In 2024, the Massachusetts Legislature took sweeping action that clearly is a challenge to the right of Massachusetts citizens to legally own firearms. That ownership is a fundamental constitutional right which has limits under existing Massachusetts laws. It is this writer’s opinion that Chapter 135, that hastily written bill that created and passed the last night of a legislative session, is flawed.
Because of the bill’s last-minute passage, it was never debated by members of the Legislature or presented for any public hearing and input. It is not my intent to tell anyone how to vote but rather to encourage every voter take time to educate yourself using multiple sources to learn what Chapter 135 contains and whether those measures are really in the best interest of all citizens of the Commonwealth. A huge coalition of caring citizens has put in a great deal of time, effort and money to get the measure on the ballot. You can do whatever you feel is best, but my vote on Nov. 3 will be NO on Question 9.
Continuing on the importance of knowledge theme, most readers of this column care deeply about the fish and wildlife resources of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and possess a strong desire to learn as much as possible about the natural world. Massachusetts Wildlife, the excellent periodical published by MassWildlife, is an incredibly source of information. The well-written stories about varied interesting fish, wildlife and natural world topics is an incredible bargain at $6 per year or $10 for two years.
There are number of ways to get your subscription started. You can go online to the MassWildlife website or call (800) 289-4778. The current issue is a great example of what Massachusetts Wildlife Magazine has to offer. The cover has a fantastic photo of a nice whitetail buck and the lead story is a detailed and informative article about hunter safety written by MassWildlife Assistant Director of Outreach and Education Nicole McSweeney. It does a great job of informing the reader about the many facets of hunting safety and how MassWildlife’s Hunter Education Program reaches out to make hunting safe and keep it as an important tool in the management of the state’s wildlife resources.
If you do not yet subscribe (do it today!) you can read the article by going to the MassWildlife webpage and going to News and Announcements for September. In the article, Nicole begins by pointing out the huge public reaction regarding the three updates proposed for Massachusetts hunting laws (Sunday hunting, crossbows and setback restrictions) and how seven of 10 who responded were supportive of those changes.
The hunting issue has always divided people and the two sides usually do not understand the other’s motivation. The hunter education program, here and in all 50 states, is built around a well-thought-out curriculum designed to help students become “safe, knowledgeable, responsible and involved” hunters. As a Massachusetts Hunter Education Volunteer for my entire adult life, it has been my pleasure to help students attain their Hunter Education Certificate, which allows them to then obtain a hunting license.
Many Massachusetts citizens who do not have a connection with friends or family who hunt do not know that there is a rigorous process required to become a licensed hunter. In her writing, Nicole notes that we all have fears and that they are usually not rational. People who fear hunters do not have information on what it takes to become one and fear hunters as being untrained and dangerous. Knowledge, like the information in Nicole’s article, is powerful. It needs to be shared to help build bridges between people who really all want the same things from the natural world.
That latest edition also has a great story about bats. The bat population in Massachusetts plummeted since white-nose syndrome was discovered, with some populations decreasing by 99%. The article details a partnership with MassDOT and dedicated volunteers which has helped address these challenges by installing bat houses across the state.
You can make a difference by installing a bat house around your home. They are easy to make and information about making and where to mount them is readily available at MassWildlife and other sources. Bats were seen every night this summer at White Pond, flying around and feeding on mosquitoes and other insects. They are such a valuable part of the ecosystem. They have evolved into long-lived animals, but reproduce at a very low rate. That has made recovery a slow process, but it is great to see them making a comeback.
Another great comeback story is the whip-poor-will. The best forestry management practices in New England to benefit whip-poor-wills include a combination of forest thinning and shrubland maintenance, especially in nesting and roosting areas. Open areas are also needed for foraging. Conscious efforts by MassWildlife on their properties and local loggers’ activities are resulting in many of us being reminded of the evening sounds we enjoyed in our youth. Love it!
Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, Counselor and Director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, has been a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor for over 40 years and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.