MassWildlife Proposes Major Deer Hunting Regulation Changes, Seeks Public Input at Virtual Hearings

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) has announced a pair of virtual public hearings set for February 23, 2026, to gather feedback on two significant proposed changes to the state's deer hunting regulations. The proposals aim to address urgent issues ranging from deer overpopulation on the islands to proactive disease prevention on the mainland, and they seek to formalize recent emergency measures while introducing new seasons and rules. 📅 Hearing Schedule & How to Participate Both hearings will be held virtually via Zoom on Sunday, February 23, 2026. MassWildlife is collecting feedback separately for each regulatory package. Hearing 1: Making Emergency Island Regulations Permanent Topic: Proposal to make emergency deer hunting regulations in Wildlife Management Zones (WMZs) 13 and 14 (Martha’s Vineyard, Elizabeth Islands, Nantucket) permanent. Hearing 2: Proposed Mainland Regulation Changes Topic: Proposed broader changes to deer hunting and tagging regulations statewide. Written Comments: The public can also submit written comments for either proposal using this online feedback form or by mail to MassWildlife Re: Deer Public Hearing, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. All comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2026. Accessibility: MassWildlife is providing live interpretation in 中文 (Chinese), Kreyòl Ayisyen (Haitian Creole), Português (Portuguese), Español (Spanish), and Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese), along with American Sign Language (ASL) and CART captioning. To request additional accommodations, contact Susan Sacco at susan.sacco@mass.gov. 📋 Proposal 1: Permanently Adopting Emergency Island Regulations (WMZs 13 & 14) This proposal seeks to codify emergency regulations approved by the Fisheries and Wildlife Board on December 10, 2025, designed to combat a critical deer overpopulation crisis on Martha’s Vineyard, the Elizabeth Islands, and Nantucket. Key changes include: Extended & New Hunting Seasons: Winter Deer Season Extension: Adds two weeks in February to the existing January season, allowing hunting with primitive firearms and archery from January 1 through February 14. New Early Deer Season: Creates a 10-day early season using primitive firearms and archery, beginning the second Monday before the Youth Deer Hunt. Streamlined Harvest Reporting & Transport: Eliminates On-Island Check Requirement: Hunters will no longer be required to report their deer to an island check station before transporting it to the mainland (except during the first week of shotgun season). Removes Visibility During Transport: Harvested deer will no longer need to remain visible during transport after being reported and tagged electronically. Context: MassWildlife cites a "rapidly increasing deer population and a declining number of licensed hunters" on the islands, leading to severe habitat damage, accelerated beach erosion, increased spread of tick-borne diseases like Lyme, and more vehicle collisions. These regulations aim to significantly increase harvest opportunities to manage the herd. 📋 Proposal 2: Broader Statewide Regulation Changes The second package introduces several new rules and seasons aimed at herd management and disease prevention across Massachusetts: New Winter Deer Season: Creates a January 1–31 season for primitive firearms and archery in WMZs 9, 10, and 11 (parts of southeastern Mass.), where deer numbers currently exceed management goals. Modified Season Dates for Consistency: Expands Youth Deer Hunt: Adds the fourth Friday following Labor Day to the existing Saturday hunt. Archery Season Start: Moves the start date to the Monday following the Youth Deer Hunt to provide a consistent calendar date each year. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Prevention: Bans the use of natural deer urine and other deer-based lures, allowing only synthetic alternatives. This is a proactive measure, as CWD prions from infected deer can persist in the environment for years. CWD has not yet been detected in Massachusetts. Modernized Tagging Procedures: Allows Massachusetts Environmental Police officers to use electronic confirmation numbers instead of physical metal seals for deer taken under certain provisions, facilitating remote reporting and easier participation in the "Hunter Share the Harvest" donation program. The hearings represent a critical opportunity for hunters, landowners, conservationists, and all Massachusetts residents to shape the future of deer management in the state. MassWildlife emphasizes that public input is essential to developing effective and widely supported regulations.