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Gov. Maura Healy proposes legalizing Sunday hunting, expands crossbow use and reduces archery setbacks
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Summary
At a Falmouth event, Gov. Maura Healy announced a package to expand hunting access — proposing to lift the state's Sunday hunting ban, allow crossbows for all hunters and reduce archery setbacks from 500 to 250 feet — measures officials said would aid wildlife management, public health and local economies.
Governor Maura Healy announced at the Francis A. Crane Wildlife Management Area in Falmouth that her administration will propose overturning the state’s longstanding Sunday hunting ban, permit crossbows for all hunters, and reduce archery setback distances from 500 feet to 250 feet to open additional land for hunting.
Healy said the changes are intended to increase access to outdoor recreation, support local economies and aid wildlife management. "If Sunday is the day that works for you, then Sunday is the day that you ought to be able to go out," she said, arguing that the measures would also keep hunting dollars in Massachusetts rather than pushing hunters to neighboring states.
The governor framed the package as part of broader conservation and public-health goals. She noted the Francis Crane property is about "2,500 acres" open for hunting, fishing and recreation, and cited the Hunters Share the Harvest program reaching a milestone of "100,000 meals donated to families in need," which she said demonstrates the program’s role in food security.
Tom O'Shea, commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game, said the agency held five public listening sessions and received more than 11,200 comments, with over two-thirds supporting Sunday hunting, expanded crossbow use and reduced archery setbacks. "We received really broad support," O'Shea said, characterizing the proposed changes as "common sense" tools for conservation and access.
Stakeholders at the event voiced support. Chris Borgatti, eastern policy and conservation manager for Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, said the changes "open up tens of thousands of acres of huntable land" and will help families and working people who struggle to get afield on weekdays. Karen Schwalbe, executive director of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, described crop and orchard damage from deer and said relaxing those restrictions are "practical changes" that could reduce ongoing damage without altering seasons or bag limits.
Officials said some steps can be operationalized by Mass Wildlife, while others will require action from the Legislature. "Some of this we can just operationalize immediately, and some of this is gonna require a little work in the legislature," Healy said.
The administration did not present draft legislation at the event. Next steps cited by officials include formal proposals to the Legislature and follow-up work by state agencies to implement operational changes where possible. The event ended without any formal vote or legislative action taken on the announcements.
