Massachusetts has a strong conservation legacy — one grounded in stewardship, public access and shared responsibility for the land. The updates proposed by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife offer a chance to modernize our hunting laws in a way that reflects today’s realities while preserving those core values.
At their heart, these changes are about access, participation and sound wildlife management.
I spent decades as a public land manager working to balance a wide range of uses — from hunting and fishing to hiking, birdwatching and quiet recreation. I’m also a hunter safety instructor here in Massachusetts. I hunt, but I also hike and birdwatch, and value time outdoors in the same way many others do. These interests aren’t in conflict. They are part of a shared connection to the land…