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Public Hearings
Public hearings are held by the Fisheries & Wildlife Board for the purpose of obtaining public comments on proposed regulatory changes. These hearings are open to anyone to attend and comment either orally or in writing. The date, time and location of hearings are posted in this area along with information. Plain language summaries and the actual proposed language being considered by the Board is also posted here.
Public Comment Period
The Fisheries and Wildlife Board will accept written comment on the proposals at any time prior to the public hearings, and will accept either written or oral comment at public hearings. Unless otherwise noted, the Board typically extends the comment period on regulations for an additional two weeks following the public hearing, and vote on the proposal at their next regularly scheduled meeting. Comments (both oral and written) must focus on the proposed changes to the regulation.
Send written comments to:
Chairman, Fisheries and Wildlife Board
c/o Wayne MacCallum
MassWildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Road
Westborough MA 01581
Comments by e-mail may be sent to Mass.wildlife@state.ma.us Attn: Fisheries & Wildlife Board
2009 Public Hearing Notices
- October 7--Public Hearing at Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
Western District Office, Dalton. A Public Hearing will be held
at 3:00 p.m. at the new location for the Division's Western District
Office 88 Old Windsor Road, Dalton, relative to rules and regulations
pertaining to the bobcat harvest quota and the time period for sealing
of harvested bobcats. Oral and written public comments are invited
at this hearing and written comments will be accepted for 14 days
following the Public Hearing. The Fisheries and Wildlife Board will
most likely vote on the proposed changes at the November Board Meeting.
This facility is handicapped accessible.
- September 3 -- Public Hearing on Establishing License Fee for
Resident Minor Sporting License, Westborough. A hearing held on
behalf of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance
will be held at the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Field Headquarters,
1 Rabbit Hill Rd (off North Drive) at 4:00 p.m. The proposal would
establish fee for a Resident Minor Sporting License (Class S4). The
license class was established by the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
in 2008. However, fees are set by the Executive Office of Administration
& Finance. More
Information.
- August 27--Public Hearing at Hubbardston Rod & Gun Club,
Hubbardston. A Public Hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the
Hubbardston Rod and Gun Club, 55 Williamsville Road, Hubbardston,
relative to establishing seasons and bag limits for the 2009 - 2010
Migratory Game Bird seasons. As in past years, the Board will vote
on migratory game bird seasons and bag limits immediately following
this hearing.
Hearing: The proposed regulation will set the 2009-2010 migratory game bird seasons (ducks, sea ducks, mergansers, geese, American coot, woodcock, snipe, and rails) in accordance with guidelines as set by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in mid-August. The season dates as proposed by the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife will be presented at the public hearing. The Fisheries & Wildlife Board will vote on the proposal at the conclusion of the hearing in order to meet the filing date as set by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Those seasons (such as the early goose season) which open in September will be set by emergency regulation and are expected to be similar to those from 2008-2009.
Board Action: The Fisheries and Wildlife Board set dates and bag limits for migratory game birds for the 2009-2010 season.
- July 28, 2009 -- Public Hearing to be held at Borderland State Park in Easton, MA. A public hearing will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2009, at the Borderland State Park Visitor's Center, 259 Massapoag Avenue, North Easton, Mass., relative to rules and regulations pertaining to the dates of the spring turkey hunting season in Zones 11 & 12 (Barnstable, Bristol, and Plymouth Counties). Oral and written public comments are invited at this hearing and written comments will be accepted for 14 days following the Public Hearing. The Fisheries and Wildlife Board will most likely vote on the proposed changes at the August Board Meeting. This facility is handicapped accessible.
- June 22, 2009 -- Public Hearing to be held at the Canal Sportsmen’s Club in Buzzards Bay, MA. The public hearing will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, June 22, 2009 at the Canal Sportsmens' Club, 324 Main Street, Buzzards Bay, Mass., relative to rules and regulations pertaining to the use of certain lead-based fishing sinkers and fishing jigs in the inland waters of Massachusetts. Oral and written public comments are invited at this hearing and written comments will be accepted for 14 days following the Public Hearing. The Fisheries and Wildlife Board will most likely vote on the proposed season at the July Board Meeting.
- May 26, 2009-- Public Hearing to be held at the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Field Headquarters, Westborough. The public hearing will be held at 2 PM relative to rules and regulations regarding the dates of the archery deer hunting season and the length of the shotgun deer season in Wildlife Management Zone 12. Oral and written public comments are invited at this hearing and written comments will be accepted for 14 days following the Public Hearing. The Fisheries and Wildlife Board will vote on the proposed season at the June Board Meeting.
Board Action: The Fisheries and Wildlife Board voted to accept the above proposal as written. The regulatory change will take affect in 2010.
Board Action: On July 28, 2009, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board voted unanimously to accept the above proposal. This regulation will not take effect until 2012.
Board Action: On June 22, 2009, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board voted to accept the above proposed changes to the shotgun deer season in WMZ 12 and to establish the dates of the archery deer season.