January 2025
Read the January newsletter
2025 fishing & hunting seasons
January 8: Black Bears in MA: Preventing Conflict, Dalton – Join MassWildlife's Nathan Buckhout to learn about the natural history of black bears and ongoing black bear research in MA. Find out how to prevent conflicts and coexist with black bears. There will be time for questions about bears and other wildlife. The event, sponsored by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team, is from 6-7 p.m. at The Stationery Factory, 63 Flansburg Ave, Dalton, MA & Online. Click here to learn more and to register.
January 9: Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Advisory Committee Meeting, Online – This Advisory Committee meeting will be held virtually via a Zoom webinar of the Members, Associate Members, and MassWildlife staff, with the public invited to join the webinar. Interested persons can attend the meeting via a Zoom webinar. Click here for details to join the webinar.
January 14 and 16: Beginner Fly Tying Class, Westborough – Learn the basic skills of tying your own flies during this free, hands-on, two-session course. This class will be held at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters (1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough) from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. All tools and tying materials will be provided. *Open to the public, for beginning fly tiers only, minimum age is 15. Pre-registration is mandatory, click here to register.
January 15: Fisheries and Wildlife Board Meeting, Westborough and Online – The January monthly business meeting of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough. Interested persons can attend the meeting in person or via a Zoom video webinar. Click here to join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device with Passcode: 456456. Or join by phone: (929) 205-6099 with Webinar ID: 821 7021 4789 and Passcode: 456456.
January 23: Public Hearings on Proposed Changes to Deer Hunting Regulations, Online Only – Two virtual public hearings are being held to collect comments on proposed changes to the deer hunting regulations, at 1:30 p.m. and again at 6:00 p.m. Visit the Public Hearings page to view the proposed regulations and find the link to join the Zoom webinars. You may provide your written comments using a link on that page, including whether you support or do not support the regulations as proposed.
January 25: Family Ice Fishing Festival, Winchendon – This is a family-friendly, learn to ice fish festival at Lake Dennison, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This event is being held in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation - Lake Dennison Recreation Area. All equipment will be provided. Pre-registration is required; click here to register. *Please note: Less than 6" of safe ice, rain, or heavy snow will cancel this event.
January 27: Public Hearings on Proposed Changes to Bear Hunting Regulations, Online Only – Two virtual public hearings are being held to collect comments on proposed changes to the bear hunting regulations, at 1:30 p.m. and again at 6:00 p.m. Visit the Public Hearings page to view the proposed regulations and for the link to join the Zoom webinars. You may also provide your written comments using a link on that page, including whether you support or do not support the regulations as proposed.
January 31–February 2: New England Fishing Expo, Marlborough – Stop by MassWildlife's booth at the Show to purchase your hunting/fishing licenses or ask questions about wildlife and the great outdoors. Click here for more information, including show hours and directions.
February 2025
February 4 and 6: Beginner Fly Tying Class, Belchertown – Learn the basic skills of tying your own flies during this free, hands-on, two-session course. This class will be held at the MassWildlife Connecticut Valley District Office (341 East Street, Belchertown) from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. All tools and tying materials will be provided. *Open to the public, for beginning fly tiers only, minimum age is 15. Pre-registration is mandatory, click here to register.
February 21–23: Springfield Sportsmen's Show, West Springfield – Stop by MassWildlife's booth at the Show to purchase your hunting/fishing licenses or ask questions about wildlife and the great outdoors. Click here for more information, including show hours and directions.
February 23: Winter Deer Scouting Class, Newbury – Come scouting with MassWildlife staff and learn what to look for when scouting for deer during the winter. Participants will walk through the WMA while instructors point out different sign and features to look for when scouting. This free class is from 9 a.m.–noon, at Martin Burns Wildlife Management Area (Orchard Street). Space is limited, register today!
February 25 and 27: Beginner Fly Tying Class, Westborough – Learn the basic skills of tying your own flies during this free, hands-on, two-session course. This class will be held at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters (1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough) from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. All tools and tying materials will be provided. *Open to the public, for beginning fly tiers only, minimum age is 15. Pre-registration is mandatory, click here to register.
March 2025
March 2: Winter Deer Scouting Class, Taunton – Come scouting with MassWildlife staff and learn what to look for when scouting for deer during the winter. Participants will walk through the WMA while instructors point out different sign and features to look for when scouting. This free class is from 9 a.m.–noon, at Erwin S. Wilder Wildlife Management Area (Toad Island Road). Space is limited, register today!
March 18 and 20: Beginner Fly Tying Class, Dalton – Learn the basic skills of tying your own flies during this free, hands-on, two-session course. This class will be held at the MassWildlife Western District Office (88 Old Windsor Road, Dalton) from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. All tools and tying materials will be provided. *Open to the public, for beginning fly tiers only, minimum age is 15. Pre-registration is mandatory, click here to register.
Questions about an event?
Email Mass.Wildlife@mass.gov
Event accommodations
- Please let us know of any interpretation or other accessibility needs by email to susan.sacco@mass.gov at least 72 hours before the event. We will do our best to accommodate any needs to allow community members to participate as fully as possible.
- Se pueden solicitar servicios adicionales de traducción o interpretación enviando su solicitud por correo electrónico a susan.sacco@mass.gov al menos 72 horas antes de la reunión.
- Serviços adicionais de tradução ou interpretação podem ser solicitados ao enviar um e-mail para: susan.sacco@mass.gov com pelo menos 72 horas de antecedência da reunião.
- 如需额外的笔译或口译服务，请至少在会议开始前 72 小时发电子邮件至 susan.sacco@mass.gov 提出要求.
- Ou ka mande plis sèvis tradiksyon oswa entèpretasyon lè w adrese demann ou pou imèl susan.sacco@mass.gov omwen 72 èdtan anvan reyinyon an.
- Các dịch vụ biên dịch hoặc phiên dịch bổ sung có thể được yêu cầu bằng cách gửi yêu cầu của quý vị qua email đến susan.sacco@mass.gov ít nhất 72 giờ trước cuộc họp.
- Предоставление дополнительных услуг письменного или устного перевода можно запросить, отправив просьбу по электронной почте на адрес susan.sacco@mass.gov как минимум за 72 часа до начала встречи
- Des services de traduction ou d'interprétation supplémentaires peuvent être demandés en envoyant votre demande par e-mail à susan.sacco@mass.gov au moins 72 heures avant la réunion.