Chief’s Column: Your neighbor is not supposed to be shooting his gun so close to home

With hunting season upon us, I thought it might be appropriate to post this column again.

QUESTION: One of my neighbors likes to shoot his gun at night and early morning hours, anytime of the year. I’m not sure what he’s shooting at. He doesn’t own any animals so I don’t believe he’s protecting anything. Is this legal? Thank you.

ANSWER: From what you’re telling me, the answer is NO. Simply put, what your neighbor is doing is not legal. Below is a brief summary of Massachusetts hunting regulations. More information may be found at www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/laws-regulations/.

Even during hunting season, it is unlawful to hunt, discharge or even carry a loaded weapon within 500 feet of a dwelling house or other building in use without the owner’s or legal occupant’s permission. Even if your neighbor is shooting on his own land, I assume he is within 500 feet of your house (the distance of about five utility poles) and you did not give him permission to shoot or hunt near your home.

It is also unlawful to discharge a weapon within 150 feet of a hard-surfaced road or state highway and it is unlawful to shoot across such a road regardless of how far away the individual is when he/she fires the shot.

During open season and in most cases, hunting hours are between one-half hour before sunrise and one-half hour after sunset. It’s also important to note that there is no hunting on Sunday. If nothing else applies, your neighbor is limited by these time constraints. Also, there is no target shooting on Sunday except on one’s own property or on a recognized trap, skeet, or rifle range.

I would suggest that if your neighbor continues to shoot at night and you are unsure as to the legality of this activity, please do not hesitate to call the Grafton Police Department.

Anyone with questions for the Chief’s Column may submit them by mail to the Grafton Police Department, 28 Providence Road, Grafton, MA 01519. You may also email your questions or comments to chief@graftonpolice.com. Please include an appropriate subject line, as I do not open suspicious email for obvious reasons.

Normand A. Crepeau, Jr.

Chief of Police