Some Council Accomplishments

  • Filed, and was successful in getting passed, the Wildlands Stamp Act to acquire & protect wildlife habitat. To date nearly 30,000 acres have been protected and are open to all for passive recreational purposes.
  • Worked with Norfolk County sportsmen to re-establish the Norfolk County League and affiliate the League as a full Council member (Moss, Kellstrand & Beaudry.
  • Re-affiliated Hampshire County League.
  • Re-instituted the Council Annual Banquet (by-law requirement), called the Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council Annual Banquet and Raymond L. Gribbons Award Night ( Moss, Kellstrand).
  • Established the Raymond L. Gribbons Scholarship Fund to assist students continuing their education in the field of wildlife management or other environmental science.
  • Have encouraged the involvement of more individuals in the operation of the Council through participation in meetings and to bring “good of the order” information to the membership.
  • Created a website for the Council.
  • Participated in discussions with environmental groups to establish a relationship for working toward common goals.
  • Became a member of the Teaming with Wildlife coalition to secure additional funding for open space acquisition and management.
  • Responded to concerns of local clubs/leagues, when requested, to aid in protecting or preserving rights of sportsmen (Newburyport Harbor).
  • Nominated members to the Ware River and Quabbin Watershed Advisory Committees (MDC), one regular and one alternate were appointed. Our appointments were to insure that sportsmen concerns were addressed and hunting and fishing opportunities are protected.
  • Became the first sponsor and treasury for the Becoming an Outdoorswoman Program of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to introduce women to many out-of-doors activities.
  • Filed, supported and saw enacted the Hunter Harassment Bill.
  • Filed, supported and saw enacted legislation for the use of mechanical releases by archers.
  • Filed, supported and saw enacted the Range Protection Bill.
  • Filed & worked for passage of the Rifled Barrel Shotgun Bill.
  • Filed, supported and saw enacted legislation allowing the use of crossbows by hunters unable, due to medical problems, to draw conventional bows.
  • Filed (Sen Steve Brewer), and saw enacted legislation to clarify the definition of an unloaded muzzleloader.
  • Fought for and won restoration of full shotgun season for deer on Mass Military Reservation (Otis) (meetings with Governor Cellucci, EOEA Secretary Trudy Cox, DFG Commissioner John Phillips, and Rep George Peterson - Moss & Kellstrand).
  • Fought for and won restoration of full shotgun season for deer on Mass Military Reservation (Otis) (meetings with Governor Cellucci, EOEA Secretary Trudy Cox, DFG Commissioner John Phillips, and Rep George Peterson - Moss & Kellstrand).
  • Joined with the Dept of Food & Agriculture and other organizations in support of the Northeast Dairy Compact and to preserve farmland and open space upon which we can hunt and fish.
  • Worked with Governor Bill Weld to ensure passage of the 1996 Open Space Bond Bill.
  • Fought against and helped defeat the siting of a landfill in the Douglas State Forest.
  • Worked for several years for a regulatory change extending the coyote season.
  • Worked with other organizations for a two deer bag limit and extended season.
  • Worked for a separate muzzleloader season for deer.
  • Joined the US Sportsmen’s Alliance, Barnstable County League, Mike Velosa and Mike Moss as “defendant intervenor” in the anti-hunter’s law suit to stop pheasant hunting on the Cape Cod National Seashore. Sportsmen prevailed and hunting will continue.
  • Worked with many groups attempting to stop the passage of the infamous “Chapter 180”.
  • Active Duty Military FID & LTC Protection:
    • The bill below was filed by the Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council and passed into law by the Massachusetts Legislature. The Council felt that it was unfair that an FID or LTC of active duty military personnel should expire while they are out of state serving their country and being unable to apply for renewal.
    • As filed, it provided for ninety days after discharge, but legislators agreeing with the Council changed it to 180 days after discharge. We thank the legislators for joining us in protecting the rights of our active duty military personnel.

MSC Awards