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: 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.
- 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, are provided during most hearings of general interest. Please let us know of your specific request for language interpretation for any hearing by email to susan.sacco@mass.gov at least 72 hours before the hearing.
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 written 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.
2026 Public Hearing Notices
Proposal to make emergency deer hunting regulations in Zones 13 and 14 permanent
321 CMR 3.02(4). In accordance with M.G.L, Ch. 131, Sect. 4 and 5, and Ch. 30A, Sect. 2, NOTICE is hereby given that the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife will hold a public hearing on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., on the emergency regulatory amendments to 321 CMR 3.02(4) Hunting and Tagging of Deer Regulations that were filed December 19, 2025, in Massachusetts via a Zoom video webinar with the Hearing Officer and MassWildlife staff, with the public joining via computer or phone line. The emergency regulations a) Removed the on-island deer check requirement; b) Removed the visibility requirement for unchecked harvested deer; c) Extended the Winter Season on WMZs 13 and 14 an additional two weeks; and d) Created an additional primitive and archery deer hunting season for 10 days prior to the Youth Deer Hunt day on WMZs 13 and 14. For the convenience of the public, the proposed regulations will be presented, and an oral comment period will be offered.
Click to join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android
Passcode:123123
Join via audio: (929) 205-6099
Webinar ID: 845 9649 5260
Passcode: 123123
The proposed regulatory amendments relative to 321 CMR 3.02(4) and the link to join the Zoom webinar are posted below so that interested persons can review the proposed permanent regulations and provide written comments prior to the hearing or oral comments during the virtual hearing.
Written public comments will be accepted via an online comment form before the hearing and after it closes, until Monday, March 9, 2026, 5:00 p.m., or in writing as given above.
MassWildlife will make every effort to provide 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, 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 another language by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Posted February 3, 2026; 4:45 p.m.
Proposed changes to the regulations for the hunting and tagging of deer
321 CMR 2.0 and 3.02(4). In accordance with M.G.L., Ch. 131, Sec. 4 and 5, and Ch. 30A, Sec. 2, NOTICE is hereby given that the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife will hold a public hearing on Monday, February 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m., 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 regulatory amendments a) Eliminate the use of natural deer based lures and scents; b) Add a second day to the Youth Deer Hunt; c) Open deer hunting in January in Wildlife Management Zones 9, 10, and 11 by means of a primitive firearm or bow and arrow; d) Allow Massachusetts Environmental Police (“MEP”) to substitute electronically provided confirmation numbers for metal seals; and e) Change the start of the Archery season to the Monday following Youth Deer.
Click to join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android
Passcode:123123
Join via audio: (929) 205-6099
Webinar ID: 845 9649 5260
Passcode: 123123
The proposed regulatory amendments relative to 321 CMR 2.0 and 321 CMR 3.02(4) 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 an online comment form before the hearing and after it closes, until Monday, March 9, 2026, 5:00 p.m., or in writing as given above.
MassWildlife is committed to providing equitable access to its public meetings, hearings, and events. We will make every effort to provide 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, 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 another language by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Posted February 3, 2026; 4:45 p.m.
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.
Request information about a previous hearing
To get information about a prior hearing not listed here, please submit a public records request to MassWildlife.