Wildlife, Fishing and Hunting

The town of Barnstable is fortunate to have a highly diverse population of fish and wildlife that live within its’ borders. There is a wide range of habitat types, from saltwater bays to hardwood forests and freshwater ponds. The Natural Resources department in Barnstable is responsible for protecting all fish and wildlife in these areas. The department also regulates hunting and fishing activities and conducts work to enhance fish and wildlife habitat.

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During pheasant hunting season, the Barnstable Natural Resources department stocks pheasant that are provided by the State of Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. This occurs between mid-October to late November; check the Mass Wildlife magazine for pheasant hunting season dates. West Barnstable Conservation area and Sandy Neck Beach Park are stocked twice a week. All state and federal hunting regulations apply.

Hunting is allowed on certain Conservation parcels as long as state and federal laws are followed. Unauthorized use of firearms on Conservation lands is clearly a public safety issue.

No hunting is allowed in the following conservation areas:

(1) Crocker Neck.

(2) Long Pond.

(3) Jenkins Wildlife Sanctuary.

(4) Whelan.

(5) Meetinghouse Farm.

(6) Santuit River.

Natural Resources Program Responsibilities

 

• Enforce State of Massachusetts freshwater fishing and hunting laws
• Monitor freshwater fishing in town ponds.
• Stock pheasant in West Barnstable Conservation area and Sandy Neck Beach Park.
• Monitor conservation areas for hunting and any illegal activity.
• Assist State of Massachusetts Environmental Police with investigating hunting/fishing/wildlife violations.
• Respond to sick or injured wildlife reports.
• Respond to marine animal strandings on town beaches.
• Assist Town of Barnstable Animal Control officer with emergency wild animal and dog calls as needed.
• Monitor for endangered and threatened species (such as piping plovers , sea turtles (green, loggerhead, leatherback, kemps ridley), diamond-backed terrapins on Barnstable beaches and waterways.

 

Useful Information and Links

Hunting and Fishing:

• State of Massachusetts hunting and fishing licenses (including saltwater fishing license)
• Code of Massachusetts Regulations related to fish and wildlife
• Mass General Laws related to fish and wildlife
• Mass wildlife hunting regulations
• Migratory waterfowl hunting regulations
• Mass Wildlife trout stocking schedule for local ponds.
• Massachusetts Environmental Police
• Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

100 Hartwell Street, Suite 230
West Boylston MA 01583
Tel: 508-389-6300
mass.wildlife@state.ma.us

 

District office

195 Bournedale Road
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
Tel: (508) 759-3406

 

Need to report an emergency hunting, fishing or trapping violation after hours?
Contact the Massachusetts Environmental Police Radio Room at1-800-632-8075 at any hour of the day. For non-emergency wildlife violations after hours contact Barnstable Natural Resources program at 508-790-6272 or use the Massachusetts Environmental Police web reporting system.

 

Living with Wildlife:

• Living with Wildlife Fact sheets
• MassWildlife Living with Wildlife information
• Wildlife tracking guide 
• River Herring Network
• Cape Wildlife
• International Fund For Animal Welfare (IFAW)
• Endangered and threatened wildlife in Massachusetts
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Protected Species