The Fisheries and Wildlife Board convenes monthly for a public meeting to listen to reports and program updates from MassWildlife staff, to discuss issues related to the wildlife resources of Massachusetts, and to vote as needed on policy and regulation under its jurisdiction.
Meeting minutes and major agenda topics are posted below. Minutes are drafted and approved by the Board at the next scheduled meeting; therefore, please allow 4–6 weeks for final minutes to be posted on this page.
Meeting minutes
January 2024
- Personnel Report
- MassFishHunt Update
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
January 2024 governance meeting
December 2023
- Personnel Report
November 2023
- Personnel Report
- Final Hunter Education Working Group Report and Recommendations
- Election of Officers
- Public Comment: Amy Thurber; deer damage to farms in Southeastern Massachusetts
November 2023 governance meeting
October 2023
- Personnel Report
- Proposed Updates to the MESA List
- Proposed Regulations to Comply with the Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact
- Jug End WMA Habitat Management and Bird Banding Efforts by Green Berkshires, Inc.
- Hunter Education Working Group Update
September 2023
- Public Comment Review and Vote: 321 CMR 3.02 (Unified Archery Deer Seasons)
- Hunter Education Working Group Update
- Public Comment: Susan Murray: Crop loss due to deer in Southeastern Massachusetts
September 2023 governance meeting
August 2023
- Personnel Report
- Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee Report
- Hunter Education Working Group Update
- Public Comment: Donald E. Graves, Deer and Bear Damage
August 2023 governance meeting
July 2023
- Personnel Report
- Forests as Climate Solutions
- Hunter Education Program Review
- Hunter Education Working Group Update
June 2023
- 2022 Deer Review and 2023 Antlerless Deer Permit Allocations
- Hunter Education Working Group Update
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
June 2023 governance meeting
May 2023
- Hunter Education Working Group Update
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
May 2023 governance meeting
April 2023
- Public Hearing and Vote: 2023-2024 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons (321 CMR 3.02)
- R3 Review
- Hunter Education Working Group Update
- Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee Report
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
March 2023
- Outreach and Education Program Overview
- Open Meeting Law Review
March 2023 governance meeting
February 2023
- Personnel Report
- 2023-2024 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons Overview
- Western Wildlife District Overview
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
February 2023 governance meeting
January 2023
- Personnel Report
- Southeast Wildlife District Overview
- Wildlife Program Overview
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
January 2023 governance meeting
December 2022
- Personnel Report
- Depredation Working Group Final Report and Recommendations for a Vote of the Board
- Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program Overview
- Northeast Wildlife District Overview
November 2022
- Personnel Report
- Vote: Regulatory Amendments to 321 CMR 2.01 Retriever or Bird Dog Trials in Massachusetts
- Archery Deer/Fall Turkey
- Depredation Working Group Update
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
October 2022
- Personnel Report
- Board Elections
- Wildlife Trust Responsibilities
- 11:00 a.m.: Public Hearing on Proposed Regulatory Amendments to 321 CMR 2.01 Retriever or Bird Dog Trials in Massachusetts
- MassWildlife Habitat Program Review
September 2022
- Personnel Report
- Southeast Pine Barrens
- Central Wildlife District Overview
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
August 2022
- Personnel Report
- Fisheries Program Overview
- Connecticut Valley Wildlife District Overview
July 2022
- Public Comment Review and Vote: Proposed Regulatory Amendments to 321 CMR 3.00 Hunting; specifically, regulations relating to hunting of Pheasant, Quail, and Small Game
- Public Comment: Meg Sheehan
June 2022
- 2021 Deer Review and 2022 ADP Allocations
May 2022
- Personnel Report
- Regulations for Field Trials on Wildlife Management Areas
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
April 2022
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
- 10:00 a.m.: Public Hearing on the 2022-2023 Migratory Game Bird Seasons
March 2022
- Personnel Report
- How Widely Can We Cast the Net? Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice (DEIJ) and MassWildlife
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
February 2022
- Draft Proposed Regulations for the 2022-23 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons and Request for Public Hearing
- Public Comment: Donald E. Graves; Report from the Mass. Sportsmen’s Council’s Bear/Deer Damage Committee
January 2022
- Personnel Report
- Pheasant and Small Game Regulations
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
December 2021
- Personnel Report
- Swift River Trout Study
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
November 2021
- MassWildlife Staff Recent Activity Updates
- Board Election of Officers
- Public Comments to the Board: James Wilkins, Springfield
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
October 2021
- Wildland Fire Update: MassWildlife Activities at Home and Abroad
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
September 2021
- Public Hearing: Proposed Regulatory Amendments to 321 CMR 3.02(6): Hunting of Pheasants, Quail and 3.03(2): Special Regulations for Northeast Wildlife Management Area (Martin H. Burns Wildlife Management Area)
- Vote: 321 CMR 3.02(6): Hunting of Pheasants, Quail and 3.03(2): Special Regulations for Northeast Wildlife Management Area (Martin H. Burns Wildlife Management Area)
- MassFishHunt Modernization
August 2021
- Wild Trout Evaluations for Conservation and Management
July 2021
- Personnel Report
- Vote of Support for the Revised Fee Proposal
- Proposed Pheasant/Quail Hunting Regulations
June 2021
- 2020 Deer Review and 2021 Antlerless Deer Permit Allocation
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
May 2021
- Coldwater Refugia as Cornerstones of Aquatic Conservation
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
April 2021
- Public Hearing: Federal Frameworks, Draft Regulations, and Massachusetts Recommendations for the 2021-2022 Migratory Bird hunting seasons
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
March 2021
- Preview of Federal Frameworks and Massachusetts Recommendations for the 2021-2022 Migratory Bird hunting seasons
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
February 2021
- Personnel Report
- License Fee Proposal
- Request for Public Hearing: 2021-2022 Migratory Bird hunting seasons
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
January 2021
- MassWildlife’s Financial Outlook
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
December 2020
- Personnel Report
- MassWildlife Habitat Management: Past, Present, and Future
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
November 2020
- Personnel Report
- Board Election of Officers
- Social Media While Social Distancing
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
October 2020
- How Many Rs Can an Agency Handle?
