Boston, Massachusetts – According to Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the agency known as MassWildlife held two virtual public hearings on February 23 to solicit feedback on proposed changes to deer hunting regulations. These sessions addressed two distinct regulatory packages aimed at managing deer populations, enhancing hunter access, and promoting wildlife conservation across the Commonwealth.
The first proposal sought to make emergency deer hunting regulations in Wildlife Management Zones (WMZs) 13 and 14 permanent. These zones encompass Martha’s Vineyard, the Elizabeth Islands, and Nantucket, areas grappling with rapidly expanding deer populations and fewer licensed hunters. Overabundant deer have contributed to habitat degradation, beach erosion, the proliferation of tick-borne diseases, and elevated vehicle-deer collisions. To counteract these challenges, the proposal included several key modifications.
Specifically, it recommended extending the existing Winter Deer Season in WMZs 13 and 14 by an additional two weeks into February, allowing the use of primitive firearms and archery equipment. Without this change, the season would conclude on January 31. Additionally, a new 10-day Early Deer Season would be established, commencing on the second Monday before the Youth Deer Hunt and concluding on the Thursday prior, again limited to primitive firearms and archery.
Further adjustments involved eliminating the visibility requirement for transporting harvested deer prior to reporting and tagging. Hunters would no longer need to keep deer visible during transport. The proposal also removed the mandatory on-island check station requirement; while shotgun-season deer from the first week still require in-person checking, island-harvested deer could be reported at mainland stations thereafter. These measures were enacted as emergency regulations by the Fisheries and Wildlife Board on December 10, 2025, and the public hearing at 6 p.m. on February 23 via Zoom provided an opportunity for input. A video recording of the presentation remains available online.
Written comments for this package were accepted until 5 p.m. on March 9, 2026, via an online feedback form or mail to MassWildlife in Westborough. Full proposed regulatory language under 321 CMR 3.02(4) is accessible for review.
The second proposal, discussed at a 7 p.m. hearing on the same evening, targeted broader updates to deer hunting and tagging regulations. This included introducing a Winter Deer Season from January 1 to 31 in WMZs 9, 10, and 11 using primitive firearms and archery, targeting zones where deer exceed management objectives.
Other changes encompassed expanding the Youth Deer Hunt to include both the fourth Friday and the subsequent Saturday following Labor Day. The archery deer season start would shift to the Monday after the Youth Deer Hunt for greater annual consistency. To mitigate risks from Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)—a fatal condition not yet detected in Massachusetts but potentially spread via deer-derived lures—only synthetic and non-deer-based attractants would be permitted.
Additionally, Massachusetts Environmental Police could substitute electronic confirmation numbers for traditional metal seals on certain deer taken under Chapter 131 Section 37, facilitating remote reporting and donations to the Hunter Share the Harvest Program. Draft language for 321 CMR 2.0 and 3.02 is available, and comments followed the same March 9 deadline and submission methods. A presentation video is also posted.
MassWildlife emphasized equitable access, offering live interpretation in Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese, along with American Sign Language and real-time captioning. Additional language requests could be directed to Susan Sacco, while disability accommodations were handled through the EEA Diversity office with at least two weeks’ notice.
These proposals reflect ongoing efforts to balance habitat management, public safety, disease prevention, and recreational opportunities. By extending seasons and streamlining processes, MassWildlife aims to bolster hunter participation amid declining numbers, particularly on islands vulnerable to deer overabundance. The comment period extension to March 9 ensures continued public engagement in shaping permanent regulations.
For more information, visit Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.