State: MA

Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Senior Coordinator On May 1, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) joined the American Kennel Club in submitting a sign-on letter of opposition against two restrictive bills in Massachusetts that would negatively impact hunting dog owners. The letter has been submitted to the respective Committee Chairs for their consideration during…

Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Senior Coordinator On April 7, two Co-Chairs of the bipartisan and bicameral Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus submitted a letter of consideration to Governor Baker, requesting that the Governor list firearms retailers and shooting range facilities as essential businesses which would allow them to remain operational throughout the COVID-19 shutdown. The letter also requests that…

Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Senior Coordinator Sportsmen and women in Massachusetts have just cause for anticipating the legislature’s return to what may be considered normal conditions. Prior to directing the majority of its efforts towards responsive measures for COVID-19, the Massachusetts General Court had set itself in motion to host a Sportsmen’s Day…

Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Coordinator  On December 18, regrettable news developed out of Massachusetts, as the Fisheries and Wildlife Board voted in favor of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s (MassWildlife) proposed ban on predator hunting contests and wanton waste regulations. Following the disappointing results of this vote, hunting contests for certain predators,…

Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Coordinator On October 29, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) and the Fisheries and Wildlife Board held a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed predator hunting contest ban and wanton waste regulations. The event took place at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters in Westborough and drew…

Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Coordinator Earlier this month, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) announced that it had purchased a 465-acre parcel of land in order to create the Norcross Hill Wildlife Management Area. For the Bay State’s sportsmen and women, this news means increased access and hunting opportunities for years…

Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Coordinator On September 30, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF), New England States Coordinator, Joe Mullin, delivered a presentation at the Worcester County League of Sportsmen’s Clubs (WCLSC) Leadership Conference in Westborough. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) generously opened their Field Headquarters to facilitate this event, which…

Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Coordinator On Tuesday, October 22 and 29, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) will be hosting public hearings related to the management of coyote hunting contests. The hearings will be centered on the proposed regulations to change the manners in which the Commonwealth’s predators are hunted –…

Contact: Joseph Mullin, New England States Coordinator On August 28, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a hearing during which several sportsmen-related bills were available for public comment. One such bill was Senate Bill 1417 (SB 1417) – legislation that would ultimately authorize the use and possession of a firearm…

Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Coordinator On June 18, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) hosted its final public listening session on coyote hunting contests and species population management practices at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay. The event primarily served the purpose of allowing MassWildlife the opportunity to gather public…

Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Coordinator In the Northeast region, coyotes are making a fair amount of noise – in state capitols and state fish and game departments. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFG) and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) have seen their fair share of coyote hunting-related issues this…

By Joe Mullin, New England States Coordinator On May 22, members of the Massachusetts General Court, including Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen Caucus Co-Chair Representative Vieira, along with Department of Fish and Game staff gathered in the State House to celebrate Sportsmen’s Day at the Capitol, and to announce the signing of the Outdoor Heritage Day proclamation….