No action on proposed Hunting changes in Massachusetts

Sportsmen have been asking if any progress is being made with two proposed changes to the hunting regulations — Sunday bowhunting and allowing use of crossbows without a special permit — and the answer is “No.”

There is a bill (S.2463) to expand the authority of MassWildlife to permit bowhunting on Sundays at the discretion of the director. It’s been in the Senate Ways and Means Committee and no action has been taken. This would not allow all hunting on Sundays. It merely allows the director of MassWildlife to allow bowhunting on Sundays to help increase the deer harvest in areas that are above ideal deer densities.

The second bill (S.2249) would allow the use of crossbows for hunting without a special permit. Currently, hunters who are permanently disabled from using conventional archery equipment can apply for a permit to use a crossbow. The application must include a note from a doctor documenting the permanent disability. Once issued, the permit is a lifetime permit and the holder may not legally hunt with conventional archery equipment again. The bill would strike the permit requirement and allow all hunters to use crossbows. It’s also been in the Senate Ways and Means Committee and no action has been taken.