Governor Healey announces proposal to legalize Sunday hunting, expand crossbow use and shorten archery setbacks

Governor Maura Healey announced at the Francis Crane Wildlife Management Area in Falmouth that her administration will propose ending the state’s Sunday hunting ban, allowing crossbows for all hunters and reducing archery setback distances from 500 feet to 250 feet to expand access and support wildlife management.

The moves, Healey said, are intended to increase recreational access for working families, bolster local economies and provide wildlife managers with additional tools to address overabundant deer populations. She noted MassWildlife properties total roughly 2,500 acres at the site and cited the Hunters Share the Harvest program’s milestone of 100,000 donated meals as an example of hunting’s community benefits.

“Today, what I’m proud to announce is that we’re gonna propose to get rid of that Sunday hunting ban, legalize hunting on Sunday for the first time in state’s history,” Healey said, also announcing broader crossbow access and reduced archery setbacks. She framed the package as a win for hunters, the economy and public health while urging the legislature and partners to carry the proposals forward.

Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Tom O’Shea said MassWildlife conducted five public listening sessions and gathered more than 11,200 comments; O’Shea said over two-thirds supported Sunday hunting, crossbows and setback reductions. “This is a big moment, a historic moment for hunting access in Massachusetts,” O’Shea said, noting the recommendations are part of a “holistic strategy” linking access, biodiversity goals and science-based wildlife management.

Conservation and agricultural stakeholders at the event expressed support. Chris Borgatti, eastern policy and conservation manager for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, called the changes “proven, tested conservation tools” that expand the toolbox available to wildlife managers and increase access for urban residents who can only hunt on weekends. Karen Schwalbe, executive director of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, said farmers face recurring crop and orchard damage from deer and that expanded access and tools such as crossbows would help reduce ongoing losses.

Officials emphasized that these are proposals and next steps include working with the legislature and agency partners to translate recommendations into law or regulatory action. The event did not record any votes; officials described the announcements as administration proposals and an administrative reporting change (for alpha-gal syndrome) described separately.

The administration said the changes are intended to be paired with continued conservation funding; Healey and speakers noted hunting license and tag revenues fund habitat protection and wildlife programs, but they did not present specific legislation or dates for enactment.