Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife

07/05/2026

We had a special visitor at our district office in Belchertown yesterday — a great horned owl fledgling! After receiving reports that had previously been near the road, our staff observed from a safe and respectful distance to make sure the young owl was uninjured. Just as we were leaving, mom came to check on her little one.

We made sure to give this young owl plenty of space and observe only from a distance. You can see it trying to appear larger with its posture and hear the clicking sounds it was making — both are signs telling us to keep our distance.

This is a great reminder that young wildlife are not abandoned even if seen on their own. If you come across wildlife, the best thing you can do is give it space and observe from afar.

06/05/2026

When the smoke clears, dinner is served! This hen was spotted foraging for insects just one day after we conducted a prescribed fire at Frances Crane Wildlife Management Area.

Beetles and other insects are often drawn to burn sites, including some that can use infrared sensors to detect heat from smoldering stumps and vegetation. By creating a mix of habitat conditions across the landscape, prescribed fire helps provide wild turkeys with the food, nesting cover, and roosting resources they need throughout the year.

Learn more at mass.gov/prescribedfire

05/05/2026

Mother’s Day is this weekend and what better way to spend quality time with mom than to go fishing! Make sure mom doesn’t have to lift a finger and follow these tips to plan a perfect day:
🎣 Pick the perfect place: Find a place fish near you using out Go Fish MA! interactive map
🎣 Get your gear ready: Pack the day before and let mom relax. Make sure to pack sunscreen, bug spray, and mom’s favorite snacks!
🎣 Buy her fishing license as a gift: Give the gift of spending time fishing together throughout the year.
🎣 Take lots of pictures: Remember the day with group selfies and the perfect action shot of mom reeling in her catch.
🎣 Plan extra activities: Keep everyone entertained by bringing games, cards, frisbees, binoculars and other activities to make it a great day even if the fish aren’t biting.

Reel in the perfect mother’s day outing at the link in bio.

04/05/2026

Which weighs more—a marshmallow or a ruby-throated hummingbird?
Surprisingly, the marshmallow wins! At about 7 grams, it outweighs these tiny birds, which average just 2–6 grams. Right now, ruby-throated hummingbirds are returning to Massachusetts after an incredible migration from Central America —so keep an eye out for them buzzing by!

Learn more at allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby-throated_Hummingbird

01/05/2026

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE: We will be holding a public hearing on proposed changes on freshwater fishing regulations on May 18 at 6 p.m. on Zoom.

Proposed changes include establishing a daily bag limit for American eels, simplifying the trout regulations, and clarifying language and definitions. If you can't make the hearing, you can still submit comments by email or mail until June 1. Review regulations, get hearing details, and learn how to submit comments bit.ly/Fishing-Public-Hearing-2026

30/04/2026

Have you been noticing wild turkeys more often, especially when they are strutting their stuff? That’s because wild turkey breeding season is in full swing!

Through May, you may notice an increase in turkey activity as the males puff out their feathers, fan their tails, and strut while gobbling to attract a mate. Wild turkeys are trying to establish their pecking order and may be aggressive towards people they view as subordinates. Yes, that means turkeys may think you are trying to steal their ladies.

Aggressive behavior towards humans occurs most often in areas where turkeys are being intentionally fed by people. The best thing you can do to prevent conflicts with turkeys is to make sure you aren’t intentionally or unintentionally feeding them.

Spring is wild turkey breeding season, and that can mean an increase in aggressive behavior. To reduce wildlife conflict, avoid feeding turkeys.

28/04/2026

We recently welcomed third grade students from the Smith College Campus School to one of our fish hatcheries as part of the Teaching with Trout program!

As part of their visit, students looked through muck from a nearby waterbody and helped identify macroinvertebrates that would be common food for trout. Look at all the trout food they found 👀

The Teaching with Trout program introduces students to the concepts of ecology, population biology, water quality, and conservation. Students raise brook trout from eggs during the winter, then release them into approved lakes and streams in the spring.

27/04/2026

This little bird is here to tell you that we are hosting an informational webinar about our Habitat Management Grant Program on Thursday, April 30 at 12 p.m.! Learn about eligibility, the types of projects the program supports, allowable costs and activities, and the application and review process.

Register at bit.ly/HMG-Webinar-Registration-2026

Can’t make it? A recording of the webinar will be available online afterwards.

23/04/2026

Did you stock trout with us during this week? We'd love to see your photos! Send them to us in a DM or comment them below 📷

21/04/2026

We are proud to announce that our Hunters Share the Harvest program has reached a major milestone— hunters have donated over 100,000 meals of venison to families in need.

Since its launch in 2022, this program has connected hunters with a growing network of food banks and other charitable organizations to deliver locally sourced protein to residents in need. Donated venison is now distributed through more than 25 food programs, reaching families in over 250 municipalities across the state. Since its inception, more than 750 deer have been donated through the program.

Announcement Comes as Governor Healey Works to Lift Sunday Hunting Ban and Expand Hunting Access in Massachusetts

20/04/2026

Happening this week! MassWildlife is inviting the public to grab a bucket and help stock trout. During the event, you can ask biologists about fish, see trout up close, and learn about places to fish near you.

Join us at one of the following waterbodies:
April 21: Cliff Pond, Brewster
April 22: Hampton Ponds, Westfield
April 22: Sunset Lake, Braintree
April 22: Lake Quinsigamond, Worcester
April 22: Onota Lake, Pittsfield
April 23: Long Pond, Plymouth
April 23: Chicopee Reservoir, Chicopee
April 24: Colburn Pond, Leominster
*Please note that the event previously scheduled at Lake Wyola has been canceled due to poor conditions.

For meeting locations and times, visit bit.ly/trout-events