Public Hearings on Proposed Deer Regulations on February 23

February 10, 2026
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Massachusetts hunters and 2A advocates, mark your calendars for February 23—MassWildlife is hosting two virtual public hearings that could reshape deer hunting regs in ways that hit right at the heart of our outdoor freedoms. The first session zeros in on Zones 13 and 14, where emergency rules (think extended seasons and antlerless tags to curb overpopulation) might go permanent. The second tackles statewide tweaks to hunting and tagging protocols, potentially streamlining—or complicating—how we pursue whitetails. With written comments due by March 9, 2026, this is your shot to weigh in before bureaucrats lock it down. Tune in via MassWildlife's site; it's open to all, no fancy invite needed. Dig deeper, and this isn't just about bag limits—it's a microcosm of how wildlife management intersects with Second Amendment rights. Overpopulated deer herds in eastern Mass are chomping crops and causing crashes, justifying more tags to keep populations in check without resorting to urban archery gimmicks or worse, firearm restrictions disguised as safety measures. Making these emergency rules permanent could mean more hunting days, more lead downrange, and a win against anti-gun enviros who push doe-only culls or bait bans that hamstring riflemen. For the 2A crowd, it's a reminder: engaged hunters protect gun rights. Show up, speak up, or risk regs that chip away at our ability to manage wildlife with the tools our Founders enshrined—centerfire rifles and shotguns, not crossbows for the soy latte set. The implications ripple wide: success here bolsters precedents for expanded seasons elsewhere, reinforcing that armed citizens are the best stewards of the land. Fail to engage, and we hand ammo to groups like HSUS, who'll spin it into overhunting narratives fueling mag bans or suppressor taxes. Pro-2A warriors, this is low-hanging fruit—flood those hearings with data on herd health (check MassWildlife's own stats showing Zones 13/14 at 40+ deer/sq mi) and testimonials on ethical harvests. Your voice keeps the woods open and our rights intact; ignore it, and the next emergency might be a carry ban in the backcountry. Get involved—hunt hard, vote harder.

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Dig deeper, and this isn’t just about bag limits—it’s a microcosm of how wildlife management intersects with Second Amendment rights. Overpopulated deer herds in eastern Mass are chomping crops and causing crashes, justifying more tags to keep populations in check without resorting to urban archery gimmicks or worse, firearm restrictions disguised as safety measures. Making these emergency rules permanent could mean more hunting days, more lead downrange, and a win against anti-gun enviros who push doe-only culls or bait bans that hamstring riflemen. For the 2A crowd, it’s a reminder: engaged hunters protect gun rights. Show up, speak up, or risk regs that chip away at our ability to manage wildlife with the tools our Founders enshrined—centerfire rifles and shotguns, not crossbows for the soy latte set.

The implications ripple wide: success here bolsters precedents for expanded seasons elsewhere, reinforcing that armed citizens are the best stewards of the land. Fail to engage, and we hand ammo to groups like HSUS, who’ll spin it into overhunting narratives fueling mag bans or suppressor taxes. Pro-2A warriors, this is low-hanging fruit—flood those hearings with data on herd health (check MassWildlife’s own stats showing Zones 13/14 at 40+ deer/sq mi) and testimonials on ethical harvests. Your voice keeps the woods open and our rights intact; ignore it, and the next emergency might be a carry ban in the backcountry. Get involved—hunt hard, vote harder.

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