H 1065 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act relative to outdoor heritage

This bill modifies Massachusetts hunting regulations to expand bow and arrow and crossbow use. It allows hunting from elevated tree stands at least 250 feet from occupied homes (Section 1), removes restrictions on crossbows during hunting (Section 2), and requires all bows/crossbows to meet specific design and weight standards set by wildlife officials (Section 3). The bill also permits deer hunting with bows on Sundays during declared open seasons, including holidays, and mandates a minimum 7-day consecutive season for fall bow hunting (Sections 4-5). These changes directly affect hunters using bows/crossbows and wildlife officials managing hunting seasons and safety rules.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Mar 30, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Environment and Natural Resources
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Dave Vieira
Dave Vieira
RRepublican
MA
3rd Barnstable