State: MA

Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Senior Coordinator Beginning on May 18, Massachusetts implemented the first phase of the State’s reopening plan, which brought exciting news for sportsmen and women. The first phase of the reopening plan, COVID-19 Order No. 33, saw the reopening of “Firearms retailers and shooting ranges,” the former having been opened…

Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Senior Coordinator The issue of fighting excessively restrictive kennel legislation in Massachusetts has been an ongoing theme for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), as well as for other like-minded in-state and national organizations. On May 8, news broke out of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government that…

Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Senior Coordinator On May 7, a Judge for the U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts brought some exciting, long-overdue news to Massachusetts’ sporting community, ordering a preliminary injunction to authorize firearms retailers to reopen their businesses on Saturday, May 9. During the earlier stages of the Commonwealth’s response to…

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…