Public Hearings on Proposed Deer Regulations on February 23 - The Outdoor Wire

MassWildlife is holding 2 virtual public hearings on February 23 on 2 different proposed deer hunting regulation packages.

Public hearings have been scheduled to gather public feedback about proposed regulatory changes related to deer hunting. Two regulatory packages are under consideration and feedback is being collected separately for each. Brief summaries of the proposed regulations are outlined below.

Proposal to make emergency deer hunting regulations in Wildlife Management Zones (WMZs) 13 and 14 permanent

Public Hearing on February 23at 6 p.m. on Zoom: Proposal to make emergency deer hunting regulations for Zones 13 and 14 permanent. Click this link to join the Public Hearing on February 26 at 6 p.m. on Zoom from a computer, tablet, or smartphone; use Passcode: 123123, or join by phone: (929) 205-6099 with Webinar ID: 845 9649 5260 and Passcode: 123123.

Written comments can be submitted using this feedback form by 5 p.m. on March 9, 2026. Comments can also be submitted by mail to: MassWildlife Re: Deer Public Hearing, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. All comments must be received by 5 p.m. on March 9, 2026.

Martha's Vineyard, Elizabeth, and Nantucket Islands (WMZs 13 and 14) are facing a rapidly increasing deer population and a declining number of licensed hunters. Deer overabundance can lead to habitat damage, beach erosion, spread of tick-borne disease, and increased vehicle collisions. This regulatory proposal:

Extends Winter Deer Season in WMZs 13 and 14. This regulatory proposal would add an additional two weeks in February to the existing Winter Deer Season in WMZs 13 and 14, where primitive firearms and archery equipment are allowed. If this does not pass, the Winter Deer Season in WMZs 13 and 14 would remain January 1–31.
Creates an Early Deer Season in WMZs 13 and 14. This regulatory proposal would add a new 10-day Early Deer Season in which primitive firearms and archery equipment can be used in WMZs 13 and 14. The Early Deer Season would begin on the second Monday before the Youth Deer Hunt and end on the Thursday before the Youth Deer Hunt, primitive firearms and archery.
Removes the visibility requirement for harvested deer during transport. Harvested deer will no longer need to remain visible before being reported and tagged with a confirmation number or metal seal.
Removes the on-island deer check requirement. Hunters who harvest deer in zones 13 and 14 will no longer be required to report their deer before transporting it off-island. During the first week of shotgun all harvested deer are still required to be checked in person at a check station, but island harvested deer may be checked in at stations on the mainland.

Full proposed regulatory language is available at this link: Emergency Deer 321 CMR 3.02(4) Proposed as Permanent. Note: These regulations are currently in effect and were approved as emergency regulations by the Fisheries and Wildlife Board on 12/10/25. A public hearing is required to formally consider these regulatory changes and make them permanent.

MassWildlife is committed to providing equitable access to information, public processes, resources, and programs to ensure all have the opportunity to meaningfully engage with our work and all voices are heard. Live interpretation will be available in 中文, Kreyòl Ayisyen, Português, Español, and Tiếng Việt. American Sign Language (ASL) and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) captioning will be provided. To request additional accommodations, please contact Susan Sacco at susan.sacco@mass.gov.

Proposed changes to the regulations for the hunting and tagging of deer

Public Hearing on February 23at 7 p.m. on Zoom: Proposed changes to the regulations for the hunting and tagging of deer.Click this link to join the Public Hearing on Zoom from a computer, tablet, or smartphone; use Passcode: 123123, or join by phone: (929) 205-6099 with Webinar ID: 845 9649 5260 and Passcode: 123123.

This regulatory proposal:

Creates a Winter Deer Season in WMZs 9, 10, and 11 from January 1–31, where primitive firearms and archery equipment can be used. This proposal is intended to provide additional opportunity to harvest deer in areas where deer numbers exceed management goals.
Expands the Youth Deer Hunt to include both the fourth Friday and subsequent Saturday following Labor Day.
Moves the archery deer season start date to the Monday following Youth Deer Hunt. This proposed change is intended to provide more consistency year to year.
Allows only synthetic and other non-deer-based lures. This proposed change is intended to help prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal disease that infects members of the deer family. While CWD has not been detected in Massachusetts, urine and other deer-derived lures and attractants from infected deer can contain CWD-causing prions that stay in the environment for many years.
Allows Massachusetts Environmental Police to substitute confirmation numbers for metal seals. Currently, MEP officers need to attach a metal seal to deer taken under Chapter 131 Section 37. This proposed change would allow MEP officers and MassWildlife staff more flexibility for remote reporting of deer using confirmation numbers and allow these deer to be donated to MassWildlife's Hunter Share the Harvest Program.

Full proposed regulatory language is available at this link: MassWildlife Draft Deer 321 CMR 2.0 and 3.02.