The Board's public hearings on proposed regulatory amendments are open to the public to attend and comment either orally or in writing. The date, time, and location of each hearing is posted in this area along with available related information. Plain language summaries and the actual proposed language being considered by the Board may also be posted here.
Please note: If you have a disability or medical condition and would like to request special accommodations, or if you would like interpretive language services, please contact Susan Sacco at susan.sacco@mass.gov.
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 oral comment at public hearings. Unless otherwise noted, the Board typically extends the comment period on regulations for an additional 2 weeks following the public hearing, and votes on the proposal at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Comments (both oral and written) must focus on the changes to the regulation as proposed.
Please submit written comments using the link in each public hearing notice below. You will be directed to another MassWildlife web page to provide your comments, including by attaching a letter if you wish. Written comments are also accepted by mail to: MassWildlife Re: Public Hearing Comment, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. Include whether you support or do not support the changes as proposed, and any other specific comments you wish to provide. Thank you for your participation.
2025 public hearing notices
2025-2026 Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
321 CMR 3.02(2). In accordance with M.G.L., Ch. 131, Sec. 5 and 63, and Ch. 30A, Sec. 2, NOTICE is hereby given that the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife will hold a public hearing on proposed regulatory amendments to 321 CMR 3.02(2) Migratory Game Bird Regulations in Massachusetts on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., via a Zoom video webinar with the Hearing Officer and MassWildlife staff, with the public joining via computer or phone line. The proposed amendments will set the dates and bag limits for the 2025-2026 migratory game bird seasons.
Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android
Passcode: 879978
Join by phone: (929) 205-6099
Webinar ID: 859 1099 8891
Passcode: 879978
The proposed regulatory amendments relative to 321 CMR 3.02 are posted below this notice, so that interested persons can review the proposed regulations and provide written comments before the hearing or oral comments during the virtual hearing.
Written public comments will be accepted only before the hearing, until Monday, April 28, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., via an online comment form. Written comments may also be submitted by mail, to MassWildlife, Attn: Susan Sacco, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. Please note that, due to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s requirements for filing these regulations, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board must vote immediately following the close of the hearing. Therefore, there will be no written comment period after this public hearing.
MassWildlife is committed to providing equitable access to its public meetings, hearings, and events. American Sign Language (ASL) and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) captioning, as well as live interpretation, including in Español, Português, 中文, Kreyòl Ayisyen, and Tiếng Việt, will be provided automatically for attendees who wish to use it. We will also make every effort to provide other languages as requested. Please contact Susan Sacco at susan.sacco@mass.gov to request interpretation in another language by 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
Posted March 31, 2025; 3:00 p.m.
Proposed wildlife sanctuary regulations
321 CMR 7.00. In accordance with M.G.L., Chapter 131, Sections 5 and 63, and Chapter 30A, Section 2, NOTICE is hereby given that the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife will hold a public hearing on proposed regulatory amendments to 321 CMR 7.0 Wildlife Sanctuaries Regulations in Massachusetts on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., via a Zoom video webinar with the Hearing Officer and MassWildlife staff, with the public joining via computer or phone line.
The proposed amendments to the wildlife sanctuaries regulations at 321 CMR 7.0 specify how wildlife sanctuaries will be posted against improper use, as mandated by and in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 131 § 10. It should be noted that the wildlife sanctuary posting procedure is not changing; it is being codified in the regulation.
Click here to join the webinar from a PC, Mac, iPad, or Android
Passcode:749749
Join via audio: (929) 205-6099
Webinar ID: 882 2113 1093
Passcode: 749749
The proposed regulatory amendments relative to 321 CMR 7.0 are posted below, so that interested persons can review the proposed regulations and provide written comments prior to the hearing or oral comments during the virtual hearing. Written public comments will be accepted via this online comment input form or by mail at the address given above before the hearing and for two weeks after it closes, until Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
Please note: MassWildlife is committed to providing equitable access to its public meetings, hearings, and events. American Sign Language (ASL) and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) captioning, as well as live interpretation, including in Español, Português, 中文, Kreyòl Ayisyen, or Tiếng Việt, will be provided for this hearing upon request. Please contact Susan Sacco at susan.sacco@mass.gov to request accommodation or interpretation by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Posted January 28, 2025; 4:45 p.m.
Updated and posted February 24, 2025; 12:00 p.m.
Updated and posted March 3, 2025; 3:00 p.m.
