Hunting on Conservation Land to be Discussed at July 30 Conservation Commission Meeting
Lawrence Swamp, one of eight town of Amherst conservation areas where some hunting is permitted. Photo: Keith Toffling.
The Conservation Committee will devote a special meeting on Wednesday, July 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. on Zoom to discussing whether hunting should continue to be allowed in eight of the town’s conservation areas. This discussion will follow up on discussions begun in February. The commissions Land-use Subcommittee could not come to a conclusion about whether a change was needed to the policy, so a discussion among the full commission and the public has been scheduled. Those wishing to participate in the discussion are urged to read the subcommittee report.
The subcommittee report dated April 1, 2025 states “The proposed rule for hunting would have prohibited all forms of hunting on conservation land. That proposed rule was developed after evaluating the degree conservation lands remained open to hunting after overlaying the state mandated hunting setback from dwellings and buildings in use, and after applying the same setback to public trails on conservation areas.” Massachusetts State Law prohibits possession or discharge of a loaded rifle or shotgun within 500 feet of a building or dwelling in use.
Amherst has traditionally allowed hunting on eight of its 58 conservation areas. No criteria for allowing or denying hunting are listed on the town’s website. There are about 140 miles of hiking trails in town, There are no state or local prohibitions for shooting on or near trails, and the report states that in March, 2025 spent 12-gauge shotgun shells were found beside a trail at the Pohick conservation area where hunting is allowed.
The subcommittee report presents five alternatives for hunting in town:
1. Hunting of all species, in accordance with seasons and regulations set by the state and federal governments, is allowed in the customary conservation areas, except Eastman Brook, a portion of Atkins Flats, and the two Holyoke Range parcels in the Notch along West Street / Rt. 116. (See Table 1).
2. Hunting of deer, turkey, pheasant, and rabbit, in accordance with seasons and regulations set by MassWildlife, is allowed in the customary conservation areas, except Eastman Brook, a portion of Atkins Flats, and the two Holyoke Range parcels in the Notch along West Street / Rt. 116; hunting of all other species is not allowed on conservation land. (See Table 4).
3. Alternative 1 with additional exceptions based on an evaluation of the full effects of public safety buffers on the remaining huntable areas within the customary conservation areas.
4. Alternative 2 with additional exceptions based on an evaluation of the full effects of public safety buffers on the remaining huntable areas within the customary conservation areas.
5. Hunting is not allowed on conservation land.
