think a pellet gun will be a bit different than a 22. MA regulates slingshots more than pellet guns.


*edit* The whole rat thing got me wonder... wtf??? So are they going to start prosecuting people for putting out rat poison and mouse traps?

*edit #2* Did some poking around out of curiosity...
http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/Ge...r131/Section37
(my emphasis added)

Section 37. An owner or tenant of land or, if authorized by such owner or tenant, any member of his immediate family or his employee, as defined pursuant to section one of chapter sixty-two B, 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 so to do, which permit the director is hereby authorized to issue in his discretion, unless such authorized person holds a trapping license. All deer so killed shall be turned over to any environmental police officer and shall be disposed of by the director of law enforcement.