DRAFT - DFW Wildlife Sanctuary regulations 321 CMR 7 00
Proposed bear hunting regulations
321 CMR 3.02(1). MassWildlife has reopened the public comment period for the proposed amendments to the Hunting of Bear regulations for an additional two weeks, beginning March 3, 2025, and ending on March 17, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., with an online public comment form. Please refer to the draft regulations posted with the original hearing notice, below, for the specific proposals and visit the extended bear comments news page for additional information. Written comments are also accepted by mail to MassWildlife Re: Bear Public Hearing, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. All comments must be received by 4:00 p.m. on March 17, 2025.
Posted March 3, 2025; 10:20 a.m.
321 CMR 3.02(1). In accordance with the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 131, Sections 5 and 63, and Chapter 30A, Section 2, NOTICE is hereby given that the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife will hold two public hearings on proposed regulatory amendments to 321 CMR 3.02(1) Hunting of Bear Regulations in Massachusetts via a Zoom video webinar with the Hearing Officer and MassWildlife staff, with the public joining via computer or phone line. The proposed amendments will expand the bear hunting season and create a free youth bear hunting permit.
For the convenience of the public, the proposed regulations will be presented and an oral comment period will be offered in two separate hearings:
Monday, January 27, 2025, 1:30 p.m.
Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Click here to join either time slot from a PC, Mac, iPad, or Android
Passcode:798798
Or join via telephone: (929) 205-6099
Webinar ID: 897 1928 3589
Passcode: 798798
The instructions to join the webinars are also contained in the draft regulations document posted below this notice. Interested persons can review the proposed regulations posted and provide written comments before and for 2 weeks after the hearings or oral comments during the virtual hearings.
Written public comments on these proposed regulations will be accepted until Monday, February 10, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
Please note: MassWildlife is committed to providing equitable access to its public meetings, hearings, and events. American Sign Language (ASL) and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) captioning, as well as live interpretation, including in Español, Português, 中文, Kreyòl Ayisyen, or Tiếng Việt, will be provided automatically for attendees who wish to use it. We will also make every effort to provide other languages as requested. Please contact Susan Sacco at susan.sacco@mass.gov to request interpretation in another language by 12:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2025.
Posted January 6, 2025; 5:00 p.m.
Updated and posted January 7, 2025; 11:30 a.m.
Updated and posted January 13, 2025; 11:30 a.m.
Updated and posted February 20, 2025; 2:30 p.m.
DRAFT - DFW Bear Hunting Regulations 321 CMR 3.02(1)
Proposed deer hunting regulations
321 CMR 2.0 and 3.02(4). In accordance with the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 131, Sections 5 and 63, and Chapter 30A, Section 2, NOTICE is hereby given that the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife will hold two public hearings on proposed regulatory amendments to 321 CMR 2.0 Miscellaneous Regulations Relating to Fisheries and Wildlife and 321 CMR 3.02(4) Hunting and Tagging of Deer Regulations in Massachusetts via a Zoom video webinar with the Hearing Officer and MassWildlife staff, with the public joining via computer or phone line. The proposed amendments will a) Authorize shed hunting; b) Create a winter primitive firearm season for the month of January in Wildlife Management Zones 13 and 14; c) Sunset captive deer facilities; d) Expand deboning requirements in response to Chronic Wasting Disease; e) Clarify that food plots are legal; f) Authorize deer decoys during archery season; g) Authorize the use of the Youth Deer Permit for the entire season; and h) Remove the daily deer bag limit.
For the convenience of the public, the proposed regulations will be presented and an oral comment period will be offered in two separate hearings:
Thursday, January 23, 2025, 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 23, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Click here to join either time slot from a PC, Mac, iPad, or Android
Passcode: 246642
Or join via telephone: (929) 205-6099
Webinar ID: 835 1354 3444
Passcode: 246642
The instructions to join the webinars are also contained in the draft regulations document posted below this notice. Interested persons are invited to review the proposed regulations and provide written comments before and for 2 weeks after the hearings or oral comments during the virtual hearings.
Written public comments will be accepted before the hearings and after they close, until Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
Please note: MassWildlife is committed to providing equitable access to its public meetings, hearings, and events. American Sign Language (ASL) and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) captioning, as well as live interpretation, including in Español, Português, 中文, Kreyòl Ayisyen, or Tiếng Việt, will be provided automatically for attendees who wish to use it. We will also make every effort to provide other languages as requested. Please contact Susan Sacco at susan.sacco@mass.gov to request interpretation in another language by 12:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2025.
Posted January 6, 2025; 3:30 p.m.
Updated and posted January 7, 2025; 11:30 a.m.
Updated and posted January 13, 2025; 11:30 a.m.
DRAFT - DFW Deer Hunting Regulations 321 CMR 2.00 and 321 CMR 3.02
Request information about a previous hearing
To get information about a prior hearing not listed here, please submit a public records request to MassWildlife.