- Implementing the 5-year R3 (Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation) Plan
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
September 2020
- Personnel Report
- Presentation of the Draft R3 (Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation) Plan
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
August 2020
- Avian Ecology and Conservation Project Update
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
July 2020
- Coldwater Climate Change Refugia
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
June 2020
- Habitat Management Program Review
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
May 2020
- 2019 Deer Review and 2020 Antlerless Deer Permit Allocation
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
April 2020
- 11:00 a.m. Public Hearing and Vote: Proposed 2020-2021 Migratory Waterfowl Hunting Regulations
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
March 2020
- Personnel Report
- 2020-2021 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Frameworks and Massachusetts Season Recommendations
February 2020
- Personnel Report
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
January 2020
- Personnel Report
- Update: Hunting and Fishing Access on USFWS Refuges
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
December 2019
- Personnel Report
- Comment Review and Vote: Proposed Furbearer Contest, Wanton Waste, and Fox and Coyote Harvest Reporting Regulation Changes
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
November 2019
- Using iNaturalist for MassWildlife Projects
October 2019
- Board Elections
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
September 2019
- Personnel Report
- Comment Review and Vote: Proposed MESA List Changes
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
August 2019
- Personnel Report
- Year-end Review of FY 2019 Land Acquisition
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
- 1:00 p.m.: Public Hearing: Proposed MESA List Changes
July 2019
- Personnel Report
- Proposed Coyote/Furbearer Regulations
June 2019
- Personnel Report
- Public Comment Review/Vote: Proposed Turkey Regulations
- Carbon Budgeting on MassWildlife’s Forests
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
May 2019
- Annual Deer Review and Antlerless Deer Permit Allocations
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
April 2019
- Public Hearing and Vote: 2019-2020 Migratory Game Bird Season Proposed Regulations
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
March 2019
- Turkey Review
- National Wild Turkey Federation, Massachusetts Chapter: National Recognition Award
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
February 2019
- Personnel Report
- 2019-2020 Migratory Waterfowl Season Recommendations
- Fee and CR Land Stewardship Review
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
January 2019
- Personnel Report
- DOT Projects Update
- Chronic Wasting Disease Update
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
December 2018
- Personnel Report
- Spring Fishing Marketing Campaign
- Land Protection Review
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
November 2018
- Trout Fisheries in Massachusetts
- Board Elections
October 2018
- Personnel Report
- Turkey Review
- Proposed MESA List Changes for Review and Vote
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
September 2018
- Personnel Report
- Tracking Dog Review
- Connecticut Valley Wildlife District Activities
- Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee Appointments
August 2018
- Southeast District Activities
- Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
July 2018
- Personnel Report
- State Agency Vulnerability Assessment and Priority Actions
June 2018
- Cabela’s Donation Presentation
- Deer Review
- Executive Session: Discussion of Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
May 2018
- Personnel Report
- Review/Discuss Public Comments from the Extended Archery Deer Season Public Hearing and Written Comment Period, and Vote
- Coldwater Stream Restoration: Hamant Brook
- Executive Session: Discussion of Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
April 2018
- Personnel Report
- Wood Turtle Conservation
- 3:00 p.m.: Public Hearing: to amend the rules and regulations for the 2018-2019 Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons
- Executive Session: Discussion of Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
March 2018
- Personnel Report
- Review/Discuss Public Comments from the Dog Regulations Public Hearing, and Vote
- Whip-poor-will Restoration Ecology
- Executive Session: Discussion of Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
February 2018
- Presentation on Proposed Extended Archery Deer Season in Certain Zones
- Presentation on Proposed 2018-2019 Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons
- Executive Session: Discussion of Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
January 2018
- Personnel Report
- Review of MassWildlife’s Funding Mechanisms
- Presentation on Proposed Regulation regarding the Leashing of Dogs and Restraint of Domesticated Animals on MassWildlife Wildlife Management Areas
- Public Comment: Stanley Andriski: the use of dogs to recover harvested deer
- Executive Session: Discussion of Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
December 2017
- Personnel Report
- Vote: 321 CMR 3.02(4)(o); Wildlife Management Zones
- Canadian Wildfire Deployment
