January 2026
2026 fishing & hunting seasons
January 8: Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Advisory Committee Meeting, Online –The January quarterly meeting of the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee will be held at 1:30 p.m. virtually via a Zoom webinar. Interested persons can attend the meeting via a Zoom video webinar. Click here to register to join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device.
January 15: Intro to Fly Tying, Boston – Learn the basic skills of tying your own flies during this free, hands-on course offered at the Boston Public Library (get directions) from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. This is a single session sampler for beginners, designed to give you a taste of fly tying. We’ll show you the basic equipment and how to use it, while tying some simple but effective patterns. All tools and tying materials provided. *Open to the public, for beginning fly tiers only, minimum age is 15. Pre-registration is mandatory, click here to register.
January 17: Habitat management of southern pine beetle site walk – Get bundled up and ready to stroll! Join us for a guided walk and learn about southern pine beetles, see an early infestation site, and hear about our pine barrens management plans at Mashpee Pine Barrens WMA from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Click here to learn more and register.
January 21: Fisheries and Wildlife Board Meeting, Westborough and Online – The January monthly business meeting of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board will be held at 2:00 p.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 register to join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device. After registering, you will automatically receive a confirmation email containing information to join the webinar.
January 21: Winter Small Game Hunting 101, Virtual – Join members of the New England Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and MassWildlife staff for a two-hour virtual class all about winter small game hunting on Wednesday, January 21 from 6–8 p.m. During this class, you will learn about small game biology, regulations, hunting strategies and tactics, and places to go. There will also be time for questions. Click here to register.
January 22: Intro to Fly Tying, Westborough – Learn the basic skills of tying your own flies during this free, hands-on course offered at MassWildlife Field Headquarters (get directions) from 6–9 p.m. This is a single session sampler for beginners, designed to give you a taste of fly tying. We’ll show you the basic equipment and how to use it, while tying some simple but effective patterns. All tools and tying materials provided. *Open to the public, for beginning fly tiers only, minimum age is 15. Pre-registration is mandatory, click here to register.
January 24: Family Ice Fishing Festival, Winchendon - This is a family friendly, learn to ice fish festival at Lake Dennison in Winchendon from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation - Lake Dennison Recreation Area. All equipment will be provided. Pre-registration required, click here to register. *This event will be held if there is a minimum of 6 inches of safe ice, and no rain or heavy snow in the forecast.
January 30–February 1: 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 2026
February 7: Family Ice Fishing Festival, Westborough - This is a family friendly, learn to ice fish festival at Lake Chauncy in Westborough from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. All equipment will be provided. Pre-registration required, click here to register. *This event will be held if there is a minimum of 6 inches of safe ice, and no rain or heavy snow in the forecast.
February 10: Intro to Fly Tying, Belchertown – Learn the basic skills of tying your own flies during this free, hands-on course offered at MassWildlife Connecticut Valley District Office (get directions) from 6–9 p.m. This is a single session sampler for beginners, designed to give you a taste of fly tying. We’ll show you the basic equipment and how to use it, while tying some simple but effective patterns. All tools and tying materials provided. *Open to the public, for beginning fly tiers only, minimum age is 15. Pre-registration is mandatory, click here to register.
February 15: Winter Deer Scouting, Rochester – 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 Haskell Swamp Wildlife Management Area (Parking at the end of Dexter Lane, Rochester). The class will be held in the rain or shine, so please prepare accordingly. Space is limited, register today!
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 24: Intro to Fly Tying, Dalton – Learn the basic skills of tying your own flies during this free, hands-on course offered at MassWildlife Western District Office (get directions) from 6–9 p.m. This is a single session sampler for beginners, designed to give you a taste of fly tying. We’ll show you the basic equipment and how to use it, while tying some simple but effective patterns. All tools and tying materials provided. *Open to the public, for beginning fly tiers only, minimum age is 15. Pre-registration is mandatory, click here to register.
March 2026
March 5: Canopy 2026 Forestry Forum: Rooted in Resilience (UMass Amherst) Please join us for the Canopy Forestry Forum where landowners, foresters, and natural resource professionals come together to explore practical, climate-friendly land management strategies that strengthen both forests and communities. This event will offer space for landowners to share experiences and explore creative ways to keep forests cared for and connected across generations, communities, and changing circumstances. Don’t miss this opportunity to step under the canopy and grow your expertise, expand your network, and invest in the future of our forests. Register Now
March 7: Winter Deer Scouting, 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 (WMA entrance off Orchard Street). The class will be held in the rain or shine, so please prepare accordingly. Space is limited, register today!
March 8: Winter Deer Scouting, Westborough – 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 Wayne F. MacCallum Wildlife Management Area (1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough). The class will be held in the rain or shine, so please prepare accordingly. Space is limited, register today!
Questions about an event?
Email Mass.Wildlife@mass.gov
Event accommodations
We will do our best to accommodate any needs to allow community members to participate as fully as possible.
- Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. To submit a request for an accommodation, please email eeadiversity@mass.gov or call 617-626-1282; an ADA Coordinator will receive your request. Please include a description of the request in as much detail as possible and a way we can contact you if we need more information. Please allow at least 2 weeks’ (14 days) advance notice. Last-minute requests will be accepted but we may be unable to fulfill the request.
- Please let us know of any language interpretation requests by email to susan.sacco@mass.gov at least 72 hours before the event.
- 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.