News  Public hearing: Field trials for dogs on WMAs

A public hearing will be held on Thursday, October 20 at 11 a.m. at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters (1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough) on proposed regulatory amendments to 321 CMR 2.01 Retriever or Bird Dog Trials in Massachusetts.

Field trials test a dog's training and hunting abilities and have been permitted on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) for decades. The proposed regulatory amendments would:

• Eliminate named properties. Current regulations restrict which WMAs field trials may occur on. The proposed change would allow field trials to occur on any WMA with prior authorization from MassWildlife's Director or their agent.
• Clarify language for use of horses in field trials.
• Eliminate outdated language regarding Herman J. Covey WMA and High Ridge WMA. The proposed change would allow field trials to occur on both properties with the Director's permission, and removes a regulation that currently restricts overnight camping at Herman Covey WMA.

The full hearing notice, including the text of the proposed regulations, is available on MassWildlife’s Public Hearings page. Written comments will be accepted until November 3, 2022 at 5 p.m. To submit written comments, please email susan.sacco@mass.gov to the attention of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, or mail comments to Chairman, Fisheries and Wildlife Board, c/o Director of MassWildlife, Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581.