Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (Massachusetts)

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, sometimes referred to as MassWildlife, is an agency of the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. MassWildlife is overseen by a seven-member Fisheries and Wildlife Board appointed by the Governor; it has authority to make regulations, sets policy, and oversees personnel appointments.^[1]

MassWildlife manages over 100 Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and 13 wildlife sanctuaries with responsibility for over 160,000 acres (650 km²) of lands and waters. WMAs are all open to hunting, fishing, trapping and other outdoor recreation activities. Sanctuaries are more restrictive—camping, hunting, fishing and trapping is prohibited.^[2]

MassWildlife runs fish hatcheries in Sandwich, Belchertown, Montague and Sunderland. Rainbow, brown, brook and tiger trout are raised to stock various state waters.^[3]

Mass Wildlife's website has information on regulations and permits for hunting, fishing, trapping and recreational land use. In addition there are maps of wildlife management locations and information on wildlife viewing. The agency also publishes the quarterly magazine Massachusetts Wildlife which has excellent photos and articles on state flora and fauna. MassWildlife also publishes the following:

• Booklets
  • Field Guide to Animals in Vernal Pools
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries
  • Living Waters
  • Town Core Habitat Reports, 2004
  • Classification of the Natural Communities of Massachusetts Reprinted 2004
• Maps/Atlases
  • Natural Heritage Rare Species & Habitat Atlas
  • Town Core Habitat Maps
  • Aerial Photo Survey of Potential Vernal Pools in Massachusetts (CD Viewer)
  • Pond Maps
  • Wildlife Management Area Maps
• Posters
  • Living Waters Poster
  • BioMap Poster
• Flyers/Lists
  • Landowner Incentive Program
  • Rare Species List

References

1. ^ Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. "Oversight". http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/oversight.htm. Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
2. ^ Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. "Wildlife Management Area Regulations". http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/regulations/regulations_wma.htm. Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
3. ^ Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. "State Fish Hatcheries (includes locations and contacts)". http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/facilities/hatcheries.htm. Retrieved 2009-11-04. 

External links

• MassWildlife HomePage on the Official Website of the Department of Fish and Game.
• Official Website of the Department of Fish and Game.
• Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
• Massachusetts Fish & Wildlife Guide to Hunting, Freshwater Fishing & Trapping.