Thanks to the hard work of the Massachusetts State Leadership Team and BHA’s Massachusetts membership, with the help of hunters, anglers, as well as other hunting and fishing organizations, we have made some serious gains this legislative session, but we’re not done yet! There are several bills with momentum, and if passed, will dramatically improve opportunity and access; help protect our wildlife by preventing poaching; and help give our state Fish and Game Agency the resources it needs to help steward our natural resources.

Below you will see a breakdown of several different bills. You can quickly and easily send a letter to your elected officials and let them know that you want these bills to pass this session!

Also, for a complete rundown of our legislative and policy work over the past year, please take a look at our 2021 Policy Roundup.

Sunday Hunting

This year there were a number of bills related to Sunday Hunting (H.914, H.984, H.1015, H.1019, S.547) and the chapter testified in support of these bills at the Joint Committee of ENRA. Massachusetts is now just among only a handful of states that has yet repeal Blue Laws pertaining to Sunday Hunting. For hardworking resident sportsmen and women, this antiquated law, severely limits their opportunity to be in the field and share their outdoor traditions with family and friends. Opponents consistently devalue the contributions of hunters and anglers in Commonwealth and use fear to perpetuate the myth that hunters put the public at risk. The reality is that hunting remains as one of the safest forms of recreation, falling between billiards and bowling in the number of accidents per 100 participants. It should be noted that injuries to non-participants, are extraordinarily rare.

Governor Baker included provisions for Sunday archery deer hunting as well as decreased setbacks for archery hunting in his Fiscal Year 2023 Budget. Encouraging lawmakers in the House and Senate Ways and Means committees to leave these items in the budget is another chance for these opportunities to come into fruition for Massachusetts hunters.

TAKE ACTION ON SUNDAY HUNTING

Archery Hunting Setbacks

Currently, Massachusetts law equates the release of an arrow the same as the discharge of a firearm. They are not the same. S.552 and H.1025 would decrease the setback of archery hunters hunting from a tree stand to 250’ or approximately 83 yards, a safe and still considerable distance from any occupied dwelling. This small change would dramatically increase opportunity on lands where it is already permissible to hunt, which is why the Massachusetts Team is strongly in favor of this bill. 

Governor Baker included provisions for Sunday archery deer hunting as well as decreased setbacks for archery hunting in his Fiscal Year 2023 Budget. Encouraging lawmakers in the House and Senate Ways and Means committees to leave these items in the budget is another chance for these opportunities to come into fruition for Massachusetts hunters.

TAKE ACTION ON ARCHERY SETBACKS!

Keep Poachers out of Massachusetts & Protect our Wildlife!

Some have referred to Massachusetts as a “Poacher’s Paradise”, the result of it being the only state not part of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact (ICVC) (Hawaii is currently moving through the process of joining). The ICVC is a network that shares information between member states as it pertains to hunting, fishing, trapping, and other wildlife related law violations. It allows law enforcement agencies to track wildlife violators and hold them accountable across state lines. Suspension and revocations of fishing and hunting licenses in one state can be applied to all member states, further preventing repeat offenders from having fishing and hunting privileges in other states. 

The Massachusetts team strongly supported S.587/H.904 An Act Further Regulating the Enforcement of Illegal Hunting Practices, particularly the state joining Wildlife Violator Compact. Simply put, membership protects wildlife; supports law abiding hunters and anglers; and provides the Massachusetts Environmental Police additional resources to combat poachers and other wildlife criminals. The Massachusetts team testified (watch here) in support of the bill at the Joint Committee of Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture (ENRA) hearing, submitted written testimony, and chapter coordinator Christopher Borgatti has been working with other stakeholder organizations and meeting with key lawmakers to move these bills through the legislative process. 

Update: The bill (Now H.4442) has passed the House Ways and Means Committee! This is a win, but we’re not done yet! The bill is referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Let’s keep the pressure on!  

TAKE ACTION AND STOP POACHERS!

Support the Inland Fisheries & Game Fund

Wildlife management takes place at the state level, specifically by State Fish and Game Agencies, so it is vital that these organizations have the financial resources necessary to complete their mission. With this in mind, the Massachusetts membership of BHA strongly supports Massachusetts Bill S.546. State Fish and Game Agencies, like MassWildlife, are primarily funded through license sales and funds from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program. For years, MassWildlife has been operating with a budget shortfall, but has been able to cover it with the Inland Fisheries and Game Fund, but this fund has been dwindling. The agency did take measures to improve its financial solvency by raising license prices for the first time in 25 years, but the passing of S.546 would be another step in securing the agency’s financial future.

With a decline in the number of hunters and anglers and the fact that many current license holders currently qualify, or soon will qualify, for a free licenses, it is imperative that MassWildlife find additional funding sources to remain financially solvent and continue to conserve wildlife populations, improve habitat, and offer opportunity and access to hunters, anglers, and others who enjoy having wildlife on the landscape. S.546 would create a system where the State of Massachusetts would reimburse MassWildlife for the free licenses it is mandated to provide to qualifying hunters and anglers. Currently, the agency gives free licenses to about 360 qualifying disabled individuals, 7000 free fishing licenses to minors, 27000 free hunting/fishing licenses to individuals over the age of 70. Additionally, there are 15000 license holders between the age of 65-70 who are currently receiving a half-priced license. With the aforementioned category aging into free licenses, the loss of revenue will continue to undercut the agency’s finances. It is clear that hunters and anglers can no longer solely support MassWildlife’s budget and expect the agency to operate at its current capacity, so it is important to find alternative funding sources.

TAKE ACTION: SUPPORT THE INLAND FISHERIES & GAME FUND!