- Executive Session: Discussion of Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
November 2017
- Personnel Report
- Eastern Spadefoot Population Introduction to the Southwick WMA: 2015–2017 Summary
October 2017
- Personnel Report
- Central Wildlife District Activities
- Election of Officers
September 2017
- The Human Dimensions of Suburban Deer Management in Eastern Massachusetts
- Northeast Wildlife District Activities
- Executive Session: Discussion of Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
- 1:00 P.M.: Public Hearing: 321 CMR 3.02(4)(o); Wildlife Management Zones
August 2017
- Personnel Report
- Deer-hunting Expectations in Suburbia
- Western Wildlife District Activities
July 2017
- Bird-banders Meeting Update
- Staff-Board Working Group Update
- Southeast Wildlife District Activities
June 2017
- Personnel Report
- Ducks Unlimited Accomplishments in Duck Stamp Grants Program
- Update on Priority Habitat Maps
- 2017 Deer Review
- Executive Session: Discussion of Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
May 2017
- Review of the Revised MassWildlife Organization and Chart
- Personnel Report
- Staff-Board Working Committee Discussion
- Birch Hill Young-forest Update
- Update on LART and the Bear-attack Protocol
- Executive Session: Discussion of Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
April 2017
- Draft Prescribed Fire Policy Presentation
- Personnel Report
- VOTE: Youth Waterfowl Hunt and Early Goose Season and 2017-2018 Migratory Game Bird Season and Method of Take
- Executive Session: Discussion of Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
March 2017
- Personnel Report
- Update on the 14th Edition of the Natural Heritage Atlas
- 12:00 P.M.: Public Hearing: Youth Waterfowl Hunt and Early Goose Season and 2017-2018 Migratory Game Bird Season and Method of Take
- A Member of the Public Addresses the Board: Thomas Murphy: Archery Season
- Executive Session: Discussion of Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
February 2017
- Correction of WMZ boundaries
- Climate Change Adaptation in Fish and Wildlife Conservation
- Schedule Public Hearing for the Expanded Youth Waterfowl Hunt, Early Goose Season, and the 2017-2018 Migratory Bird Seasons and Methods of Take on March 22, 2017, 12:00 P.M.
- Executive Session: Discussion of Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
January 2017
- The Effect of the Road Network on Moose in Massachusetts
- Executive Session: Discussion of Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
December 2016
- Personnel Report
- Turtle Conservation in Massachusetts
- Board Elections
- Executive Session: Discussion of Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
November 2016
- Personnel Report
- Proposed Regulation Change: Youth Waterfowl Hunt
- Invasive Species
- Executive Session: Discussion of Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
October 2016
- Personnel Report
- Vote: Acceptance of Letter of Support to the Massachusetts delegation for the Blue Ribbon Panel’s recommendations
(Subcommittee Report) - The Young Forest Component of MassWildlife Habitat Management Goals
- Western Wildlife District Activities
September 2016
- Personnel Report
- State-listed Mussel Conservation in Cooperation with the Cronin Aquatic Resources Center
- Connecticut Valley Wildlife District Activities
- Elaine Decoulos, Boxford, addresses the Board: beaver at Stiles Pond, Boxford
- Executive Session: For the purpose of discussing certain land-protection negotiations wherein an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Division
August 2016
- Personnel Report
- Vote: Wildlife Lands and Trails Policy
- Review of MassWildlife’s Education Programs
- Central Wildlife District Activities
July 2016
- Personnel Report
- Update on the Final Piping Plover Habitat Conservation Permit
- Update: Draft Trails Policy
- Vote: to amend the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s rules and regulations at 321 CMR 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 11.0 governing Miscellaneous Regulations Relating to Fisheries and Wildlife, Hunting, Fishing, and Nature Preserves; and to rescind the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s regulations at 321 CMR 6.0, the Dog Restraining Order, and at 321 CMR 8.0, which is a placeholder regulation that specifies the location of the State List of Endangered Wildlife and Wild Plants at 321 CMR 10.0
- Executive Session: For the purpose of discussing certain land-protection negotiations wherein an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Division
June 2016
- Personnel Report
- Open Meeting Law Review
- Draft Trails Policy
- 3:00 P.M.: Public Hearing to take public comment on the proposal to amend the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s rules and regulations at 321 CMR 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 11.0 governing Miscellaneous Regulations Relating to Fisheries and Wildlife, Hunting, Fishing, and Nature Preserves; and to rescind the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s regulations at 321 CMR 6.0, the Dog Restraining Order, and at 321 CMR 8.0, which is a placeholder regulation that specifies the location of the State List of Endangered Wildlife and Wild Plants at 321 CMR 10.0
- Executive Session: Discussion of Proposed Land Acquisitions Whose Negotiations Would Be Compromised by Discussion in Open Session
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