Public Land Parking
Contributors to this thread:Massachusetts
From: Arkansas
11-Sep-18
Can you park on the side of the road if it is not a designated parking area? What about a pull-in that is not designated as parking on the Mass Wildlife Lands Viewer? What about all the WMAs/WCEs with no parking designated at all? Some do not even have roads going to them.
Thanks for the help, guys. I am still new to the area and trying to get a handle on what's possible.
From: Sosso
11-Sep-18
If there's room, and there aren't any "No Parking" signs, I park. Heck, keep an eye on the side of the highway wherever you live. During hunting season you'll see trucks along the highway near wooded areas. Those are hunters.
From: Arkansas
11-Sep-18
Thanks, Sosso! I was reading some state regulations that said you cannot park on a public road unless it was an emergency, but I also assumed there has to be some flexibility there.
From: bigwoodsbucks22
11-Sep-18
I've parked in some pretty random spots before and never had an issue
From: Proline
11-Sep-18
Parking on the side of the highway is a no no. On RT95 Danvers up thru Byfield guys do it and they get ticketed.
From: Will
11-Sep-18
I think the highway thing, regrettably, has some to do with the particular officer/s in that area. I see guys often near me on 190. They drive onto the grass, often 20-30 yds off the highway, or back up behind a section of guardrail 10-15yds off the road. Ditto a few spots on Rt 2. They often toss a camo or hunter orange hat up against the windshield as a "hey I'm hunting" note for PD. Seems to work - but also seems a do at your own risk.
Other than that, as long as you are off the road you are good. For example, you are hunting a WMA, and the land runs for .5 miles along the road, so long as you can get your tires off the pavement, you are good to go in my experience.
From: Arkansas
11-Sep-18
Thanks, guys!
From: MA_Bowhunter
11-Sep-18
What Will said.
From: DanaC
12-Sep-18
State highway, you have to be off the pavement. Interstate, parking is out.